Tongue-and-groove or aerated concrete - which is better: a comparative analysis of materials and their basic properties

Tongue ridge and aerated concrete

During construction work, most likely, more than one developer has faced the problem of choosing the optimal material. The relevance of this issue is only growing every year.

This is due to the emergence of an increasing number of new materials produced using modern technologies and endowed with competitive qualities. The right decision will help you save money and, at the same time, not lose quality.

In this article we will try to make the right choice and answer the question: tongue-and-groove or aerated concrete - which is better? Tongue and groove have a large number of different products, so we will consider and compare the most popular of them, which are: tongue-and-groove slabs and some types of building blocks.

What is better to use: aerated concrete or tongue-and-groove slabs?

Developers are often faced with the problem of choosing a suitable building material. And every year the relevance of the issue increases. A groove, a ridge, is present in structures in many spheres of life. Aerated concrete is gaining popularity. Therefore, it is worth considering the properties of materials. And decide, tongue-and-groove slabs or aerated concrete, which is better.

Description of tongue-and-groove slabs

Tongue-and-groove slabs are chosen by consumers who are interested in creating partitions that perform specific functions. Let's take a closer look at the properties that the material has.

Important parameters, types of designs

Gypsum-based tongue-and-groove slabs have become popular. The standard shape of the products is a parallelepiped. Each part is equipped with protruding parts in the shape of a ridge, as well as recesses, which are called grooves. The fastening used promotes good fixation and simplifies operation.

The composition contains no substances that can cause damage, so the environmental friendliness of the materials does not raise any questions.

Two types of slabs are available:

The first option is designed in green so that it can be easily distinguished from other analogues.

The use of slabs of the usual variety is relevant for rooms with dry air and normal humidity levels. Where it is increased, hydrophobized varieties are installed. Resistance to moisture is increased through the use of special additives.

The description of technical characteristics will be as follows:

What is the difference between hollow ones? Their weight is 20-25% less compared to analogues. Relevance remains where it is important to reduce the load as much as possible.

Products are made in the form of rectangles and trapezoids.

Tongue-and-groove slabs of silt silicates are also produced. Such products have a special composition, including:

The finished mixture is first pressed and then processed using an autoclave. There are many similarities in products such as tongue-and-groove slabs or concrete; which is better is up to the buyer to decide.

Aerated concrete

Aerated concrete is a structure that belongs to a variety of cellular concrete. The main distinguishing features are a structure with a large number of pores. Production must also take into account the characteristics of the material.

The material is made from a mixture of several components:

Thanks to the cells, the weight of the products is reduced. At the same time, aerated concrete is able to maintain the temperature at a fairly comfortable level. Cement helps increase strength. But both products can boast of it: tongue-and-groove blocks or aerated concrete, a comparison of the characteristics proves this.

Partition foam block

When talking about foam blocks in comparison with PGP, we mean partition foam blocks with dimensions starting from 625x100x250 mm. Otherwise they are called gas silicate blocks or autoclaved gas concrete blocks.

They are made not from gypsum, but from cellular concrete (foam concrete). The presence of pores in the material makes it much lighter than concrete and brick. The weight of a solid gas silicate block 600x100x300 mm is about 15 kg. This is the main advantage of such material.

Not only partitions are built from foam blocks, but houses are built from larger blocks, using them as the main material for the external walls of the house.

About negative and positive qualities

Aerated concrete products have the following advantages:

As for the negative aspects, there are not many of them:

It is worth noting that the use of an autoclave production method produces aerated concrete with improved characteristics. The only drawbacks are the prices and the inability to make the material yourself. Non-autoclave options allow a similar scheme. The point is not only in the method of obtaining the result, but also in the use of special equipment that is not available to individuals for purchase.

Aerated concrete can also be used in liquid form to create a monolithic structure. In this case, wall slabs are supplied with connections of different types, or combine several options at once.

The material is created on a natural basis, either using secondary industrial products or high-grade ash. Current regulations allow the use of most options.

