Porous blocks: characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

In the 70s of the last century the energy crisis came, which led to the need for active search for alternative building materials that have higher thermal insulation qualities. These materials were to save electrical resources and heat.

History of creation

For several years specialists have been working hard, the fruit of which has become porous blocks. They received a second name - warm ceramics, and were patented in the early 80's. In Italy. Since then, more than 30 years have passed, and today ceramic blocks are produced in 32 countries. The porous blocks received the aforementioned name for the reason that they have excellent heat-saving qualities. At their manufacture ecologically pure components are used which are mixed with clay and have a full set of characteristics of a traditional brick. But if you compare with a brick, the ceramic blocks weigh less, have better thermal insulation qualities and cover an impressive area at low consumption.

Positive characteristics

Porous blocks have advantages over brick. Among the advantages, it should be noted porous structure, which allows you to obtain higher quality noise insulation and heat savings with less weight. Among other things, such products are large, which makes it possible to complete the construction of houses in a shorter period of time. They are durable, have high strength and guarantee a lower solution consumption. Twenty years ago, the consumer was aware of two types of ceramic blocks, today they are several dozen. Goods differ in size, format, purpose, performance and other properties. The most popular porous blocks are marked with: 2.1 NF or 14.5 NF. The designation indicates how many times the product is larger than a modern brick. They are used for commercial and residential construction, from them form parapets, bearing walls, partitions and fences. The building constructed from this material will have a suitable microclimate inside, providing good sound insulation and preserving heat.

Main advantages

The porous blocks have many advantages, with their help it is possible to build walls, the thickness of which will vary from 38 to 50 cm. Moreover, it is not necessary to use additional insulation in the form of expanded polystyrene and mineral wool. No such modern building material can boast of such advantages. Despite the fact that many consumers consider the cost of a porous ceramic block to be quite high, it allows saving a considerable amount. This is ensured by the absence of the need to use thermal insulation, as well as saving material. After all, if the wall of the porous block has a thickness of 50 cm, that it will be as warm as the one made of ordinary brick, only the thickness of the latter should be equal to two meters. Large-format porous blocks provide a good vapor barrier, protecting the occupants from noise. After the completion of the construction, you will receive walls already prepared for finishing. The master does not need to equip the crate, fix plywood or GCR to cover the surface with plaster or use wallpaper as a decoration. The surface is fairly flat, has a high adhesion with any materials. Such a wall can be immediately lined with brick or covered with plaster.

Additional advantages

A house made of porous blocks has many advantages. For example, for its construction it is not necessary to erect a heavy foundation, as for a brick building. For the construction of porous blocks it will be necessary to have the simplest base construction. The consumer will be able to save even during the transportation of the blocks, since they weigh much less than ordinary bricks. With the technology of laying ceramic blocks, even an inexperienced builder will be able to cope. The large size of the products and the lack of joints make it easy to lay and save on the solution. The consumption of concrete will be three times less compared to brickwork. Thus, it will be possible to save not only transportation, installation and foundations, but also finishing. Brick walls need priming, leveling and ennobling. But perfectly smooth seamless surface of ceramic blocks allows to cope with plastering works in the shortest possible time.

For reference

Large-format ceramic porous blocks have an interesting pattern of voids, which can not be called accidental. This arrangement of the cavities makes it possible to obtain the most balanced heat exchange, which ensures vapor insulation and breathing of the wall. In homes of such products will be cozy and fresh, as the walls will be provided with natural ventilation. For the same reason, they always remain dry, as condensate water evaporates due to micro-ventilation. Additional advantages are fire safety and environmental cleanliness, as well as resistance to deformation.

Main disadvantages

Disadvantages of the porous blocks are few, but they are available. The first of them is embrittlement. However, if the masonry is carried out according to the technology, the load on the products will be distributed evenly, and the ceramic blocks will be able to withstand a great deal of pressure. However, as practice shows, if you drop a single brick, and also hit it with something hard, then it will split. These are just clay products, the fragility of which is quite high. Therefore, masters should take protective measures when installing and transporting blocks. The material has thin walls, and if you look at it in a section, the block consists of many partitions. Therefore, with internal finishing work, there will be a need to make holes in the wall and clog it with anchors. The only way you can hang a radiator, a shelf or a gas column. With the help of simple short dowels this task can not be solved, therefore it will be necessary to stock up with long fasteners.

The cost of blocks "Porotherm"

On sale you can find porous blocks Porotherm, which are presented in a wide range. For example, a variety of 51 Green Line costs 118 rubles. Per piece and is intended for the formation of load-bearing external single-layer walls, which do not provide additional insulation. For dressing vertical masonry seams a variety of Porotherm 51 1/2 is used, one unit of which will have to pay 199 rubles. These products are additional elements to the large-format block. To tie the joints of the masonry, the Porotherm 44 1/2 block is used, which costs 168 rubles. a piece. It is suitable for the large-format block Porotherm 44. For bearing external walls with additional thermal insulation Porotherm 38 blocks are used, the cost of which is 109 rubles. a piece.

Masonry

Laying of the porous blocks is carried out after wetting the surface of the previous row with water. The solution is applied over the entire base of the wall to the outer faces. Each row should begin with the installation of a corner brick. It is necessary to ensure that the step between the vertical seams of adjacent rows along the wall is equal to 125 cm. The horizontal and vertical alignment of the stacked blocks should be checked with a plumb and level.