Today we offer an expanded range of materials for construction. Developers use durable concrete blocks to construct buildings. Among building materials, aerated concrete and gas silicate, which have many common properties, are becoming increasingly popular. However, the products compete with each other. They differ in their manufacturing method and characteristics. When choosing the right material, it is important to be able to distinguish some blocks from others. Gas silicate or aerated concrete - which is better to use? What is the difference between them? Let's look at this in detail.
External difference between aerated concrete and gas silicate
When you first see products made of cellular concrete, it is difficult to give a definite answer that it is gas-filled concrete or a gas silicate block. Visual differences are due to manufacturing technology and recipe. In the manufacture of silicate products, Portland cement is not used, and aerated concrete blocks are made using cement.
It is an astringent substance, which is reflected in the color:
- Gas silicate blocks produced by the autoclave method are characterized by a white color. This is due to the increased concentration of lime and the absence of cement in the silicate composite formulation;
- Gas-filled concrete acquires performance properties in natural conditions and has a characteristic gray color. This shade is caused by the use of Portland cement in production.
In the context of constant rise in energy prices, the need for building materials with high thermal characteristics is increasing.
The content of cement, which is a binder in the production of reinforced concrete products, varies depending on the brand of product. It is possible to change the concentration of lime used in the production of gas silicate. Deviations in the concentration of substances cause differences in color of products. The color of gas-filled concrete varies from dark gray to light gray. The appearance of silicate products varies from snow-white to grayish-white.
What structure do aerated concrete and gas silicate have?
Aerated concrete products and gas silicate blocks have a porous structure. They are characterized by an increased concentration of air cells evenly distributed in the concrete mass.
However, materials have different hygroscopicity:
- Gas silicate quickly absorbs moisture in conditions of high humidity. With a sharp temperature change, the integrity of the concrete is damaged;
- It is difficult for water to get inside the aerated concrete block. The closed configuration of air cavities makes it difficult to absorb moisture. Thanks to this structure, the material is characterized by increased strength.
Building materials have different susceptibility to moisture absorption. However, despite this, gas silicate block and gas-filled concrete require finishing the porous surface with plaster. The use of porous concrete for the construction of buildings makes it possible to create a comfortable indoor microclimate, as well as maintain a favorable temperature at low cost.
In fact, differences exist and are expressed, first of all, by different composition and methods of hardening
Gas silicate and aerated concrete - features of porous material
Let's look at the difference between gas-filled concrete and gas silicate blocks:
- aerated concrete is a composite material produced using standard technology with hardening under natural conditions. Characterized by the porous structure of the massif. It is characterized by a uniform arrangement of spherical air cells, the diameter of which is no more than 3 mm. The properties of the product depend on the distribution of air pores in the concrete mass. The basis of the material is Portland cement, the concentration of which is more than 50%. The binder determines the color of the finished product. To achieve the required characteristics, an autoclave manufacturing method can be used;
- gas silicate products also contain air cells. The main components used in the production of silicate are quartz sand and lime. Their ratio is 3:1. The standard recipe involves the introduction of aluminum powder for gas formation and the addition of water to the required consistency. Manufacturing takes place using autoclave technology. They are heat treated under high pressure conditions. Forms are filled with the prepared gas silicate mixture. After heat treatment, the array is cut into products of the required dimensions.
Despite the fact that both materials belong to porous concrete, each material has certain characteristics.
The disadvantages of aerated concrete and gas silicate materials appear, as a rule, already at the operation stage
What is the difference between aerated concrete and gas silicate - comparison of characteristics
Trying to figure out how gas silicate products differ from aerated concrete materials, let’s consider the main characteristics of porous concrete:
- strength. Silicate blocks are much stronger than aerated concrete products, since in a gas-silicate mass the air cells are distributed more evenly;
- thermal insulation properties. Gas silicate blocks have superior thermal insulation characteristics to aerated concrete, which is also due to their structure;
- frost resistance. Aerated concrete is able to maintain its integrity during repeated freezing with further thawing, surpassing silicate;
- weight. The weight of aerated concrete differs slightly from aerated silicate. The products do not place an increased load on the foundation of the building;
- shape and dimensional tolerances. Gas silicate blocks are characterized by correct geometry and small dimensional tolerances, which makes masonry easier;
- aesthetics. Buildings made of snow-white gas silicate look much more attractive. They benefit when compared to gray aerated concrete buildings;
- fire resistance. Both types of products are fireproof products, having increased resistance to high temperatures and open fire;
- durability. Aerated concrete and gas silicate are widely used in construction, equally ensuring a long service life of buildings.
Non-autoclaved aerated concrete is the least durable and, compared to gas silicate, not of the highest quality
The cost of materials plays an important role. With the same dimensions, aerated silicate products are more expensive compared to aerated concrete. This is due to production technology.
Area of use of gas silicate blocks and aerated concrete
The performance properties of promising building materials determine their wide scope of application:
- housing construction;
- construction of industrial facilities;
- construction of public premises;
- construction of sports facilities;
- construction of commercial centers.