The density of aerated concrete is usually in the range of 300-1200 kilograms per cubic meter. The material is extremely hygroscopic, and therefore its moisture absorption is 25%. This feature must be taken into account when finishing and installation is carried out. Like other properties that aerated concrete blocks or tongue-and-groove slabs have, which is better - everyone decides for themselves.

Final Thoughts

Each builder must decide for himself which properties are most important to him. Only after this the final choice is made. And the process itself will be much simpler.

Aerated concrete does not lose popularity, although new solutions appear on the market every year. A wide classification, improved properties during operation - this is what makes buyers prefer this option. Tongue and tongue slabs also become indispensable assistants for some situations. The determining factors are the type of structure and the desired result after completing the work. It is recommended to take into account the requirements for final quality and planned construction costs.

Source

Aerated concrete or tongue-and-groove concrete, which material is better for construction?

Description and detailed consideration of the working qualities of aerated concrete and tongue-and-groove slabs. Comparison of their capabilities, criteria for choosing a particular material for use for different purposes.

The amount of building materials in modern conditions is becoming excessive, making the choice difficult not only for unprepared people, but also for specialists. Traditional types of concrete do not always provide the required quality of construction, save thermal energy and reduce the weight of walls. New, more economical materials have more advantageous properties. However, they have certain limitations and disadvantages that must be taken into account when choosing material for the construction of walls or other structures. Among the most effective and economical modern varieties are aerated concrete and the lesser-known tongue-and-groove. Let's take a closer look at them.

Criteria for choosing a particular material

The construction of a private house requires the developer to select materials wisely. The question often arises - what to choose, tongue-and-groove or aerated concrete? The problem is poor knowledge of the working properties of both materials and lack of practical experience.

Most experts recommend using aerated concrete. It is lighter, stronger and more reliable than PGP. In addition, you must choose which is more profitable, a tongue-and-groove slab or aerated concrete, based on the overall construction budget. If the task is only to assemble one or more internal partitions, you can choose one or another material. If full-fledged construction is underway, it is not advisable to overload the estimate with unnecessary items. Internal partitions can just as easily be made from gas blocks, without overloading the supporting structures and without the risk of needing repairs in the event of water supply leaks or other accidents.

Using gas blocks is more convenient, as it will allow you not to change the installation technique and not create the danger of mistakenly using the wrong adhesive solutions or other materials. As a rule, private developers use PGP only for one-time operations to install partitions in areas that are not in contact with water supply or other communications. Judging by the reviews of people living in houses with a large number of tongue-and-groove partitions, the performance qualities of this material do not always correspond to the manufacturers' statements (although the reason may be improper installation or operation of the material).

In conclusion, it is necessary to once again separate the aerated concrete from the tongue-and-groove blocks. These are building materials designed to solve different problems. Aerated blocks are universal, you can use them to build a house and perform internal insulation. GGP is a material with limited functionality, intended for internal use only. Any mistakes made at the stage of purchasing or installing the material can cause complex and expensive repairs. Therefore, it is better to choose a more reliable and load-resistant aerated concrete.

What is aerated concrete

Aerated concrete is a representative of cellular concrete. This building material is used for the construction of residential and public buildings and other structures. At the same time, the material differs significantly from ordinary, dense concrete. It is lighter, softer, able to retain heat and muffle external sounds. The only serious disadvantage of this material is its high water absorption, but this disadvantage is typical for any type of concrete. However, builders treat aerated concrete with some prejudice. It is caused by the discrepancy between the qualities of traditional varieties of dense concrete and aerated concrete blocks, which require a different approach to construction and operation technology.

Externally, aerated concrete resembles a hard sponge. It has a porous structure with a large number of small cavities (2-4 mm), constituting up to 80% of the volume of the material. It is these bubbles that give aerated concrete all the specific qualities, thanks to which it has become one of the most sought-after and popular building materials.

Purpose of aerated concrete

Aerated concrete is a full-fledged building material with greater capabilities than traditional concrete samples. It is available in different types (grades), which have their own ratio of the volume of cavities and monolithic mass (in other words, different densities). The densest grades are used as structural building material from which load-bearing (external) walls are built. These are grades D600, D700 and higher (the numbers indicate the weight of 1 cubic meter of material in kilograms). There are less dense types of aerated concrete that combine the qualities of a structural and thermal insulation material (grades D400 and D500). The loosest grades - D350 and D400 - are used as a thermal insulation layer. They are laid inside buildings to increase the thickness of the walls and shift the dew point outward.

