Metricon is always on the lookout for new and innovative building materials. And while it’s been around for a few years now, Hebel remains one of our favourite products, and for good reason.
If you’re new to building and construction, you may not have heard of this cutting-edge material. So, to get you up to speed, let’s dive right into Hebel 101.
What is Hebel?
Hebel is a strong and versatile building material made from Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC). Made in Australia, Hebel is created by combining readily available raw materials such as sand, cement, lime and gypsum with water and an expansion agent. The result is a high-quality, lightweight building material, perfect for solid foundations. Hebel panels contain anti-corrosion steel reinforcement for added strength, which is ideal for external cladding exposed to the elements.
Benefits of Hebel
Insulation
Hebel is a great form of insulation, helping to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. By opting to use Hebel in your build, you may rely less on your heating and cooling systems, which in turn is better for both the environment and your hip pocket.
Not only is Hebel an excellent choice for thermal insulation, but it’s great for sound insulation too. Hebel is commonly used in our dual occupancy developments to help reduce noise between neighbours who share a wall. It’s also a solid choice for homes built near busy roads or motorways. If you value peace and quiet, Hebel should be a consideration at the top of your list.
Hebel also has a great flooring solution that we commonly use in our double-storey home builds. Hebel Powerfloor is a flooring system that can be installed beneath timber, carpet or tiles to help minimise noise transference between rooms and floors of the house, as well as improve thermal insulation – a sound investment for a serene home.
Stylish design
Street appeal is one of the most important factors when designing your home. First impressions count, and when it comes time to sell or rent your property, the importance of a refined façade cannot be understated. If you’re looking to create an impactful street presence, Hebel is the height of both functionality and style. Designed to complement other external materials, Hebel can be rendered in a wide range of colours and is the perfect addition to your home, regardless of the design. From French Provincial elegance to sleek and contemporary, it has a place on any façade.
Fire resistant
Hebel is an ideal material when building in bushfire zones. It’s a non-combustible building material known for its fire-resistant properties, and it meets the requirements for all six Bushfire Attack Level categories. Chat to your friendly New Home Advisor for more information regarding BAL ratings and appropriate materials for building in bushfire-prone areas.
Affordability
Hebel is a solid choice for anyone looking to reduce the cost of their build. Compared to rendered brick, Hebel is cost-effective, with the added benefit of being a low maintenance and long-lasting option.
One standard Hebel panel is the equivalent of 75 bricks – which means Hebel is quicker to install than other methods. This means your build will be completed faster – and you could be settled into your beautiful new home in record time.
Why Metricon loves Hebel
Metricon’s Design Director, Adrian Popple, is a big advocate of building with Hebel. He recommends using Hebel as both an external and internal building product.
“It’s efficient, stable, and provides a high-quality finish, all while maintaining the look and feel of solid masonry. We love that Hebel gives us the design flexibility we couldn’t normally achieve with masonry. Hebel’s unique structure enables us to create innovative designs that are well-articulated, while keeping the look and feel of masonry that so many of our customers love.” Adrian Popple
Want to know more about Metricon construction? For more advice on building your dream home, head to our blog, Home Truths, or check out the gallery for more inspiration.
