Concrete block is a novelty in the market of building materials, and most of them relate to them with a rather high degree of caution. However, the experience of recent years confirms their reliability, efficiency, and the low price and ease of processing increase popularity. They can be used in the construction of load-bearing and non-bearing walls, with the installation of foundations, fences, etc.
A concrete block may have different:
- size and shape (smooth or grooved);
- filling (heavy concrete, light and cellular).
Blocks of heavy concrete are usually used for the construction of foundations and socles. They are dense and durable, withstand heavy loads, are not afraid of temperature extremes and high humidity. In addition, they have strict requirements for dimensional accuracy: the permissible spread does not exceed 2 mm. Blocks of heavy concrete can be reinforced concrete and sand concrete (they are often used for the construction of private houses). Reinforced concrete are distinguished by the presence of a frame made of steel reinforcement or wire, which gives them increased resistance to compression and expansion.
Concrete block made of lightweight concrete is more often used in the construction of walls (they also use it as a heater). To reduce weight, add porous materials: slag, expanded clay, pumice, etc. The larger the slag fraction, the lighter the concrete block. Depending on the weight, the area of use of the material also changes: coarse-grained (light) is used more often as a heater, fine-grained - for walling.
Expanded clay as aggregate for concrete is an ideal option in terms of price / quality ratio. Expanded clay blocks have a fairly high strength, good sound insulation, low thermal conductivity, minimal hygroscopicity. But the walls of this material necessarily require additional insulation. The disadvantages of this building material can also include fragility, inaccurate block sizes and processing complexity.
Aerated concrete is the most popular type of material for private housing construction. Most often, gas silicate and foam concrete blocks are found. The price of this type of material is reasonably moderate, which, combined with high performance characteristics, has made it popular. The mass of each element is reduced by foaming the binder. Aerated concrete products have high sound and heat insulation properties, do not burn and have low vapor permeability. The aerated concrete block is convenient in processing: it is easy to saw, cut and drill it.
In addition, all the "bricks" have exact dimensions. If you bought concrete blocks 20x20x40, then the deviations in size will not exceed 1-2 mm, which makes it possible to fasten them not with cement mortar, but with a special adhesive. The result is an almost uniform wall, which avoids the appearance of
cold bridges.Blocks of foam concrete are not so uniform in size. The permissible deviation is 5 mm. Therefore, they are laid only on the solution. The advantage of this type of building material is lower water absorption. But in terms of heat and sound insulation, as well as ease of processing, foam concrete loses to aerated concrete.