What is a block house?Why is this type of construction considered one of the most popular now? What advantages and disadvantages does it conceal? Today we will answer these questions and put everything on the shelves. When building houses today, more and more often they begin to use not the usual brick or, but more modern materials, which are designed to reduce the cost of the process and increase the speed of construction. The most popular alternative to the "classics" has already become cellular concrete in the form of large even blocks. This is expanded clay concrete and polystyrene concrete, but only two types are more common and in demand - aerated concrete and foam concrete. And how good they are for the construction of , we will try to figure out. New materials are the result of progress and scientific achievements. Their creation implies improving the qualities of existing things and minimizing the previous disadvantages. Therefore, let's consider what advantages cellular concrete and block construction in general will give us:
1. Eco-friendliness
Among the components of both foam concrete andaerated concrete does not contain toxic or harmful elements, and all of them are of organic origin. Therefore, such materials are completely safe for use and will not affect the health of people living in such a house.
2. Ease of installation
The large size and evenness of the blocks allowachieve high construction speed. In addition, due to the smooth surfaces of cellular materials, the consumption of adhesive mixture will be minimal, which, in turn, will also save a lot of money. Artem Avakimov, CEO of EuroStroyGroup: - The terms of work on the construction of the foundation are approximately 1.5-2 months, the house frame - 2 months without monolithic floors and 3 months - with a monolithic floor, roofing - 1.5-2 months (depending on the complexity and type of roofing). As for the facade work, they are carried out together with the laying of the house frame (if it is facing brick) and after its construction (plastering the facade). If we talk about the beginning of construction, then ideally this is a foundation poured in the fall and the beginning of work on the construction of the house frame in the spring. This will allow you to complete the construction of the house frame and the installation of the roof with insulation before the cold weather, and not worry that, for example, soft roofing will have to be installed when sub-zero temperatures arrive. esg-moscow.ru
3. Heat and sound insulation
Thanks not only to external but also internalcellular structure, reminiscent of honeycombs in a beehive, foam concrete and its analogues have excellent heat-saving properties. Thus, even a wall of 40 centimeters will completely protect from winter cold and perfectly retain the warmth of the home, plus it will not be susceptible to mold, mildew and other unpleasant formations. Another advantage is the excellent soundproofing properties of foam concrete, which is again achieved due to the cellular structure. Be that as it may, using such materials, you will not bother your neighbors with loud sounds, however, as they will not bother you.
4. Durability
It is especially worth noting that the blocks are made ofcellular concrete are practically not subject to the effects of time. They do not rot, are similar in strength to stone, and after some time their thermal insulation and strength properties only improve. By the way, the fire safety of the blocks is also at a decent level, such a wall is capable of withstanding one-sided exposure to fire for about 4-7 hours.
5. Accessibility
The low cost of block houses is also attractive, especiallycompared to brick analogues. But a wooden beam will also cost more than a building made of the same aerated concrete. Therefore, those who are looking for a high-quality foundation for the construction of their home, but are limited in budget or just want to save money, should consider this option. Artem Avakimov, CEO of EuroStroyGroup: - In order to calculate the cost of building a house from foam blocks, it is easiest to contact a company with a ready-made project, then you will receive an accurate estimate. Based on the layouts (clients often confuse this with the project), you can only make an approximate calculation. Based on our experience, the cost of a square meter of a house made of foam blocks varies within 19-24 thousand rubles, depending on the type of foundation, roof and facade, the number of floors and their type. esg-moscow.ru
But like everything in our world, cellular blocksconcrete also has its disadvantages. And information about these disadvantages will save you from troubles and problems, allowing you to avoid them in a timely manner. Among the disadvantages, we can note:
1. Hygroscopicity
The same cellular structure brings not onlypositive aspects, but also such a negative factor as moisture accumulation, and this is one of the two main disadvantages. Moreover, the blocks absorb moisture instantly, and give it off much longer. This is especially dangerous in winter, because the moisture can freeze, and this, in turn, will contribute to the formation of cracks in the structure. Therefore, they try to build such structures in warm and non-rainy periods of time in order to avoid unnecessary problems, including damage to materials.
2. Fragility
This is the second main disadvantage of blocks, but it is alsois not critical and has its own solutions. Even with a small load, there is a possibility that a wall made of foam blocks can crack and disrupt the stability of the entire structure. First of all, the problem with fragility is eliminated by means of special types of foundations that do not give subsidence and are also resistant to seismic activity. Most often, this is a foundation made of a monolithic slab or a bundle of reinforced concrete slabs.
3. The need for external finishing
This disadvantage is directly related tohygroscopicity of the blocks, and to correct this state of affairs, additional external finishing is needed. This can be plastering and coating with waterproof paint, siding or facing with decorative brick. But in any case, it is impossible to leave the walls of cellular concrete bare.
4. Interior decoration
However, the finishing features concern not onlythe outer side of the walls, but also their inner part. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to additionally treat the walls with waterproofing solutions or mixtures, and also to carry out rough work without unnecessary zeal, acting clearly and carefully. At the same time, in no case should you start interior finishing if the walls made of aerated concrete contain moisture. In this case, they should be thoroughly dried, often with the help of heating.
5. Heat accumulation of walls
For foam blocks this indicator is verylow, so they are not recommended for use as interior partitions. Due to their low density and cellular structure, they are not able to give off accumulated heat for a long time, which means they will cool down quickly, which will affect the microclimate in the house and increase heating costs. Although if you use high-density blocks, this disadvantage is partially smoothed out.
Evgeniy Kovalchuk, head of constructionof the company "VRSC": - The advantages of aerated concrete blocks for our average citizen outweigh the existing disadvantages, so today it is one of the most popular and promising materials for building houses. I would like to note the speed of building buildings from foam blocks, which are very similar in properties to stone, but at the same time have a light weight, improved heat-saving ability and ease of processing. For example, in small volumes, aerated concrete can even be cut with an ordinary hand saw. Disadvantages are not a problem if you carry out the planned work on time and comply with the construction technology, as well as storage of materials. A slab or strip foundation will maintain the stability of the house and prevent cracks in the walls. The issue of hygroscopicity is also easily solved by external finishing with sand-cement plaster, brick cladding, siding and other methods. remrep.ru, bcecamu.ru, arsenal-lab.ru, waltzhouse.ru
