Cut costs with cheaper brown block, Batswana told

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Thursday June 6, 2013 00:00

Reached while demonstrating how to build with the block at the just-ended BOCCIM Northern Trade Fair (BNTF), Brown said that 'Brown Block' is a brick that they (Mercier Brun) make for commercial purposes. 'We mix concrete with sand and cement and create a 'Brown Block' that dries after 24 hours. 'It does not need to be watered while drying. Construction with this brown block can be achieved with unskilled labour,'' he said.

Brown said that the only tools required for moulding the brick are a shovel - for mixing, and a builder's trowel (for finishing), adding that there is no separate energy source, like electricity, necessary to mould the bricks.'This, together with their longevity and sound insulation properties, makes them environmentally friendly with a low carbon footprint. Moulds are lubricated with used cooking oil,'' he said. He said for the days the BNTF was on, they had been having many people visiting their stall to learn more about  their product and services.

'Most of the people loved our product and with the interest they have shown while visiting our stall, we managed to sell our product and think that we will have more business after this trade fair,'' he said.He said it is time saving to construct using this brick because it does not need to be joined with a cement mixture, as it is the case.'Brown Blocks are joined - or more correctly - glued together with thin bed mortar instead of conventional mortar. The thin bed mortar is applied only at the bottom of each block and is applied by simply dipping the base of the block into the mix.''

'This makes building faster and significantly cheaper,' he said. Brown said when building with it labour is reduced up to 50 percent and is fast, as one can construct a two-and-a-half roomed house in a week. Brown said that it is an effective brick that Batswana can consider using to save time and costs by 50 percent of conventional construction costs and labour.  He said the brown block could be used to construct houses, walls, swimming pools and other structures. 'With this brown block brick there is no need for plastering as you just paint, saving another cost for plastering.There is no need for cutting the block during construction, it comes out in different sizes. We have constructed a security guard house here in BOCCIM grounds,'' said Brown.