Lightweight or porous concretes, such as aerated concrete, foam concrete and others, are well used in construction, as are traditional materials – brick and wood.
Many experts in the field of construction speak of aerated concrete as a material whose production is developing well today. Aerated concrete has been known in Ukraine for a long time, but has not become widespread. However, in those regions where production facilities were opened, this material is popular and used in low-rise construction.
Type of Gas Block
There are three main types of blocks: wall, partition, U-block. Wall gas block is used for erecting load-bearing walls, and partition block is used for laying walls without loads or interior partitions. U-block is used when installing monolithic stiffening belts of permanent formwork, as well as lintels over window and door openings. The website https://www.ria.com/uk/c-home/betonnyye-bloki/ offers to choose concrete blocks of all types.
They can be distinguished visually: wall blocks are from 200 mm wide; partition blocks – up to 200 mm; U-block has a geometry in the shape of the letter U.
Material Density
The higher the density of the gas block material, the higher the strength and thermal conductivity index. Accordingly, for blocks with high density, for example D600, it is necessary to provide additional thermal insulation. Gas block with density D500 is an optimal combination of strength and thermal conductivity, so blocks with this density are the most popular.
The dimensions of blocks from most manufacturers are the same: 625 by 300 mm. When calculating the number of gas blocks, consider that it is easy to saw. Correct calculation will significantly reduce block waste and accordingly save on material cost.
Manufacturer
There is an opinion that the same equipment is used for the production of gas blocks, so the quality is approximately the same for everyone, and the price depends only on the cost of the brand itself. But this is not true, because the quality of the final product is affected by technology, raw materials, and equipment settings. The only thing one can agree with is the influence of brand value on the final price of the block.
Block Grade According to GOST
The standard defines the concept of first and second grade. The main difference between gas block grades is the number of permissible chips on the surface: first – no more than 5%, second – 10%. The block grade will only affect the consumption of finishing material and the time of work.
For example, for dry laying, deviations in height, length and thickness should be no more than 1.5 mm, deviations in shape no more than 2 mm, chipped corners and edges no deeper than 5 mm. For laying on glue, deviations in dimensions should not exceed 2 mm, in shape – 3 mm, depth of chips – no more than 5 mm. For mortar (not recommended), these indicators are 3, 2 and 10 mm respectively.
Ease of Working with Blocks
Some manufacturers use a tongue-and-groove system and gripping handles. Firstly, this simplifies the process of laying gas blocks, and secondly, with additional application of glue, cold bridges are completely eliminated.
When choosing a gas block for a future building, many factors and characteristics of this wall material should be considered. The right choice and calculation will allow not only to save at the construction stage (block cost, delivery, price of construction crew services), but also to save throughout the entire operation of the building.
Advantages of Aerated Concrete Blocks
Large block sizes and their ideal geometry ensure high construction rates. Thanks to a thin glue layer of 1 mm, the blocks fit together "joint to joint", ensuring structural stability.
Main advantages:
breathable walls provide an excellent microclimate in the house;
excellent heat storage properties eliminate sharp temperature fluctuations in winter and summer;
good sound insulation guarantees peace and quiet;
relatively low heating and cooling costs due to low thermal conductivity of the structure and heat storage properties;
easy to carry out repairs, redevelopment, interior finishing and interior work – especially relevant if the house is sold without finishing;
does not require special care because the material does not rot, is not afraid of mold, is not susceptible to insects and rodents like wood, and does not rust like iron.
Products made of autoclaved aerated concrete are widely demanded in individual housing construction for the construction of one-to-three-story stone, warm and comfortable houses. Thanks to its structure, this product guarantees minimal heat loss, providing a comfortable microclimate indoors and allows to significantly reduce heating costs.
PR