Housing in Southern Africa July 2016

Roofing, Ceilings, Insulation and Cladding

Habito drywalling

A s opposed to rules pertaining to traditional drywall, such as not hanging anything too heavy or using doorstops to prevent indenta- tions from door handles, Habito is a building product solution which is unsurpassed in strength and durabil- ity. The technical features include a superior load bearing quality, which allows for 15 kgweight per screw. This means 150 kg can be safely mounted using only 10 screws. It absorbs knocks and bumps and dramatically reduces wear and tear. Fixtures can

Leading building solutions group Saint-Gobain Gyproc recently introduced Habito high strength dry walling into South Africa.

Ultrasteel studs and Donn UltraSteel tracks and Habito High Performance Screws are used at a low screw gun revolution. This high performance wall system is then completed by using Rhinolite Multipurpose plaster for plastering the board. To affix heavy items onto a Habito wall, no wall studs, battens, noggins, anchors or brackets are needed. Items can be screwed directly onto the wall. Fischer Butterfly screws are recommended for affixing very heavy items such as kitchen counters and standard chipboard screws are recommended for use when mount- ing medium weight items such as a television. Habito High Performance screws can be used when mounting lighter fixtures. With the strength of brick and the benefits of dry wall, it provides the perfect solution particularly for interiors in high traffic areas or where home owners are likely to want to redecorate – move fixtures, fittings or shelving To add to an already extensive list of benefits, Habito it also creates an effective buffer against excessive noise creating a more peaceful and comfortable environment. Further- more, by using Habito together with insulation, indoor temperature can also be regulated. All Saint-Gobain Gyproc products come standard with a product war- ranty that gives customers the quality assurance that Saint-Gobain Gyproc products have been tried and tested and are backed by over 85 years of experience and industry knowledge. For more information about Hab- ito go to http://www.habito.co.za ■

be changedwithout causingunneces- sary damage to the wall. Installation of Habito is straight- forward and requires a simple score and snap method. The board can be marked with a chalk line, cut using a blade runner, jigsaw or Stanley knife and the edges finished off with a jigsaw. Habito is installed using Habito customer service to the local indus- try. A core aspect of our mission and the reason for our success is that we offer a ‘one-stop’ facility to contrac- tors in the line of cellulose fibre ce- ment products.” UFCC also supplies wood grain- impressed fibre cement boards and planks, “Wood has a natural beauty and strong appeal to themarket. And we have found that our fibre cement products, either plain or with the tim- ber grain pattern, have become very popular, especially since they can be painted in any colour or finish. The DecoWood range combines the rustic appeal of timber with the durability of fibre cement and its uses are truly limitless,” adds Bekker. The UCO SolidWall Building Sys- tem, an Innovative Building Technol- ogy (IBT), is suitable for affordable housing and has been approved by Agrément. The product meets all the requirements for fire-rating, acoustic and thermal insulation, wet applica- tion impact strength and robustness. Having proven itself as an Innova- tive Building Technology (IBT), the UCOSolidWall Building Systemrepre- sents an affordable and viable option across the residential spectrum. ■

Fibre cement products

U nited Fibre Cement Company offers the construction sec- tor quality, asbestos-free, cellulose fibre cement products in South Africa. Established in 2005, United Fibre Cement Company (UFCC) developed affordable and safe constructionma- terials for the built environment. The company’s product offering includes smooth fibre cement sheeting of vari- ous thicknesses, which covers a range of applications. Ranging from internal dry walling, partitioning, fascia, sof- fits, cornicing, ceilings and skirting, to external cladding, decking, floor- ing, permanent formwork and even secondary roofing, eave linings, ducts and ventilation. Says UFCC’s CEO, Leon Bekker, “Over the past decade, we have re- mained dedicated to bringing qual- ity products coupled with excellent

July 2016