The area of use of the material is also affected by its specific gravity:
- Heavy blocks with increased density are classified as products for structural purposes. Characterized by increased strength, they are used for the construction of capital walls and the construction of partitions;
- aerated concrete blocks and medium-density gas silicate products are classified as structural and thermal insulation. They are used in private construction, used for the construction of cottages and low-rise buildings;
- reduced density is typical for thermal insulation materials with a low thermal conductivity coefficient. The blocks are used as thermal insulation and are not used for the construction of loaded structures.
Aerated concrete blocks produced by Aerobel, Belgorod
From us you can buy Aerobel aerated concrete blocks with delivery throughout Voronezh and the region at the price of the manufacturer. Blocks of main standard sizes are available in stock.
CJSC Aerobel produces a wide range of products from autoclaved aerated concrete on the German Masa-Henke line. The plant produces straight blocks, tongue-and-groove and U-blocks. Belgorod aerated concrete blocks belong to the class of cellular concrete, meet all requirements for environmental friendliness and fire safety and comply with GOST requirements.
Dimensions of aerated concrete blocks
Aerobel blocks have the following dimensions:
- length – 625 mm
- height – 200mm
- width – 100, 150, 250, 300, 375, 400 mm – straight, 200, 250, 300, 375, 400 mm – tongue-and-groove.
The plant also produces straight blocks 50mm wide; we can supply such blocks to order.
Belgorod aerated concrete Aerobel with a width of 50, 100 and 150 mm is used for the installation of interior partitions, blocks with a width of 200 mm and more are intended for the construction of load-bearing walls of buildings up to 3 floors high.
Aerobel blocks have the correct geometry; the manufacturer guarantees dimensional accuracy, which allows the blocks to be laid with glue. In addition to glue, you can use cement-based masonry mortar. To impart the necessary strength to the wall structure, reinforcement of the masonry is necessary.
Aerobel aerated concrete blocks price
Now you can buy Aerobel blocks at a price of 3,600 rubles/m3 . The price is indicated for pickup from the manufacturer's warehouse.
Aerobel aerated concrete is shipped on pallets, the packaging is covered with moisture-proof film. There are from 40 to 150 pieces on a pallet, volume – 1.875 m3, weight about 940 kg. We provide our own transport for delivery throughout the city and region.
Summing up - what to choose, aerated concrete or gas silicate
When deciding on the choice of material for the construction of a building, many people prefer aerated silicate, which is superior to aerated concrete in many characteristics. Silicate products are produced at industrial enterprises, where quality is controlled in the laboratory, and special equipment is used in the manufacturing process. Naturally, this is reflected in the price. At the same time, aerated concrete is also popular in the field of housing construction. Developers are attracted by the affordable price and reduced hygroscopicity.
Both materials are used to solve different problems. It is important to study the properties and adhere to the technology requirements during construction.
Nowadays, cellular concrete, which includes the popularly known aerated concrete, foam concrete and gas silicate, is extremely popular, especially in private construction. However, many do not fully understand the difference between them, in particular, the difference between aerated concrete and gas silicate blocks, but there is one.
The difference between aerated concrete and gas silicate lies in their composition and processing method, so let’s take a closer look at the production method.
Aerobel
Gas silicate block 625x300x200 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x400x200 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x250x200 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x200x200 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x150x200 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x100x200 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x300x200 D 400 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x400x200 D 400 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block 625x300x250 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Gas silicate block U-shaped 500x300x200 D 500 Aerobel
Price: 6,300 rub./m3
Production Features
The aerated concrete block contains cement (this is the main component), sand, lime, water and aluminum powder, which guarantees the formation of air bubbles. Aerated concrete blocks can harden both in natural conditions and in special autoclaves. The second method is naturally better and adds strength, reliability, thermal insulation, etc. to aerated concrete. The finished non-autoclave hardening block looks gray, since there is a lot of cement in it, while the autoclaved block is almost white.
Gas silicate blocks, although they belong to cellular concrete, have a slightly different composition. It is dominated by sand - 62%, and lime - 24%, there is also aluminum powder. The finished composition hardens only under autoclave conditions. The result is white blocks.
It is worth noting that in fact, some domestic manufacturers produce something between aerated concrete and gas silicate - they add both lime and cement to the composition.
Advantages of gas silicate over aerated concrete
Depending on the composition, finished blocks have certain properties, which we can consider as positive or negative, starting from a certain ideal building material. It is worth noting that the question of which material is better - gas silicate or aerated concrete - is quite controversial and does not have a definitive answer, but you can deduce this answer for yourself or for a specific situation.
