· Concrete Mix and Mortar/Screed Mix are similar in some respects. · They are both made from the same basic materials: cement, water · and aggregate (sand, stone or gravel). · But, when it comes to their uses as building materials, concrete and screed mix are very different. · : Quality concrete is used for construction and structural tasks. · : While mortar/screed is used/applied as a top layer to a concrete/brick base. Physical differences between concrete and screed: Concrete and screed are both made from a mixture of cement, water and aggregate. The main difference between the two materials is the type of aggregate that is used. When mixing concrete, you add coarse aggregate like gravel to the mix. These small stones are normally 20mm or less in size. This coarse aggregate gives the concrete its strength, durability and workability, and makes it suitable for structural work. For mixing screed mix, you use fine, sharp sand particles, with a maximum grain size of about 2mm, cement, water and sometimes lime. Sharp sand is more coarse than building/soft sand and is more perfect for mixing with other sands to prevent cracking during the drying process. It’s often used in situation where a slightly thicker layer of mortar is required such as chimney flaunching, bedding roof tiles and many garden projects will require sharp sand. Plasterers sand is not as coarse as sharp sand, but not as fine as soft sand. Its washed to remove salts and clay residue that could cause efflorescence salting. Lime can be used as an alternative to cement in some mixes or used in conjunction with it. Lime allows materials such as bricks to breathe, it’s commonly used on older period buildings with soft, permeable bricks that would likely crack if cement was used. Plasticiser is a liquid that is added to the mix to make the materials easier to work with and also slows down the curing process slightly. It makes a typical mortar mix sticky and easier to point over. Water proofer is different to plasticiser, it does what it says and is often used when rendering. Frost proofer, accelerators and colour additives can be included in the mix as required. What Happens if you Make the Mortar too Weak? Not only will the mortar fail to bind sufficiently, it may also crumble after a short amount of time or wash away after minimal weathering. What Happens if you Make the Mortar too Strong? Too strong a mix, e.g. made with too much cement and your mortar many dry to quickly, thus it will dry to quickly, thus it will shrink and crack. Cracking can be avoided by reducing the amount of cement in the mixture and ensuring the mortar is wet enough. Bricklaying Mortar: The best mix will depend on the type of brick and the location of the wall. For most domestic builds such as a house building, use one of these mixes: · 4 parts soft sand with 1part cement, add water and plasticiser. · For soft older bricks already bedded onto a lime based mortar, a lime and sand mix should be used, the ratio will depend on the type of lime and how much water content it has. · For retaining walls or anywhere likely to be in regular contact with water, use 3 parts soft sand and one part cement, 1 part lime is optional depending on the type of brick or block. Chimneys: For chimney repointing in a modern home, the best mix will depend on how exposed the chimney is and its location. For chimneys in wind swept rainy parts of the country, use a mix of 3 parts soft sand and 1part cement. For softer or more permeable bricks, 4 parts sand, half part cement and 1 part lime can be used. Plasticiser is optional. Chimney flaunching will receive a lot of rain so the mix should be strong, this prevents it washing out. Because flaunching is laid several centimetres thick, add sharp sand to the mix to avoid cracking during the drying process… 2 or 3 parts soft sand, 1 part sharp sand, 1 part cement and half-part lime is optional. For older period homes, a lime-based should be used instead of cement. Paving Mortar Mix: · For bedding under the slabs use 5 parts sharp sand, 1 part soft sand and 1 part cement. · For pointing use 4 parts soft sand and 1 part cement. · For high traffic areas, a strong mix of 3 parts soft sand and 1 part cement can be used. Render Mortar Mix (Modern Buildings) The first coat of render should ideally be slightly stronger than the second coat. While some tradespeople make the two mixes the same strength, the second coat should never be stronger than the first coat. A pure soft sand mix shouldn’t be used when rendering. It’s preferable to use either sharp sand, plasterer’s sand or a mixture of the two. Soft sand can be added to the mix but it shouldn’t comprise of more than 25% of the entire mix. The first coat of render can be 2 parts plasterer’s sand and 2 parts sharp sand, 1 part cement and half part lime. Waterproofer can be applied to the first coat if the property is modern. The second coat must be slightly weaker than the first, so 3 parts plasterers sand, 2 parts sharp sand, 1 part cement and half lime. Plasticiser can be used in the second coat. Locations that are sheltered, a slightly weaker mix can be used. For the first coat 4 parts sharp sand can be used and for the second coat 5 parts sharp sand can be used. Modern buildings are constructed with thermal efficiency in mind and sealants, waterproofing materials and cement based products can be used. Period properties are designed to breathe, floors and walls are often constructed with lime, being a material that lets the moister in the building escape. Covering breathable materials with non-breatherable cement, gypsum plaster or waterproofing sealers lead to significant damp problems. For period properties