Aerated concrete blocks: technical characteristics, disadvantages, advantages
In private and urban construction is gainingpopularity new material - aerated. Blocks made from it, constantly occupy a leading position in the list of sales of specialized construction stores.
This is primarily due to the fact that manyRussians are trying to acquire country houses and cottages. The demand for aerated concrete blocks proves an increase in the volume of such construction. Sometimes demand exceeds supply.
The article will consider gas-concrete blocks,technical characteristics, disadvantages and advantages of the material. Having studied it, you will learn why blocks of aerated concrete are so fond of suburban developers that you need to know when purchasing this popular building material.
Aerated concrete blocks: what is it
Aerated concrete is one of the varietieslightweight cellular concrete. It is produced by mixing aggregates (quartz sand and lime) and various additives with water and an astringent substance (cement). If you do not take into account the composition of additives, it is a recipe for the manufacture of classical concrete. As their aerated concrete used aluminum powder.
It plays the role of a blowing agent atmixing the whole mass. The huge number of bubbles produced during the preparation of the solution, when it solidifies, forms a specific porous structure, which is a distinctive feature of aerated concrete.
Advantages of aerated concrete blocks
A light weight of aerated concrete blocks and a goodstrength clearly distinguish them against the background of materials intended for the erection of walls. Involve developers in them are good characteristics for thermal insulation, noise insulation and fire resistance.
Aerated concrete blocks are produced in a hugeassortment that allows builders to choose blocks of the necessary sizes, forms and to construct walls of any architectural configuration. Not the last argument in favor of the choice of blocks of aerated concrete are the timing of construction of houses from this material. They are much smaller than the time spent for building a brick house.
Aerated concrete is environmentally friendly and does not have any influence on human health. This is due to the fact that natural ingredients are used for its production.
With all its numerous pluses, aerated concrete blocks have a low price, affordable for many Russians. This, of course, affects the popularity of the material.
Cons of blocks of aerated concrete
Certain disadvantages are aerocrete blocks. Technical specifications indicate that the material is breathable. This is due to its structure. During the operation in numerous pores, moisture can accumulate, and this leads to local destruction of its integrity.
The buildings made of aerated concrete blocks,require mandatory internal and external finishing with good waterproofing, preventing moisture from entering the material. This will greatly extend the operational life of the house.
Aerated concrete blocks do not have a high prismaticstrength as a brick or a tree, so they are prone to cracking to avoid this, there are rules and recommendations that must be adhered to when building a house.
Advantages of the material
Aerated concrete blocks, the price of which suitsmany Russians become one of the most popular materials used in suburban construction. The cost of a cubic meter of material varies from 3250 to 4350 rubles. Everything depends on the region where the aerated concrete blocks are purchased.
If we compare the cost of brick walls, then it30% higher than that of aerated concrete. The material has a small weight, so the construction of aerated concrete blocks allows you to save considerable 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 materialIt has excellent heat-saving properties. This can explain the comfortable environment in houses built from aerated concrete blocks, a significant saving on fuel costs.
The laying of aerated concrete blocks is facilitated by simplicitytheir processing. The material can be drilled, sawed, stabbed. This work is carried out by simple tools available to every home master. It is these qualities that allow builders to realize the most fantastic plans of architects, the laying of utilities is not very difficult.
What you need to know about aerated concrete
Possessing a mass of advantages, aerated concrete blockshave some disadvantages. Hygroscopicity is the main of them. If we neglect the waterproofing of the walls from the blocks, they quickly gain moisture, which leads to their destruction.
Especially it is necessary to watch, that a wall fromThe aerated concrete blocks were not subjected to freezing. Therefore, building a house of blocks, you need to take this into account. The best way out of this situation is to permanently reside in such a structure or maintain a constant temperature at which freezing of the house is impossible.
Aerated concrete walls protect from moisture by covering thema special solution, lining with wood, plaster and other suitable materials for this. Carrying out the finishing work, we must remember that the presence of ventilation between the wall and the finish is mandatory. Otherwise, all the work will be done in vain and only harm.
The brickwork of aerocrete blocks has insufficientbending strength. Unlike a tree, which easily tolerates significant movements of the basement, a wall made of aerated concrete does not have this ability. The limit of its deformation is 0.5-2 mm / m. Exceeding these dimensions leads to cracking of the masonry, and in the worst case - to destruction.
How to avoid the formation of cracks
When building a house from aerocrete blocks, there are a number of measures that prevent the formation of cracks on the walls:
The device of a plate or tape base of the house.
Masonry with reinforcement.
Creating ring straps.
Advantage of houses made of aerated concrete
Very popular in the construction of aerated concrete blocks. Technical characteristics show that houses made of this material do not need a capital, weighted foundation.
Houses made of aerated concrete are suitable for seasonal andpermanent residence. In winter, it takes only 3-4 hours to completely warm up the house, this is due to the fact that aerated concrete walls have a lower thermal inertia than structures from other materials. To the touch, aerated concrete blocks are much warmer than traditional bricks.
Blocks are large and accurategeometric shape, thanks to this house of such a material are erected quickly. Connecting blocks with glue guarantees high quality and speed of laying. In the ratio of "aerated concrete blocks: price and quality" the latter prevails.
If we compare the cost of building a brickhouses and buildings from gas blocks, the latter is much cheaper. Savings are achieved due to the lower cost of erecting a foundation, walls, payment for builders. When working with aerated concrete blocks, simpler tools are required.
One of the main advantages of a building made of aerated concrete blocks, in comparison with wooden houses, is fire resistance.
Conclusion
Aerated concrete blocks (technical specificationsit is shown) - a material that has many advantages, but, as always, it does 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 ways that you can minimize the defects of the material. As a result, at the end of the construction there will be a solid house with a long operational life.
