Foam concrete pros and cons. Pros and cons of building a house from foam blocks Cons of foam concrete blocks

The construction of houses from cellular (lightweight) concrete (foam concrete, aerated concrete, expanded clay concrete, polystyrene concrete, fiber foam concrete, wood concrete) has justified advantages (cheap, fast, energy efficient). Wherein, foam concrete blocks not devoid of shortcomings.
We will try to conduct an objective assessment of the pros and cons of the foam block for the house based on the reviews and characteristics of the material.

Recommendations will also be given on how to choose and determine the quality of foam concrete blocks for walls and partitions of a cottage, garage, summer house or bath.
Foam blocks - pros and cons
Like any building material, foam concrete blocks have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of foam blocks
compressive strength of the foam block. It is determined by the volumetric weight of foaming additives, their type. The humidity of the block has a considerable influence on this indicator. For a dry foam block, the compressive strength index is 3.5-5.0 MPa;
Note. Foam concrete gains strength during operation. Comparison of the new block and the block that was in operation for 50 years showed that the density of the latter exceeded the density characteristic of the brand by more than 3 times.
low density foam block. This indicator depends on the brand and ranges from 400 to 1,200 kg/m3. Foam block D600-800 is used for the construction of walls of a low-rise house.
foam block weight. A material that has air in its structure is lightweight. Reducing the mass of the house allows you to save on the arrangement of the foundation. The foam block with a volume of 0.036 cubic meters, with dimensions of 200x300x600 mm, has a weight of only 22 kg. This is also a significant plus for transportation;
low thermal conductivity of the foam block. Due to the presence of air in the concrete mass (40-80%), foam concrete retains heat better. In turn, this reduces the thickness of the masonry, which reduces the pressure on the foundation. And also reduces the cost of warming the house. According to the calculations of manufacturers, it is possible to avoid up to 30% of heat loss through the walls. In comparison with a brick, the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the D700 foam block is 3.5 times less.
good sound insulation of foam blocks. The porous structure absorbs sound, especially low sound frequencies. 300 mm foam block wall absorbs 60 dB noise;
incombustibility. Allows you to meet the requirements fire safety buildings. In addition, foam concrete does not emit harmful compounds from the effects of fire;
environmental friendliness of foam blocks (content of natural radionuclides). This indicator for foam concrete is 2 (for brick - 10). Foam concrete does not rot and does not decompose, it is safe for human health. In the production of foam concrete, a blowing agent (on a protein or synthetic basis) is used, which does not form harmful gases for human body. Another situation is with the manufacture of gas silicate blocks, when foaming occurs in the autoclave as a result of a chemical reaction of fine particles of lime and aluminum. As a result of this reaction, hydrogen is produced, part of which remains in the pores of the gas silicate and will be released for some time;
low cost of foam block. Allows you to reduce the cost of building a house as a whole. For example, the difference in price: 1 m3. foam concrete costs 2200-2800 rubles, bricks from 3500 to 6500 rubles per 100 pieces, lumber from 4500 (solid wood) to 20000 (laminated timber).
convenience in work. Foam concrete is not heavy, but voluminous. Due to the size of the blocks, the work is done quickly, it is easy to give it any shape without the use of special tools;
house geometry. Foam concrete is amazing in that you can pre-set the necessary parameters. And the exact dimensions of the foam block are one of them. This allows you to build a house with a flat surface;
low consumption of the adhesive mixture during the construction of the house;
moisture resistance. Foam concrete practically does not absorb water. You can verify this by doing a test. A small cube of foam concrete must be placed in a container of water. It will float on the surface of the water;
frost resistance of the foam block. Due to its low hygroscopicity, closed pore structure and special additives, foam concrete is able to withstand a significant number of freeze / thaw cycles (depending on the brand) without significant damage;
the possibility of combining with other materials makes it possible to cover foam concrete surfaces with any finishing materials.
Cons of foam blocks
low bending strength. According to this indicator, foam concrete is inferior to concrete and reinforced concrete. However, with an increase in the grade of foam concrete, the bending strength also increases. True, thermal insulation properties are reduced;
Note. The foam block increases strength as it stands (hardens). You need to know how long the foam block dries after manufacturing, this time is up to full curing and is 28 days.
