Wall block for construction. Wall blocks for exterior walls: which ones are better to use? Blocks for walls, what are: standards and requirements

We will send the material to you by e-mail

Construction is complex technological process, in which everything should be taken into account, from the layout of the future home to interior decoration rooms. It is necessary to draw up an estimate, as well as determine the materials. After pouring the foundation, there are always walls, and here the question arises, which better blocks for building a house (price, technical indicators and dimensions).

Building walls from blocks

When choosing a material for construction, they first of all look at the technical characteristics of the raw materials, and not at the external attractiveness. Monolithic concrete elements are most often used in the construction of durable buildings. Types, characteristics of building blocks depend on the auxiliary components added to the solution during manufacture.

There are various blocks for building a house. Which is better, because the price, characteristics and dimensions are different for everyone? To understand this issue, we will consider each type in detail.

At the moment, the following varieties are distinguished:

• expanded clay concrete;
• aerated concrete;
• foam concrete;
• cinder blocks.

The specific gravity of all options is less than 1800 kg / m³, which is very convenient when building walls, and the cost is quite acceptable even for budget buildings.

Expanded clay concrete

Such blocks are obtained by adding hollow balls of foamed and fired clay to concrete. They are much lighter than other options, and also have high heat and sound insulation performance. At the same time, you can safely drive nails into such a structure without fear of damaging the integrity of the blocks.

The pros and cons of ceramic blocks also require careful study. To positive aspects in the construction of houses include:

Note! When using such blocks, keep an eye on the material itself and where it was purchased. If the creation technology is violated, the density and geometric parameters become unstable.

When choosing expanded clay concrete structures, consider the negative aspects of the material:

• you can not use a lightweight foundation;
• installation of an external layer of thermal insulation is necessary to avoid the formation of cold bridges;
• if you do not perform external finishing, the service life is reduced to two years;
• can not be used for the foundation;
• Larger sizes increase shipping costs.

You can buy different sizes of blocks. There are variants corresponding to the usual brickwork(block 50x24.8x23.8 has a mass of 25 kg, and is equal in size to 15 bricks). In width, you can find 23, 24 and 25 cm, and in length from 25 to 51, which is very convenient for building walls at home and planning material costs.

Aerated concrete

Almost 85% of the volume aerated concrete block It is made up of cells, so it is very light. The composition includes quartz sand, cement and lime, and the raw materials are diluted in ordinary water. The dimensions of the bubbles vary from 0.6 to 3 mm, they are evenly distributed.

Such material has positive aspects:

• lightness, the standard unit weighs around 30 kg;
• good thermal conductivity due to the structure, it retains heat for a long time in winter and cool in summer;
• fire resistance, such material is able to resist fire for 3 hours;
• frost resistance (can withstand up to 25 freezing cycles);
• strength (up to 5 floors);
• ease of processing;
• environmental friendliness.

Note! It is necessary to use only a special solution.

To understand which aerated concrete for building a house better fit, take into account the following parameters:

• the density differs (350, 400, 450, 500, 600 and 700) and there is a D marking;
• length 60 or 62.5 cm;
• width from 7.5 to 50 cm;
• in height 20 or 25 cm;
• density from 1.0 to 7.5 MPa;
• frost resistance 15 - 50;
• there is shrinkage up to 0.5 mm/m.

At the same time, elements with a thickness of 7.5 cm are used for wall insulation, if you want to build, 2 and 2.5 cm are enough. If you plan to use such material for load-bearing walls, then buy blocks with a thickness of at least 37.5 cm.

Related article:

. In the material, we will consider what aerated concrete is, its scope, advantages and disadvantages, as well as dimensions and average cost.

Foam concrete

Blocks of foam concrete, like aerated concrete, belong to the group of gas silicate. Foam concrete is divided by strength into 4 groups:

Table 1. Marking of foam concrete

At the same time, the dimensions of the gas block for building a house are also different depending on the marking. For example, D600 and 8000 have dimensions of 20x30x60 cm, there are D600 models corresponding to 10x30x60. The size is selected based on the purpose of construction.

