The neighbor considers wood concrete to be the best for construction. In fact, the arbolite has many disadvantages, although some of them are invented.
When we were building a bathhouse for one Customer, his neighbor appeared on the site, and very obsessively began to express his opinion about building materials. He built himself a house from wood concrete blocks, and claimed that this is the best material for building houses, and from aerated concrete (from which we just built a bathhouse) you can only make a doghouse) I was amused by his "speeches" about ideality wood concrete.
No, arbolite is not bad for construction. But, like other materials, it has disadvantagesthat you really need to know about. Many disadvantages of wood concrete are far-fetched, but some are very real.
In the last article, I talked about the real benefits of wood concrete. Today I will write about its real cons.
Discussed disadvantages of wood concrete:
1.Arbolite is susceptible to decay and mold.
This is partly true. Mold on wood concrete blocks can appear, as indeed on any other material, if the vapor permeability of the walls is incorrectly calculated. It is believed that wood concrete walls do not need to be insulated. Without the use of heaters (which usually create the "thermos" effect), natural air exchange is provided, due to which zones of stagnant moisture do not appear. But if the moisture outlet is blocked by insulation, then fungus and mold will certainly appear.
2. Arbolite blocks burn like wood chips
It is not true. Despite the fact that wood concrete consists of sawdust, it does not burn. And given the fact that arbolite buildings are always plastered, fires are not terrible for the walls. Arbolite refers to low-combustible materials (group G1). During an hour of burning, the block is charred to a depth of about 3 cm.
3. Arbolite is stuffed with chemistry, therefore it is harmful
Wood chips in wood concrete are really processed. This is done in order to remove sugars from wood. Sugar prevents concrete from gaining strength, so they get rid of it. Usually calcium chloride or aluminum sulfate is used. They do not cause any harm to humans.
4. Arbolite is very fragile
The normal grade of wood concrete is M25. This means that 1 cm2 can withstand a load of 25 kg. This is an absolutely acceptable indicator for low-rise buildings of 1-3 floors. The main thing is that wood concrete blocks are made of good cement.
5. Arbolite walls are blown through
Yes, that is right. Arbolite has high air permeability. It is for this reason that the walls are plastered on both sides.
6. Arbolite blocks are very crooked
And this is a real drawback. Mainly due to the fact that wood concrete blocks are produced in a "handicraft" way, not paying much attention to geometry. In comparison with aerated concrete, the blocks are more curved. Because of this, it is less convenient to build from them.
7. Low frost resistance (in comparison with other materials).
8. Arbolite absorbs moisture well. But plaster saves from this.
9. Due to the lack of block geometry, a cement-sand mortar is used in the masonry, because of this - a large cold bridge.
10. Arbolite does not tolerate proximity to some materials, for example, metal.
The last disadvantages are very real. But they are not critical, because studied. In construction, ways have been invented how to overcome these shortcomings.
Arbolite is a good material for construction. According to the Customer's neighbor, it is the best. In my opinion, it is far from being the best one. But here, as they say, "the taste and color ..."