Which gas silicate block is best for building a house. Types of building blocks. Building blocks: characteristics. Ceramic, wood concrete and expanded clay concrete blocks
The house should be comfortable, reliable and warm. Probably everyone will agree with this. It would also preferably be inexpensive and built quickly. Oddly enough, but such options exist. One of them is building blocks. It’s not for nothing that more and more of them are appearing. But which blocks are best for building a house? Let's try to figure it out. First, determine your key positions and consider all materials based on them.
How to choose the best building material for your home
In order for the built house to please you, you will have to choose the material for its construction yourself. Why? Yes, because there is no perfect building block. They all have pros and cons. You just need to choose an option so that the “cons” are compensated for or are not so important, and the “pros” are used to the fullest. And the construction conditions are different. Some people live in a fairly warm climate, while others live in the north. And everyone has their own “best” home. So even two neighbors can be built from different materials, but each of them will sincerely believe that his option is better.
Which blocks are best for building a house? Sturdy, durable and warm
People usually think about a house made from building blocks because it is faster than using traditional building materials. Speed is speed, but quality characteristics are no less important. And to choose them correctly, here's what you need to know.
As you can see, the list is considerable, but this information is necessary. Without them, there is no point in deciding which blocks are best for building a house. You simply won't have any criteria to choose from.
Types of blocks
Block construction is attractive because it requires little construction time. Much less than when using the same brick. But what types of blocks are there for building a house, how do they differ, what are their advantages and disadvantages. Here is a list of block materials for the construction of external and interior walls.
Lightweight concrete blocks for external and internal walls
Lightweight concrete comes in two types. One uses low weight aggregate, which reduces the weight of the building stone or block. In the second, the weight is reduced due to porosity - the cement foams and hardens in this state. In both cases, the weight of the building material becomes significantly lower, and the thermal and sound insulation characteristics are higher.
The characteristics will show which blocks are better for building a house
Aerated concrete blocks
Aerated concrete is a cement-sand mixture to which dry reagents are added to form foam. When water is added, the reagents react with cement laitance and active foaming begins. After increasing the volume, the solution is laid out in molds and allowed to mature. As a result, aerated concrete consists of thin concrete shells that contain air. That is, the block turns out to be light and warm, vapor permeable. He is not afraid of water, but he “pulls” it solidly. So you need good waterproofing There is no need to delay the foundation and finishing.
Which blocks are best for building a house? Consider the foam block
Advantages and disadvantages
With fairly large dimensions (length 600 mm, height 200 mm, width - from 150 mm to 400 mm), the standard block weighs little. The exact weight depends on the brand, but medium density you can work alone. For example, let’s say that the weight of an M400 wall block with a thickness of 200 mm is about 13 kg, and a thickness of 250 mm is about 17 kg.
Which gas block is best for building a house? Autoclaved aerated concrete
There are two technologies for the production of aerated concrete blocks. One by one, the solution is laid out into molds of a given size and then used. The second method is used to make large blocks, and then cut them into smaller ones. The peculiarity of the second technology is that it allows you to maintain dimensions with high accuracy. This makes it possible to use masonry mortar made of cement and sand, and special glue. It can be laid in a very thin layer - literally a couple of millimeters. For what? Yes, because the solution and the same glue have thermal insulation characteristics much worse than those of aerated concrete. And thin seams reduce heat loss. But glue is expensive, so this increases the cost of construction. But you can save on insulation.
| Advantages of aerated concrete | Disadvantages of aerated concrete blocks |
|---|---|
| Precise geometry, which speeds up laying and allows the use of special glue in a very thin layer to improve the thermal properties of the wall. | Glue is expensive, this increases the cost of construction |
| Easy to process. Can be cut with a hacksaw | Reinforcement is required to increase the strength of walls |
| Vapor conductive material | Exterior finishing should also be vapor permeable |
| Absorbs moisture, reacts poorly to freezing/defrosting (few cycles) | Requires good foundation waterproofing and exterior finishing |
| Large block | Does not tolerate bending loads, requires a stable, reliable foundation, not suitable for areas with seismic activity |
| There may be problems with hanging heavy objects on the walls | |
| Made from environmentally friendly substances |
Aerated concrete is easy to process; it can even be sawed with a hand saw or grooves can be made with a metal strip. On the other hand, it is not so dense that you can hang heavy things on the walls without special fasteners.