There are large brands of aerated concrete blocks - D100, D1200, etc. They have great strength and can be used for the construction of large structures. However, the specific qualities of aerated concrete for these brands are significantly reduced; the material is more reminiscent of traditional types of concrete.

Sound insulation index of aerated concrete (airborne noise)

A little theory about noise. Sound itself can be divided into three types, each of which has its own frequency and travels through different materials in different ways.

Impact (vibration) - a blow passes through the wall, and vibrations begin in it, which create an audible sound on both sides of the wall. Vibration noise travels very far, passing through walls, floors and ceilings, since the structures are rigidly connected to each other. Such noise includes: hammering, objects falling on the floor, stomping.

Airborne noise (wave noise) is the most common and frequent type of noise, which is produced by the human voice, TV, barking dogs, etc. The sound wave spreads in all directions, part of the sound wave is reflected from the walls, part is damped, and part of the sound can pass through the wall.

Structural noise is an intermediate type of noise between shock and wave, sources are: garbage chute, pipes, elevator, ventilation system.

What is a tongue-and-groove

A tongue-and-groove slab (GGP or, in common parlance, a tongue-and-groove slab) is one of the types of modern building materials used for assembling internal structural elements - for partitions, internal walls and other elements of this kind. Outwardly, it resembles a thick panel, equipped with protrusions and grooves on all sides (hence the name - tongue-and-groove). During assembly, the protrusions of one plate fit into the grooves of adjacent elements, ensuring a strong and even connection. The shape of the panels is rectangular; its composition is closest to plasterboard. In any case, the basis of GGP is construction gypsum.

The tongue-and-groove owes its appearance to the German company Knauf. It was she who was the first to introduce this material to the market, for which it even created its own specialized standard SP-55-105-2004. Today, other companies also produce GGP, but the current joint venture relates specifically to Knauf slabs.

GWP classification

There are two main types of tongue-and-groove slabs:

Hollow slabs have air cavities inside, which can be used to increase the sound-insulating and heat-saving qualities of the GWP. They are used in children's institutions, hospitals, and other premises that require high-quality cutoff of extraneous noise. However, such slabs are not suitable for installing hanging furniture or equipment - their load-bearing capacity is low. For partitions designed for the installation of equipment or hanging furniture, choose a solid PGP, which has a higher load-bearing capacity. At the same time, solid slabs transmit sound better and have higher heat transfer, which increases the consumption of thermal energy.

In addition, there are various types of slabs on sale, intended for use in ordinary and wet areas. They are divided into groups:

The first group is white, the second is green (the same as drywall). Moisture-resistant boards undergo special treatment, after which they stop reacting to exposure to water and steam.

Advantages and disadvantages of GPP

The advantages of tongue-and-groove slabs include:

In addition, according to the testimony of experienced builders, the declared sound insulation of the GGP often does not correspond to the actual condition. Instead of sound insulation, resonance occurs; all external noise is transmitted through the slab as if through a sound pipeline. To cut off extraneous noise, it is necessary to use an isolated installation method, when an elastic tape is installed along the entire line of junction with the walls, ceiling and floor. The monolithic installation method (tight fastening of slabs without tape) is used when installing double partitions between apartments. Usually two layers of solid slabs are installed with a soundproofing intermediate layer.

Manufacturing technology

Knauf enterprises, developers of PGP manufacturing technology, use a continuous casting method for producing the material. They mix plaster with water and pour the resulting mixture into molds. however, from the point of view of production efficiency, this method is only suitable for factories that independently produce gypsum and do not incur the costs of purchasing raw materials. The material turns out to be dense, but its cost is quite high.

Other manufacturers use a more economical barotechnological method. They use foam gypsum as a raw material, the properties of which comply with GOST standards, but the material consumption is much less. The production process consists of the following operations:

The production of GGP can be established in your own workshop if you master the methodology and work out the technological process.

