Types of building blocks. Building blocks: characteristics

Building blocks are types of structural elements that are manufactured at the factory. Their goal is to build 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 building material was used only as a replacement for bricks. However, now the scope of their use has increased significantly. This is due to the fact that new types of building blocks are emerging, which are easy to work with. They can be cut to any desired shape or make cutouts for wiring. The main component of the block is concrete. Products come in different sizes - from the smallest to larger ones. Whatever their external dimensions, quality always remains at a high level.

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

• Arbolitic.
• Ceramsite concrete.
• Opilkobetonnye.
• Slag blocks.
• Foam concrete.
• Gas silicate.
• Polystyrene concrete.
• Sand-concrete.

Applications

Since the different types of building blocks first began to be used in construction, they have gained increasing popularity, and today it is a material that is used in many areas.

In monolithic construction with their help install internal and external structures. When erecting low-rise buildings from blocks, installations are built that serve as the main wall element. Also, these materials are among the best for building various production facilities.

Building blocks: types, sizes, price

Each species has its own properties. These are strength, frost resistance, weight, thermal conductivity, settling time of the wall, shrinkage, water absorption and cost. Also, different types of building blocks have different composition. So, for example, foam concrete blocks consist of cement, sand and foaming agent. Gas-silicate and are made entirely without cement. In the composition of only sand, blowing agent and astringent silicate material.

Price policy

The cost of the blocks, respectively, is also different. For example, one cubic meter of aerated concrete products will cost an average of 3600 rubles. The clay element with the size 390х190х188 mm will cost about 37 rubles apiece. The larger the dimensions, the greater the price. A cheaper option is a cinder block. Its price ranges from 22 to 37 rubles. But you can find and expensive. One foam block will cost an average of 100-115 rubles.

The fluctuation of prices in the construction market is quite noticeable. This is because the cost is affected not only by the type and quality of the unit. Much depends on the brand and the 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 building blocks are. But how to choose the right type?

Advantages and disadvantages

In construction, different types of building blocks are used. What should I choose for the construction to last reliably for a very long time? Let's consider each kind of block separately.

Claydite-concrete has a higher level of strength and frost resistance compared to others. These advantages provide a long service life, as well as reliability of the design. Due to the lack of shrinkage in the future, you do not have to deal with such a problem as cracks and changing the geometry of the walls. Also, the advantages include an affordable price. The disadvantages are a relatively uneven surface.

Penoblock. Mounting it is much easier thanks to the most ideal (of all options) geometry and relatively small weight. The frost resistance of this unit is low, therefore, for a greater margin of safety and prolongation of service life, it is necessary to properly insulate and isolate the structure. Also to cons are high cost, favorable environment for fungal formations and inconvenience of fasteners.

Gas silicate block. First, we'll figure out what his pluses are. Of all other species, this material has the smallest weight and ideal geometry. Blocks can be mounted on glue.

Now flaws. The material has a low level of strength and frost resistance. As a consequence, 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. Also of them are built country houses, farm buildings and garages. This building material is completely safe for human health, because only harmless substances are used in production.

Worst kinds are slag-and sawdust blocks. Their advantages are only in the low cost of the material. The disadvantages are much greater. These building materials are short-lived, since they have a low level of frost resistance.

Advantages of blocks over alternative building materials

• The time for the construction of the blocks is about 5 times less than the building made of bricks.
• The consumption of mortar is reduced.
• Due to the smaller weight of the blocks, the foundation is much cheaper.
• This material provides a high level of heat and noise insulation in the finished building. Also, the building will stand much longer.
• Their density is much lower even the density of the brick. This allows you to keep the heat in the house and reduces the cost of heating.

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, they are perfectly flat materials of the same size. They are used as a heater, as well as for laying walls and various partitions with wooden ceilings. The number of floors in the use of these materials is not at all limited. The differences are only in the technology of production.

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

On the second place in use are claydite and sand-cement blocks. Sand-cement, which consist of sand, cement and other additives, is very strong. Therefore, they are often used for the construction of foundations and basement floors. However, such a block is cold. And this does not allow us to build houses 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 occurs. Then the resulting material is steamed. The filler is burned clay granules, which significantly reduce weight and increase strength. Good indicators of heat and sound insulation allow the use of blocks for the construction of walls and partitions, even in rooms with a high level of moisture.

The technology of expanded clay blocks also produces sawdust-concrete elements. The main difference is that instead of clay used wood sawdust and other wood waste.

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

There are different building blocks, species whose characteristics 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 the different types of modern blocks appeared, only concrete ones were used. To date, they are somewhat inferior to the newer analogues, since 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.

Practical tips

1. Pay attention to the blocks. Building species that have a yellowish color, it is better not to take. In them there is an excess of sand. This, in turn, reduces the level of strength.
2. Do not hesitate to inspect the building blocks. Kinds, sizes should correspond to all instructions. Check the geometry and inspect the blocks for cracks.
3. Be sure to ask where the blocks for sale were stored. And do not buy if they were in direct sunlight.
4. Also, you should not keep blocks under the open sky. Use the awnings.
5. Refuse the delivery of blocks on pallets.

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

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