Of course, it was not without its drawbacks. The blocks are fragile and do not withstand bending loads. That is, on a pile or columnar foundation It is better not to build a house from gas blocks. Only a deep slab or tape. The second point: in order to make the walls stronger, steel reinforcement is laid in every third or fourth row. Door and window openings are also reinforced, and an armored belt is made for installing the roof structure. This significantly affects the cost of construction, and the cost of fittings must also be included in the estimate.
Types and varieties of gas blocks
Aerated concrete blocks There are autoclave and conventional hardening. For the construction of external walls, it is better to use an autoclave, as it has more stable characteristics. Such blocks are more expensive and they are better.
Aerated concrete can be made not only from cement and sand. Part of the cement is replaced with another binder. As a result, we get blocks made of another lightweight cellular concrete:
- lime + cement - silicate concrete;
- ground blast furnace slag + cement - slag-gas concrete;
- ash + cement + lime = ash concrete.
Types of building blocks: aerated blocks allow you to quickly build a warm house
Of all the listed blocks, for building houses permanent residence silicate concrete blocks are used. They differ from ordinary aerated concrete in color. Aerated concrete is gray, silicate concrete is white. What does adding lime do? Reduced price with a slight reduction in characteristics. But there is one rather significant disadvantage: lime corrodes steel. In order for the reinforced belts to remain intact, they are laid in a layer of CFRP or polymer reinforcement is used.
Foam blocks for house construction
At first glance, foam blocks are very similar to aerated concrete. The difference is that ready-made foam is added to the mixture of concrete and sand, rather than a dry reagent. The mixture is kneaded, placed in molds and left to dry. Actually, that's all. Very simple. This is the drawback. You can make foam concrete in the garage. But we cannot talk about any stability of parameters. And the material itself is not bad.
Foam concrete blocks are a good material for building a house. But only the quality is hard to track
Advantages and disadvantages of foam concrete blocks
The thermal characteristics of foam concrete are among the best. Slightly worse than aerated concrete. Which means that foam concrete walls should be thicker. Is it good or bad? More wall thickness, more weight, more load on the foundation. This means an increase in the size of the foundation and the cost of it, although the material for the walls itself is cheaper. But there is no definite answer that it will be cheaper. We have to count.
Foam concrete blocks for building a house are a good choice. Provided that they are made strictly according to technology
The poorer thermal conductivity of aerated concrete is due to the fact that the walls of air bubbles are thicker. That is, there is less air in the same volume. This has two more “consequences” - higher material strength and greater weight. Higher strength is good. You can already screw a self-tapping screw into walls made of foam blocks, and special fasteners In general, it's holding up with a bang.
| Advantages of foam blocks for building a house | Disadvantages of foam concrete blocks |
|---|---|
| Low density combined with high strength | Due to the simplicity of production, you can run into handicraft material of low quality |
| Has good thermal insulation properties | Cannot withstand bending loads, requires a stable foundation |
| Light weight, which means not too expensive foundation | Different pore sizes give heterogeneous characteristics |
| The surface of the block is rough, which improves adhesion to plaster compositions | Wider seam between blocks (up to 20 mm), which increases heat loss |
| Vapor permeable wall | Requires a special approach to the choice of finishes |
| Large block sizes speed up construction | |
| Environmentally friendly |
More weight is not so good. This again means an increase in the size of the foundation and the need to have a helper for independent construction. Although compared with the thickness brick wall, then it is two times smaller. So the material is economical.
There is another consequence of thicker cement walls - it is more difficult to process. It can’t be compared with brick, of course, but it’s not too easy either.
The advantages of the material include its good soundproofing characteristics, non-flammability, and environmental safety. The material conducts steam, but not to the same extent as aerated concrete. But its frost resistance is higher. It absorbs moisture even better, so it also needs finishing.
Standard sized blocks cost relatively little. This is the cheapest of block materials
In addition, foam concrete does not have such an ideal geometry. The difference in size can be significant. This means that the masonry is laid only with mortar and the seam is made thick enough to compensate for the difference in the sizes of the blocks. Thick seams reduce the thermal resistance of the wall as a whole.
If we generalize, this is the picture we get. Inexpensive material, but you need to be sure of the quality. The walls are erected quickly, the house turns out to be “quiet” and warm, the screws hold the walls in place. It is not advisable to leave it without a roof for the winter. Finishing is needed, but not immediately after construction.
Polystyrene concrete blocks
Polystyrene concrete is cement to which polystyrene granules have been added, additives to improve workability. The mixture is mixed, water is added, and poured into molds until it hardens. With this technology, you cannot expect ideal geometry, but the material is easy to process. You can cut with a hand saw. And this despite the fact that the strength and stability of shape are high, the amount of shrinkage is minimal, and the weight is small (even less than that of aerated concrete of the same strength).