Related article:

In the article, we will consider in detail the features of the building material, its advantages, scope, size and average cost.

cinder blocks

This kind of material appeared a very long time ago. Having big weight, it is necessary to use special equipment in the process. Standard dimensions are 20x20x40 cm. The composition contains perlite, expanded clay, processed sawdust, gravel, crushed stone and other components, and the presence of slag is not necessary.

The advantages of this material include:

• density (from 500 to 2000 kg/m³);
• resistance to frost (withstand from 15 to 35 freezing);
• thermal conductivity (from 0.3 to 0.65 W/m*⁰С).

Only blocks manufactured at the factory that meet all quality standards have such indicators. Since such material can be made at home, you can get to completely different characteristics.

By design, they are produced monolithic or with slots through and through. At the same time, the laying of such elements is much more difficult than bricks, since cinder blocks have irregular shape. And also it makes no sense to cover such material with plaster during finishing.

Thus, answering the question, what are the best blocks for building a house, price and quality - cinder blocks are unlikely to be in the top positions of the ratings.

Blocks for building a house: which are better, price and characteristics

An easy way to compare materials is to create a table with technical parameters.

Table 2. Average cost of blocks for building a house

Material	A photo	Strength (kg/cm²)	Density (kg/m³)	Thermal conductivity (W/m*S)	Frost resistance in cycles	Average cost, rub.
aerated concrete		20-50	300-900	0,08-0,2	25	3800
foam concrete		15-50	300-900	0,14-0,29	30	3550
Arbolit		20-50	600-900	0,12-0,25	35	4600
Expanded clay		50-250	500-1800	0,16-0,85	35	3700
Ceramics		35-50	750-800	0,14-0,29	35	4450
cinder block		35-100	500-1000	0,25-0,50	20	2800

The choice of material will primarily be based on the purpose of use. For example, aerated concrete or foam blocks are more often used as wall blocks for exterior walls. To make it easier to understand and choose, watch the video on the topic.

The wall block acts as an excellent alternative to other building materials like bricks. With it, you can build buildings for various purposes. These products have an impressive size, so the work with their help can be completed in a shorter time. Blocks can be of different types, but to select a specific type the right material several options should be compared, taking into account the positive and negative features, as well as sizes.

For example, on sale you can find blocks for the construction of lightweight partitions. In addition, manufacturers also offer heavy blocks for the construction of load-bearing walls. The latter will, of course, cost more.

Reinforced concrete blocks and their area of ​​​​use

If you need a wall block, then you can pay attention to the reinforced concrete variety of this material. She is one of the most popular today. Products have high durability, in the course of production are strengthened by the reinforced grid. Quite often, these products are used for the construction of walls in multi-storey buildings. They are able to endure any load, therefore they are also used in the construction of the foundation, as well as in the process of laying out basements.

These blocks are universal, because they are used for facing the outer walls of the building. They have many advantages, among which we should highlight the reduction in consumption. cement mortar when laying such building material. Reinforced concrete wall block is able to perfectly protect against noise, it does not allow moisture to pass through and undergoes any temperature changes. This material is very popular among builders, and blocks are created using the most modern technologies. The buildings erected from them are durable, and their service life varies from 35 to 60 years. However, the material has some disadvantages, which are the impressive mass of blocks and their high cost.

tongue-and-groove blocks

Recently, tongue-and-groove blocks have become popular, which are made of gypsum, and therefore have little weight. Mass has no effect on construction characteristics. These products are characterized by their excellent protection against corrosion. The geometry of these blocks is ideal, so their laying and calculation are not accompanied by special difficulties.

Even if there are changes in the external environment, this will not affect the gypsum negatively, which does not lose its shape during operation. The blocks proved to be excellent when finishing the walls, and after laying them, you can not plaster the surface. The walls look attractive, they do not need to be leveled. Installation can be completed in a short time and without the use of special tools.

Varieties of tongue-and-groove blocks

On sale today you can find a tongue-and-groove wall block in two varieties:

• with increased level moisture resistance;
• normal.