Technical characteristics of the PGP

Tongue-and-groove blocks or GGP have the following parameters:

Knowing the characteristics of the material will help you make the right choice and decide which is better, aerated concrete or tongue-and-groove blocks.

Technology for installing partitions from GGP

It is recommended to start installing partitions after completing the installation of communications and after leveling the walls. By the beginning of installation, the solution should dry, and the humidity in the room should become less than 60%. At the same time, the issue of screed remains controversial; leveling the floors can be done both before and after the installation of the slabs.

Most builders prefer the second option, since it is more profitable from an economic point of view, since a cubic meter of screed will cost more than the same volume of GWP.

Preparing the base

The preparatory stage can be divided into three large bodies of work.

Leveling surfaces. This applies not only to the floor, but also to the walls to which the partition will adjoin. A bubble level should be applied to the planes to identify any differences. The base is leveled using concrete or cement mixture. It is believed that for ceilings with a difference of up to 20 mm, a DSP is sufficient; for a difference of 20 mm to 40 mm, additional reinforcement will be required. For large deviations, concrete is used for leveling.

Even if the screed is planned to be poured after the partition, a leveling substrate is still made.

Cleaning the base. It is necessary to carefully inspect the surfaces and eliminate cracks. Floors and walls need to be dusted and primed. If the room already has an old screed, then if the quality is poor, it may need to be dismantled. The adherence of the cement layer to the base can be checked by tapping. If the sound is dull and the same in all areas, then you can install a partition on such a screed.

For walls and floors in old houses, deep penetration soil is more suitable, as it can strengthen fragile layers. In houses with high-quality rough finishing, you can use a universal composition.

Marking . This is one of the most critical stages; you need to transfer the position of the partition from the design documentation. To do this, measure the distance from the walls to the future structure. Using a laser level, a beam is projected onto the walls and floor, along which markings are made. At this stage, you need to mark the doorways.

You can make a mark with a pencil, stick masking tape in the right place or use a string with paint. It is also useful to tension the mooring at the level of the top edge of the first row.

Fastening partitions

• A cork tape is placed under the partition; it should compensate for temperature deformations of the material, as well as reduce the spread of impact noise. The tape is glued to the base using gypsum glue.

• The tongue-and-groove plates are installed with glue and additionally secured with steel flexible elements. In most cases, gypsum glue is used. On average, consumption is 1.5 - 2 kg per square meter.

It is not recommended to glue PGP to cement compositions in damp rooms, since contact with water of these two materials can lead to the appearance of a new mineral (ettringite) and deformation.

• The partition must be tied to the walls and floor; it is not recommended to use rigid fastenings, since due to the difference in deformations at the outer wall and the PGP, cracks may occur.

For dressing, steel angles 100x100 mm, special fasteners C2, C3 or direct hangers for plasterboard profiles are suitable. When using hangers, they are cut to the size of the partition. They are mounted on walls and floors using screws with dowels or dowel-nails; they can be screwed to slabs with ordinary self-tapping screws.

On a wall up to 3 m high, it is enough to use 3 fasteners; they are placed on horizontal surfaces every 0.8 - 1 m. When using steel anchors, the fasteners must be treated with anti-corrosion agents.

Construction of the first row

The slabs can be laid with the groove down or with the groove up. The last option gives greater contact with the base, but in this case it will be necessary to saw off the ridge from the bottom of the PGP. Sawing is carried out with a hacksaw with a large tooth.

• Gypsum glue is laid on the cork tape, then the first block is placed on it. It is easier to install from the wall. When the distance to the opening is less than one block, an additional element is made.

• The glue is applied not only to the horizontal, but also to the vertical plane. Protruding excess should be immediately removed with a spatula. The panels are brought to the desired position by blows with a rubber mallet. To check the result, apply a short bubble level.

Construction of subsequent rows

To ensure ligation of vertical joints, each subsequent row begins with an offset. The minimum distance from the seam of the bottom row is 10 cm.

