When erecting low-rise buildings, hollow blocks are actively used today. They are an excellent alternative to heavy, full-bodied products and are ideal for private use. There are several types of hollow stones in the markets. We will talk about the properties and differences of each of them in our article.
The main differences and types of hollow products
Blocks with a cellular structure are attractive in that they have light weight. It’s easy for private craftsmen to work with them, since the construction of buildings does not require special equipment.
The second advantage of hollow blocks is low thermal conductivity. The air pockets inside the stone do not allow the product to let through heat and extraneous sounds.
Physico-mechanical parameters of materials depend on their variety and the raw materials from which they are made. Today we will consider 4 main types:
- concrete products;
- expanded clay concrete products;
- ceramic blocks;
- glass options.
All of them have a number of special advantages, but they are not without a drawback - fragility. Hollow core products require careful handling during masonry and cannot be used for the construction of buildings above 2 floors.
Features of concrete blocks
Hollow concrete blocks are made of cement, sand, water and gravel. The mixture of the main components is poured into special forms and sent to a vibrating press, where the hardening process takes place.
At the output, the manufacturer receives an even light gray product with even walls and a uniform structure. The material has high strength and low weight: from 14 to 17 kg.
Hollow concrete products are divided into 2 groups:
For the construction of load-bearing walls for various purposes, products of the first group are used. They are characterized by dimensions of 190x190x390 mm. Internal partitions are constructed from partition varieties with parameters of 90 x 190 x 390.
The hollow structure of the stones makes it easy to reinforce the walls and, if necessary, strengthen them with concrete mortar. The walls of such blocks are quite smooth, which greatly facilitates their further decoration.
Expanded clay blocks
Expanded clay building stones combine the positive qualities of red brick and cellular concrete products. They are made of cement, sand, water and expanded clay. The last component gives the material lightness and high thermal insulation capabilities. At the same time, the strength characteristics of the product do not deteriorate at all.
Expanded clay hollow blocks are of two types:
The length of products of the first variety varies from 90 to 390 mm. The width of one block starts from an indicator of 138 mm and reaches a mark of 288 mm. The height of the wall stone is 138 mm (there are options with an indicator of 188 mm). The weight of one block is 12 kg.
Dimensions of septum varieties - 390 x 90 x 188 mm. The weight of such products is 6.5 kg. The cost of a standard unit is about 40 rubles, while partition products have a price tag of 20 rubles apiece.
Characteristics of ceramic blocks
For the manufacture of ceramic blocks use red clay, which is the main raw material for masonry bricks. However, products of the block type are distinguished by increased parameters, which allows to reduce the time for erecting walls.
During the production of hollow ceramic blocks, sawdust is added to the clay mixture. The manufacturer forms stones of certain sizes and subjects them to firing.
As a result of heat treatment, sawdust burn out, forming voids in the stone. The cellular structure obtained in this way contributes to excellent heat retention inside the erected premises, and the use of natural raw materials allows us to talk about the absolute environmental friendliness of the products.
Like previous options, ceramic brick is wall and partition. The products of the first type have dimensions 250 x 380 x 219, 380 x 250 x 219, 440 x 250 x 219 and 510 x 250 x 219 mm. Partition products are characterized by a length of 120 and 180 mm, and the width and height parameters remain the same.
The cost of wall blocks starts from 90 rubles apiece, and partition products have a price tag from 45 to 100 rubles. Unit weight - from 8 to 30 kg.
Glass products
Glass hollow blocks are intended for the construction of self-supporting internal and external walls. Their main difference is light transmission. It is advisable to use such products in those cases when it is necessary to ensure the entry of daylight into the room, while the transparency of the walls should be minimal.
Transparent blocks are made of two glass square boxes by soldering. Inside such a brick is an absolute void, and the outer walls have a variety of reliefs.
Similar materials are used in wall decoration. For this, manufacturers produce products in yellow, green, bluish and red.
A standard wall hollow block can have the following parameters - 244 X 244 X 98, 194 X 194 X 98, 234 X 234 X 98 and 184 X 184 X 98 mm. The weight of one product is from 2.5 to 4.3 kg. The block price tag starts at 110 rubles apiece.
Comparison of technical characteristics of all types
To determine which of the following options is most suitable for future work, you should study the technical characteristics of each of them.
Glass products have a density of 800 kg / m 3 , while their compressive strength is 4-5 MPa. According to other criteria, it makes no sense to compare them, since to a greater extent they serve as decorative ornaments.
For products from expanded clay concrete, the main indicators are as follows:
- thermal conductivity level - 0.35 W / m;
- sound absorption - from 41 to 62 dB;
- frost resistance - F 50;
- compressive strength - medium;
- water absorption - approximately 50%;
- block strength - M 50.
Hollow blocks do not shrink at all, which allows finishing immediately after construction. The material perfectly resists the effects of fire, withstanding a temperature of 1000 degrees (for 10 minutes).
Concrete stones have the following indicators:
- thermal conductivity - from 0.15 to 0.35 W / m;
- sound absorption - from 50 to 58 dB;
- frost resistance - from F 15 to F 35;
- compressive strength is low;
- water absorption - 34%;
- block strength - M 150.
It is very difficult to crush and break a concrete block with your own hands, which greatly simplifies the process of erecting walls and partitions.
Ceramic products are characterized by the following properties:
- thermal conductivity coefficient - from 0.15 to 0.25 W / m;
- sound absorption - 53.5 dB;
- frost resistance - from F 35 to F 50;
- compressive strength - medium;
- water absorption - 21%;
- block strength - from M 75 to M 150.
Clay blocks are one of the warmest materials. Such walls retain heat for a long time, thus reducing heating costs. However, they are quite fragile, which complicates the installation of heavy hanging furniture and the laying of electrical wires.
To summarize
The choice of hollow blocks should be made based on the needs of the owner. If energy is a priority, give preference to ceramics. For those who first of all appreciate the strength of the building material, concrete and expanded clay concrete products are better suited. In any case, you will get a product with excellent value for money.