Sustainable Mortar Solutions from SMET – Article published in latest Northern Builder Magazine Sustainability Special Vol. 24 No 6 2013 | northernbuilder.co.uk/ CHOOSE THE CORRECT NATURAL HYDRAULIC LIME BINDER FOR YOUR PROJECT FROM A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE BY SMET BUILDING PRODUCTS… Smet Building Products Ltd supplies a comprehensive range of sustainable, high quality Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) based mortars. The range includes pre-mixed renders and plasters, which are suitable for traditional hand or modern machine application, and EN 459-1 compliant SMET NHL 2, SMET NHL 3.5 and SMET NHL 5 Natural Hydraulic Lime binders, which are particularly suitable for conservation, repair and sustainable new builds. Suitable for the production of lime mortars, renders and plaster, the German-made NHL binders can be sourced from any Haldane Fisher branch, closely supported with detailed technical advice and aftercare by Newry-based Smet Building Products Ltd. The NHL binder range includes – • SMET NHL 2 is a high quality, pure natural hydraulic lime binder, produced under an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 quality system to EN 459-1. The feeble hydraulic strength development of NHL 2 makes it suitable for producing lime mortars for masonry work, rendering, plastering base coats and finish coats. These lime mortars are ideally suited for interior and exterior use on weak structures, particularly ecological new build, restoration and preservation works. The mortar’s special composition allows the mortar product to breathe and also permits constant hygrometric exchange between the substrate and the environment. • SMET NHL 3.5 is a high quality, pure natural hydraulic lime binder, produced under an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 quality system to EN 459-1. The moderate hydraulic strength development of NHL 3.5 makes it suitable for producing lime mortars for masonry work, rendering, plastering base coats and limecrete. The product’s special composition allows the mortar product to breathe and also permits constant hygrometric exchange between the substrate and the environment. A moderately hydraulic lime binder for the production of mortars, it’s particularly suited for ecological new build, restoration and preservation works. • SMET NHL 5 is a high quality, pure natural hydraulic lime binder, produced under an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 quality system to EN 459-1. The eminent hydraulic strength development of NHL 5 makes it suitable for producing lime mortars for masonry work, rendering, plastering base coats and limecrete in extreme weather environments and exposed areas. The product’s special composition allows the mortar product to breathe and also permits constant hygrometric exchange between the substrate and the environment. An eminently hydraulic lime binder for the production of mortars, it’s particularly suited for ecological new build, restoration and preservation works in extreme weather environments and exposed areas. Whether the job is restoration, conservation, preservation or an ecological new build, the advantages of using NHL-based mortars over cement-based mortars are apparent from decades of experience and research. To begin with, the manufacture of limes or Natural Hydraulic Limes (NHLs) consumes less energy and produces less greenhouse gases than that of Portland cement per unit weight.* It also aids the significant efforts continually being made by binder producers to reduce their energy consumption and, more recently, their carbon dioxide emissions, by switching from hydrocarbons to other fuels and by improving their production processes. The total energy content per tonne of lime-based mortar has the potential to be between 75-90% of that for cement-based mortars. In addition, over a period of years of exposure to the atmosphere, lime-based mortars absorb most or all of the carbon dioxide that was driven off during their high temperature manufacturing process, known as calcination. By contrast, cement-based mortars do not normally fully re-carbonate. The sustainability credentials also help bricks to be re-used, as masonry laid using lime-based mortar has lower bond strength than cement-based mortars, so the mortar can be cleaned off the bricks easily. Lime-based mortars also offer a range of advantages from a design perspective. Walls have improved ‘breathability’ to water and water vapour, which reduces the likelihood of frost failure of the unit materials and improves the internal living environment. Walls built with lime-based mortars have more tolerance to movement caused by thermal and moisture action, while movement within masonry walls built with lime-based mortars can be accommodated in the individual bed joints between the masonry units, reducing the need for vertical movement joints. Finally, lime-based mortars are capable of self-healing microscopic cracks by plastic flow and diffusion and are less susceptible to sulphate attack, providing all-round consistently high quality results. CONSERVATION Joris Smet, Director of Smet Building Products Ltd, said, “Lime-based mortars can be used in all aspects of new build construction but have historically gained the most acceptance in the construction of masonry walls. “The area of construction with the longest history is, of course, conservation and repair, including the preservation and restoration of historic buildings. This is an example of where we can offer detailed technical advice, as it’s important to establish the composition of the original mortar – both the binder and the aggregate – and to attempt to match the new mortar to the original, provided that there is no evidence that the original mortar has been detrimental to the masonry.” Joris further explained, “Refurbishment can also be considered conservation, for example the matching of repair and replacement mortars to those already in the building, but they may also provide opportunities for using lime-based mortars in the construction of extensions or rebuilding of structures as part of the refurbishment.” The SMET Professional range of quality NHL-based mortars is backed up with the expertise of a technical advisor. At SMET, the company is site focused, providing customers with industry specialists who will provide training and support as well as demonstrate the professional NHL materials. “SMET doesnt believe in sell and forget – the company’s policy is to continue to monitor the scheme to ensure a first class finish,” added Joris. Contact SMET: Head Office: Smet Building Products Ltd | 28 Castleowen, Newry, BT34 1GF | T: +44 (0) 28 3082 5970 | F: +44 (0) 28 3025 2777 | E: info@smetbuildingproducts *Source: nhbcfoundation.org based on De Vekey, 2005
Posted on: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 12:30:13 +0000
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