Despite its external similarity, foam concrete and aerated concrete are quite different from each other in their characteristics. Therefore, speaking about the merits of the latter, we have in mind its advantages over the former. If there is a choice between these two materials, then you need to consider the following advantages of aerated concrete. With the use of the right house design here.
It is more durable and does not crumble in the process. In principle, this factor does not affect the characteristics of the house as a whole, but only complicates the work. A professional does not care what to work with, but novice masons in this regard should give preference to aerated concrete.
Durability
A one-story house made of aerated concrete, as well as a two-story cottage, in general, can last a fairly long time. The manufacturer’s warranty on this material is for 30 years and this is only with its open use. If aerated concrete is sealed outside with other materials, then its service life can reach 80 years.
Due to its lightness, aerated concrete blocks can have a large size on average, their length reaches 0.5 m, width is from 0.1 to 0.25 m, and height – 0.3 m. In principle, there can be many variations, since this material is made in cubes like foam, which are subsequently sawn into smaller blocks. Such increased dimensions of the blocks allow the masonry process to be carried out much faster than, say, brick masonry.
Low thermal conductivity
Together with a thin layer of glue used to connect the blocks to each other, the low thermal conductivity of this material minimizes the process of warming a house from aerated concrete.
Low cost.
You can safely say that this is the cheapest material for building a house.
Now, with regard to the negative sides of this material – there are only two of them. The ability of aerated concrete to absorb water in this regard, it can be compared with a sponge. Water, as you know, negates all its heat-conducting characteristics. Such a house has to be more carefully protected from exposure to water and moisture, which slightly increases its cost.
The content in aerated concrete of a large amount of lime and this does not correspond to hygiene standards. For this reason, in European countries, this material is prohibited for the construction of residential buildings.
In general, one way or another and the problems associated with the use of aerated concrete in residential construction are enough for many people to abandon it. In my opinion, this material is more suitable for technical buildings than for residential premises. But here it is up to you to decide for some people the construction budget plays a very important role.
Construction stages and their nuances
By and large, the technology of building a house from aerated concrete is practically no different from the construction of buildings from any other block material the same stages of work and exactly the same sequence. Everything remains unchanged, from planning on the ground to finishing with finishing work. The difference lies only in some of the nuances inherent in these stages of work.