Moisture-resistant elements are used under operating conditions with high humidity. Such blocks are slightly more expensive than conventional ones. Substances that repel water are added to the composition of this building material. If you notice that in front of you is a block with a green color, then this indicates that it has good water repellency.

Scope of use of tongue-and-groove blocks. Their pros and cons

The wall blocks described above, from which partitions can be erected, provide increased insulation from cold and noise. These products are used for interior wall decoration. During construction, between the gypsum and the main wall, insulation material is laid according to the type mineral wool. As a result, buildings differ high level comfort and quality.

Among the advantages of these products should be highlighted:

• protection from cold and noise;
• easy installation;
• resistance to corrosion;
• high strength.

However, such wall blocks for internal works They also have some disadvantages, such as high cost.

The most common sizes of reinforced concrete wall blocks

Wall reinforced concrete blocks can be external or internal. In the first case, the products are divided into:

• parietal;
• window sills;
• jumper;
• parapet;
• under-eaves.

The length and height of the wall blocks can vary from 400 to 3300 and from 300 to 3900 mm, respectively. The thickness is equal to the limit from 200 to 600 mm. As for window sill blocks, their length and height are equal to the limit from 900 to 2400 and from 600 to 1500 mm, respectively. The thickness remains the same. On sale you can also find jumper blocks, their length and height varies from 2100 to 3600 and from 600 to 800 mm, respectively.

Under-eaves blocks have a length of 900 to 2100 mm, while their height can be equal to the limit from 500 to 1200 mm, but the thickness is equal to the figure from 200 to 500 mm. Indoor reinforced concrete wall blocks can have a length of 400 to 3300 mm, their height can be equal to the limit of 300 to 600 mm, while the thickness is equivalent to a value of 160 to 300 mm.

Dimensions of tongue-and-groove blocks

If you decide to purchase tongue-and-groove blocks, you should understand that they are manufactured according to different specifications. If you saw specifications 5742-007-16415648-98 in the certificate, then you should know that the length, width and thickness of the block will be 667x500x80 mm. Concerning specifications 5742-001-76229700-2006, then in this case we are talking about products whose parameters are 900x300x80 mm.

Hollow wall block is one of the varieties of tongue-and-groove blocks. The second modification is full-bodied products. The first option has the appearance of a stone with several through channels that run across the width. This variety has increased thermal insulation qualities. These channels during the construction process can be used for pouring gypsum mortar, which increases the strength characteristics of the walls. In this case, it is important to correctly dock the holes in different rows.

Scope of blocks from cellular concrete

Quite often, consumers are interested in GOST before purchasing a product. Wall small blocks of cellular concrete are manufactured according to the standards 21520-89. This product are an excellent building material that is used for the construction internal partitions. Today, it has successfully replaced sandwich systems, which are expensive.

Effective sound absorption can be achieved by installing internal 100 mm baffles. They are so light that they can be installed even in a summer house on a wooden floor, while additional support is needed only in the central part of the span. These products are also used for thermal insulation of walls, which allows you to save on expensive insulation materials.

Production of wall blocks

You can make a wall block yourself. If we are talking about expanded clay concrete products, then the raw material for them is burnt and foamed clay. As additional ingredients are cement and water. At the break, the expanded clay granule has the structure of a frozen foam. The shell gives it high strength.

As aggregates for the manufacture of wall blocks are commonly used:

• crushed stone;
• sand;
• expanded clay;
• wood chips;
• sawdust;
• ash.

If you do not want to manufacture building materials on your own, then you should pay attention to the Luban Wall Block Plant, which is located in Belarus. He offers for sale wall blocks made of aerated concrete, the density of which is 400 and 500. As for thermal conductivity, in this case it varies from 0.10-0.12 W / m² K. For one cubic meter such products will have to pay 1680 rubles.

Conclusion

Wall blocks can be heat-insulating, structural, decorative and partition. Structural are used for the construction of load-bearing walls. Heat-insulating are used for additional protection of the building in a harsh climate. As for partition blocks, they are used to divide space into separate zones or rooms.

