Here's Where You'll Find The Technical Information
Like How You Lay Isotex Blocks
In 3 Steps
Step 1:
Preparation and Laying the First Course
Set The Foundation
During the foundation phase, allow for vertical steel reinforcement bars (Ø14 mm) to be embedded at 25 cm intervals (aligned with the hollow cores of the blocks).
These rebars should protrude approximately 50 cm above the foundation.
Alternatively, if not pre-inserted, rebars can be anchored after the first course using chemical resins.
Mortar Bedding
Apply two narrow strips of mortar along the edges of the blocks' base (not full-width) to ensure leveling and load distribution.
Mortar should have a compressive strength lower than concrete, typically R’ck ≥ 30 N/mm².
Allign The Corners
Begin laying from the corner units (UNI blocks).
Use masonry lines to establish perfect alignment and verticality before proceeding to the next phase.
Step 2:
Dry Stacking Your Next Layers
Dry Lay Your Blocks
Continue laying blocks dry (without mortar), tightly butted to avoid thermal and acoustic bridging.
Offset each course by half a block using special half-units to ensure structural integrity and optimal concrete flow.
Orientate Blocks Correctly
Install all blocks with the beveled edge (bezel) facing upward to accommodate horizontal reinforcement.
Ensure the insulated side faces outward.
Make Custom Cuts
If cuts are required, perform them at the center of the wall, maintaining their position across courses to prevent:
misalignment of internal concrete columns
loss of load-bearing capacity
obstruction of concrete flow
Reinforce Each Layer
After every course, insert horizontal steel reinforcement into the bezels up to 6 courses (≈1.5 meters) high before the first concrete pour.
Step 3:
Pour Your Concrete
Concrete Mix And Pour Details
Use fluid (S4) or superfluid (S5) concrete with a maximum aggregate size of 12–15 mm, compliant with the structural design.
Pour using a bucket or pump, ensuring low pressure to avoid shifting the block alignment.
How To Pour The First Casting
For the first casting (up to 6 courses):
Pour concrete up to mid-height of the 6th course
Simultaneously insert 2-meter vertical rebars into the hollow cores
Vibrate with a small needle vibrator to ensure proper consolidation
Pour In Your Concrete
Begin by filling perimeter walls, maintaining a 1-meter distance from corners and door/window edges to minimize pressure.
Once perimeter walls are set, fill the interior walls.
Post-Pour Care
Remove any concrete splashes from block surfaces immediately to avoid buildup.
Once this stage is complete, the process can be repeated up to the slab level.
Now You Know How To Build With Isotex.
But What About Costs?
| Category | What It Reduces | How That Saves You Money |
|---|---|---|
| Masonry Labour | Laying time with dry stacking | You’ll save up to 40% on labour costs |
| Mortar & Adhesives | Mortar prep and cleanup | You’ll save 100% on mortar and adhesive costs |
| Thermal Insulation | External insulation install | You’ll save 100% on insulation labour + material |
| Structural Framing | Columns, beams, and lintels | You’ll save up to 80% on structural framing |
| Multiple Trade Labour | Need for carpenters, insulators, specialists | You’ll save 40–60% on subcontractor expenses |
| Error/Rework Risk | Coordination mistakes and rework | Lower cost from fewer delays and defects |
| Site Handling Time | Heavy handling and equipment time | Cuts labour and equipment time on site |
Here's The Features
Fire Resistant
Key Certifications:
Wood Cement Formwork Blocks: Certified REI120, without plaster.
Wood Cement Floors: Certified REI240, without plaster.
Fire Resistance in Action:
Temperature Control: During fire exposure of over 1,100°C:
Walls: The temperature on the side of the Isotex wall where sensors are located remains at just 33°C after 178 minutes of exposure.
Floors: On the top surface of the Isotex floor, only 25°C is detected after 240 minutes of exposure, proving the system’s excellent heat resistance.