What are the blocks for budget construction Houses? Polystyrene concrete - warm and inexpensive
Polystyrene concrete blocks are quite large (15-30 per cubic meter), so construction goes quickly. Place it on a regular solution, you can use glue. It comes in a thinner layer, although it costs more. The minus is typical for all blocks from lightweight concrete- Reinforcement is required to increase strength. Some manufacturers may place reinforcement in the blocks themselves. These are used for masonry load-bearing walls. Jumpers are produced separately for installation above window and doorways. They definitely contain reinforcement inside. Due to its solidity, such a jumper works no worse than the corners that are used as an alternative.
| Advantages of polystyrene concrete blocks | Cons of polystyrene concrete building blocks |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, durable, dense | The technology is not ideal, the properties depend on the proportions and technology |
| Easy to process, large blocks, laying goes quickly | Reinforcement is required, which requires time and money |
| Does not burn, does not support combustion | In the affected area it crumbles |
| Very good characteristics thermal conductivity, sound insulation | Special fasteners are required to secure something in the walls. |
| Good frost resistance | Contains artificial ingredients |
| Vapor permeability on par with wood | Requires exterior finishing |
| Low moisture absorption | |
| Good sound insulation characteristics |
The vapor permeability of polystyrene concrete blocks is average. Level with wood. Thermal conductivity is quite decent. For structural blocks with strength D400 - 0.15 -0.20 W/m°C. We are pleased with the good frost resistance indicators of about 50-70 cycles for a material of the same strength grade. Compared to 20-25 foam concrete, this is already quite good.
To decide which blocks are best for building a house, we study the characteristics and properties
Disadvantages and features
The downside is that a house made of polystyrene concrete block requires cladding. Not for technical reasons, but for aesthetic reasons due to its unattractive appearance. What’s good is that it will easily survive a couple of winters without cladding, as it has good frost resistance. What type of cladding? Most best way out- ventilated facade, but plaster can also be used. But the usual one doesn’t stick well to cement. Required with special polymer additives, and they are expensive. The good news is that the consumption will be small - the wall will turn out quite smooth. In addition, you can do without rough plaster. Fill the net, and along it decorative plaster. But it is difficult to say how reliable this type of finishing will be. They do this, but there are no reviews.
The size of a polystyrene concrete building block is length from 60 cm, width from 20 cm, height from 20 cm. They can be twice as thick/higher
As a summary. If you want to quickly and inexpensively build a warm house, then polystyrene blocks can be considered the best for building such a house. With one remark - you have nothing against the use of polystyrene, and the need to think about fastening to the walls does not bother you too much. After all, you will have to install windows and doors somehow.
Expanded clay concrete blocks
Expanded clay concrete blocks have been known for a long time. Expanded clay is added to the mixture of sand and cement, the whole thing is mixed, then water is added. The technology for concrete is standard, but with its own characteristics. Expanded clay is baked clay and this type of material is hygroscopic. Therefore, more water is required to mix the solution.
In the last century, block construction of houses was carried out mainly from expanded clay concrete blocks
In addition, expanded clay does not coat the solution very well, so longer kneading is required. In production conditions, the problem of the required level of strength is solved in two ways: processing in an autoclave or vibrocompression. Without such processing, the material is obtained with lower strength characteristics. And since the technology is simple, often “production” is opened in the garage, and the blocks are simply knocked out of the molds and dried. Moreover, like standard concrete, expanded clay concrete gains strength in 28 days. But it requires space to store it, so it may be sold earlier. If you know about this, you can put it to “ripening” at home. If you don’t know and put it in the masonry right away, it may fall apart. How to tell the difference? Yes for the price. Factory ones are more expensive. But if you need blocks to build a house, then buying handmade ones is dangerous.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of expanded clay concrete blocks are similar to those listed above: light weight, big size, good thermal insulation characteristics compared to brick. But solid expanded clay concrete has lower thermal conductivity than all the materials described above. But it is much stronger. This allows you to make slotted blocks, and they are used for laying external walls. In this form, we obtain thermal insulation at approximately the same level. In addition, the voids reduce weight, which is good.
Expanded clay concrete construction blocks have average thermal efficiency characteristics
Among other advantages. Expanded clay concrete walls do not require additional reinforcement, which allows masonry to be done faster. Blocks can better withstand bending loads, so the requirements for foundations are not so stringent. Buildings made of expanded clay blocks can also be built on a pile or columnar foundation.
