The difference between aerated concrete and gas silicate. Aerated concrete or gas silicate: which is better and how they differ? The difference between gas silicate and aerated concrete blocks

Many Russians faced with construction country house, decide on the choice of material. Everyone wants a cheap, sturdy, environmentally friendly cottage. Manufacturers offer a large number of building materials, when choosing which you can make a mistake. Consider two popular materials from which they are now building their private houses, and make your choice. Which is better, foam concrete or gas silicate - such challenging task you need to decide.

Now the construction of houses from gas silicate blocks has become very popular. With the help of this inexpensive material you can quickly build a high-quality and comfortable home.

Manufacturing difference

A quiet war for the consumer is going on between manufacturers of building materials. Advertising on TV screens claims that it is their product that is better and cheaper. But an impartial assessment can be given by people who have already used this building material. To find out the disadvantages and advantages of gas silicate and foam concrete, consider the method of their production.

• both of these materials refer to aerated concrete - artificial stone, which consists of 85% air cells. This provides lightness and good sound and heat insulation;
• aerated concrete and gas silicate are very often confused. What are the real differences between? The second does not contain cement. They are also visually different. The gas silicate is white, the color is given by the silicate contained in it;
• the gas silicate block becomes solid, even if it is not placed in an autoclave, aerated concrete must be placed in an autoclave system to give it normal characteristics.

Aerated concrete blocks have lower thermal conductivity and noise insulation, and in strength they are inferior to blocks of gas silicate (aerated concrete). The price of aerated concrete blocks is higher than that of their twin brothers.

Manufacturing process

Gas silicate

Device wet facade using a gas silicate block: 1 - gas silicate block; 2 - adhesive composition; 3 - fasteners for facade insulation; 4 - mineral wool insulation; 5 - front reinforcing alkali-resistant mesh; 6 - reinforcing putty; 7 - crack-resistant facade plaster.

It consists of high-quality and environmentally friendly components: water, sand, cement, lime. To them is added aluminum powder, which serves as a blowing agent.

• the whole mass is thoroughly mixed, cut into strings and placed in molds, which are placed in an autoclave system. In it, gas silicate is subjected to long-term heat treatment. The pressure in the autoclave is maintained at 8-13 atmospheres;
• after all these operations, a good building material is obtained that does not burn, is durable and strong, and is well processed with simple tools.
• heat treatment, high pressure and humidity give gas silicate an operational advantage over foam concrete.

The first option has higher strength and lower density than foam concrete blocks.

The structure of the gas silicate has open pores, and this allows walls made from such blocks to breathe. Another of the advantages of such products over another option is their almost ideal shape. They can be used for laying internal and external walls, as well as various partitions.

Foam concrete

This element can be manufactured directly on the construction site. To do this, you need to have a concrete mixer and all the components for the manufacture of this material.

The main production difference lies in the ingredients that are added to the cement. They can create both organic and chemical foam.

Mix all the components, mix well and pour into molds, where the material hardens under natural conditions.

Besides:

• the foam block does not differ in exact linear dimensions;
• the foam block has a closed cell structure and therefore does not absorb moisture and does not breathe.

Differences between foam concrete and gas silicate

The structure of the outer wall made of gas silicate blocks: 1 - monolithic reinforcing belt; 2 - floor slab; 3 - gas silicate block; 4 - basalt-fibrous bonds; 5 - facing brick masonry.

The difference in block production is now clear to you. Now consider how their characteristics and properties differ.

Gas silicate blocks have a lower density, but it is still a denser material. Consequently, a house made of blocks, for the manufacture of which foam concrete was used, will weigh more than a structure made of aerated concrete blocks.

• thanks to firing, buildings made of gas silicate blocks are not deformed. They have good geometry and do not change over time. This cannot be said about foam concrete, foam blocks do not have exact geometry;
• in addition, the foam block is subject to shrinkage. Because of this, its dimensions are reduced, and cracks may appear in structures;
• but the main thing in the characteristics of elements made of foam concrete is the quality of their manufacture. If you observe the correct proportions of ingredients and foaming agents, then you will get good foam blocks with excellent geometry;
• comparing foam concrete and gas silicate in terms of frost resistance and thermal conductivity, you will see that they are approximately the same in these indicators;
• the water absorption of foam concrete is unique, a comparison between them is not even worth making;
• when comparing gas silicate and foam concrete at a price, the former loses by 25%. The price of aerated concrete equipment is much higher than that of the first.

Comparing and choosing the best of these two aerated concrete is a very difficult task. Which blocks are the best cannot be answered unequivocally.

• gas silicate is more durable, does not shrink, and is quite good in terms of thermal protection. But his price is higher. It cannot be used in a liquid state directly on the construction site, unlike another option. It is often used for casting directly into formwork. And at the same time, the water absorption rate is much higher.

When asked what is better to choose when making a comparison between

The modern building materials market is so large that sometimes it is easy to get lost in this assortment, as well as difficult to make the right one, right choice... A comparison of their advantages and disadvantages will help to choose which is still better - foam concrete or gas silicate. There are very few main conditions, however, the quality of the constructed building largely depends on them.

General information

The main advantage of these building materials is their low price with a low weight. This is the advantage of all cellular building materials. Although both of these materials are made of aerated concrete, they are fundamentally different from each other in manufacturing technology. And this affects the properties and characteristics.

Similarities and differences in manufacturing

Foam concrete and gas silicate have almost the same composition. The components that are present in both materials are water, cement, sand.Since these honeycomb cells have an identical composition, they have the following advantages:

• fire resistance;
• resistance against mold, mildew, rotting;
• resistance against damage to walls by various rodents;
• ease of installation.

Production of foam concrete is much easier than gas silicate.

