In private and urban construction, a new material is gaining popularity - aerated concrete. Blocks made from it, constantly occupy a leading position in the lists of sales of specialized construction stores.
This is due primarily to the fact that many Russians are trying to acquire suburban homes and cottages. The need for aerated concrete blocks proves the increase in the volume of such construction. Sometimes demand exceeds supply.
The article will consider aerated concrete blocks, technical characteristics, disadvantages and advantages of the material. Having studied it, you will find out why suburban developers are so fond of suburban developers that you need to know when acquiring this popular building material.
Aerated concrete blocks: what is it
Aerated concrete is one of the varieties of lightweight cellular concrete. It is obtained by mixing aggregates (quartz sand and lime) and various additives with water and a binder (cement). If you do not take into account the composition of the additives, then this is the recipe for the manufacture of classic concrete. As their in aerated concrete, aluminum powder is used.
It is she who plays the role of a blowing agent while mixing the entire mass. A huge number of bubbles obtained during the preparation of the solution, when it hardens, forms a specific porous structure, which is a hallmark of aerated concrete.
Advantages of aerated concrete blocks
The light weight of aerated concrete blocks and good strength noticeably distinguish them from the background of materials intended for the construction of walls. The developers are attracted to them by good characteristics in thermal insulation, sound insulation and fire resistance.
Aerated concrete blocks are available in a huge assortment, which allows builders to choose blocks of the right sizes, shapes and build walls of any architectural configuration. Not the last argument in favor of choosing aerated concrete blocks is the time frame for erecting houses from this material. They are much less than the time spent building a brick house.
Aerated concrete is an environmentally friendly material and has no effect on human health. This is due to the fact that natural components are used for its production.
For all its many advantages, aerated concrete blocks have a low price, affordable for many Russians. This undoubtedly affects the popularity of the material.
Cons of aerated concrete blocks
Aerated concrete blocks have certain disadvantages . Specifications indicate that the material is breathable. This is due to its structure. During operation, moisture can accumulate in numerous pores, and this leads to local destruction of its integrity.
Buildings made of aerated concrete blocks require a mandatory internal and external finish with good waterproofing, eliminating the ingress of moisture into the material. This will greatly extend the operational life of the house.
Aerated concrete blocks do not have high prismatic strength like brick or wood, so they are prone to cracking, in order to avoid this, there are rules and recommendations that must be followed when building a house.
Material advantages
Aerated concrete blocks, the price of which suits many Russians, are becoming one of the most popular materials used in suburban construction. The cost of a cubic meter of material varies from 3250 to 4350 rubles. It all depends on the region where aerated concrete blocks are purchased.
If we compare the cost of walls made of bricks, then it is 30% higher than that of aerated concrete. The material is lightweight, so the construction of aerated concrete blocks allows you to save significant money, starting with the construction of the base of the house. For the construction of aerated concrete does not require a powerful base.
Due to its cellular structure, the material breathes, has excellent heat-saving properties. This can explain the comfortable environment in houses built of aerated concrete blocks, significant savings on fuel costs.
The laying of aerated concrete blocks is facilitated by the simplicity of their processing. Material can be drilled, sawed, pricked. This work is carried out with simple tools that every home master has. It is these qualities that allow builders to realize the most fantastic designs of architects; laying engineering communications does not cause great difficulties.
What you need to know about aerated concrete
Possessing a lot of advantages, aerated concrete blocks have some disadvantages. Hygroscopicity is the main one. If we neglect the waterproofing of the walls of the blocks, then they quickly gain moisture, which leads to their destruction.
Especially it is necessary to ensure that the wall of aerated concrete blocks is not exposed to freezing. Therefore, building a house of blocks, you need to consider this. The best way out of this situation is to permanently reside in such a building or maintain a constant temperature there at which it is impossible to freeze at home.
Aerated concrete walls protect from moisture, covering them with a special solution, lining with wood, plaster and other materials suitable for this. When performing finishing work, it must be remembered that the presence of ventilation between the wall and the finish is mandatory. Otherwise, all work will be done in vain and only harm.
The laying of aerated concrete blocks has insufficient bending strength. Unlike wood, which easily tolerates significant movements of the foundation, a wall made of aerated concrete does not have this ability. The limit of its deformation is 0.5-2 mm / m. Exceeding these sizes leads to cracking of the masonry, and in the worst case, to destruction.
How to avoid cracking
When building a house from aerated concrete blocks, there are a number of measures that prevent the formation of cracks on the walls:
The device of the slab or strip base of the house.
Reinforced masonry.
Creating ring harnesses.
The advantage of aerated concrete houses
Aerated concrete blocks are very popular in construction. Technical characteristics show that houses built of this material do not need a capital, weighted foundation.
Aerated concrete houses are suitable for seasonal and permanent residence. In winter, it takes only 3-4 hours to fully warm up a house, this is due to the fact that walls made of aerated concrete have less thermal inertia than structures made of other materials. Aerated concrete blocks are much warmer to the touch than traditional brick.
Blocks are large in size and have a precise geometric shape, thanks to which houses from such material are built quickly. The connection of the blocks with glue guarantees high quality and speed of masonry. In the ratio of "aerated concrete blocks: price and quality" the latter prevails.
If you compare the cost of building a brick house and a building from gas blocks, the latter is much cheaper. Savings are achieved due to the lower cost of the construction of the foundation, walls, payment to builders. When working with aerated concrete blocks, simpler tools are required.
One of the main advantages of a building made of aerated concrete blocks, compared with wooden houses, is fire resistance.
Conclusion
Aerated concrete blocks (technical characteristics show this) - a material that has many advantages, but, as always, can not do without a fly in the ointment. The building and the blocks themselves have some drawbacks. To reduce or get rid of them, there are special methods by which you can minimize the shortcomings of the material. As a result, at the end of construction there will be a solid house with a long service life.