Bandaging should be observed at corners and intersecting partitions. The top row should always overlap the vertical seam of the bottom row. If, as a result of the layout, the ridge comes out at an angle, then it can be trimmed for the convenience of subsequent finishing.

A corner must be applied to the outer corners, then it is hidden with putty. Internal corners are reinforced with perforated tape or sickle mesh.

Formation of doorways

• The opening is less than 90 cm - a prefabricated lintel from panels is installed. To do this, a wooden support is installed in the span, which will keep the elements from falling out until the solution hardens. The seam in this case should be located in the center of the opening. At the PGP, parts for the opening are cut out, as a result the element takes on an L-shape. The unlocking depth must be at least 50 cm.
• The opening is larger than 90 cm - in this case, a jumper is made of a block, channel or corner. The element is laid in a span with a support of at least 50 cm. Recesses are cut out in the blocks for the lintels.

To ensure that the door frame is firmly fixed in the opening, you can install reinforcement under the fasteners. It can be made from a direct hanger for a plasterboard profile. The space between the door frame and the PGP is filled with polyurethane foam.

Read more about installing internal door frames in the article on the website.

Construction of the last row of tongue-and-groove blocks

An expansion joint of 1.5 cm should be maintained between the last row and the ceiling. It is left in case the ceiling sag in order to avoid collapse of the PGP. The partition is tied to the ceiling using hangers, just like with the floor. In this case, the fastener spacing should be at least a meter. The seam should be filled with polyurethane foam; after hardening, the excess is cut off and a layer of putty is applied to this place.

Tongue-and-groove or aerated concrete - which is better: a comparative analysis of materials and their basic properties

During construction work, most likely, more than one developer has faced the problem of choosing the optimal material. The relevance of this issue is only growing every year.

This is due to the emergence of an increasing number of new materials produced using modern technologies and endowed with competitive qualities. The right decision will help you save money and, at the same time, not lose quality.

In this article we will try to make the right choice and answer the question: tongue-and-groove or aerated concrete - which is better? Tongue and groove have a large number of different products, so we will consider and compare the most popular of them, which are: tongue-and-groove slabs and some types of building blocks.

Plasterboard alternative to partition materials

Many home craftsmen give priority to “dry” technologies that do not involve working with concrete or adhesive solutions. Buying plasterboard wholesale, installing the frame and securing plasterboard panels is much easier than mastering slab installation techniques.

Attention!
It is recommended to use the internal volume of the frame partition to lay mineral wool heat and sound insulation using the strength elements of the metal frame. The partition structure can be used to install attachments weighing up to 100 kg or more.

Plasterboard structures are distinguished by excellent maintainability. Do-it-yourself repair of minor and large-scale damage to the septum requires minimal expenditure of money and time. Before finishing the room, it is useful to read how to attach a cornice to drywall.

Still have questions? Quickly dial the number! Our managers professionally select the optimal materials for each project, calculate the amount of GWP and related materials, and all this is completely free! Wholesale buyers are doubly lucky: special sales conditions, discounts up to 20% and free delivery in the Moscow region in multiples of the truck! Call us, we are waiting for you!

What are tongue-and-groove slabs

Tongue-and-groove slabs are most popular among consumers who want to build partitions. This material is optimal for this type of work. Let's take a closer look.

Main characteristics and types

Particularly widespread are tongue-and-groove slabs made of gypsum. They have the shape of a parallelepiped and have a groove (recess) and a ridge (protruding parts). This option of fastening the plates together ensures good fixation of the products and ease of use.

It is immediately worth noting that gypsum boards are environmentally friendly, since they do not contain any harmful substances.

Products come in several types: regular and moisture-resistant. The latter option, as a rule, has a green color, which makes the products stand out noticeably.

Conventional slabs are used for rooms with dry air or characterized by normal humidity.

Moisture-resistant (hydrophobic) products are installed in rooms with high humidity. They contain specialized hydrophobic additives that increase the resistance of the boards to moisture.

Let's look at the main characteristics of the material in the table.

Technical characteristics of gypsum tongue-and-groove slabs:

Hollow ones are about 20-25% lighter. They are used in those premises for which load reduction is extremely important. For example, where the impact of a large mass on the floor is unacceptable.

