Cost of coconut timber versus cost of cement and concrete blocks.

HI, I think you will get better responses and answers on the Facebook group "living in Vanuatu", or a Santo Group.  I found that this site is not very good to get real info..

anyway, for what it is worth: soil type depends fully on location, could be sand, limestone or clay/mud just to name a few,  the depth of the water table depends on your altitude, and the soiltype. I realise this is not very helpful, but your question is also not very specific. East Santo, where? I live on Santo and dig and build a lot for work.. 

Concrete is quite expensive here, about 800-900 vt for a bag, cement blocks, depending on thickness  range from 140 to 180vt a piece in town.  Your name suggests you know about cocotimber, so you prbly know you can't just use any sawblade to mill it, but I like the idea as it is not used much but it is  very abundant.

Feel free to contact me

Cheers,
C

Hi Coen.

Thank you for getting in touch.
Your information is so helpful too!

Actually I chose Cocotimber because I'm doing research about it.
Until just recently I didn't know anything about it at all.
I would like to know everything about it.

It has no rings like a regular tree, right?

I guess it must be very hard and durable.
Is that so?
Is it susceptible to rotting or white ants?

You mention that I would need a special blade to saw it.
That's interesting.
Would you mind telling me why?

How is it cut?
Is it a good wood to use?

How is it cut and used in Vanuatu and what for?

So many questions I have!

Thank you for letting me know the cost of concrete and blocks.
I've heard cocotimber is free as there is so much and sometimes a nuisance.
Is it easy to access?

I will also check out the Facebook page you recommended.

Thank you so much for getting in touch.
Thank you very much for your time.

Regards,
Dono.

Yes, it would be free, as it is plentiful and nobody uses it. There has been some research into the uses of  coconut palm already. see for example the: Coconut Palm Stem Processing Technical Handbook by Wulf Killmann and Dieter Fink  for the FAO. it should answer most of your questions.

Palmtimber can certainly be promising for pacific islands, but there are a few issues.  technically it is not a tree, it is a grass. This means the core is softer, and has long fibrous open cell structure, and it is easy to rot. The outside is harder and has been cut into boards/slabs successfully but there is a lot of silicate in the tissue which ruins normal sawblades. You would need a very durable hardened steel blade if you are serious about cutting into timber.

Cheers, C

Hi Coen,

Thank you for that information.
It's much appreciated.
I'll check out the handbook.

Cheers,
Dono.

Hi again Coen.

Thank you for recommending that manual.
I found it and it was so detailed.
It told me absolutely everything I needed to know.

By the way, I noticed from some photographs I've seen that many buildings in rural areas have roofs made from thatch.

What exactly are people using to thatch their roofs?
Is thatching common knowledge that any person can do or are there 'specialists'?

I noticed a few places using corrugated roofing.
Is it iron or plastic?
Would you happen to know how much it costs?

Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Dono.

Hi again,
The thatch roofs are from Natangora palm ( Sago Palm)  leaves, it is just called a natangora roof here and it is very very widespread, easy and relatively cheap (especially if you cut and make it locally). It also provides great insulation from the heat.  The corrugated Iron sheets are also commonly used, more expensive but with the benefit of rainwater collection options and durability. You can buy several qualities ( coated or not, different materials, etc) here and prices vary between vendors.  For more and better response I advise you again to seek info from the Living in Vanuatu facebook group. You will definitely find some builders in that group, another good facebook group is Yumi Toktok Stret, it will also help you learn Bislama

Cheers, Coen

btw here is another fun and interesting read:  Traditional Architecture in Vanuatu, by Christian Coiffier (also on google books)