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Construction is difficult 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 and also decide on materials. After pouring the foundation, there are always walls, and here the question arises: what better blocks for building a house (price, technical indicators and dimensions).

Construction of walls from blocks

When choosing a material for construction, first of all they 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. The types and 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 weight of all options is less than 1800 kg/m³, which is very convenient when building walls, and the cost is quite reasonable even for budget buildings.

Expanded clay concrete

These blocks are made 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 properties. In this case, 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 during the construction of houses include:

Pay attention! When using such blocks, pay attention to 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, take into account the negative aspects of the material:

• a lightweight foundation cannot be used;
• installation of an external layer of thermal insulation is necessary to avoid the formation of cold bridges;
• if external finishing is not done, the service life is reduced to two years;
• cannot be used for foundations;
• Large dimensions increase delivery costs.

You can buy various sizes blocks. There are options that match the usual brickwork(a block 50x24.8x23.8 has a mass of 25 kg and is equal in size to 15 bricks). You can find widths of 23, 24 and 25 cm, and lengths from 25 to 51, which is very convenient for building walls at home and planning material costs.

Aerated concrete

Almost 85% of volume aerated concrete block consists 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.

This material has positive aspects:

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

Pay attention! It is necessary to use only a special solution.

To understand what aerated concrete is for building a house would be better suited, take into account the following parameters:

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

In this case, elements 7.5 cm thick are used for wall insulation; if you need 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 of application, advantages and disadvantages, as well as dimensions and average cost.

Foam concrete

Foam concrete blocks, like aerated concrete blocks, belong to the gas silicate group. Foam concrete is divided into 4 groups based on strength:

Table 1. Marking of foam concrete

At the same time, the dimensions of the gas block for building a house also vary 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 purposes of construction.

Related article:

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

Cinder blocks

This type of material appeared a very long time ago. Having a lot of weight, it is necessary to use special equipment during the work. The dimensions are standard 20x20x40 cm. The composition contains perlite, expanded clay, processed sawdust, gravel, crushed stone and other components, and it is not necessary to contain slag.

The advantages of this material include:

• density (from 500 to 2000 kg/m³);
• resistance to frost (withstands from 15 to 35 freezing temperatures);
• 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 completely different characteristics.

According to the design, they are produced monolithic or with slots all the way through. Moreover, laying such elements is much more difficult than brick, since cinder blocks have irregular shape. There is also no point in covering 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 at the top of the ratings.

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

A simple way to compare materials is to compile a table with technical parameters.

Table 2. Average cost of blocks for building a house

Material	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 block are more often used as wall blocks for external walls. To make it easier to understand and choose, watch the video on the topic.

Building blocks - types structural elements which are manufactured at the factory. Their goal is the construction of suburban or multi-story buildings. In addition to houses, these blocks can be used to build foundations, various partitions and almost any other buildings.

This one was originally used only as a replacement for brick. However, now the scope of their use has increased significantly. This is because new types of building blocks are emerging that are easy to work with. They can be cut into any desired shapes or slots can be made for electrical wiring. The main component of the block is concrete. Products come different sizes- from the smallest to the largest. Whatever their external dimensions, the quality always remains at a high level.

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

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

Areas of application

Since various types building blocks were first used in construction, they became increasingly popular, and today they are a material that is used in many fields.

IN monolithic construction with their help, internal and external structures are installed. When constructing low-rise buildings from blocks, installations are erected that 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 subsidence time, shrinkage, water absorption and cost. Also different types of building blocks have different composition. For example, they consist of cement, sand and a foaming agent. Gas silicate ones are made without cement at all. It contains only sand, foaming agent and astringent silicate material.

Pricing policy

The cost of blocks, accordingly, is also different. For example, one cubic meter of aerated concrete product will cost an average of 3,600 rubles. An expanded clay element measuring 390x190x188 mm will cost about 37 rubles per piece. 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 it more expensive. 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 authority of the manufacturer.

Basic 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 they are building blocks. But how to choose the right type?