- As a result of preparing gas silicate blocks, air bubbles are distributed throughout the entire volume more evenly, so that the strength
of such blocks is higher compared to aerated concrete. As a result, the walls of the house are less likely to crack and shrink. That is why gas silicate is good to use for the construction of load-bearing partitions; it can be used to build high-rise buildings, and all this with a density of 600 kg/m3. Similarly for aerated concrete, if you want to build a house of 2-3 floors, it is better to use blocks with a density of 800-900 kg/m3 - this is according to the rules, but in practice blocks with a lower density are often used, but then it is difficult to predict the consequences. - Due to this more correct arrangement of air bubbles, gas silicate has better characteristics in terms of sound insulation
. So, if this indicator is important to you, and the building has requirements for minimal sound transmission, then it is better to choose gas silicate. - aesthetic properties
are important to someone , then aerated silicate is somewhat whiter than autoclaved aerated concrete, and stands out significantly from non-autoclaved aerated concrete. - Gas silicate has the best heat and sound insulation properties
. This is again explained by the structural features of the gas silicate block. But in this regard, one should not discount aerated concrete, which also has excellent thermal insulation properties, which are only slightly inferior to gas silicate blocks, and in some cases are not inferior at all and even exceed those of gas silicate.
Aerated concrete blocks "AEROBEL" - about the material
PRICE for the construction of wooden frame houses
PRICE for construction with AEROBEL blocks
AEROBEL aerated concrete is a unique high-tech building material that has both insulating and load-bearing properties and successfully combines the strength of stone, ease of processing and environmental friendliness of wood. Why aerated concrete? its strength is enough to erect the walls of a three-story house, it is a better heat insulator than wood, the large format of the blocks means high speed of work and evenness of the masonry. For the production of aerated concrete, only high-quality and environmentally friendly components are used: cement, lime, sand and water. Aluminum powder or paste is added to this mixture, which serves as a gas former. The result is a unique building material that combines the best qualities of building materials and has high strength, fire resistance, moisture resistance, frost resistance, and is not subject to destruction, shrinkage and rotting. The material is easy to process and economical; due to its heat and sound insulation properties, it does not require additional insulation and sound insulation.
Properties of aerated concrete AEROBEL aerated concrete blocks are made from natural, environmentally friendly components: quartz sand, lime, cement and aluminum paste, and do not contain chemical additives or harmful impurities. AEROBEL blocks have high thermal insulation characteristics due to the presence of air in the pores of the material. During construction, they do not require additional costs for insulating materials. They have high rates of sound absorption and sound insulation. In a house made from AEROBEL blocks, due to their high thermal insulation properties, a constant and comfortable temperature is ensured. In summer, pleasant coolness is maintained, and in winter, fuel is saved. AEROBEL blocks have high vapor permeability, which ensures rapid drying of the masonry to a state of equilibrium humidity (4-5%) and maintenance of normal heat and humidity conditions during operation. Autoclaved cellular concrete belongs to the NG class (non-combustible material). Aerated concrete is not sensitive to temperature: the structure of the material does not change and the material does not deform. Compressive strength 3.3 MPa (class B2.5) with a relatively low weight (up to 31 kg). AEROBEL aerated concrete blocks are distinguished by their high load-bearing capacity and are intended for laying load-bearing walls of buildings up to three floors (five floors - with additional calculations), laying self-supporting walls, and are also used as wall filling for frame high-rise buildings. AEROBEL blocks have high frost resistance, class F35. Aerated concrete blocks, despite their porous structure, are not a hygroscopic material, i.e. do not absorb moisture from the environment. Even after wetting, water cannot quickly penetrate the material because the capillaries are interrupted by closed pores. AEROBEL blocks can be easily processed with any hand and cutting tools, sawed, grooved, sanded, drilled and milled. It is possible to use various fasteners: nails, screws, bolts, dowels.
Application AEROBEL aerated concrete blocks are used for constructing load-bearing and enclosing structures in various areas of construction: low-rise construction, frameless construction of buildings up to 3 floors, up to 5 floors (calculation verification required), high-rise frame-monolithic construction, commercial and industrial construction. Aerated concrete blocks are widely used in the reconstruction of buildings, when the construction of one or several floors is required without significantly increasing the load on the existing foundation, and also when additional “insulation” of enclosing structures is required. AEROBEL blocks, having unique physical and mechanical characteristics, are used for all types of enclosing structures: external walls: single-layer, multi-layer, internal walls, partitions, lintels, monolithic stiffeners.
Recommended external finishing of straight and tongue-and-groove blocks "AEROBEL": - thin-layer plaster with special lightweight plaster mixtures for aerated concrete; — grouting the joints between the blocks, followed by painting with textured, vapor-permeable paints. - facing with facade bricks with the obligatory arrangement of an air gap (necessarily ventilated) of 30-40 mm between the brick and the masonry made of AEROBEL blocks; - any hinged ventilated facades covered with decorative panels, siding, lining; Recommended interior finishing: - plastering with breathable plasters with painting with water-based compositions or tiling with glue. Application of U-blocks: They are intended for the installation of lintels over window and door openings, monolithic stiffening belts, supports for beams, mauerlats and rafters. Before installing the lintel, formwork made of metal profiles or wooden beams is installed above the window or doorway. The side wall of the U-shaped block, which is thick, should be located on the outside of the wall. A reinforcement cage is installed in the U-block tray. The reinforcement must be installed so that a layer of concrete can protect it from all sides. The U-block tray is then filled with fine-grained concrete, which must be compacted by jointing. The selection of reinforcement and concrete composition is made depending on the perceived load. The surface of the compacted concrete is leveled flush with the top edge of the masonry. When installing a monolithic stiffening belt and supports, the procedure for filling the U-blocks is similar. U-blocks are laid on the wall masonry using the AEROBEL adhesive mixture, while the vertical joints of the U-blocks must be glued with glue. As a result: the range of AEROBEL blocks is used for laying various types of walls - load-bearing and non-load-bearing external and internal walls, partitions, lintels over window and door openings, and the installation of a monolithic stiffening belt. This allows the use of a single building material for the construction of all structures of the facility, which is recognized as the best in the global construction industry.