There is a classification of such slabs depending on the type of tongue and groove, or, more precisely, their shape: trapezoidal, rectangular. However, this difference does not have a significant impact on the result of laying the products.

In addition to gypsum, there are also silicate tongue-and-groove slabs. They are distinguished by a special composition, which includes: quartz sand, quicklime and water. The finished mixture is pressed and processed in an autoclave.

Technical characteristics of silicate slabs:

Strengths and weaknesses of products

Now let's figure out what strengths and weaknesses tongue-and-groove slabs are endowed with.

There are also disadvantages and boil down to the following:

Aerated concrete and products made from it

Aerated concrete is a special material, which is one of the varieties of cellular concrete. Its main distinguishing features are its porous structure and some production features. Let's take a closer look.

Properties of the material, types of aerated concrete products

Aerated concrete is made from a mixture of water, sand, cement, lime and aluminum powder, which reacts with quicklime, causing the mortar mixture to swell and form cells.

The presence of the latter ensures low weight and high ability to maintain temperatures, and the presence of cement gives strength to the products.

Let's consider the main characteristics of the material:

Note! For partition blocks made of aerated concrete, the frost resistance indicator is not standardized at all.

It is also worth noting that the material is environmentally friendly and non-flammable, which adds several more advantages to the benefits of aerated concrete. As for the varieties of aerated concrete and products made from it, there are many classifications, each of which is based on one or another indicator or factor.

The presence of products of different densities led to the division of aerated concrete into the following types:

However, in contrast to this, the material has a reduced thermal conductivity coefficient, which determined the scope of application - thermal insulation.

The method of hardening products made from aerated concrete also led to the emergence of a classification. In this regard, products can be: autoclave and non-autoclave.

The first option is characterized by the processing of products at the last stage of production in special equipment - an autoclave. There they are exposed to high pressure and elevated temperature.

Non-autoclaved aerated concrete (hydration hardening) hardens under natural conditions. Surely, many people will have a question: which aerated concrete is better? Let's figure it out. Autoclave curing undoubtedly produces the best aerated concrete.

This is due to a number of reasons:

The only thing in which synthetically hardened aerated concrete is inferior to a non-autoclave is the price and the impossibility of making it yourself. And the point is not at all in secret production, but in the fact that its production requires the presence of special expensive equipment and huge areas.

Non-autoclaved products, in turn, can be produced independently. Instructions and a minimal investment are all you need for this.

Aerated concrete is used in several types:

Aerated concrete is also used in liquid form to create monolithic structures. Wall blocks can have a groove and tongue, a hand grip, both at the same time, or even be straight, without any special recesses.

Comparative review of technical, physical and operational characteristics of materials

Comparison of tongue-and-groove slabs and aerated concrete (and products made from it):

If we talk specifically about partitions, then their construction is more practical using slabs. Moreover, this phenomenon is quite common, especially in multi-story construction.

On a note! It is now popular to build apartments without partitions. This allows the developer to place them at his own discretion. In this case, the use of tongue-and-groove slabs is especially important.

A brief overview of some modern alternative wall materials and how they compare with aerated concrete

As already mentioned, the building materials market is rich in a range of products. Let's compare the most popular and modern of them with aerated concrete and tongue-and-groove slabs.

On a note! Developers often ask themselves: sibit or aerated concrete - which is better? In this case, it is worth noting that sibit is autoclaved aerated concrete. This is not the name of a special material; moreover, sibit is a trademark that produces gas silicate.

At the moment, the construction of buildings using sip panels has become widespread. This is an American technology and it gained popularity in the domestic construction industry market not so long ago.

Let's find out which is better: aerated concrete or sip panels?

SIP panels are products consisting of two plates with insulation – expanded polystyrene – glued between them. They are actively used in construction using the so-called “Canadian technology” of construction.

It is associated with building a warm building in a short time, which, in turn, is due to the cold climatic conditions of the region. Let's look at the main differences between the materials in the table.

Comparison of aerated concrete and SIP panels:

That is, SIP panels are ahead in this indicator.