Building Integrity:
Structural Integrity: Isotex blocks and floors are reinforced with concrete and insulation housed within the wood cement formwork. The protective wood cement sheet prevents the collapse of the building during a fire.
Safe Evacuation: Occupants can safely evacuate before the structure’s collapse, ensuring maximum time for evacuation without the risk of dangerous fire-related failures.
Earthquake Resistant
Reinforced Load-Bearing Structure:
Isotex blocks are dry-laid, filled with cast-in-place concrete, and reinforced both horizontally and vertically. This reinforcement system connects foundation to floor slab edges, forming a continuous, load-bearing exoskeleton.
Certified Anti-Seismic Performance:
Tested under Italy’s strict seismic regulations (NTC2018), Isotex buildings meet national structural standards and are approved for use in seismic zones 1 and 2 — the highest risk categories.
Real-World Earthquake Results:
Out of 80,000+ homes built since 1985, Isotex structures have withstood major earthquakes (e.g. Umbria 1997, Abruzzo 2009, Emilia 2012, Central Italy 2016) with zero structural damage — not even cracks.
Experimental Verification:
Testing conducted at Eucentre Pavia confirmed:
Excellent performance under cyclic horizontal loads
Seismic behavior factor q₀ = 3, indicating energy dissipation capacity
Structural resistance to vertical and horizontal forces
Support for Designers:
Free wall verification software
Calculation examples, structural models, and detailing guides
Full documentation (data sheets, test certificates, operating manuals) available on request
Air-Tight, But Breathable Material
Extremely Low VOC Emissions:
Isotex blocks and floors are tested by Eurofins and classified as:
Indoor Air Comfort GOLD (wood cement)
Indoor Air Comfort (with Neopor® BMBcert EPS)
These are the highest VOC certifications in Europe, complying with:
EU legislation
LEED, BREEAM, and other sustainable building protocols
Result: No toxic off-gassing, making Isotex safe for children, adults, and indoor pets — ideal for schools, homes, and hospitals.
Vapor Permeability (μ = 5.9):
Isotex’s wood-cement matrix allows walls to breathe, avoiding condensation buildup.
Steam passes through ribs between internal and external walls
No thermal bridges or sealed vapour traps
Certified by CSI and the Giordano Institute
Result: No mould, no wall damage, stable indoor humidity
Airtightness & Thermal Efficiency:
Walls built with Isotex blocks:
Pass blower-door testing with zero measurable air leaks
Prevent uncontrolled heat loss
Maintain consistent internal temperatures
Result: Better energy efficiency, lower heating and cooling costs
Explosion Resistant
Proven Blast Performance:
Isotex walls and floors were tested with 42 kg and 85 kg of TNT by a certified Spanish body.
Result: No structural damage.
The wood-cement blocks, concrete core, and reinforcements absorbed and dispersed the blast energy without collapse
Structural Integrity in Partial Failure:
Simulations conducted by Prof. Claudio Ceccoli (University of Bologna) and Eng. Gilberto Dallavalle showed:
Even with two corner walls removed on a mid-level floor, the Isotex system maintained load-bearing capacity
Reinforced horizontal and vertical ties within the blocks transferred the load safely to adjacent structural elements
Conclusion: The floors above and below remained stable — no progressive collapse occurred.
Beam-Wall Performance:
In collaboration with Eucentre Laboratory (University of Pavia), Isotex completed structural tests validating:
The walls act as continuous load-distributing beams, not isolated panels
Energy is redistributed laterally during an explosive event, preventing collapse even under asymmetric failure
Offers Acoustic Insulation
Class I Acoustic Certification:
Isotex building systems achieve Class I sound insulation—the highest classification under Italian building acoustics standards (DPCM 5-12-1997).
Independently validated by ANIT and certified in multiple wall and floor configurations.
Meets or exceeds required levels for airborne noise, impact noise, and reverberation control.
Result: Maximum soundproofing in residential, commercial, and educational settings.