The disadvantages of expanded clay concrete blocks are quite serious. The first and main thing is that water absorption is high (at the same level as aerated concrete), so exterior finishing is desirable immediately. You should not leave it to spend the winter without a roof, as it will accumulate moisture significantly and shorten its service life. There is no ideal geometry, but cement-based plasters apply very well and hold securely.
| Advantages of expanded clay concrete blocks for building a house | Disadvantages of expanded clay concrete blocks |
|---|---|
| Simple technology natural materials | There is a high chance of getting low-quality products |
| High strength with low weight | Insufficient thermal insulation for the use of solid blocks |
| Good thermal characteristics | Strongly absorbs moisture, needs exterior finishing and protection of interior walls from steam |
| Average frost resistance for vibration-pressed ones (about 35 cycles) and high for autoclaved ones (up to 80 or 100 cycles) | Deviations in sizes |
| Good adhesion to cement-based plaster | |
| Does not burn and does not support combustion |
And yet, even if slotted expanded clay concrete blocks are used, most of the territory requires additional external insulation. Due to its hygroscopicity, this material is not recommended for the construction of partitions in rooms with high humidity. That is, for the construction of a bathhouse or partitions in a bathroom, it is better to look for another material. And in a private house, in order to avoid eternal dampness, a vapor barrier is laid from the inside. And to regulate the humidity in the room, you need good ventilation.
Even if slotted blocks are used, the wall must be thick
What conclusions can be drawn? Previously, before the advent of cellular concrete, expanded clay concrete was considered the lightest and warmest material for building a house. Today it is clearly inferior in these indicators to foam-gas-polystyrene-concrete blocks and has significant disadvantages. Therefore, it is gradually being forced out of the market.
Cinder blocks
As the name implies, the backfill in slag concrete is slag. In theory, blast furnace slag is used, which is formed during the smelting of ore and covers the metal. It has a porous structure and does not conduct heat well. That is why it was used to produce cheap blocks for housing construction. But in the days of the USSR, when materials were driven throughout the vastness, one could hope that in regions where there were no steelmaking plants, you would actually get a cinder block. Today there is little hope for this - delivery is expensive, which makes the production of such material unprofitable.
Comparison of lightweight concrete blocks using different technologies and with different aggregates
So what do we have? No slag in the cinder block. It is replaced with crushed stone, expanded clay, broken glass, and broken bricks. That is, they also use “slag”, in the sense of waste, but not blast furnace. As a result, the characteristics are unpredictable, thermal conductivity is low, and durability depends on your luck.
Even if you compare the characteristics of slag concrete blocks with blast furnace slag aggregate, they are not impressive. It should also be added that its moisture absorption is very high - more than twice as high as that of foam and aerated concrete. And this is with lower thermal conductivity in the dry state. So it becomes clear that this block cannot be called the best, and it is far from the cheapest. Blast furnace slag costs a lot. This material is now clearly inferior in many respects. Recent years Twenty people remember him “out of old memory.”
Ceramic block or porous warm ceramics
This porous ceramic block is produced using the same technology as bricks and from the same materials. The whole difference is that the “body” of the material is not solid, but consists of voids and ceramic bridges. This structure is effective: for central Russia, a wall made of porous ceramics should be 50 cm. The same thickness of a wall made of aerated concrete is also needed. And additional insulation is not required with such a thickness. That is, the wall will be single-layer, which is much better than multi-layer. And the finishing can be made from facing bricks or clinker. Ceramics will “make friends” with ceramics without any problems. But not everything is so rosy.
Hollow blocks for ceramic walls could be considered the best option, if not for the high percentage of damage and difficulties with fastening
Advantages and disadvantages of ceramic blocks
The main advantages were listed - good thermal characteristics and low (compared to ordinary or even hollow brick) weight. But ceramics are fragile things. And thin partitions break and break easily. When transporting, you can get about 10% of the battle. In addition, cutting a ceramic block is not so easy. A saw won't help here. More is required serious equipment. Another disadvantage is that special fasteners are required, since only this can be held in thin walls.