Characteristics and advantages Main physical and technical characteristics of AEROBEL blocks.
| No. | Indicators | Units | Meaning |
| 1 | Average density | kg/m3 | 500 |
| 2 | Compressive strength | class, B | 3,5 |
| 3 | Compressive strength | MPa | 3,34 |
| 4 | Thermal conductivity | W/m oC | 0,119 |
| 5 | Drying shrinkage | Mmm | no more than 0.4 |
| 6 | Sorptive humidity (at relative humidity 75%) | % | 3-4 |
| 7 | Frost resistance | no less than cycles | 100 |
AEROBEL blocks do not require additional insulation. The main advantage of AEROBEL blocks is the construction of single-layer external walls. The main advantages of AEROBEL tongue-and-groove blocks: The glue consumption for vertical seams is 3.5 times less than when completely filling the vertical seam of a block with straight ends. The tongue-and-groove form of the connection is guaranteed to provide standard thermal insulation of vertical seams even in the absence of any adhesive composition in them. The tongue-and-groove shape of the blocks makes it possible to improve the quality of masonry due to a more accurate and reliable connection of vertical seams with a tongue-and-groove system. Peculiarities. During the masonry process, vertical ridges may remain on the outer corners of the building or inside window and door openings. Vertical ridges are sawed off or rubbed. “AEROBEL” blocks are easily processed with any hand tool; a smooth vertical surface is given to the tongue-and-groove blocks using tools for aerated concrete blocks: saws and floats. When laying tongue-and-groove wall blocks, the filling of vertical joints depends on the type of further finishing of the wall: - if double-sided plastering or other types of “wet” finishing are planned, then the vertical joint can be left dry, while the end of the stacked block is, as it were, ground into the previous one to increase the overall thermal performance uniformity of masonry; - if other methods of wall finishing are proposed, then the vertical seam is partially filled with two strips of adhesive solution 50 mm wide on the outer and inner sides. The main advantages of AEROBEL U-blocks: When constructed using the AEROBEL system, the shape of the U-block allows you to reduce time costs and simplify piping work. The uniformity of the wall, during construction using the AEROBEL system, facilitates external and, especially, internal finishing work.
Information taken from https://www.aerobel.ru
Conclusion
In fact, both aerated concrete and gas silicate blocks are perfect for building a one- or two-story house, especially since domestic manufacturers themselves sometimes pass one off as the other. In terms of their characteristics, they do not have any radical or fundamental differences, but they still have some features. So, gas silicate blocks are stronger, but you have to pay for this strength, but otherwise all the characteristics are very similar, and the difference between them is literally insignificant.
Building a house involves a constant choice: design, number of storeys, materials used, etc. The reliability of the family hearth will depend on the correctness of the decisions. A cold house with an ever-flowing roof can become a constant source of discord in the family. A preliminary consultation at the initial stage of construction with architects and other specialists who will help you choose the material will help you avoid unpleasant situations.
Recently, cellular concrete has become increasingly used. It is suitable for those who want to build heat-saving and reliable housing in the shortest possible time. Among the variety of this material, foam block and gas silicate are distinguished, so it will be useful to know what their similarities and differences are.
Differences
Gas silicate blocks
include Portland cement, sand, calcium lime, water, a gas-forming agent
- aluminum powder and a surfactant - sulfonol C. To obtain this product, only production conditions and high-tech equipment are used. From the above components, a monolithic layer of a given thickness is formed, and then it is cut into blocks of the required size.
The video shows the use of foam concrete:
You can learn about the pros and cons of bathhouses made of expanded clay concrete blocks, as well as the differences with foam blocks from this
They are also often used for flooring in private houses and apartments. For greater comfort, foam concrete of different densities is used, and a layer of thermal insulation is laid between them. They are also used for finishing buildings that were built from bricks.
Despite some similarities with foam concrete, gas silicate still has high strength characteristics, which are used for thermal insulation of buildings and heating networks. It attaches well and is often used to build ventilated facades.
The video shows the use of gas silicate:
You can learn about what kind of flooring to use in a house made of aerated concrete from this
To summarize, we can say that it is more advisable to use gas silicate in multi-story construction of capital structures. And foam concrete is better and more economical to use when laying utility rooms and cottages. Both materials can be used for internal partitions. The final decision in favor of one of them should be made after consulting with specialists in your region, who will tell you which blocks will perform better in certain climatic conditions.