It is not recommended to use a newly made block for construction. This is especially true in the season when foam concrete is in demand, and manufacturers are trying to make it in a volume sufficient to meet demand. In this case, there is a violation of technology (the period of drying, ripening). Eliminated by buying a foam block 3-4 weeks before the start of construction with proper storage on the site in a moisture-proof place
pore heterogeneity. The applied pore-forming agent (air-entraining additives) does not allow ensuring the uniformity of all pores in size. In practice, this leads to the fact that somewhere the material is denser and, for example, holds fasteners better, and somewhere less dense. This drawback is eliminated by using hardware (dowels, anchors) designed for fastening into the porous structure of cellular concrete;
possible deviations in density. Related to the production technology, for example, the violation of proportions or the quality of mixing. Eliminated by purchasing material from major manufacturers with the provision of appropriate documentation and warranty;
natural shrinkage of a foam concrete house within 1-2 months after construction is completed. Shrinkage can reach 2-4 mm. per running meter. This phenomenon is associated with a set of foam concrete strength. The shrinkage of the foam block is uniform, therefore it does not affect the quality of the structure, it only pushes back the beginning finishing for 3-4 months;
there are many private mini-factories for the production of foam blocks (handicraft), which cannot always guarantee the quality of the produced material. It is in the conditions of clandestine production that the recipe (proportions of foam concrete components) and the terms for strength maturation are often violated. As a result, poor quality foam blocks with all the ensuing consequences (uneven shrinkage, cracks).
How to choose foam blocks for building a house
The durability of the house, cottage, garage or bath depends on which foam block is chosen. Experts recommend when buying foam concrete blocks to pay attention to such factors as:
1. manufacturer. Large manufacturing plants will not risk their reputation and usually offer foam concrete of a stable specified quality. Such material is accompanied by quality certificates confirming the results of laboratory research (tests), complies with GOST;
2. cost. If the material is sold at a price below the market price, this may indicate violations in its production. The discount can only be due to: second grade, volume of purchase, proximity to the place of delivery. In all other cases, you should think about why the foam block is sold cheaper;
3. storage location and packaging. The storage location must be dry, protected from moisture, and the packaging undamaged.
How to check the quality of the foam block
It is possible to determine whether foam concrete is good or not by means of visual inspection. The appearance of the block can say a lot.
Pore ​​structure. Cells (pores, air cavities) in the foam block must be isolated, i.e. do not connect with each other. Otherwise, the material will absorb moisture. You can evaluate the structure by breaking the foam block. Inside and outside, it should be the same in structure.
Pore ​​size. The more air in the structure of the block, the larger its pores will be. This is easy to determine by eye. The lighter and cheaper the material will be. However, its durability will suffer.
Color. The foam block should be gray (according to the color of cement) and have a uniform color. Too light color (closer to white) indicates that specific gravity cement in mortar does not comply with GOST 25485-89 "cellular concrete".
The geometry of the foam block. A large run-up will not affect the functionality of the house, but will lead to an increase in the consumption of the adhesive mixture. To check the geometry, it is enough to put two blocks on top of each other (there must be a good fit and no swings).
The weight of the concrete block. It is checked by weighing a random block, this will make sure that the density of the foam block corresponds to the declared one.
Advice on how to check the foam block for strength. You need to try to break off a piece from the edge of the foam block with your hand, if this succeeds, then the material is of poor quality. The second option is to try to pierce the foam block with a nail, using only hand strength, if it turned out easy, then it’s bad.
It should be noted here that we are talking about structural blocks with a density of D600-900, because. there are heat-insulating blocks with a density of D300, which are easily destroyed. But, they are not intended for laying walls, but are used as a heater.
Conclusion
An objective review of the pros and cons of foam concrete blocks will allow you to give accurate estimate wall material. A helpful tips from practice they will tell you how to determine the quality of the foam block by outward signs(by appearance, color, structure). Most of the shortcomings are removable and are associated with improper production technology or violation of construction standards.