Advantages and Disadvantages

Different blocks are used in construction. What to choose so that the building lasts 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 long service life and reliability of the design. Due to the absence of shrinkage, in the future you will not have to deal with such problems as cracks and changes in the geometry of the walls. Another advantage is the affordable price. The disadvantage is the relatively uneven surface.

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

Gas silicate block. First, let's look at what its advantages are. Of all other types this material has the lightest weight and ideal geometry. The blocks can be mounted with 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 one-story and multi-storey buildings. They are also used to build country houses, utility buildings and garages. This building material is completely safe for human health, since only harmless substances are used in production.

The worst types are slag and sawdust blocks. Their advantages lie only in the low cost of the material. There are many more disadvantages. These building materials are short-lived because they have a low level of 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 structure.
• The consumption of mortar is reduced.
• Due to the lighter weight of the blocks, laying out the foundation is much cheaper.
• This material provides a high level of heat and noise insulation in the finished building. Also, the building will last much longer.
• Their density is much lower than even the density of brick. This helps keep the house warm and reduces heating costs.

Building blocks - types and characteristics

Gas silicate and foam concrete elements are often used in construction. The most big advantage These interchangeable blocks have a porous structure. These are also perfectly smooth materials. same size. They are used as insulation, as well as for laying walls and various partitions with wooden floors. The number of floors when using these materials is not at all limited. The differences lie only in production technology.

These blocks are universal. With their help, external and internal, load-bearing and non-load-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 and are 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. Production consists of two stages. First, vibration compaction occurs. Then the resulting material is steamed. The filler is baked clay granules, which significantly reduce weight and increase strength. Good thermal and sound insulation properties allow the blocks to be used to build walls and partitions even in rooms with high level moisture.

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

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

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

Concrete

Before they appeared various types modern blocks, only concrete ones were used. Today they are somewhat inferior to newer analogues, 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 buildings.

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

So, we found out what types of building blocks they have, their 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 will best suit your goals.

The wall block acts as great alternative other building materials such as bricks. It can be used to construct buildings for various purposes. These products are of impressive size, so work with their help can be completed in more than short terms. Blocks can refer to different types, but to select a specific variety the required material Several options should be compared, taking into account the positive and negative features, as well as size.

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 version of this material. It is one of the popular ones today. The products are highly durable and are strengthened during the production process. reinforced mesh. Quite often these products are used for the construction of walls in multi-story buildings. They are able to withstand any load, so they are also used in the construction of foundations, as well as in the process of laying out basements.

These blocks are universal, because they are used for cladding the external walls of a building. They have many advantages, among which we should highlight reduced consumption cement mortar when laying such building material. A reinforced concrete wall block can provide excellent noise protection, it does not allow moisture to pass through and can withstand any temperature changes. This material is very popular among builders, and the blocks are created using the most modern technologies. Buildings constructed from them are durable, and their service life varies from 35 to 60 years. However, the material has some disadvantages, which include the impressive mass of the blocks and their high cost.

Tongue and tongue blocks

Lately they have become popular tongue-and-groove blocks, which are made of gypsum and therefore have little weight. Weight does not affect construction characteristics in any way. These products are characterized by having excellent protection against corrosion. The geometry of these blocks is ideal, so their installation and calculation are not accompanied by any particular difficulties.

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

Types of tongue-and-groove blocks

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

• With increased level moisture resistance;
• ordinary.

Moisture-resistant elements are used under operating conditions with high humidity. Such blocks are slightly more expensive than regular ones. The composition of this building material contains substances that repel water. If you notice that in front of you is a block with a green color, this indicates that it has good water-repellent abilities.

Area of ​​use of tongue-and-groove blocks. Their pros and cons

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

Among the advantages of these products are:

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

However, such wall blocks for interior works They also have some disadvantages, for example, high cost.

The most common sizes of reinforced concrete wall blocks

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

• wall;
• 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. You can also find jumper blocks on sale; their length and height vary from 2100 to 3600 and from 600 to 800 mm, respectively.

Sub-eaves blocks have a length from 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. Internal reinforced concrete wall blocks can range in length from 400 to 3300 mm, their height can be equivalent to a limit of 300 to 600 mm, while the thickness is equivalent to a value from 160 to 300 mm.