Of all types of building blocks, aerated concrete and gas silicate are most often confused; they have a similar structure and characteristics, and at first glance there is no difference between them. It is impossible to say unequivocally which of these materials is better; they are not universal and are not without drawbacks. But each of them has an optimal scope of application.
The prefix “gas-” implies that these grades of concrete obtain their porous structure by adding chemicals to the solution that produce bubbles, both during heat treatment and under natural conditions. The final diameter of the cells varies from 1 to 3 mm, they have a regular round shape and are evenly distributed throughout the entire volume, porosity depends on the brand and reaches 80%. This allows the materials to retain heat well and insulate rooms from extraneous noise with minimal load on the foundation.
The differences lie in the composition and manufacturing technology. The raw materials include about 24% lime and 62% ground quartz sand, the rest is aluminum powder and alkaline additives. The mixture is poured into molds and undergoes mandatory autoclave treatment; porosization of the gas silicate begins at the moment of steaming under excess pressure. The resulting brick is cut into pieces of the required size using strings; the products are characterized by high geometric accuracy. Due to lime, they most often have a white color.
The composition of the mixtures includes at least 50% cement, the remaining components in addition to aluminum powder are different: from natural and environmentally friendly finely ground sands and minerals (including limestone) to cheap recycled products (ash, slag). This brand of cellular concrete is produced both by autoclave processing and by natural hardening or electrical heating. At the same time, steaming aerated concrete makes it possible to improve its strength and achieve the required performance characteristics, but the process of cell formation itself begins earlier, at the moment of connecting the components. The hydration (non-autoclave) variety hardens under pressure equal to atmospheric pressure; this manufacturing method is cheaper, but the process itself takes at least 28 days (standard time for cement hydration).
Wall made of aerated concrete blocks - masonry features
A wall made of aerated concrete blocks AEROC is the most comfortable of the existing ones
The microclimate in your home depends on many factors. The material from which the walls are built makes a great contribution to a healthy atmosphere. To ensure comfort, the wall must have a number of properties.
Be “warm” to the touch (this is achieved by low thermal conductivity and high heat transfer resistance); Have low air permeability (breathlessness is ensured by the integrity of the wall and the constancy of its shape); Have sufficient vapor permeability, the so-called ability to “breathe”; Be thermally inertial - so that the room does not heat up immediately after sunrise and does not freeze after sunset (as in panel houses with light insulation).
A wall made of AEROC aerated concrete blocks is most protected from known risks
Security is a term that is interpreted very broadly in the modern world. Security is protection from threats and risks. Walls made from AEROC blocks contribute to security.
A single-layer wall is least susceptible to the risk of accidental or deliberate damage. A single-layer wall is the key to the absence of hidden defects that arise when laying insulation, installing a vapor barrier, installing a load-bearing frame or due to corrosion of working reinforcement... AEROC is a 100% mineral material, therefore it is non-flammable and fire-resistant. AEROC is a stone, it is bioresistant (not affected by fungi, insects and other organisms), and is not destroyed by UV radiation and other atmospheric factors.
Aerated concrete wall AEROC - the most technologically advanced wall
When carrying out work, a big role is played by the workability of the wall material and the ability, when choosing architectural solutions, not to be tied to the modular size of the products.
AEROC blocks are processed with simple hand tools; Products of non-standard shapes and sizes are obtained using a simple hand hacksaw; 1 m2 of wall is erected by one person in 15 – 20 minutes.
AEROC aerated concrete is the friendliest building material
Building a house from AEROC blocks causes minimal damage to the environment. Much smaller than wood, brick or frame construction.
To build a log house with an area of 100 square meters, you need to cut down 0.1 hectares of pine forest. To build the same house from brick, you need to dig up more than 100 tons of clay and spend tens of megawatts of energy on firing the raw materials. Synthetic polymers occupy a significant share in the production of frame houses. To build a house from AEROC blocks with an area of 100 square meters, 15 tons of mineral raw materials and several megawatts for its processing are enough.
AEROC aerated blocks - the optimal material for private construction
The load-bearing capacity of a wall depends on the strength of the materials included in its composition and on the method of loading it.
The load-bearing capacity of masonry made from AEROC blocks is sufficient for the construction of buildings with a height of 3 – 5 floors (requires verification by calculation); The AEROC adhesive mixture allows you to make full use of the advantages of AEROC blocks when laying. The load-bearing capacity of masonry made from AEROC blocks allows you to build the thinnest single-layer walls with sufficient heat-insulating properties.