When planning the construction of a private house, it is logical to weigh all the pros and cons, compare and contrast different variants and construction technology, as well as the use of building materials.

Among the many organizational issues, you need to decide what is better to build a house from.
The topic is extensive and multifaceted, each material has advantages and disadvantages, but specifically in this case, wall material made of cellular concrete - foam concrete will be considered.

Pros of a foam block house

Low thermal conductivity
Aerated concrete materials (foam concrete, aerated concrete) have a unique porous structure, due to which they are good heat insulators.

Light weight
Depending on which brand of foam concrete blocks are used, the weight is 1 cubic meter. ranges from 300 to 1200 kg. This leads to softer requirements for the foundation and in practice translates into an opportunity to save on materials for the foundation for a foam block house.

Minimum hygroscopicity
In the process of manufacturing foam concrete, a method is used to form blocks by pouring them into molds. This affects the geometry of the block, but contributes to the formation of closed pores. Due to this, foam concrete does not absorb moisture from the environment. A simple test, immersing foam concrete in a container of water, can demonstrate the resistance of the block to water absorption.

Durability of foam concrete
It is due to the fact that concrete, which forms the basis of foam concrete, gains strength during operation. That is, the longer the house stands, the stronger the foam concrete will be.

fire resistance of foam concrete
According to the fire safety class, foam concrete is one of the safest building materials, since it does not burn and does not support combustion.

Ecological purity of foam concrete
For the manufacture of the foam block, water, sand, cement and foam concentrates are used. The latter can be of two types: natural and synthetic. Even if synthetic foaming agents are used, their specific gravity is not more than 0.5% of total weight, which allows us to confidently declare the environmental friendliness of the material.

High speed construction of a house from foam blocks
The installation of one block is faster than the laying of a brick of the same quadrature. Plus, the installation error will be much lower.

Ability to embody any architectural style
Foam concrete is easy to process. Sawing, drilling, grinding the block is not difficult and does not require the use of special tools. Thanks to this, even a beginner who does not have experience in construction can drive out a box of a house from a foam block.

Ease of laying communications in foam concrete
Dictated by the malleability of the blocks to processing, they are easily chiselled for laying pipes, wiring, etc.

No finishing requirements
A foam concrete house can be used for a long time without additional finishing. As a rule, cladding is performed purely for aesthetic reasons. The most popular option is decorative plaster. A foam concrete house can be finished with any of the existing materials, it is important that they are designed for foam concrete blocks and do not negative impact on the microclimate in the building. Otherwise, the ability of the house to “breathe”, which is due to its porous structure, may deteriorate.

Ease of decoration
Due to the even surface, foam concrete can be plastered or finished with a finishing material with minimal effort to prepare for finishing.

Relatively low price of foam block
Despite the fact that in absolute terms, foam concrete (35-39 rubles / piece) is more expensive than brick (6-10 rubles / piece). But, in order to close the same area, you will need one foam block (35-39 rubles / piece) and 13.5 bricks (13 * 6 = 78 rubles). The benefit is obvious. And taking into account the fact that the house does not need insulation and a strong foundation, savings can reach up to 30%.

Low cost of laying foam blocks
This aspect is relevant for those who do not plan to build a house from foam blocks with their own hands.

Cons of a foam block house

home shrinkage
A house made of foam concrete shrinks 2-3 mm per linear meter, you can start finishing only after a certain period has passed (at least six months). Shrinkage is caused by a long-term reaction between the constituent components of the foam concrete solution.

Foam concrete has a porous structure
The advantage of porosity is that it imparts low thermal conductivity to the foam block, but complicates the process of mounting fasteners into the wall. The way out is to use special fasteners designed for foam concrete. Their price practically does not differ from the cost of conventional fasteners.

Finishing material requirement
Only special plasters and paints are used for wall decoration.

The need for reinforcement of foam concrete
The reinforcement is laid in the area of ​​the openings, and every 4-5 row of blocks is also reinforced. Without an appropriate armored belt, it is not possible to reliably install ceilings and a truss system.

High chance of buying counterfeit
The fact is that raw materials and equipment for the manufacture of foam concrete are relatively cheap, so the blocks are often made in a handicraft way, which is fraught with violations in production technology and affects the quality of the goods.

Direct relationship between strength / thermal insulation properties of the material
With an increase in strength (structural grades D 1000-1200), the thermal conductivity of the material increases. And vice versa, insulating foam block (grade D 300-500) cannot be used as a material for the construction of load-bearing walls. Especially when it comes to multi-storey buildings.

The fragility of the foam block
On the one hand, it provides simple block processing, on the other hand, it reduces load bearing capacity material.

Requirements for calculating the load on foam concrete
The need for careful calculations of the thickness of walls and partitions, taking into account all possible loads. Usually walls are erected with a margin of safety.

unaesthetic appearance foam block houses
A house built of cellular concrete is often finished precisely in order to eliminate this drawback.

