Modak Houses

Hi all

Does any body know what the mystery product is made of?
They advertise as eco-green housing and claim to be fire proof, cyclone proof and termite proof.
I would like to know what chemicals cause all this "proof"
would also like to track down parent company I think it may be American

Thanks
Bird...

Not sure what you mean by 'mystery product', are you talking about modakboard?

I did find the following on their website.... http://www.modak.com.au/modakboard.html

FRAME Strong, light weight Zinc and Alloy Steel Frame construction (No Timber used).
Benefit: No termite destruction

ROOF Steel roofing in both Corrugated or Steel Tile (looks like normal roofing tiles)
Benefit: No mould, light weight, stronger, modern appearance, hail proof and fire proof.

Steel Benefits: Non-combustible, 100% recyclable, inorganic, less waste and wood, termite proof, high strength.

WALLS, CEILINGS & FLOORS - ModakBoard™ MgO Sheeting

ModakBoard panels are screwed and bonded to the metal form work and forms the construction of the Walls, Ceilings and Floors in differing suitable thickness.
Benefit: Environmentally sound with no toxic chemicals, asbestos, ammonia or formaldehydes.

ModakBoard - The building board of the future

ModakBoard is a newly developed, extensively tested modern building board used in construction. It is made from magnesium oxide (MgO) and a mixture of non organic minerals, bonders and fibre mesh composites. Mg0 contains no formaldehyde, no asbestos and no toxic chemicals.

ModakBoard is similar in price to paper lined plasterboard, but with substantial benefits in low loss and breakage due to the sheer strength of the product, some 8 to 10 times stronger than plasterboard.

When combined with its wet area applications, low moisture absorption levels, resistance to mould and mildew, a DB rating of 47% to 50% , imperviousness to termites and it being virtually 100% fireproof, it results in a very different and substantially more cost effective alternative to plasterboard or timber products.
Tool Requirements

No special tools are required to use Modakboard, it can be sawn, drilled, nailed, screwed and planed just like timber and once in position will have an exceptional life span exceeding that of all homes constructed to date using conventional plasterboard, paper lined plaster, or timber lining methods.
Fire Safety

ModakBoards' remarkable fire resistant quality makes it ideal for Australian conditions in bush fire prone areas... it cannot burn from domestic or bush fires. 

ModakBoard has a low toxicity level, contains no asbestos or formaldehyde and no toxic chemicals.

Environmental
MgO is produced in kiln temperatures of approx 650°C compared to cement products which need over 1200°C. The resultant expansion of CO2 emission in cement products is double that of MgO in manufacture. Added to that, during “Carbonation” MgO draws back 90% of the CO2 created, thus ModakBoard produces 90% less pollutant compared to cement based products.

Because ModakBoard is so strong, it will last a lot longer than standard building boards therefore replacement and maintenance do not become an issue. The less you have to replace, the less damage to the environment.
MgO Application

MgO board has been embraced by the building industry in many countries around the world. In Beijing, MgO board was the “official” specified construction material of the 2008 World Olympics buildings. Taiwans tallest structure "Taiwan 101" is lined with MgO materials as are thousands of buildings all over mainland China and the USA.

Jami McBride wrote:
Steel Benefits:    Non-combustible

Not sure I buy that one. 

Joel Hollingsworth wrote:
Not sure I buy that one.   

I think im with you Joel Have read the hype it doesnt say what nasties cause the "proofing"
The only natural fire retardent I can think of is water

Bird

Oh, there are plenty of natural fire retardants: gypsum is fantastic, for example, and salt and borax both work OK.

No, what I don't buy is the proposition that steel is not combustible.  Try burning an I-beam, and it doesn't work, any more than it would work to hold a match to a log.  But something more finely-divided, like steel wool, will show that steel is quite combustible.

Sounds like it could be used as a layer among others in the walls. But in a cold area I suspect it would conduct that chill straight through the walls, no?

Hi Paddy
where i am i would appreciate a chill, not many of those in tropical north australia, but decided not to go with this product couldn't get any straight discriptions of what the fill is made of not into sales hype and/or sales pitches, will most likely go mud brick or earth ship styles when i finally get around to building, but for now the bus and shipping container will do, too many trees to plant and gardens to do to worry about a house, anyway here most time is spent out doors in hope of catching a cool breeze

Aaah Bird you're so lucky to be able to stay outdoors all year around! Over here people have locked themselves in for the winter, and have left the streets to the bone-chilling wind =)

Ok, I'm exaggerating a bit, but I really hate the cold.