| Advantages of ceramic blocks | Disadvantages of hollow ceramic blocks |
|---|---|
| Good thermal insulation properties | Brittle material that chips and breaks easily |
| High level of sound insulation | Requires special tool for cutting blocks |
| Average water absorption | Requires special fasteners |
| Steam conductivity | The blocks are not as big compared to lightweight concrete |
| Good frost resistance | Non-ideal geometry, high cost for polished ones that have stable dimensions |
| High strength | |
| The presence of a corrugated surface, which increases the thermal resistance of the masonry. | |
| High heat absorption. It works as a large heat accumulator, but this is bad for building periodic heating houses. |
Other advantages are the same as those of brick: natural ceramics, average water absorption, frost resistance from 30 to 80 cycles, good sound insulation properties - up to 55 dB, which is a very good indicator. In addition, there is such a thing as heat capacity. It shows how much heat the material can accumulate. The more heat it “accepts” into itself, the longer it will take to release it later. For homes with permanent residence, materials with high heat capacity are more comfortable. And for ceramics it is quite big. Such a wall is a kind of heat accumulator. This is good for a permanent home, but bad for a dacha that is visited only occasionally in winter. Warming up takes a lot of fuel and time. So this building block is not the best for dachas or baths.
It is also worth adding that today the cost of a cube of porous ceramic block and the cost of autoclaved aerated concrete are almost the same. In some places, aerated concrete is even more expensive. But the sizes of aerated concrete blocks are larger, glue consumption and time consumption are less. You can argue about the time, since for ceramics the presence of armored belts is not necessary, but it will not be superfluous either. And you can’t argue with the size of the blocks. And with geometric precision. No, there are polished ceramic blocks that are adjusted to fit. They can be installed with a minimal layer of adhesive. But such blocks are much more expensive. Nevertheless, looking at all the facts, it is worth saying that we all know ceramics. So, all other things being equal, it makes more sense to choose it.
Lightweight blocks for construction made from porous ceramics have good characteristics, but may have cracks, which do not contradict GOST. Some manufacturers change this material without problems. Others don't consider it a marriage
Everything is so, but there is one problem. Ceramic block is a type of brick. And according to GOST, non-through cracks are allowed in brick if they do not affect the strength. This is true for solid brick. The presence of small cracks on one side is not considered a defect and does not affect the quality of the masonry in any way. But if there is a crack in one of the faces of the ceramic block, it will obviously not be as strong. Second. When one of the faces is broken, it diverges and the sides are no longer parallel. It is hardly worth using such a block in masonry, although technically this is not a defect.
Pressed cement blocks from sand concrete (besser blocks)
Another type of hollow building blocks is made from sand concrete. Solid ones are also made using the same technology, but they have low thermal efficiency. But the wall is practically a monolith, it is difficult to break through it, and its load-bearing capacity is high. But in order for such a house to be warm, it will have very thick walls, which will increase the cost of the foundation.
Therefore, a combined construction is considered the best option. In the sense that the wall is laid from a solid and hollow vibro-pressed block. The outer layer is solid, the inner layer has voids. Thus, the strength of the wall and its load-bearing capacity are high, and the thermal characteristics are excellent. It is also worth mentioning that the technology allows one of the sides of the block to be made “facing”, with a smooth surface or a “ragged stone” look. Sand-cement vibrating blocks are good because you can add dye to them. Everything looks quite decent, and in terms of price, such stones with a “front” side cost only a little more. You just need special forms, but the technology doesn’t change.
Which blocks are best for building a house? If strong walls are a priority, then vibropressed ones are beyond competition
The process of forming vibrocompressed blocks is as follows: a mixture of cement and sand is diluted with water. The solution is poured into molds, which are then processed on a vibrocompression table. That is, the solution is simultaneously subjected to vibration and pressure. This gives it increased strength and allows you to make the walls thin and the voids large. All this makes it possible to reduce weight and also improve thermal performance. This technology has been used in America for a long time. Budget houses are built from such a building block. It's called a Besser block.
Advantages and disadvantages of vibrocompressed blocks
The main advantage of this technology is vibration processing with simultaneous pressure. The concrete stone turns out to be very durable and homogeneous. There are no voids, inhomogeneities, the characteristics and properties are stable, the walls are even and smooth. This processing also makes it possible to control the dimensions. Of all the blocks that are poured into molds, this one has the best geometry.
Sand concrete blocks: main characteristics of solid ones
Further on the properties: high frost resistance - from 50 cycles (up to 300), strength - M100 or higher. The thermal conductivity of hollow blocks is 0.9 W/m²C, which is significantly lower than required, so either the wall must be thick or it needs to be insulated. It absorbs moisture, but in small quantities, and is not afraid of getting wet. There is no data on the thermal conductivity of a solid block. You have to understand that they are extremely disappointing.