Engineered for Multi-Frequency Absorption:
Isotex’s unique material composition combines:
Wood cement: A fibrous matrix with high absorption capacity at mid to high frequencies
Concrete core: High density to block low-frequency transmission
Wall ribs: Disrupt and scatter acoustic waves
Result: Effective isolation from traffic noise, voices, machinery, and structural vibration.
Verified Sound Performance:
Tested and certified by Giordano Institute and Zetalab according to EU standards:
Airborne noise insulation (UNI EN ISO 717-1)
Footfall/impact insulation (UNI EN ISO 717-2)
Reverberation and sound absorption (UNI EN ISO 354)
Result: Acoustic comfort with no need for additional wall linings or soundproof panels.
Excellent Thermal Inertia
High Thermal Inertia Performance:
Isotex walls are built using dry-laid wood-cement formwork blocks filled with concrete every six rows. This creates a dense, continuous structure with excellent thermal inertia.
Maintains stable indoor temperatures throughout the day
Reduces reliance on heating and cooling systems
Particularly effective in climates with significant temperature swings
Lab-Tested, Real-World Results:
Tests conducted by the Giordano Institute confirmed Isotex’s high resistance to thermal fluctuations:
Winter Test
External temperature change: +10°C to -10°C
Internal temperature change (across a 25 cm Isotex wall): only +0.04°C
Phase shift: over 9 hours
Summer Test
External temperature swing: +20°C to +45°C, then down to -5°C
Internal change (across a 30 cm wall): just +1°C
These results demonstrate how Isotex walls delay and dampen heat transfer, maintaining thermal stability inside the building.
Energy Efficiency Compliance:
Fully compliant with Ministerial Decree 26 June 2015 and aligned with European Directive requirements
Meets national energy efficiency targets and thermal transmittance limits
Backed by ANIT technical documentation for NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) classification
Energy Efficient
Designed for A4, NZEB, and ZEB Classification:
Isotex’s wall and floor system eliminates thermal bridges and meets the highest energy performance standards:
A4: Maximum energy rating under Italian legislation
NZEB: Nearly Zero Energy Building
ZEB: Zero Energy Building
Achieved through continuous insulation and precision components like corner, lintel, and floor slab blocks.
Proven Thermal Transmittance Values (U-values):
External load-bearing walls: 0.15 – 0.34 W/m²K
Internal load-bearing walls: 0.56 – 0.79 W/m²K
Intermediate floors: 0.60 – 0.63 W/m²K
Floor/ceiling panels: 0.24 – 0.28 W/m²K
These values meet and exceed transmittance limits under EU and Italian law (Ministerial Decree 26/06/2015).
Advanced Insulation with Neopor® BMBcert:
20% better insulation than traditional EPS
Up to 100% made from biomass/renewable sources
Eco-compliant and climate zone adaptable
Two-Rib Block Design for Continuous Insulation:
Reduces thermal bridges
Improves load-bearing capacity by 45%
Increases insulation layer thickness without compromising structure
Isotex Is Also Good For Your Planet
EPD Type III Certification (ISO 14025 / EN 15804 Compliant):
Isotex has certified its entire product range with Type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Each product has its own specific EPD, verified by a third-party body.
Based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, the certification transparently quantifies environmental impacts across the entire life cycle—from raw material sourcing to end-of-life.
FDES Certification for France (AFNOR Validated):
Key Isotex blocks (HDIII 38/14 Graphite, HDIII 44/20 Graphite, HDIII 38/14 Cork) are also FDES certified for the French market.
These certifications are listed in both the INIES database and the Eco-Platform, satisfying France’s 2017 regulatory requirements for public and private procurement.
Verified Sustainability for Green Construction:
EPD and FDES make Isotex products eligible for eco-labels, green building protocols (like HQE, LEED, BREEAM), and public tenders requiring documented environmental performance.
Enables maximum compliance and credibility in sustainable building projects.