Comparison of characteristics
In addition to different manufacturing technologies, differences appear during installation and operation: gas silicate has a lighter and more uniform structure, is superior to cement-based blocks in noise absorption ability, but is inferior in resistance to external influences and durability. All types that have undergone autoclave processing benefit in quality due to the uniform distribution of voids; they are recommended to be chosen when constructing reliable structures operated under normal humidity conditions. The difference between gas silicate and aerated concrete becomes more clear when comparing characteristics and properties:
| Name of indication | Gas silicate | Aerated concrete |
| Brands by density | From 400 to 800 | From 350 to 700 |
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/m°C | 0,096-0,14 | 0,14-0,3 |
| Compressive strength class | From B1 to B5 | On average B2.5 |
| Vapor permeability, mg/m h Pa | 0,17-0,25 | 0,2 |
| Water absorption,% of total mass | 25-30 | 20-25 |
| Frost resistance, cycles | 35 | 50 |
| Shrinkage, mm/m | 0,17-0,24 | 0,3 |
| Sound Absorption Capacity | High | Average |
| Flammability class | NG | |
| Estimated service life, years | 50 | 70 |
Both materials are fireproof, but when exposed to an open flame, aerated concrete retains its shape and useful properties longer. Also, despite the closed cell structure, these types of lightweight concrete absorb moisture well and require appropriate protection from steam and precipitation. If there is a risk of getting wet, experts advise choosing cement-based products as they are more resistant (in such conditions, a difference of 5-10% can be decisive). The key difference is strength: thanks to heat treatment under pressure of 12-14 atm, gas silicate can withstand high loads well and is less prone to cracking.
Controversial characteristics include frost resistance and durability; the 100 cycles and 50 years declared by manufacturers of autoclave products have not yet been confirmed in practice. Construction forums claim that for both varieties the average value does not exceed 35 and this is what you should focus on. In practice, gas silicate elements are inferior in this regard both due to the absence of cement in the composition and due to the greater amount of water absorption, but in general the difference is insignificant.
What blocks are best to choose for building a house?
When comparing these materials, focus on:
- Weight: with the same strength class, aerated concrete blocks will be heavier, they place a slightly greater load on the foundation.
- The need to ensure maximum energy savings: gas silicate retains heat better. The beneficial qualities of both types appear exclusively in a dry state; if there is insufficient protection from moisture, there is no difference between them.
- In this regard, cut gas silicate elements benefit from geometric accuracy; their use allows reducing the cost of glue and finishing. For laying on cement-sand mortar, it is better to choose non-autoclaved cellular concrete.
- Difference in price, availability of building materials. Given the same size, aerated concrete products are cheaper; for outbuildings and similar buildings, blocks that harden naturally, including self-made ones, are quite suitable.
Gas silicate is optimal for higher requirements for structural strength. Both conventional wall and partition walls, as well as non-standard and tongue-and-groove products are used; the latter are valued for their good energy-saving properties and convenient grip. The construction of a house from aerated concrete is chosen with a limited construction budget; its non-autoclave varieties are recommended when pouring monolithic walls and ceilings. These blocks remove moisture better and, unlike gas silicate ones, do not accumulate it inside.
Both varieties require additional reinforcement when laying rows in load-bearing structures.
Protection from moisture is carried out immediately, immediately after shrinkage is completed; for external wall decoration, preference is given to vapor-permeable materials or a system of ventilated facades. Siding is excellent for these purposes; it is inexpensive and does not crack.
Average cost of aerated concrete and gas silicate
| Product type | Manufacturer | Brand by density | Dimensions, mm | Quantity per cube, pcs. | Price per 1 m3, rubles |
| Autoclave curing blocks made of gas silicate | |||||
| Septal | Bonolit | D500 | 600×150×250 | 44,4 | 3600 |
| Wall structural and thermal insulation | D400 | 600×400×250 | 16,7 | ||
| Groove-ridge, wall | Ytong | D500 | 625×250×250 | 25,64 | 4200 |
| Smooth wall | D600 | 4900 | |||
| Non-autoclaved aerated concrete blocks | |||||
| septal | Sibgas concrete | D500 | 598×295×98 | 55,56 | 2600 |
| wall | 598×295×198 | 27,7 | 2700 | ||
| D600 | 560×295×198 | 29,76 | |||
| Autoclaved aerated concrete | |||||
| Wall blocks | Sibit | D500; D600 | 625×400×250 | 16 | 4400 |
| 625×300×250 | 21,4 | ||||
| Tongue-and-groove, for adhesive laying | Betokam | D350-D500 | 600×400×250 | 16,7 | 3150 |
| Smooth wall | D600 | 4000 | |||
| D700 | 4200 | ||||
Due to its simpler manufacturing technology, aerated concrete is cheaper than gas silicate, but this only applies to hydration varieties. High-quality autoclave blocks with high geometric accuracy cost at least 3,400 rubles/m 3. The leaders among producers of gas silicate are Hebel, Wehrhahn (EKO), Kostroma ZSM, aerated concrete - Betolex, Aerobel, Betokam.
Whether to use gas silicate blocks or aerated concrete in low-rise construction is up to everyone to decide for themselves. However, for this decision to be balanced, it is worth carefully studying both materials and analyzing both their advantages and disadvantages.
Choosing porous concrete for construction is not an easy task
Aerobel gas silicate blocks in a private house project.
Scope of application of u-shaped aerated concrete blocks
This type of building material is used to solve complex problems.