When constructing walls from hollow vibroblocks, reinforcement is recommended. Moreover, they do both vertical and horizontal. For the vertical, rods are used, which would be good to connect with outlets from the foundation. And horizontal reinforcement - metal grid. This is not a requirement, but it does make for stronger walls.
Which blocks are best for building a house? In beauty - these
Among the “pure” disadvantages are the rather large weight and small size of the stone. This is when compared with blocks made of lightweight concrete. Accordingly, a foundation for a large weight requires a more powerful one, which leads to an increase in its costs.
The price is quite reasonable, since the components are affordable, and the vibrating table is not such an expensive piece of equipment that it would raise the cost significantly. In general, it’s quite a decent option. But no matter how you describe the advantages, cement remains cement. And houses are rarely built from this material. But they often build fences or use them as facing stones. By the way, it is often called a “fence” block or Besser.
Heat block
The heat block is made based on vibration pressing technology. This is a multi-layer structure, in the middle of which there is polystyrene, and on the sides there is a cement-sand vibro-pressed composition. Moreover, one side is the front side, painted in mass and, as a rule, textured, and the second is a solid building stone that carries the load. To increase reliability, the structure is fastened with reinforcing rods.
Perhaps the most energy efficient option. It's just not very popular yet
That is, a heat block is a “three in one” material. The wall and its thermal insulation and finishing are erected immediately. The idea is very interesting and tempting. But, as usual, the new product raises concerns - how will such a pie behave over time? How reliable are such walls? In general, people are in no hurry yet, although these blocks are better for quickly building a house.
Here the characteristics are not so difficult to find. Apparently, because thermal conductivity pleases
Are you starting construction and can’t decide which blocks to build your house from? The article will help you make a decision and tell you about all the pros and cons of each building material from which the blocks are made.
What blocks are used to build the walls of a house: their brief description
Nowadays, the construction of buildings has become much easier, because there are a huge number of types of blocks for building houses, the main thing is to take into account the basic functions and properties of the materials.
Expanded clay concrete
Expanded clay concrete is a high-quality material for building walls. The main components included in this material are sand, expanded clay and cement. Used during the construction of partitions and walls, filling gaps frame structures. Expanded clay concrete has heat-saving properties, it reduces weight and acts as stiffeners.
A typical block weighs from 10 to 20 kg depending on the internal filler, the density of the material is 500-1500 kg/m3. The main scope of application is outbuildings, filling fences and enclosures, partitions.
In the manufacture of expanded clay concrete blocks, expanded clay is used as an admixture.Aerated concrete
Often used, since only natural elements are used in production - water, lime, Portland cement, quartz sand. Closed pores prevent this material from absorbing moisture. Aluminum powder becomes the gas generator. After all the components have been mixed, they are immersed in molds in autoclaves and treated with steam under high pressure. This process gives them precise dimensions, low weight and high density.
There are several types of blocks:
- structural;
- thermal insulation;
- structural and thermal insulation.
They differ from each other in their density, thermal conductivity and strength. Load-bearing walls are built using blocks with a relief surface, partitions are made from ordinary rectangular, smooth blocks.
Aerated concrete blocks are produced using the autoclave method Foam concrete
It is made from water, foaming agents and cement. The composition is poured into special molds and hardens for 10-11 hours, after which foam concrete blocks leave until completely hardened.
If the cutting method is used in production, then a large block remains on the formwork for 5-9 hours, and after its removal it is cut into smaller pieces. This material is often chosen because it is lightweight. It has a high level of frost resistance and strength, but is inferior to other types of blocks in shape accuracy.
Concrete block belongs to cellular species building materials Cinder blocks
Slag is an alloy of oxides, raw materials processed by heat treatment. To make cinder blocks, pure material without chemical additives is used. They are washed away by precipitation within six months, when the elements lie under open air. The blocks include crushed slag and crushed stone, lime and cement.
The main advantage of using slag concrete blocks is their low price. Another advantage is the low weight, which does not load the foundation and extends the service life. The downside is that it takes a lot of time to prepare and harden the structure. Such structures can be used to insulate a building, for the construction of load-bearing walls and partitions.
When using slag for the production of concrete blocks, the material is taken without any additional chemical compounds What are the best blocks for building a house: characteristics and price of products
The selection of blocks should be based on several factors:
- quality of material;
- compliance with characteristics;
- favorable price.