The advantages of blocks in comparison with traditional bricks have long been known: masonry is carried out many times faster, the dimensions and weight allow it to be done on its own, even in the absence of work experience. Most modern building materials in this group are energy-saving, lightweight and breathable. The most demanded products are made of cellular, gas silicate, vibropressed and sawdust concrete, regulated by GOST 19010-82.

It is recommended to buy limited budget and the timing of the work, concrete blocks with porous additives have a minimal load on the foundation and keep heat well. They have an open cellular structure and a geometric accuracy high enough for laying on glue, they can be sawn into pieces and strobed without any problems. Manufacturing technology varies best reviews observed in variants with barotechnical treatment. The disadvantages include shrinkage, low flexural strength, the need for reinforcement, moisture protection and a limited choice of finishes, the ability of walls to breathe turns into significant problems with improper lining on the outside or lack of vapor protection on the inside.

2. Aerated concrete with autoclave treatment.

Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages are similar to the previous type, but there are a number of significant differences. Wall blocks of factory quality win in strength, geometric accuracy of shapes and sizes and are less susceptible to shrinkage processes. Due to the presence of lime in the composition, they are slightly inferior in frost resistance, but in general their structure is more uniform. The use of this building material allows you to quickly and inexpensively build a house with single-row masonry with a total thickness of 40 cm and minimal insulation from the outside.

3. Vibropressed.

Solid and hollow products obtained by compaction mortar based on cement, sand and gravel (sometimes without coarse filler). For the construction of external walls, the second, lightweight view is well suited, ideally - blind. The thickness of their partitions is at least 20 mm, the element standard size 40×20×20 cm weighs about 30-33 kg. The advantages include resistance to moisture, external influences, temperature rise and changes, good strength and affordable cost. Cons - a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, inferior in the ability to retain heat to other options.

4. Expanded clay concrete.

Being a kind of vibropressed blocks, this material wins at times in thermal insulation properties. It is based on high-quality cement and expanded clay sand or gravel, if necessary, it is made at home. For laying exterior walls, you can equally well use a full-bodied and slotted type, the main thing is that they have a sufficient strength class. Application limitations are associated with poor dimensional accuracy (mounting on a thin adhesive layer is not possible), the need for a reliable finish and protection from external influences. Despite good permeability and acceptable resistance to moisture, expanded clay concrete tends to accumulate it inside the granules. If the technology is violated, the products crumble after 2-3 years.

5. Wood concrete.

Structural sawdust concrete is well suited for low-rise buildings - it is fire-resistant, environmentally friendly and energy-saving. Valued for increased crack resistance, foundation movements are not terrible. Recommended for high requirements for comfort, constructions from it breathe and regulate the level of humidity in the room. The limitation of the application is a large water absorption, expensive building materials are used for facing internal and external surfaces, this construction option cannot be called budgetary.

External sandwich walls

A relatively new construction technology is masonry from dissimilar materials. The carrier layer, made of durable expanded clay concrete, is fastened with fiberglass rods with an insulating polystyrene foam and an external decorative layer. Installation is carried out on a thin layer of special glue; when erecting openings, corners and similar areas, standard products are used.

The received designs do not need warming and facing, it is possible to start operation at any time. There are two minuses: high price and low vapor permeability, the only exception is a variety with a heat-insulating layer of foam glass.

The results of the comparison of dimensions and main characteristics:

All of the above types comply with fire and sanitary safety standards, the best fire resistance is observed in expanded clay and concrete, obtained by vibrocompression. With the exception of autoclaved aerated concrete, with the right equipment and molds, any of them can be made at home, but the strength class in this case will be unconfirmed. The durability declared by the manufacturer is irrelevant if the masonry technology and protection from external influences are violated. The destructive factors include the penetration of moisture into the interior in the absence of the possibility of its withdrawal from the side of the outer walls. The consequences depend on the base material: pressed products crack, cellular concrete begins to rot, wood concrete loses its heat-insulating properties and shape.