Formwork is constructed from it, and reliable opening lintels are made. In addition, the u-gas block is used in the construction of power belts, the formation of supports on which the rafter system will be installed, and the construction of an armored belt that reinforces the wall.
The cross-section of the block resembles a tray. When metal rods are placed in the gutter part, combining block stones into a single contour, and a solution is poured, the concrete mass, gradually hardening, gains operational strength.
The power belt is designed to uniformly distribute the load acting on opening areas and walls.
It should be noted that after pouring such a belt, the rigidity of the structure box increases significantly.
Features of installing u-blocks
When laying, a special adhesive composition is used. The structure is reinforced with metal rods located inside the gutter part and filled with concrete. The grade of concrete mortar and the size of the rods are determined by the magnitude of the effective load. The cavity of the block is filled to the top edge.
Like jumpers
If there is a need to build a lintel based on a profile aerated concrete block, this can be done in two ways:
- The block material is placed horizontally and filled with concrete. When the mortar mass hardens, the jumper is lifted to its intended place using special equipment.
- U-blocks made of aerated concrete are laid out in a wooden formwork base located above the opening. Reinforcement is placed into the cavity and concrete is poured. The formwork can be dismantled when the concrete has gained sufficient strength.
When working, pay attention to the evenness and stability of the base on which you are pouring the jumper.
Armopoyas
Attic floors in buildings built from aerated block material are recommended to be supported by profile-shaped stones, which are installed in the last masonry row. Aerated concrete Y-shaped blocks will evenly distribute the load transmitted by the attic or floor slabs to the walls.
When installing the last row, a supporting surface on the walls of at least twenty centimeters is provided.
When setting the last row, work in the following sequence:
- place the blocks on glue or cement mortar, gluing the joints and creating the surface area necessary for contact with the wall;
- prepare a reinforcing frame from longitudinally laid steel rods connected with knitting wire;
- lay the frame base in the gutter. At the same time, make sure that more rods are located in the lower frame part;
- fix the frame with spacers, moisten the block walls inside the gutter;
- pour concrete solution, remove air bubbles;
- Level the surface of the solution to the level of the block plane.
Installation of gas silicate blocks.
For proper installation of gas silicate blocks, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the requirements of the manufacturer - AEROBEL. In this album, you can study all the necessary components and technical characteristics of this material.
Album AEROBEL. Design, characteristics, components.
Please ask questions on all points of interest. Agree or disagree. I will answer everyone. Let's discuss your opinion. Share with friends who are concerned about this issue using the social buttons located at the bottom of the article. Best regards, Evgeniy.
PS Links to manufacturers .
Prices and information about the material. [td] Brick and gas silicate (aerated concrete) block
| Concrete and reinforced concrete products | |
| AEROBEL | Concrete concrete products-3, Stroitel |
| Brick Stary Oskol and Zheleznogorsk | ZhBK-1 Belgorod |
| Brick Stroitel | Metal wholesaler |
PS As a gift, a video about aerated concrete from the manufacturer AEROBEL.
Do-it-yourself U-block made of aerated concrete
When deadlines are running out and the material of the required shape is not at hand, or there is a need to save money, it is possible to make a u-shaped gas block yourself. There are two ways to do this:
- A classic block is formed. This requires a special tool. First, markings are made according to the required dimensions, after which a couple of main cuts are made, outlining the thickness of the walls. Now all that remains is to make auxiliary cuts or drillings to make it easier to remove the internal parts. This method allows you to make a block to any desired size. For example, they increase the thickness of the outer wall to improve thermal conductivity. The method implies the loss of standard blocks and the presence of certain working skills.
- A U-gas block can be assembled from several elements that differ in thickness. The work is simple, performed with minimal labor and financial costs. Simply lay out the walls of the future block in place, connecting them with an adhesive solution.
Technology overview
Gas and foam concrete in construction
In recent decades, concrete-based porous materials have been widely used in the construction of private houses. They are produced using similar technologies, and only a few manufacturing nuances distinguish them from each other ().
That is why, before determining which is better - gas silicate or foam concrete - you need to understand the details.
- Foam and gas blocks are produced according to the same scheme. High-quality cement is used as raw material, into which special foaming reagents are introduced.
- During the “ripening” process, the reagents release a significant amount of gas bubbles, which are evenly distributed throughout the thickness of the building block.
Note! Expanded clay concrete stands apart, into which ready-made porous granules from baked clay are introduced - expanded clay.
- Then the nuances that we talked about above begin. The foam block hardens at a temperature of about 15-25 0 C and atmospheric pressure, therefore it is very sensitive to both the composition of the filler and the drying regime.
- There is often a catch here: the low price of the material may indicate problems with hardening, and as a result, the low strength of foam concrete. That’s why you shouldn’t save money by purchasing blocks made using “handicraft” technologies.
- Unlike the previous variety, aerated concrete is cured in special autoclaves or drying chambers with significant heating. That is why the material is more expensive, but its strength is much higher.
