Replies

1. 
   'Teo | Jan 04, 1999 01:06pm | #1

   *
   Hello Nancy. I'm building a home in Northern Ca. with Rastra. We chose it primarily for its resistence to fire and simplicity to build with, but since working with it I have come to really like the stuff. I can't speak personally from years of experience, but there is not a lot of technology involved here. Rastra is simply cement and recycled plastics pressed together like a rice crispy treat- no advanced chemicals or systems involved.

   As far as your tropical climate, both ingredients are very hardy to moisture inately, and it all gets coated with a stucco finish. (The rep also claims that the nature of the product does not wick moisture in.) So, all else being equal, I can't see why you wouldn't choose it. Integrid of Berkekely, Ca. just opened a Rastra distribution in South Carolina, so they seem to be confident with that climate.

   Some other concerns of Rastra are availability and cost of getting it shipped, soil conditions/cost of foundation, willingness of government agency to work with it and availability of an engineer and contractor to work with it. The best part is that you can do almost anything with it - curves, niches, wierd windows, organic shapes etc. so you won't have a hard time finding a designer! Good luck.

2. 
   Nancy_U | Jan 04, 1999 01:15pm | #2

   *
   I was planning to build a tropical home with poured concrete walls and am seriously looking at these forms that remain in place. Of course the literature claims no problems with moisture and celebrates the ease and lower cost associated with them. I am interested in knowing your success or failure stories with these products. Thanks