The need for a shaping foundation
Those. such a foundation for a house made of foam concrete blocks, which will allow leveling the low indicative bending strength that foam concrete differs from.

Not ideal foam block geometry
Causes each block to be sanded before laying, slightly increasing construction time.

When evaluating the properties of this building material different opinions are expressed. Some people like it, and some people react negatively. To understand what is “good” and what is “bad” for this representative of the class of cellular concrete, it is necessary to take into account the following.

Firstly, you can get a negative result of your work, even if you use the highest quality products. The thing is, what kind of practical experience does a particular master have? After all, the use of any product has its own specifics.

Secondly, each building material has its own individual characteristics. This is also due to the technology of its use.

Thirdly, this fake diamond often confused with a close "relative" - ​​aerated concrete.

cannot be considered as something unshakable, in isolation from such factors as the climate of the region, the features of the structure (premises), for the construction of which part of the structure it is intended, and a number of others.

In order to have a clear understanding of this type of product under common name"concrete is light", you should know the technology of its production.

The main components of the mixture are sand, cement and water. To create a porous structure, special additives are introduced - foaming agents.

« Pluses "foam concrete

1. Simple production technology. The curing of the solution occurs naturally, without heat treatment, which is subjected to aerated concrete blocks. This allows us to manufacture products of the required dimensions, including non-standard ones (which cannot be purchased), directly at the construction site, which creates great convenience in the process of individual construction of objects. If it is necessary to obtain foam blocks of the desired size, you will not have to cut already purchased ones, since you can independently “cast” blanks of the required dimensions.

In addition, the mass is poured into a mold (formwork) of any configuration, so structures of the most bizarre shapes are constructed from foam concrete.

2. For fastening foam concrete products to each other, not an adhesive composition is used, but a regular one. cement mortar, which significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the process of laying them.

3. Construction work can be done by 1 person, as the blocks are light in weight. Therefore, they can be moved alone. No special equipment or professional equipment is required. This property allows you to significantly save on the arrangement of the foundation, which quite significantly reduces the overall construction costs.

4. High speed of erection of objects, taking into account the dimensions of the products. This is a significant plus of foam concrete when there is simply no time for large-scale construction.

5. Ease of processing. When laying communications, there are no difficulties, since the process of gating surfaces requires minimal effort.

6. The material is not subject to decay, so there will never be excess moisture in such a structure. It is not damaged by rodents and insects.

7. Air bubbles in the structure of the material provide high-quality sound insulation of buildings.

8. Another plus of foam concrete is low thermal conductivity, which allows you to maintain the same temperature in the premises in any season. In such a house there will always be the most favorable microclimate that the owners themselves can establish. Accordingly, the cost of heating or air conditioning is optimized.

9. The price of foam concrete is also attractive, and given that the blocks can be made independently, construction from this material is perhaps the most budget option.

10. The material becomes even stronger over time, and practically does not shrink. You can immediately move into such a house, and finish it in parallel.

"Cons" of foam concrete

Since the installation is carried out using a solution, the seam is thicker than when “landing” on glue. This provokes the appearance of "cold bridges", so the surface needs better insulation.
Compared to aerated concrete, this material has less strength, so it has limited use - for the construction of elements that are not load-bearing parts of the structure. For example, partitions ( internal walls). Foam concrete blocks are used for the construction of various household structures - sheds, garages, baths, country houses and the like. Of these, as a rule, houses are built with no more than 2 floors; this requires a professional calculation of all possible loads. Quite often, foam concrete is used as additional insulation, which is done by pouring the prepared mixture.
Some experts believe that the disadvantage of foam concrete is the lack of environmental friendliness of the finished product, since the manufacturing process is based on chemical reactions, which result in the formation of toxic compounds. Although a lot depends on which substance is chosen as a blowing agent, therefore, there are directly opposite opinions.
Due to the fact that the material has a porous structure, it is necessary to conduct it exterior finish. As a rule, inexpensive plaster compositions are used for this.
The installation of fasteners has its own specifics, since simply hammering a nail or dowel under a self-tapping screw does not make sense - they will not hold the load. The entire installation of attachments "equipment" is carried out using anchors, which is not always convenient.

practical advice

The ease of manufacturing products from foam concrete provoked an increase in the number of "single handicraftsmen". Many of them, having no special education and no idea about such things as “density”, “thermal conductivity”, “coefficient of linear expansion” and many others, literally flooded the market with their “product”, the quality of which is highly questionable. When buying blocks, you must get acquainted with the certificate for the products. Otherwise, instead of the "pluses" of foam concrete, you can get only "minuses".