Dimensions of tongue-and-groove blocks

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

A hollow wall block is one of the varieties of tongue-and-groove blocks. The second modification is solid products. The first option has the appearance of a stone with several through channels that run across the width. This variety has improved thermal insulation qualities. During the construction process, these channels can be used to pour gypsum mortar, which increases the strength characteristics of the walls. In this case, it is important to correctly connect the holes in different rows.

Scope of application of cellular concrete blocks

Quite often, consumers are interested in GOST before purchasing a product. Blocks from cellular concrete wall small ones are manufactured according to standards 21520-89. This product is excellent building material, which 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 partitions. They turn out to be so light that they can even be installed in a summer house on wooden floor, in this case additional support will be needed only in the central part of the span. These products are also used for thermal insulation of walls, which allows saving on expensive insulation materials.

Manufacturing of wall blocks

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

The following are usually used as fillers for the manufacture of wall blocks:

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

If you do not want to produce building materials yourself, then you should pay attention to the “Lyuban Wall Blocks 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. In one cubic meter for such products you will have to pay 1680 rubles.

Conclusion

Wall blocks can be thermal insulation, structural, decorative and partition. Structural ones are used for the construction of load-bearing walls. Thermal insulation is used for additional protection buildings in harsh climates. As for partition blocks, they are used to divide space into separate zones or rooms.

Boris R., Balashikha

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Elena L., Moscow

As a woman, all these construction issues are difficult for me to understand, but given the current circumstances, you can’t learn anything. When I needed to buy paving slabs for my parents’ property, I spent quite a long time looking around for what and where I could buy. The products are basically the same everywhere, but experience suggests that not everything is so simple. In the end, I chose the Avtostroy company, which I do not regret.

Alexey B., Korolev

Well what can I say. Everything is fine, no problems, I ordered and bought paving slabs and curbs. Regular, gray, so I can’t tell you about the color. The quality is good, no chips, no, God forbid, cracks. Delivered the next day after ordering, without prepayment. They unloaded it themselves; the car was equipped with a crane. This was especially helpful, considering that I was alone and did not specify how the unloading would be carried out. But everything worked out, the pallets were unloaded from paving slabs and curbs in a place convenient for me.

The appearance of masonry blocks was caused by two main reasons: the desire to reduce the labor intensity of building walls and improve their energy-saving characteristics.

Traditional clay bricks are no longer suitable for modern builders due to their size. However, it was unrealistic to increase its dimensions several times and reduce its weight without changing the technology of molding and firing. Therefore, all the efforts of researchers were aimed at searching for substances that create a large volume of gas or foam under certain conditions.

The search ended with the creation of the two most popular types of masonry blocks: and (gas silicate).

In addition to them, construction science offered the market, and. The most “ancient” species was not forgotten either artificial stone– , the basis of which was originally blast furnace slag.

Looking at the existing variety of wall materials, it is difficult for an inexperienced person to decide which blocks are better for building a house. To answer this question correctly, it is necessary to consider their main characteristics, sizes and prices.

Physical, cost characteristics and geometric dimensions of blocks

What are the most important properties of artificial masonry stone? The answer to this question is obvious:

• Compressive strength;
• Density;
• Thermal conductivity;
• Frost resistance;
• Price.

The easiest way to compare the characteristics of different blocks is to summarize them in a common table:

For those new to construction, we will make a few explanations. To assess thermal conductivity, you should know that the higher its coefficient indicated in the table, the less heat the material retains. For frost resistance, the opposite is true: the higher its value, the longer the block resists freezing and thawing.

Analyzing the table, it is easy to notice that the types of building blocks presented in it, with the same density, are quite similar in their physical parameters. The same cannot be said about the price, since it differs quite significantly. Therefore, the optimal one can be called this wall material, which, with strength characteristics comparable to other types of blocks, will be cheaper. About others important nuances We will describe the choice of wall stone below. In the meantime, let's look at its main geometric dimensions.

Foam concrete and aerated concrete blocks have a common standard- 60x20x30 cm (length, thickness and height) for walls and 60x10x30 cm for partitions (semi-blocks). Manufacturers produce cellular blocks in other sizes. They are needed so that builders can build walls of different thicknesses without using multi-row masonry.