The above varieties can be purchased during the construction of low-rise private houses, garages, baths and outbuildings. The final option is advised to choose, taking into account the following factors:

• Geological conditions of the site. Foam and aerated concrete have a minimal load on the foundation, they are definitely recommended to be used if it is possible to lay a shallow tape. But they are not suitable for construction on unstable soils; at the risk of displacement of the base, it is better to choose wood concrete or concrete.
• The timing of the work, with a limited time, it is worth using multilayer blocks as external walls, they allow you to skip a number of complex and time-consuming steps.
• The climatic conditions of the region, in the northern latitudes, preference is given to building materials that retain heat well: wood concrete, gas, expanded clay concrete.
• Availability of one kind or another. Even before starting the design, it is worth studying the offers of suppliers, ideally, products are purchased directly from a trusted manufacturer.
• The complexity of architectural forms. If it is necessary to build a house with numerous arches, niches and similar elements, it is better to use blocks of wood concrete, foam or aerated concrete. All the rest are noticeably worse for sawing: the denser the base, the more effort has to be applied and the higher the risk of splitting.

All declared characteristics must be confirmed by the original certificate, the thickness of the masonry is determined by the heat engineering calculation. When working with lightweight concrete, it should be remembered that only structural grades with a density above 500 kg / m 3 (and, accordingly, a strength class of B2.0) are used as wall blocks for external walls and load-bearing internal ones. This rule applies to foam and aerated concrete, wood concrete, for expanded clay products, the recommended minimum is 1000 kg / m 3.

Cost of materials

Estimated rates:

Building blocks - types structural elements which are manufactured at the factory. Their purpose is the construction of suburban or multi-storey buildings. In addition to houses, with the help of these blocks, you can build a foundation, various partitions and almost any other buildings.

Initially, this one was used only as a replacement for bricks. However, now the scope of their use has increased significantly. This is because there are new types of building blocks that are easy to work with. They can be cut into any shape you want or make cutouts for electrical wiring. The main component of the block is concrete. Products are different sizes- from the smallest to the largest. Whatever their external dimensions, the quality is always at a high level.

Many, probably, do not even know what types of concrete building blocks are. In fact, there are many more of them than it might seem at first glance. So, the types of blocks:

• Arbolite.
• Expanded clay concrete.
• Sawdust concrete.
• Cinder blocks.
• Foam concrete.
• Gas silicate.
• Polystoirolconcrete.
• Sand concrete.

Applications

Since different kinds building blocks first began to be used in construction, they gained more and more popularity, and today it is a material that is used in many areas.

In monolithic construction, they are used to install internal and external structures. When erecting low-rise buildings, installations are erected from blocks, which serve as the main wall element. Also, these materials are among the best for the construction of various industrial premises.

Building blocks: types, sizes, price

Each type has its own properties. These are strength, frost resistance, weight, thermal conductivity, wall settling time, shrinkage, water absorption and cost. Also different types building blocks have different composition. So, for example, they consist of cement, sand and a foaming agent. Gas silicate and completely made without cement. The composition is only sand, foaming agent and astringent silicate material.

Price policy

The cost of blocks, respectively, is also different. For example, one cubic meter of aerated concrete products will cost an average of 3,600 rubles. An expanded clay element measuring 390x190x188 mm will cost about 37 rubles apiece. The larger the dimensions, the higher the price. More cheap option- cinder block. Its price ranges from 22 to 37 rubles. But you can find more expensive ones. One foam block will cost an average of 100-115 rubles.

Price fluctuations in the construction market are quite noticeable. This is because the cost is affected not only by the type and quality of the block. Much depends on the brand and the authority of the manufacturer.

The main dimensions of blocks for external walls

• Length: 400, 600, 900, 1000, 1200, 1300, 1500, 1800, 2100, 3300 mm.
• Height: 300, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 1600, 2200, 2500, 2700, 2800, 3000, 3300, 3900 mm.
• Thickness: 200-600 mm.