The last characteristic is important, because we are always trying to save money; the average cost of building materials in rubles per block is approximately the following:
- the most inexpensive are blocks made of sawdust, expanded clay and slag - 50 rubles;
- Caramo blocks will cost more - 100 rubles, polymer and foam blocks - 110 rubles;
- The purchase of wood concrete will significantly impact the budget - 120 rubles. and gas blocks -130 rub.
Let's compare: which blocks are better to build a house from?
Each type of building structure has its own advantages and disadvantages that must be taken into account when choosing.
When considering which blocks are best for building a house, their price plays an important role Before making a purchase, compare different types of blocks according to the main criteria:
- environmental friendliness;
- strength (expanded clay concrete has the best strength);
- fire safety;
- shrinkage (the most susceptible are aerated concrete blocks and foam blocks);
- vapor permeability;
- price;
- type of floors;
- type of foundation (all blocks are installed on strip monolithic foundations of medium depth, they are economical and of high quality);
- need for outdoor finishing works.
What else influences the choice of wall blocks for external walls?
There are a number of requirements that building blocks must meet:
- thermal conductivity, support of load-bearing capacity during the life of the building, the use of warm blocks for building a house;
- resistance to different temperatures, the material must withstand dozens of freezing and thawing cycles. Different ones last 25-35 cycles;
- density. The pressure of the wall on the foundation and the weight of the foundation depend on it; on average, the density of the block for load-bearing walls should be at least 800 kg/m3;
- moisture absorption. A small number of materials have this function, so it is especially necessary;
- performing a decorative function, it is important to emphasize the advantageous aspects of the appearance of the building according to the design idea.
It is necessary to take into account that each type of block has its pros and cons House structures are divided into two types:
- Homogeneous. Blocks are used to build a house from one material. More often for the construction of brick, stone or wooden buildings. They have the property of retaining heat.
- Combined. They consist of several types of blocks for building a house, each of which performs its own function.
Pros and cons of foam blocks for the construction of a residential building
Construction from foam blocks has its pros and cons. Advantages:
- easy to use;
- environmentally friendly;
- long service life;
- low hygroscopicity and specific gravity;
- low cost;
- high level of sound insulation;
- due to their low weight, foam blocks can even be placed on glue, which will significantly reduce waste;
- fire protection;
- does not allow shrinkage;
- guarantees thermal insulation.
The main disadvantage of this design is that construction can only be carried out using a frame method.
Recommendations from professionals for block construction
To choose high-quality material with a long service life, use the tips of experts:
- It is better to start building walls in the warm season; the temperature should not be lower than 5 degrees Celsius.
- It is better to cut gas blocks with a hand saw.
- Adjust all blocks with a rubber hammer.
- Transport building materials correctly, in pallets, protect plastic film from moisture.
- Don’t forget about the blind area, which also fights moisture well.
Conclusions: which blocks are best to build a house from?
It is impossible to give a clear answer to this question, because each type is used taking into account different factors. The article describes what types of blocks there are for building a house and how to choose them correctly. Each type of building material from which the blocks are made has its own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the right blocks for your home, you need to analyze the type of foundation, the cost of the material, aesthetic and physical properties.
Which blocks are best for building a house? This is a question that many people are asking today. They want to choose reliable and strong building materials so that the finished buildings will serve them for as long as possible. You need to consider all the options and determine for yourself the most optimal material for construction. It is very important to consider the possibilities at the design stage. Thus, the architect will be able to provide the customer with accurate calculations necessary materials. And the customer, based on the required quantity, will be able to independently calculate the full amount of costs.
What types of building materials are there in the form of blocks?
There is a wide variety of building materials on the market, which are presented in the form of blocks. This may include:
- Foam blocks.
- Gas blocks.
- Gas silicate blocks.
- Aerated concrete.
- Warm-walled.
- Expanded polystyrene.
- Brick.
From such a list it is difficult to immediately understand which blocks are best for building a house. They differ from each other in various parameters, for example, the speed of building a house, foundation requirements, thermal conductivity, and the complexity of construction. A house built of brick retains heat indoors worse, so it is best to take care of its additional insulation.
Construction of a house from foam block
Foam block is a fairly popular building material. It has a large number of advantages, which is why it is often used to build a house. Many people have already noted that foam block walls have the ability to “breathe” due to their cellular structure. If you need to determine which blocks are best for building a house, then you should pay attention to foam blocks.
They are inexpensive and more affordable in the price range, unlike bricks, so a large number of people will be able to afford to start building with this building material. It is lightweight and easy to process, meaning the blocks can be sawed with a regular wood saw. There is also always the opportunity to combine and implement different variants layouts. During production, foam blocks are subject to high heat saving requirements. This means that the house will be warm with little People will not have to think about insulating the house, as well as insulating it from external climatic conditions.
