On 6 Sep 2004 10:40:43 -0700, (jacob)
wrote:

I want to put a panel of insulating blocks or bricks floor to ceiling
behind my woodburner and flue.
I've never knowingly seen a thermalite block - are they hard enough to
be left self finished or would they get damaged by contact or heat? If
so what else would also insulate better than ordinary bricks?

cheers

Jacob

They are a mixture of cement and aluminium powder, it foams them. They
are foam cement blocks. Light and fairly strong, but not really heat
proof for direct contact.