Price is surely better on the materials, although labor may make it moot. Be sure to check how much of the cost is materials. Vermiculite can be bought for $2.00 to $5.00 per cubic foot. Cellulose insulation generally runs less than $1.00 per cubic foot. However, many folks have found that cellulose does not mix well in standard concrete mixers. Mortar mixers do fine with it, since it is a soft aggregate. Obviously you could reduce the cost further by using waste paper, but finding it pre-milled is difficult and milling or pulping yourself is resource intensive.
Beyond price I see no reasons besides possibly mold and insects that would cause concern. To alleviate that concern I would wait until the PC is set and then soak the whole thing in a borax solution. Both mold and insect will seek easier breeding grounds.
Do you know what percentage of vermiculite he uses as aggregate? I am curious, since vermiculite actually has some sharp edges (it is a clay / mica like mineral) that I thought might cut into an above ground pool.
- Ernie
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "caroline659" <caroline659@...> wrote:
>
> Okay, I have been lurking in the group for a couple of years now and I ventured to ask a question sometime last year about using papercrete as an alternative to "Poolcrete". No one had a reply at the time so I thought I would try again. I am installing an above ground pool and the pool installer I am consulting advises me to put in a solid floor composed of something he calls "Poolcrete". This Poolcrete is made up of Portland cement and vermiculite. The finished product creates a solid surface that is slightly softer than a solid concrete and is less abrasive to the pool liner. My question is this: Could papercrete be substituted for the more expensive Poolcrete? If so, would it need any kind of reinforcing mesh? I realize that papercrete is generally not feasible for use directly on the ground but my assumption is that the reason for that is that you don't want mositure wicking up into the walls of a structure. That would not be a problem in this application. So, is there anyone out there willing to take a stab at an answer? Any discussion yea or nay would be appreciated. Thanks.
>
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