And although the advantages of aerated block in this case are obvious, both materials are actively used in construction. They have good thermal insulation qualities, relatively low weight and low density. The last factor greatly facilitates installation: if cutting reinforced concrete with diamond wheels is very labor-intensive, then porous modules can be sawed with a special hacksaw with your own hands.
Production and characteristics of silicate blocks
The difference between gas silicate and foam concrete is easy to see if you analyze the manufacturing technology:
- The raw material used is a mixture of cement, sifted sand and lime.
- During the mixing process, pore formers are added to the composition, which are responsible for the formation of microscopic cavities in the thickness of the block.
Note! In some brands of material, the instructions also recommend adding aluminum shavings, which act as an activator of gas-forming additives.
- Hardening takes place in almost the same way as for sand-lime bricks: the workpieces are fed into an autoclave, where under pressure (8 - 12 atmospheres) they are treated with high-temperature water steam.
As a result, the answer to the question of which is better - gas silicate or expanded clay concrete (foam concrete, aerated concrete) becomes almost obvious. Due to this treatment, building silicate blocks acquire absolutely identical properties throughout their entire volume, which has a positive effect on their performance characteristics.
The technology of installation and finishing is practically no different from the method of using other porous concrete. The products are quite easy to cut, have good contact with both the mortar and special glue, and have acceptable adhesion to plasters and other finishing materials.
Archive number No. 48 (998) dated November 26, 2013 - Consumer
BUILD A HOUSE
Why choose aerated concrete for building a house? In recent years, aerated concrete has been widely used in the construction of apartment and private buildings, and the demand for the material is growing every year in many regions of Russia.
The blocks and partitions produced by AEROBEL have ideal geometry - deviation up to one millimeter, with improved fire resistance, frost resistance, and sound insulation. Packing AEROBEL blocks in durable shrink film ensures good safety of the blocks during transportation and storage. In addition, the technical characteristics of AEROBEL brand autoclaved cellular concrete compare it favorably with other widely used building materials in the Kursk region.
We will conduct a construction analysis.
AEROBEL and brick
In Russia there are many strict adherents of brick - a material of centuries-old traditions. Brick is a heavy building material. The weight of a square meter of a wall with a thickness of 380 mm is 3–5 times higher than the weight of a similar wall made of AEROBEL
. Agree that heavy walls significantly increase the actual cost of the building, which is associated with additional costs for transportation, land and foundation work.
It is known that only qualified specialists can build a brick house, but a house made of AEROBEL
anyone can build.
Using simple tools and an accessible adhesive mixture, it takes 5–7 days to build one floor from AEROBEL
.
In a brick house, due to the seams made of traditional sand-cement mortar, “cold bridges” are formed. Thanks to the precise geometry of AEROBEL
masonry is possible using a thin-layer adhesive mixture, which eliminates “cold bridges” during construction.
The more important issue is thermal efficiency. The high thermal conductivity of brick makes the walls cold to the touch, reducing living comfort. Hence the additional insulation. Taking into account the strict requirements for heating engineering for comfortable living, a brick wall must be at least 1.5 meters high. And the wall is from AEROBEL
40 centimeters thick, in turn, does not need insulation.
AEROBEL and warm ceramics
Porous large-form ceramics, or warm ceramics (TC), began to be used in Russia recently. Despite the advantage of warm ceramics such as high strength (from M50 to M150), a number of problems arise during construction. Thus, the laying of TC can only be carried out using mortar. Laying with glue is possible, but the cost of high-quality sanding blocks is more than 1.5 times higher than the cost of AEROBEL
.
Ready-made warm solution is not a cheap pleasure; its payback during the operation of the finished house is even more questionable. The volume of mortar required for one house is about 20 tons (at the rate of 100–150 liters of mortar per cubic meter of masonry), which is almost 10 times the volume of the adhesive mixture for a house made from AEROBEL
. The thermal characteristics of the constructed walls depend significantly on the type of masonry mortar used and the thickness of the seam. Due to poor quality masonry joints and the use of conventional mortar, heat loss through the joints can be more than 30%! Why then spend money on an expensive ceramic block?
* * *
In conclusion, we note that the introduction of energy efficient technologies from AEROBEL
will have a beneficial effect on the implementation of federal programs in the field of housing construction.
And the technological innovations developed at AEROBEL
make the facilities comfortable, meeting international standards in the field of ecology and green building.
Houses made from AEROBEL are the best option for modern construction concepts.
WITH
You have the opportunity:
- purchase an
AEROBEL on credit with storage until December 31, 2014 *; - purchase an
AEROBEL using maternity capital certificate funds with storage until December 31, 2014**; - get a design for your home.
Sales department of JSC AEROBEL in Kursk: st. 50 years of October, 4-b, tel. +7 (4712) 390-663.
Company website: aerobel.ru.
*
The loan is provided by banks OJSC Alfa-Bank, general. license of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation No. 1326 dated 03/05/2012, CJSC Russian Standard Bank, general. License of the Bank of Russia No. 2289 dated July 19, 2001. Detailed information on the company’s website.
**
Certificate of registration of a microfinance organization No. 671303014003449.
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