Advantages and properties of aerated concrete blocks
Which blocks are best for building a house? Experienced and qualified builders advise paying attention to aerated concrete. It is quite lightweight porous material, which is obtained as a result of hardening of a special mixture and water. With the help of a gas generator, a large number of pores are created inside the mixture, so the material has increased thermal insulation properties. Building houses from aerated concrete blocks has its advantages:
- Reduced labor intensity: cost construction work is reduced to a minimum.
- Small wall thickness. Several decades ago, the presented material was used as insulation, because it has high performance resistance to heat transfer.
- considered financially beneficial and economical.
- Low cost of finishing work, because the presented blocks are produced with a flat surface.
Advantages of using a gas silicate block
Gas silicate blocks are often used to build houses. They can guarantee high speed of wall construction, as well as minimal costs. The material presented is accessible to a large number of people. Modern technologies production allows it to be organized in those places where it is needed. Every person, even with a small income, can afford to buy such a building block. Its dimensions are as accurate as possible, so you can achieve a high speed of construction. All this is possible thanks to the unique geometric properties of the material.
It is the exact dimensions that provide builders with all the necessary opportunities to obtain the maximum possible final result. smooth walls. After which you can choose any type of finish, be it plaster or putty. Construction from gas silicate blocks is a guarantee that a person will receive a warm and reliable home.
Hollow brick
This type of brick is quite common in modern construction. It has about ten holes in two rows, each with five holes. It is elongated in shape, so it will be easier for craftsmen to distribute the weight of consumable building material. Walls made of hollow bricks will not differ in density compared to ordinary solid bricks. The hollow building material has excellent resistance to moisture penetration.
Building blocks made of hollow bricks are in great demand for the construction small house, which will perfectly retain heat and prevent moisture from entering the room. The presented building material meets all stated requirements.
Hollow brick has high strength, durability, and fire resistance. Therefore, it will provide maximum safety for any building.
Why is it profitable to build houses from thermal wall?
Teplosten is a unique building block of its kind, the dimensions of which are quite large. The presented material has high thermal insulation properties. There is no need for additional insulation after construction. As for the thermal characteristics, they are at high level, and the material is superior to all existing analogues.
The speed of construction of walls made of thermosten is amazingly fast. Because of big time for construction is reduced several times. This can reduce labor costs. Another additional benefit- This is exterior decoration. The finished block includes an ideal facing layer that can be painted using any façade paint. Also, several cladding options become available to a person.
Cellular concrete - a natural material
There is a wide variety of building blocks on the market. Cellular concrete is considered to be the most practical modern building material. It includes a large number of benefits. The main advantage of cellular concrete is its high degree of environmental safety. This material has been recognized as biologically comfortable for humans because it has unique physical properties. They are closest to natural wood.
At the same time, cellular concrete will not ignite or burn, therefore it is considered durable and strong. If we take into account the performance characteristics, cellular concrete can combine all the advantages of stone and wood. The presented building material is quite light, durable and can be processed. Craftsmen will be able to drill it, saw it using hand tools, hammer nails, and if necessary, they can always be pulled back and replaced.
Features of cellular concrete
The production of building blocks is a special industry. The future safety of people depends on the quality and density of the material. Most often, houses and other buildings are built using cellular concrete. It can be classified as a lightweight artificial material, which is obtained using a porous mixture. It consists of: a finely dispersed silica component, various gas-forming additives. It is worth noting that cellular concrete can be divided into aerated concrete and foam concrete. It all depends on the composition used.
During construction, an additional classification of the presented building material is used - according to production technology. You can highlight autoclaved concrete, as well as materials that are produced using special steaming. Some craftsmen like to work with blocks that are made using air hardening. It is generally accepted that autoclaved concrete has certain differences - these are high performance characteristics. But such materials are also more expensive than similar analogues.
Features of the use of cellular concrete
Building materials, blocks, cellular concrete - this is something that no construction site can do without. It is worth noting that cellular concrete is widely used in many areas. It is often used as the main material for the rapid construction of certain structures. In some cases, it can serve as an effective insulation. Porous mixtures can be used instead of the well-known expanded clay to insulate the roof, attic spaces and floors on the first floors.
Best for building houses and erecting structures for various purposes use high-quality and reliable building blocks. Types, prices and quality can be checked at any specialized hardware store.
