The dimensions of the heat block are not too large, however, it is possible to build buildings with excellent thermal insulation from it without problems. In addition, the main difference from other building materials is that a heat-efficient wall block or heat block is a structure that consists of three layers.
What is a block?
The dimensions of the heat block are 350 mm in width, 175 mm in height and 350 mm in thickness. The large thickness of this material is due to its three-layer. Each layer performs its specific function. The first is expanded clay concrete or artificial stone, the second is polystyrene foam, the third is textured.
Porous expanded clay concrete is the main bearing part of such a block. The internal cavity of this artificial stone is filled with a substance such as polystyrene foam. In this case, it plays the role of the most effective insulation. The outer layer is also expanded clay concrete, but already textured. It is worth noting here that the outer shell can have many different textures to improve aesthetics. The most common are brick and stone varieties.
Block advantages
If with the dimensions of the heat block everything has become more clear, then it is also worth considering its main advantages, because of which it is so popular:
- Naturally, heat efficiency is at the highest level.
- Enough budget option, since its delivery is cheaper. You can also save on styling mixes.
- Ease of use, which is due to the fact that each unit individually is very light, and its geometric shape is almost perfect.
- The price of the heat block itself is also quite low and ranges from 90 to 250 rubles apiece.
- Refers to a group of materials with a long service life.
- Fire safety. In such a block, only a layer of expanded polystyrene is combustible, which is treated with a flame retardant at the production stage.
- A wide variety of external textures allows you to choose the most suitable material according to your own aesthetic wishes.
- Environmental safety is also on top.
The use of heat blocks
Today, the convenient dimensions of the heat block and its other advantages have led to the fact that this material is widely used for the construction of load-bearing walls of various kinds of buildings and structures. However, the dimensions of the block do not always play into his hands, and therefore the material is rarely used for the construction of internal type partitions due to the large thickness.
The main scope is the construction of low-rise residential buildings, as well as buildings for household purposes. However, if the reinforcement of the bearing part is carried out, then it can also be successfully used for multi-story construction. It is also worth adding here that the price of heat-generating units, the possibility of easy delivery and quick installation led to the fact that they began to be used very often in "fast construction".
Types of blocks
Today, there are a large number of different types of heat blocks. The classification of this building material is based on the following principles:
- the degree of strength of the carrier layer - differs depending on the cement used in the creation of the brand (M50, M75, M100);
- the type of polystyrene that is used as a heater - regular or extruded, may also differ;
- the design of the block can be integral or with voids, so that there is the possibility of additional reinforcement;
- Naturally, the dimensions and decorativeness of the blocks also serve as a weighty argument for their division into types.
Pros and cons of heat blocks
If a lot has been said about the positive qualities of this material, then it is worth paying attention to some disadvantages.
The material is made using fiber-reinforced concrete, which makes the structure virtually pore-free. This greatly interferes with the “breathing” of those buildings that will be built from such a block. It is also worth noting that the size of this material is not always well suited for construction. This is especially noticeable if the site for the construction of the building is quite limited or the object must have a complex structure from an architectural point of view.
It can be clearly seen that the number of positive aspects is still several times greater than the number of disadvantages. It is because of this difference that heatblocks become so popular.
To summarize, we can say with confidence that this type of building material will confidently displace conventional brick and stone, since it is much lighter and the heat block price is lower than that of such materials. This is also due to the fact that you can choose almost any texture to your taste, and it will be almost impossible to distinguish it from real brick, stone or other material. The only restriction for use is the size of the space that is reserved for the construction of the building.