Increasingly, recently you can find references to such a building material as foam concrete blocks. The walls of garages, bathhouses are erected from such blocks, country houses up to two floors are built, various buildings are trimmed from the outside. Such popularity is due to the presence of some characteristics that positively distinguish this material from others similar to it: good sound insulation and thermal insulation, low weight of foam blocks and low cost. To date, it is almost impossible to find such a building material that would be absolutely perfect in everything.

So foam blocks have negative sides, which for some may become decisive not in favor of choosing this material.

Scheme of vapor barrier and thermal insulation of foam blocks: 1. vapor barrier - polyethylene film;
2. internal foam blocks;
3. thermal insulation;
4. flexible fiberglass or metal connections;
5. facing brick from the side of the street.

Technological disadvantages

Of the main disadvantages of foam concrete, increased water absorption and reduced density can be distinguished.

So, consider the specific disadvantages of foam concrete associated with the characteristics of the material itself:

1. The need for moisture protection. Any foam concrete block absorbs moisture, and in large quantities (up to 14% of the volume). In connection with moisture saturation, foam blocks deteriorate such an important indicator as thermal insulation. To protect against moisture, a waterproofing gasket is needed between the foundation and the blocks (to be fair, it should be said that waterproofing between the foundation and the wall plane is required for the vast majority of modern structures, regardless of the material used for the walls).
2. Inability to pass air. Buildings made of foam blocks "do not breathe", which means that they cannot maintain natural ventilation through the walls. Air renewal can occur exclusively through cracks, open windows and doors. Most often, this is not enough for normal human life, so additional ventilation systems are installed.
3. Insufficient rigidity and density of the material. It is in connection with this drawback that foam blocks are very rarely used in multi-storey buildings, most often in such houses they are needed only to fill the voids between the ceilings. When erecting a wall, it makes sense to use the technology of reinforced concrete belts to stiffen the structure. If it is not possible to use such belts, then a gasket between the rows of reinforcement blocks is necessary. For greater strength, you can lay reinforcement in each row. Moreover, based on the realities of construction, even such measures may not be sufficient. In particular, for country houses the construction of a high-quality, massive foundation, tile or tape type, is required, despite the relatively small weight of the blocks. The cost of such a foundation is quite high, therefore, when gathering, it is necessary to include all additional costs in the construction estimate.
4. Scatter in the sizes of foam blocks. Looking at first glance completely identical, foam concrete blocks have a variation in geometric dimensions of up to three centimeters on one side. This mainly concerns foam blocks, which are produced by artisanal methods, due to poor-quality molds for blocks. The geometric dimensions significantly affect the thickness of the seam between the foam blocks, and the heat-insulating properties already depend on the thickness.

Operational disadvantages

Foam concrete has the lowest compressive strength, but it surpasses brick in frost resistance.

Operational deficiencies are associated with problems that arise after the construction of foam concrete structures. Some of them have great importance, for example, the need for constant heating, and some are just inconveniences.

1. Some difficulties in the subsequent wall decoration. This shortcoming is closely related to the previous one. If you finish foam concrete blocks with cement-sand plaster, then in the future there is a very high probability of cracks. Due to the high moisture absorption, cracks often appear on gypsum plaster as well. To avoid this, use a special reinforcing mesh or deep primers, with the possibility of multiple overlays.
2. Loss of compressive strength over time. Any building material has a number of characteristics, one of the most important is compressive strength. Since a considerable mass is constantly pressing on the blocks (upper blocks, mortar, floors, roof, residents themselves), cracks may appear on them. Moreover, not only low-quality blocks are subject to this process, but also those that are manufactured in compliance with all standards. The appearance of cracks is observed in about a quarter of all laid foam concrete blocks.
3. Fixing difficulties. To fix something heavier than a small picture on the wall of foam concrete blocks, you have to go to tricks. Fragile and crumbling foam concrete blocks are simply not physically able to hold massive objects for a long time. Manufacturers of foam concrete blocks offer to use special anchors, special self-tapping screws, mounting foam. All the tricks taken do not give one hundred percent strength. Most often, to achieve the ideal result, you have to abandon the placement of fasteners on the walls and apply fasteners to the floor or ceiling.
4. Buildings that are built from foam blocks need constant heating. If the owner of the house is absent for a long time (during the whole winter, for example), then upon arrival he may notice that the house needs repair, since the walls are likely to freeze, and excessive dampness in the house can cause rotting of the wooden elements of the structure .