we suggest seeking the advice of a specialist who understands how older buildings are designed to breathe. Floor Screed Mix: For modern homes: 4 parts sharp sand and 1part cement. Although anything from 3-5 parts sharp sand to 1 part sand would be acceptable for most situations. For period buildings: Lay a lime-based screed as the floor needs to breath. If you don’t, the Cement in the screed will push moister towards the walls where the soft brick and plaster will absorb the water. Best Mortar Mix for Roof Tiles: Because roof tiles are located in an exposed location that’s likely to experience rainfall, a strong mix should be used. Unfortunately, some profiled roof tiles require a very thick bedding of mortar, so to reduce the risk of cracking, sharp sand should be introduced to the mix for most tiles. · All tiles except Plain tiles ….2 parts soft sand, 1 part sharp sand and 1 part cement. · For tiles where only a thin bedding of mortar is required (i.e. Plain tiles) 3 parts soft sand, plus 1 part cement and plasticiser. · It is recommended choosing a soft sand that is fairly coarse, avoid soft sands that are at the “silty” end of the spectrum. How Much Water is Too Much?? The firmness of the wet mortar can be altered by changing the type of sand, the sand/cement ratio and the amount of water added to the mix. Most bricks and blocks are quite porous and as only a thin layer of mortar is required wet or ‘sloppy’ mix is often preferable. Some roof tiles require a bedding layer of mortar that’s inches thick and a wet/sloppy mix would not be suitable, it would slump off the tiles. For roofing projects, a firmer mixture is generally required. Needless to say the mortar should never be so firm that it does not have enough water content to create a chemical reaction. Neither should it be so sloppy that it’s impossible to work with. What’s the Lowest Temperature I Can Use Mortar?? Generally 5 degrees is the lowest temperature that mortar can be laid. Any colder and there is a risk of frost which will weaken the finished mortar. Frost proofers can be added to the mortar but shouldn’t be relied upon. Colourants: Can be used but only use as much as you need and excessive amounts. Accelerators: These speed up the drying time but often leave you with little time to work with the mortar before it starts to set. If you continue to work with mortar that has been set, you’ll reduce the strength of the finished mortar. Therefore, you should only use them when necessary. Do not forget: Australian Standard Building Regulation/Codes for Roof Tiles: Require all roof tiles, including ridges, valley tiles and verges must be secured with, screws, nails or clips…..in addition to standard water proof mortar. Note: Forced Action Mortar Mixers are specifically design for mixing all types of compounds: Mortars / Renders/Screed Mixtures /Rein Mixtures and general Plaster mixtures. This is what gives screed its fine, tightly packed texture and makes it suitable for applying as a top layer to a concrete floor. concrete and fine aggregate for screed. We are able to precisely control the ratios of raw materials being mixed, which is how we create different types of concrete and screed. The concrete or screed is mixed fresh onsite and barrowed or pumped to where you need it. Concrete and screed mix designs can both be altered to meet your requirements. We can adjust the ratios or introduce admixtures to give the material different qualities. If you need a lightweight concrete or screed, for example, an aggregate like LYTAG could be used in the mix. Or, for a higher compressive strength, we can adjust the water-cement ratio as needed. The benefits of concrete and screed Concrete has the potential to hit a very high compressive strength, which makes it an ideal building material. It is used in everything from walls, driveways, patios and roads to piling, concrete floors and other building structures. As well as being immensely strong, concrete is durable, economical, long-lasting and versatile. It is also non-combustible, which means that it could be advantageous in the event of a fire. The main benefit of readymix concrete, in particular, is that it can be batched to your exact specifications and amount using volumetric mixers. Screed is generally used to create a smooth, bump-free finish to a concrete floor or surface. As well as improving a concrete base aesthetically, it can also lengthen its life – the compact mix

GREEN BUILDING SOLUTIONS……Extruded Polystyrene Sheathing (XPS). The most common components of a building’s envelope perform is just as important as its structural design functions…. but they do not always meet their true potential. To that end, various types of plastic materials can help building owners achieve the efficiency they require. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) offers many benefits due to the way this product is manufactured. It is energy-efficient, easy to install and lightweight, the specification of extruded polystyrene sheets allow the use of a single product to create a continuous layer of thermal and moisture protection on a building’s floors, walls and ceiling structures, thereby contributing to energy efficiency of a building. How is Extruded Polystyrene Created: Extruded polystyrene foam begins as solid granules of polystyrene resin. The plastic granules are fed into an extruder, where they are melted and mixed with critical additives to form a viscous fluid. Next, a blowing agent is injected to enable the plastic product’s expansion. Under carefully controlled heat and pressure conditions, the plastic mixture is forced through a die to produce the desired width and thickness, it