Expanded clay and cinder blocks slightly smaller in size. Here the main standard size (rounded) is 40x20x20 cm for walls and 40x12x20 cm (40x9x20 cm) for partitions. Arbolite blocks They can be produced with the same dimensions, but they are more common - 50x25x30, 50x25x20, 50x20x30 cm.

Arbolite blocks

Expanded clay (expanded clay concrete) blocks

Porized ceramic blocks are produced in four most popular formats:

• 510x250x219 mm - for the construction of external load-bearing walls that will not be insulated;
• 250x380x219 mm - for the construction of external load-bearing walls, which will be insulated, and internal load-bearing walls;
• 380x250x219 - for external walls 2 bricks thick (380 mm - ceramic block + brick cladding 120 mm);
• 510x120x219 mm for the construction of non-load-bearing partitions with a thickness of ½ brick (120 mm).

Comparative analysis and nuances of choice

Before buying any wall blocks, you need to not only study their price differences, but also take into account the features of production and masonry technology.

A competent specialist will not categorically assert that some types of blocks are fundamentally better than others. He will advise you to pay main attention to their origin. Quality and durability depend most on it.

In this regard, gas silicate and porous ceramics are the most predictable. Their production cannot be organized in a makeshift way, since this process requires expensive and complex equipment. Accordingly, the quality of aerated concrete (gas silicate) and porous ceramic blocks in most cases corresponds to what is stated in the certificate.

For foam blocks, expanded clay concrete, wood concrete and cinder blocks, the picture is less joyful. These materials can be produced using primitive equipment, without strict adherence to technology. Therefore, when choosing them, the developer must be especially vigilant and attentive. Having purchased one of these materials, be sure to take several blocks to a construction laboratory, where their compressive strength grade will be accurately determined. This indicator is extremely important, since it indirectly indicates other characteristics: durability, thermal conductivity and frost resistance.

Now let's say a few words about the specific properties of wall blocks made from different raw materials. Despite the fairly high strength (for low-rise construction), ceramic, foam and gas blocks are quite fragile. To prevent the formation of cracks in the walls and destruction under the floor panels, they all require a monolithic reinforced belt made of concrete. It is clear that his device is an extra expense and time. In this regard, expanded clay and cinder blocks are preferable.

High-quality wood concrete (not sawdust concrete!) also does not require pouring an armored belt. This material is not only quite strong due to the presence of a cement binder, but also elastic, since its base is wood chips. Unfortunately, it cannot be called cheap, and its strength can vary greatly depending on the integrity and technological equipment of the manufacturer.

Regarding durability, the following can be said:. If the manufacturer did not violate the technology and added as much cement or lime to the initial mixture as required, then the service life of the building from all types of blocks considered until demolition will be at least half a century. No one can tell you the exact time frame, since during the operation of a building a number of factors are included in the work (the quality of the foundation, roofing and protective finish, climatic characteristics of the construction area).

The least durable blocks are those based on blast furnace slag. They contain substances that decompose over time and reduce the strength of cement stone. If we consider that today, instead of slag, dozens of different materials(sand, perlite, sawdust, ash, broken bricks, etc.), then it is impossible to unambiguously determine their service life.

Geometry is another characteristic that needs to be taken into account when choosing. If the size deviations of the block are minimal, this means savings in mortar, finishing compounds and a reduction in the labor intensity of masonry. The best geometry is characterized by foam-gas and ceramic blocks. Expanded clay stone, cinder block and wood concrete have uneven surface and quite noticeable deviations from the standard size.

If you use a complex “price-quality” characteristic to compare blocks, then preference can be given to foam concrete and expanded clay. These two materials are low cost and at the same time sufficiently high performance strength, frost resistance and energy saving.

Another proven reference point is reviews from developers. Using them, you will not be able to determine the durability of the material, but you will be able to make a fairly accurate assessment of its heat, moisture and sound insulating qualities. House owners speak quite eloquently about them, talking about the microclimate in the premises (damp, dry, how much fuel is required for heating, does the house hold heat well).