Aerated concrete and bricks: from which to build a house?

If you really want to understand all the "pros" and "cons" - let's do it together.

One of the main indicators of reliability is the structural strength of the wall material. For brickwork it ranges from 50 to 150 kg \ cm2. Durability gas concrete masonry 5-20 kg \ cm2, i.e. 10 times lower brick. Accordingly, the use of aerated concrete has some significant limitations. Thus, in accordance with the rules, the use of aerated concrete as a load-bearing structures is prohibited, and the height of the walls is limited by 14 meters, so it is widely used in the cottage construction.

Another limitation associated with the choice of foundation: aerated concrete walls can be built only on a tape or slab foundation, even a small deformation will lead to the destruction of the material. But! If your site is located on a movable water-saturated soil - it is better to abandon this venture and make a choice in favor of the ceramic brick.

Of course, house of brick requires solid foundation, because it has a density of 1000-2000 kg \ m3. Volumetric weight aerated heat insulation, used for interior partitions, significantly lower (200-500 kg \ m3). A heat-insulating constructional density aerated used for exterior walls (500-900 kg \ m3), approaching the density of the gap (hollow) brick (1000 kg \ m3).

Now for the thermal conductivity, which determines the thickness of the exterior walls erected. The thermal conductivity of aerated concrete is 0.15-0.3 W \ mGrad. Brick has a higher thermal conductivity (0.3-0.8 W \ mGrad), therefore, brick wall should be thicker aerated concrete. High-quality thermal insulation of the house is provided with a thickness of gas concrete masonry and brick 375-400mm - 500mm. So, bricks require more than the aerated concrete. However, to achieve the above thermal conductivity, aerated concrete blocks you need to attach a special glue (tonkoshovnaya masonry). But the majority of builders, in order to save the use of cement-sand mortar, and thick seams are cold bridges. Accordingly, the reduced heat insulating properties and soundproof aerated.

The second criterion for durability of a material is its resistance to frost. Brick (~ 50 cycles) has a significantly higher frost resistance as compared with gas concretes (25-35 cycles). The same ratio is and durability of the house. If you want the house to be served not only to you but also to the next generation - choose a brick!

Not in favor of AAC and indicators such as the humid shrinkage. House made of concrete blocks in a year or two after the end of construction, reduced in size by 0.3 mm \ m. And this entails the possible formation of cracks in separate blocks and on the walls. The points of contact of the material with dry heat (near the chimney) shrinkage value is still considerable. Walls made of ceramic bricks no shrinkage will not give, and this is another plus in his favor.

On durability house reflected the ability of the wall materials to absorb moisture: the smaller it is, the longer the term of its operation. Brick has a water absorption of 6-16%, while the aerated concrete, this figure could reach 100%. Due to the strong hygroscopicity can be formed on the aerated concrete mold and fungus. Given these nuances, experienced builders are working on the construction of walls made of aerated concrete in dry sunny weather. Then facade is primed, coated fiberglass mesh, carefully plastered and painted vapor permeable paint. On the brick wall of trouble there, it's much easier.

With regard to fire safety and environmental protection - both materials to meet today's needs. If we talk about the speed of construction, the walls made of concrete blocks erected quickly, thanks to their large size. That is, there is a time-saving masonry. However, the bricks come in different formats, including large. For example, in recent years a proliferation of large-scale ceramic stones, is a kind of hollow bricks. Speed ​​masonry work of ceramic porous blocks is almost the same as that of the aerated concrete.

Comparing the manufacturability of the two materials, it should be noted that the drilling and sawing concrete, of course, easier. However, its sensitivity to mechanical stress requires a special approach when installing doors and windows, hanging the furniture etc. Brick, in this regard, a more reliable material. In addition, options for facades in brick house is much more!

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