then continues as one long length down a roller conveyor to cool under ambient temperature. The long length of cooled extruded polystyrene is then trimmed to the final product dimensions (additionally length and width shiplap edges can added to the extruded polystyrene XPS boards). This continuous process produces the closed-cell structure with smooth top and bottom surfaces where required diamond embossed surfaces are also added to allow for better bonding to other product surfaces. The closed-cell structure of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam imparts excellent long-term strength and durability. XPS Products are available in a range of compressive strengths to suit varied application needs. Due to its inherent physical properties, this strength does not depend on the use of facers or laminates, which can sometimes be compromised during installation. However, extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam faced-products are available to add extra strength when specified for a particular application. Extruded polystyrene can be manufactured in a wide variety of lengths, widths and thickness subject to the size of supplier’s extruders. XPS Energy efficiency Extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam sheathing can have positive energy and air emission benefits when used in residential buildings. A 2000 Franklin Associates’ study shows far more energy is saved over the 50-year life of a home properly using XPS foam insulation than is consumed by manufacturing the insulation. Other studies, presented at the 2004 Earth Tech forum, show that after less than three years, more greenhouse gas emissions are avoided due to heating/cooling energy consumption than are emitted during the manufacture of extruded polystyrene foam insulating sheathing. Properly installed extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam can also improve a building’s energy efficiency by providing a complete layer of insulation on the wall. This reduces air movement through the wall that can rob energy. Insulation between studs does not necessarily offer complete insulation value because wood studs and other framing members are not insulated. This phenomenon is called thermal bridging and can dramatically decrease thermal performance of the building. Since residential wood framing typically makes up about 25 percent of the wall area (taking into account window and door framing), a quarter of the wall is uninsulated when only cavity insulation is used. As such, extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam sheathing can provide insulating value to the entire wall area. Aside from its inherent insulating performance, extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam sheathing, when properly installed and seams taped, can also greatly reduce air leakage through walls, which can improve energy efficiency and comfort. An essential attribute for sustainable building products, especially insulation, is the ability to function properly over its useful life without physical property performance degradation. In fact, good long-term insulation performance is needed to correctly design a building’s heating and air-conditioning systems. Extruded polystyrene foam can also have advantages due to its ability to assist with moisture management, resisting both water absorption and freeze/thaw cycles. When traditional insulation absorbs water, its thermal performance can be compromised over time. Reduce, reuse, recycle Three strong environmental principles are to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Since extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulating sheathing can reduce energy loss in buildings, it can lower (i.e. reduce) the amount of energy (gas and electric) required to maintain comfortable living environments. The more widespread the use of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulating sheathing, the more profound its effect can be on reducing consumption of natural resources, such as coal, oil, and gas. Polystyrene resin is a thermoplastic material, which means it can be melted and re-inserted (i.e. reused) into the manufacture of new extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation. Extruded polystyrene manufacturing plants create virtually no scrap or waste materials because nearly 100 percent is recovered, ground up and re-pelletized for the production system (i.e. recycled). Some companies even seek outside sources of scrap polystyrene plastic resin to reuse.

XPS Insulation Applications Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) is an extraordinary product and it has be well-established and recognized reputation for its long-term reliability and superior properties. These properties include: 1. Excellent thermal insulation properties 2. High compressive strength 3. Closed cell structure minimizing water absorption 4. Excellent dimensional stability 5. Exceptional resistance to water and freeze thaw cycles These exceptional properties above make extruded polystyrene (XPS) ideal panels for insulating a wide range of applications in buildings, such as: ​ Beneath Base Slabs Above Base Slabs Below-Ground Basement Perimeters ​ Inverted Roofs Pitched Roofs (Above Rafters) Pitched Roofs (Below Rafters) Duo Roofs Ceiling Insulation Terrace Roofs Green Roofs Roof Top Parks Swimming Pool Outer/Under Perimeters Hydronic Floor Heating External Wall Cladding Inside Stud/ Cavity Walls Outer Perimeters of Buildings Cellar Walls Thermal Bridges Pipework Insulation Below Sport Surfaces Water Proofing Industrial/Warehouse Floors & Walls under Roofs Renovation Residential Applications Residential applications include: ​ - Insulation for exterior walls (ETICS) - Cavity wall insulation - Roof insulation (Flat/Inverted & Pitched) - Floor Insulation Commercial Applications 1. Interior and Exterior Walls 2. Foundations and Slabs 3. All Kinds of Roofs Features: - More compressive strength selection for different applications - Excellent long-term thermal performance - Moisture resistance - Flame-retarded - Thermal bridge breaker - Light weight, easy to install Cold Storages The cold processing industry is a high energy consumption industry, and the energy consumption of the cold storage enclosure structure accounts for about 30% of the entire cold storage. In some low temperature cold storage enclosures, the cooling capacity is as high as 50% of the total refrigeration equipment load. It can be seen that the selection of insulation material for the envelope structure is related to the energy consumption of the entire cold storage. Under normal circumstances, in the design and construction of cold storage, designers and owners often only consider the comparison and optimization of the initial performance of thermal insulation materials, while relatively neglecting the long-term thermal insulation performance of thermal insulation materials and the production process of thermal insulation panels. Cold-Chain Transport Applications ♦ Refrigerated truck, van bodies ♦ Motor-homes & caravans ♦ Airport hi-lift van bodies ♦ Special-purpose vehicles Cold chain transport is a temperature-sensitive industry, so the strictest factors should be considered when refrigerated trucks are produced. These factors include: Lower thermal conductivity The smaller the thermal conductivity is, the better the insulation performance is. Refrigerated trucks are designed to transport food, and other temperature-sensitive merchandise, so they must be insulated effectively. Our Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Special for Refrigerated Trucks has lower thermal conductivity 0.026W/(M.K) at 23℃, it is excellent core materials in low temperature condition. High mechanical strength When loading and uploading merchandise to or from refrigerated trucks, high mechanical forces shall be formed. As core material, extruded polystyrene has to withstand enough forces to protect these panels from being damaged. Our Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Special for Refrigerated Trucks guarantees the compressive strength 350-600kPa at a low density. Such high strength is capable to withstand heavy cargo loads as well as dynamic loads. Low moisture absorption Moisture is bad for thermal insulation performance. Since its 100% closed-cell structure, extruded polystyrene has much lower moisture absorption rate, and can also withstand water ingress, to ensure durability and optimum quality. Our Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Special for Refrigerated Trucks is a thermal insulation material insensitive to moisture, which is characterized by its high resistance to water vapor diffusion. This is one of the reasons why it is preferred product for maintaining long-term insulation properties. Light weight As a kind of new thermal insulation material for refrigerated truck, extruded polystyrene foam is more lighter by weight, definitely fuel costs get down. Our Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Special for Refrigerated Trucks has the lowest density 33kg/m3, and its other properties can be guaranteed at same time.

XPS Screws Square Head Drive # 304 Stainless Steel CSK Philips Head 4 Ribs Class 3 Galvanized Steel Square Head Drive Class 3 Galvanized Steel Square Head Drive ACQ Tan Ceramic Coated Square Head Drive # 304 Stainless Steel Screws Carton: $ 430 Bucket: $115 Get a quote CSK Philips Head 4 Ribs Class 3 Galvanized Steel Screws Carton: $ 65 Bucket: $ 23 Get a quote Square Head Drive Class 3 Galvanized Steel Screws Carton: $ 225 Bucket: $ 41 Get a quote Square Head Drive ACQ Tan Ceramic Coated Carton: $ 130 Bucket: $ 35 Get a quote

Top of Page 304 430 Aluminium Galvanized Corner Beads Corner Beads with Reinforced Flange have a smooth round nose bead with diamond mesh wings and have a wave margin for easy installation (nailing). Thus insuring a perfect bond and providing effective reinforcement where most needed. Therefore they are easy to install and permits plumb straight outside corners. #304 Stainless Steel #430 Stainless Steel #Aluminium #Galvanized Which material should I choose? ​ Corner Beads made from #304 Stainless Steel are recommended for any projects that are at least 500 meters from the ocean . Projects that are 1000 meters or more from the ocean can use #430 Stainless Steel or Aluminium Corner Beads. Projects that are 20 Km or more from the ocean can use #430 Stainless Steel , Aluminium or Galvanized Corner Beads. Feel free to contact us for further assistance! #304 Stainless Steel It can be used on all projects that are at least 500 metres from the ocean ​ Dimensions (mm): 2900 x 30 x 30 x 0.42 ​ Price per Each: $ 5.50 (less than a carton) Carton Details Get a quote #430 Stainless Steel - It can be used on any projects that are within 1000 meters or more from the ocean Dimensions (mm): 2900 x 30 x 30 x 0.42 ​ Price per Each: $ 4.00 (less than a carton) Carton Details Get a quote #Aluminium It can be used on any projects t hat are within 1000 meters or more from the ocean ​ Dimensions (mm): 2900 x 30 x 30 x 0.62 ​ Price per Each: $ 3.00 (less than a carton) Carton Details Get a quote #Galvanized - It can be used on any projects that are within 20 km or more from the ocean ​ Dimensions (mm): 2900 x 30 x 30 x 0.50 ​ Price per Each: $ 2.50 (less than a carton) Carton Details Get a quote Back to Top