Jesmonite® materials are frequently chosen by architects, specifiers and main contractors. They are also used by manufacturers around the world as effective alternatives to conventional cast stone, gypsum, concrete and plaster products. The innovative, versatile nature of our material suite is the core reason for this, allowing for creation of pieces that were previously unachievable with these conventional methods. Similarly, the onsite benefits such as manual handling weight reductions and significant decreases in carbon intensive materials in our formulas inherently create a better environment, not only on site but for the end-occupier and most importantly, our planet.
Handling & On-Site Installation
A key benefit for site operators and manufacturers is the lightweight nature of Jesmonite® casts, whilst providing great overall strength, significant flexural benefits and impact resistance. When compared to concrete or stone Jesmonite® can be made in larger yet still manageable sections that are easier to lift, fix and transport – this offers significant reductions in onsite heavy machinery, extra operational staff, excess haulage costs and therefore a healthy overall prelim reduction. The lightweight nature of the finished Jesmonite casts also places less stress on the building and associated support structure, allowing for much more design flexibility due to less cost and considerations placed on load bearing.
Reduced Thicknesses & Consistency in Quality
Being a manufactured material, Jesmonite® can be produced with a consistent level of quality and composition. This can lead to much more predictable outcomes in relation to consistency in colour, thickness and on-site installations. Having overall increases in strength, limit of proportionality and modulus of rupture, when compared to stone and concrete products, Jesmonite® can be cast thinner and glass-reinforced/laminated to offer benefits from an engineering perspective, reducing weights and material consumption.
Durability & Maintenance
Jesmonite® materials are rigorously tested to ensure their long-term durability and performance, when used both internally and externally. Key benefits of the materials that offer a reduction in maintenance are:
- UV stability
- Water resistance
- Freeze thaw resistance
- Impact resistance
- Supplemented by increased flexibility and ductility providing a lessened potential for cracking over time with thermal expansion and contraction.
- A wide compatibility with coatings which can be applied post-cast to offer true graffiti-resistance, colourwashes, and increased levels of hydrophobicity.
Fire Resistance
All Jesmonite® materials including AC100, AC300, AC630, AC730, AC830 & AC930 are tested to EN13501-1 standards. All data from these tests is catalogued and available to architects and manufacturers at the point of specification to ensure the materials are befitting of the project requirement. All our external grade cementitious materials AC630, AC730 & AC830 are within the A1 to A2 s1-d0 classification range.
Jesmonite® presents a host of benefits for external cladding and interior features, including staircases, soffits and balustrades. It’s lightweight nature, seamless joining capabilities and overall straightforward manufacturing and installation processes, design versatility, durability and low environmental impact make it an excellent alternative to concrete, natural stone and conventional materials. It is clear that despite a formal EPD, the nature of Jesmonite® materials creates significant benefits against solid concrete and stone products purely down to the reduction in overall material consumption alone, but bolstered by the associated site, cost and time benefits.
By specifying Jesmonite, architects, designers, specifiers and contractors can achieve stunning architectural elements, more cost-effective programs and increased project functionality.
If you are looking for design, project or manufacturing advise then contact our Divisional Director Edd Wilson by email or visit our website.
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