As an alternative to gas block, there are Durisol wall products on the building materials market. This is also the name of the technology for producing blocks used to create permanent formwork for monolithic construction.

It has characteristics similar to aerated concrete, such as thermal conductivity, strength and durability. Finding out which is better: aerated concrete or durisol, for this reason, is quite difficult.

It is worth mentioning the presence of such a competitive material as a heat block. It is a three-layer product consisting of a layer of expanded clay concrete, expanded polystyrene and artificial stone in the form of texture (facing side).

This is its main advantage. It does not require external finishing, and the thermal efficiency is increased. Also, the advantages include high strength and durability.

The disadvantage is the high price.

Often, doubts when choosing a material arise when searching for a leader in the “monolith-aerated concrete” competition. Again, much depends on the type of building, the desired result, requirements for quality indicators and planned construction costs.

Monolithic walls will cost much more. But a structure can be durable and practical in both cases - subject to compliance with all construction norms and rules.

Brick, blocks or plasterboard: what to build interior walls from

How much do internal partitions in apartments cost, what materials are best to use.

To divide the living space into separate rooms, thin, relatively light, but strong and reliable, fireproof and noise-absorbing partition walls are required. The fulfillment of all these requirements largely depends on the characteristics of the wall material. Partitions are erected from brick, foam-gas concrete blocks, gypsum tongue-and-groove slabs and plasterboard. The editors of RBC Real Estate found out what the pros and cons of these materials are and compared the costs of constructing 1 sq. m. m of internal walls.

The most expensive, labor-intensive and heaviest walls are made of ceramic bricks. Their main advantage is strength, durability and the ability to build walls of any curvature. Modern technologies have replaced them with smoother and cheaper piece materials made of foam concrete and gypsum with approximately equal characteristics with the exception of moisture resistance. Prices for materials vary, but foam concrete blocks have a less smooth surface than their gypsum counterparts. They require additional plastering in one layer, which increases costs. In practice, bathroom walls are usually built from brick or gas and foam concrete blocks, since in the future they are better combined with cement-based plaster and adhesive compositions for wet rooms.

Brick

The partitions are erected from inexpensive solid building (ordinary) bricks of a grade not lower than M100 with a standard size (250 × 120 × 65 mm). A stable brick partition should have a thickness of half a brick (150–170 mm together with a layer of rough finishing plaster). This design not only eats up centimeters of usable space, but also creates a local load on the floor, since the brick has a high density (1800–2000 kg/cubic m).

Pros:

– high strength and moisture resistance; – possibility of erecting curved partitions.

Minuses:

– low speed of partition construction; – high consumption of masonry and plaster mortar; – high weight of the partition; – low surface quality; – high cost and timing of finishing work.

Gas and foam concrete blocks

Aerated concrete blocks have a high surface quality. Partitions made from such materials do not require labor-intensive plastering. It should be noted that aerated concrete has open, communicating air pores. On the one hand, this provides the material with excellent vapor permeability, and on the other, it increases moisture absorption, making the blocks hygroscopic. Foam concrete does not have this disadvantage, since the air cells are closed.

When remodeling, blocks with a thickness of 75–100 mm are used. Thinner products (50 mm) are not recommended, since partitions made from them have a low level of sound insulation and do not support a cantilever load in the form of a bookshelf or a TV on a bracket.

Pros:

– high fire resistance and sound insulation; – large block format increases the speed of work; – quick drying of finished structures; – easy processing using a simple tool; – the ability to create arched openings without reinforcing elements; – high surface quality.

Minuses:

– low level of sound insulation of thin blocks; – insufficient resistance to cantilever loads.

Tongue-and-groove gypsum blocks

An alternative to cellular concrete blocks is tongue-and-groove slabs. For their production, environmental gypsum, cement binder and light fillers (mineral or organic) are used. Such products have protrusions (ridges) and recesses (grooves) at the ends, and they can be rectangular or trapezoidal in shape. The length of the slabs is 667 mm, height – 500 mm, thickness – 80 or 100 mm. High-quality products are distinguished by high geometric accuracy (permissible deviations do not exceed 0.5–2 mm) and a smooth surface.