For interior walls

• Length: 400, 900-3300 mm.
• Height: 300-600, 1100, 2100, 2500, 2800, 3000, 3300 mm.
• Thickness: 160, 200, 250, 300 mm.

We have already figured out what the building blocks are. But how to choose the right type?

Advantages and disadvantages

In construction, different blocks are used. What to choose so that the building will serve reliably for a very long time? Let's consider each type of block separately.

Expanded clay concrete has a higher level of strength and frost resistance compared to others. These advantages ensure a long service life as well as a reliable design. Due to the lack of shrinkage in the future, you will not have to face such a problem as cracks and changes in the geometry of the walls. Also, an affordable price can be attributed to the advantages. The disadvantage is the relatively uneven surface.

Foam block. Its installation is much easier due to the most ideal (of all options) geometry and relatively light weight. The frost resistance of this block is low, therefore, for a greater margin of safety and extension of the service life, it is necessary to properly insulate and insulate the structure. Also, the disadvantages include the high cost, a favorable environment for fungal formations and the inconvenience of fasteners.

Gas block. First, let's look at what its advantages are. Of all the other types, this material has the smallest weight and ideal geometry. Blocks can be mounted on glue.

Now the disadvantages. The material has a low level of strength and frost resistance. As a result, it can only be used in dry and warm rooms. Over time, cracks form due to shrinkage.

These blocks are used in the construction of single-storey and multi-storey buildings. They also build country houses, outbuildings and garages. This building material is completely safe for human health, since only harmless substances are used in the production.

The worst types are slag and sawdust blocks. Their advantages lie only in the low cost of the material. There are many more cons. These building materials are short-lived, as they have low level frost resistance.

Advantages of blocks over alternative building materials

• It takes about 5 times less time to build from blocks than to build a brick building.
• Decreased consumption of mortar.
• Due to the lighter weight of the blocks, the arrangement of the foundation is much cheaper.
• This material provides a high level of heat and sound insulation in the finished building. Also, the building will stand much longer.
• Their density is much lower than even the density of a brick. This allows you to keep warm in the house and reduces heating costs.

Building blocks - types and characteristics

Gas silicate and foam concrete elements are often used in construction. The biggest advantage of these interchangeable blocks is the porous structure. Also, these are perfectly even materials of the same size. They are used as insulation, as well as for laying walls and various partitions with wooden floors. The number of storeys when using these materials is not limited at all. The differences are only in the production technology.

These blocks are universal. With their help, external and internal, load-bearing and non-bearing wall structures are erected. They serve as the basis for partitions and lintels in the house.

In second place in use are expanded clay and sand-cement, which consist of sand, cement and other additives, very durable. Therefore, they are often used for the construction of foundations and basements. However, such a block is cold. And this does not allow the construction of residential buildings from it.

The composition of expanded clay concrete blocks includes: cement, sand, expanded clay and other additives. The production consists of two stages. First, vibrocompression takes place. The resulting material is then steamed. Fired clay granules serve as a filler, which significantly reduce weight and increase strength. Good indicators of heat and sound insulation make it possible to use blocks for the construction of walls and partitions, even in rooms with a high level of moisture.

Sawdust-concrete elements are also produced using the technology of expanded clay blocks. The main difference is that wood chips and other wood waste are used instead of clay.

Cinder blocks are also produced using this technology. However, the composition includes, respectively, blast-furnace slag.

There are different building blocks, types, the characteristics of which are also significantly different, so the material should be selected very carefully, taking into account all the pros and cons of each variety.

Concrete

Before they appeared Various types modern blocks, only concrete ones were used. To date, they are somewhat inferior to newer counterparts, as they have a low level of thermal insulation. However, despite the fallen demand, they are often used for the construction of foundations and utility rooms.

market today building materials unusually wide, you can pick up the right building blocks without any effort. The main thing is to know what to buy, otherwise there can be unpleasant consequences when choosing the wrong material.

So, we found out what types of building blocks, characteristics, how they differ, what advantages and disadvantages they have. As you can see, each of these types differs not only in cost, but also in technical specifications. The main thing is to choose exactly the option that is best suited for your purposes.