Foam concrete is great for country house, garage, shed. However, not only structures for temporary residence and household purposes are being erected from it, but also buildings for permanent residence, in particular 2-3-storey cottages. Choosing a foam block as the main material, each owner weighs all the pros and cons of the future design, which are determined by physical and chemical properties products.

This is one of the variations of cellular concrete. It is used in a hardened (stone-like) form, and is obtained by mixing cement / Portland cement, refined sand, water and foaming agent (composition of pine rosin, carpentry bone glue, caustic soda). Due to the addition of the last component, a special reaction proceeds in the solution, the result of which is the formation of multiple bubbles isolated from each other. Poured into molds and subsequently hardened, the mixture forms the final product - a completely ready-to-use foam concrete block.

Porosity is the fact that determines the properties and features of the house. The total proportion of air bubbles can reach up to 70-80%, which provides excellent sound and heat insulation qualities. Also, this factor determines the relatively low weight. Houses and cottages will be distinguished by light load-bearing walls and the absence of the need to build a powerful foundation.

The fact that the blocks, for all their large size, weigh little, is an additional plus: they are easier to move and lift. The laying process will be faster. Giving preference to foam concrete for building a house, you can safely choose any projects with facade decor of varying complexity: with arches, pilasters, rustications, sandriks, friezes. It is permissible to saw it with a conventional saw, milling, chasing, drilling. Perfectly combined with different finishes.

Pros and cons of such houses

Positive sides:

1. Excellent thermal insulation qualities.

The porous nature of the material causes a low degree of thermal conductivity. Its coefficient is much less than the brick index. For comparison: in order to achieve the same thermal insulation, the walls of a foam concrete house should be 50 cm wide, and the brick structure should be about 120 cm.

2. High construction speed.

Laying one block is faster than placing bricks of the same square. As a bonus, the setting error in the first case will be much lower than when working with small ingots.

3. Good sound insulation.

This property determines the demand for the material in the arrangement of internal partitions.

4. Lightweight design.

Due to the cellular structure, the blocks are characterized by relatively low weight, bearing walls are light, which does not cause strict requirements for the construction of the foundation. In practice, all this translates into significant savings.

5. Strength and durability.

These undeniable advantages are explained by the fact that the concrete, which is part of the foam blocks, continues to gain strength during operation. That is, the longer a residential private or country house stands, the stronger its walls will be.

6. Fire resistance.

According to the fire safety class, it belongs to non-combustible substances.

7. Environmental friendliness.

For the manufacture of such a porous, but durable product, natural components are used. The exception is foam concentrates of synthetic origin. Their specific gravity is so small (about 0.5% of the total mass) that foam concrete can be called an environmentally friendly material.

8. Embodiment of any architectural style and trouble-free laying of communications.

Since the blocks are easy to process, they can be given the shape that the situation requires. Installation of wiring, pipes for heating, water supply and drainage is also not difficult: the walls are ditched without much effort.

10. Cheap.

Both the material itself and its masonry will cost relatively inexpensively. And if the construction is planned with your own hands, then the costs will be completely minimal.

11. Combination with any finish.

Due to the smooth surface, porous concrete can be plastered, puttied, treated with vapor-permeable paints. Thanks to the possibility of any type of fastening, foam blocks can be faced with stone, tile, brick, ennobled with a ventilated facade ( vinyl siding, corrugated board, clapboard).

• Direct relationship between the coefficients of thermal conductivity and strength. With an increase in density (and strength), thermal insulation qualities decrease. This is confirmed by the product of the construction brand D1000-1200. Elements with a low density, for example, 200-400 kg / m3, keep heat well in the house, but are not suitable for construction due to their fragility.
• Unaesthetic appearance and the need for cladding. Ordinary foam concrete cannot be called outwardly attractive, so it is hidden behind finishing materials. As a result, the financial costs associated with their acquisition and installation increase.
• Hygroscopicity. Able to absorb and retain atmospheric / ground moisture for a long time.

What to consider?

When building a house, it is important to consider:

1. in order for foam concrete to have a sufficient strength class and maintain the temperature in the room, it is necessary to choose structural and heat-insulating grades: D500-900;
2. the need for finishing is a controversial issue, since porous products with a decorated facade surface are produced today (for solid / chipped brick, slate, cobblestone, ragged stone); the price of such blocks will be higher than usual;
3. due to hygroscopicity, the structure must be protected from moisture by installing a waterproofing gasket.

Whether it is a cottage, residential private or country house from the foam block, do not forget about the importance of reinforcement. Installation of steel bars should be carried out in the area of ​​​​openings, through every 3-4 row of masonry. Installation of an armored belt is a guarantee of reliable overlap and truss system generally.

Reviews of owners about houses

“I have a 10x10 foam concrete house. The neighbor chose an almost similar project, the same area, but made of bricks. As we talked, we started comparing prices. It turned out that my house turned out to be much cheaper. Moreover, a significant difference began to be felt even at the stage of pouring the foundation. In terms of performance, my house is not inferior to the neighbor's. So what is it perfect solution for the construction of a residential building.

Konstantin, Perm.

“As a builder with considerable experience, I want to note: foam blocks are suitable for building not only garages, baths, utility yards, but also private houses. I don’t advise ordinary people to approach the matter on their own: although the material is easy to handle, there are many nuances when laying it. For example, without reinforcing openings, in particular arched ones, with metal corners, it is almost impossible to avoid crack formation.

Vladimir, St. Petersburg.

“Being builder brothers is great! We do not compete with each other, but do everything in good faith. When choosing a house project, everyone for their family settled on foam concrete. When working with him, there were no problems: the blocks were sawn well, chiseled, sat on glue. As a result, we both turned out great two-storey houses 10 by 10 m. There is a slight difference only in the layout, but we ourselves established this at the design stage.”

Ilya and Valery Pashkov, Nizhny Novgorod.

“My house is almost 6 years old, I am satisfied with everything: both its appearance (the plaster lay perfectly) and the quality (the rooms are warm, comfortable, the audibility from other rooms is almost zero). But there is one minus: in some places the blocks cracked. After inspection by a specialist, it turned out that it was my fault. The fact is that I built a house of foam concrete on my own, and when it was necessary to make reinforcement, I was too lazy: I didn’t want to mess with chasing. Now I'm paying for it, and in the truest sense of the word. I hired a team of excellent craftsmen who correct my mistake.”

Alexey, Yekaterinburg.

“When at the design stage the question arose of what to make a cottage from, I went through all the options, assessed their advantages and disadvantages, listened to the feedback from the craftsmen and owners. In the end, I decided to use foamed concrete. It is inexpensive, and perfectly keeps the heat in the rooms, and large in size, which makes the process faster. I really built a house of one and a half floors from a foam block in a short period. I don't regret my choice at all positive traits porous concrete were confirmed during operation.

Yura, Moscow.

“Is it worth it to build buildings of foam concrete? Taking into account the pros and cons of such houses, as well as reviews, we can say with confidence that the building will last a long time and become a warm, cozy haven, a reliable fortress, if the approach to work is responsible at all stages, from design to finishing. All the nuances of masonry, the use of steam, hydro, thermal protective materials must be studied and taken into account.

Construction cost

It is impossible to say unequivocally how much a turnkey house made of foam concrete will cost, because there are many factors determining the cost. Even if we call the average values, the price range will be quite extensive: from 14,000 to 32,000 rubles per m2.

The cost of a residential building is the sum of the construction volumes, multiplied by the price of materials, and the prices for services provided by the contractor. If the construction is supposed to be done by one's own hands, then the last factor is excluded, which means that the costs are significantly reduced.

The cost of a multi-level cottage made of foam blocks is also influenced by such aspects as:

• preparation of project documentation;
• transportation of building materials, work related to their loading / unloading;
• engineering and technical services;
• exterior/interior decoration.

According to professionals, it is better to use the D500-900 brand for the home. By size, we will take those variations that are used most often.

Foam concrete dimensions, mm	Price per piece, rubles
	D500	D600	D700	D800	D900
600x300x200	93	105	114	122	130
600x300x250

The cost of heat blocks with a facade (endowed with one or another texture) is somewhat more expensive. For example, for one decorated product measuring 400x400x200, you will have to pay somewhere around 175 rubles.

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