If you know the nuances brickwork, then you can handle the masonry with gas silicate or foam concrete yourself. It is for these reasons that most are faced with a choice - brick, gas silicate or foam concrete?

It is worth dwelling on the consideration of the nuances, as well as gas silicate:

• The foam block is obtained thanks to the production technology in which concrete is added to the solution. Only after that, the resulting mass is poured into special forms, where it gains strength, as well as strength.
• In the course of a chemical reaction, hydrated lime together with aluminum make gas silicate. The mass of this substance includes small parts of aluminum powder. In the course of this reaction, hydrogen rises upward in the form of a gas, which forms a cellular structure. This material is produced in the form of large blocks. Gas silicate can be used only after the mass has hardened and cut into the necessary blocks.

It is these differences in production that affect the characteristics of the resulting building materials.

Comparison of characteristics

To know what to give preference to, gas silicate or foam block, you need to initially conduct comparative analysis their technical properties. Unfortunately, despite the rapid technological development, there is still no ideal in all respects. building material... For this reason, you have to make a choice based on the analysis and the gas silicate.

To find out which of these materials takes the first place, we need to conduct a comparative analysis according to the following characteristics:

• fortress;
• soundproofing;
• thermal insulation;
• ecological cleanliness;
• cost;
• ability to absorb moisture;
• do you need reinforcement;
• the need for decoration or decoration;
• the complexity of installation work;
• the quality of the materials made.

Strength

Gas silicate withstands loads better.

In the conditions of our country, they are used to building houses so that they stand for more than a dozen years. If we take into account the prices for building materials, it becomes clear that this is not only better, but also simply necessary. Because of this, it becomes clear the desire to choose the most durable material for the construction of walls. It must be remembered that the strength of gas silicate is much better than that of foam concrete. However, due to the reduced strength, such blocks are easily cut into the necessary parts, it is easier to make a hole or protrusions in them.

Gas silicate blocks offer much better resistance against various external loads. This helps them keep their original shape and do not paint during transportation or unloading. It follows from this that the erected building will come out much stronger.

From this comparison, it becomes clear that making a choice is difficult. Everything directly depends on what operations with the block will be performed. If it will be necessary to further process it, then better foam concrete... If you need a structure with strong and even walls, then the best choice there will be gas silicate.

Soundproofing

Due to the fact that foam concrete has a special porous structure, the level of sound insulation is higher than that of similar gas silicate blocks. But this does not mean that additional sound insulation will not be needed.

Thermal insulation

Have a warm and comfortable home all people want. And if we take into account that our winters are not too warm, then the desire not to depend constantly on heating devices becomes understandable. Walls, in the construction of which foam blocks or gas silicate are used, need additional insulation. This especially applies to insulation outside the building. Gas silicate has a much higher thermal insulation, however, insulation work is necessary.

The difference between the blocks is in the ability to absorb moisture

An ideal building must be dry. In this situation, precisely, because they have an almost unique ability not to absorb moisture. Due to such resistance to moisture, experts advise to make waterproofing only outside the house, which is built of cellular materials. There are differences in gas silicate in terms of hygroscopicity, but not too significant. However, this type of material also takes longer to dry.

Installation work

An important advantage of gas silicate is the absence of "shrinkage".

An important factor in construction is the convenience of performing the main technological works. Therefore, the convenience of laying with these materials is a great advantage. Foam concrete can be laid in any weather, even in rain, even in snow, even in frost. In addition, they can be applied immediately after production. You can start building as soon as the material is delivered to the desired location.

And since gas silicate absorbs moisture quite strongly, it is used for construction only after the blocks are completely dry. However, plaster works more with them, and this has a beneficial effect on decoration and decoration.

Of all types of building blocks, aerated concrete and gas silicate blocks are most often confused, they have a similar structure and characteristics, and at first glance there is no difference between them. It is impossible to say unequivocally which of these materials is better, they are not universal and are not devoid of disadvantages. But each of them has an optimal field of application.

The prefix "gas" means that these grades of concrete receive their porous structure by adding to the solution chemical substancesemitting bubbles, both during heat treatment and in natural conditions. The final diameter of the cells varies from 1 to 3 mm, they have the correct round shape and are evenly distributed throughout the volume, the porosity depends on the brand and reaches 80%. This allows the materials to retain heat well and isolate the premises from extraneous noise when minimum load on the foundation.

The differences lie in the composition and manufacturing technology. The raw materials include about 24% lime and 62% ground quartz sand, the rest is aluminum powder and alkaline additives. The mixture is poured into molds and undergoes mandatory autoclaving; gas silicate porization begins at the moment of steaming under excess pressure. The resulting brick is cut into pieces of the required size with strings, the products are characterized by high geometric accuracy. Due to lime, they most often have white color.

The mixtures contain at least 50% of cement, other components in addition to aluminum powder are different: from natural and environmentally friendly finely ground sand and minerals (including limestone) to cheap products recycling (ash, slag). This brand of aerated concrete is obtained both by autoclaving and by natural hardening or electric heating. At the same time, steaming aerated concrete allows you to improve its strength and achieve the required performance, but the process of cell formation itself begins earlier, at the moment of combining the components. The hydration (non-autoclave) variety hardens under atmospheric pressure, this manufacturing method is cheaper, but the process itself takes at least 28 days (the standard time for cement hydration).

Comparison of characteristics

In addition to different manufacturing technologies, differences appear during installation and operation: gazoslikat has a lighter and more homogeneous structure, surpasses cement-based blocks in noise absorption capacity, but inferior in resistance to external influences and durability. All types that have undergone autoclaving benefit in quality due to the uniform distribution of voids, it is they who are recommended to be selected for the construction of reliable structures operated in conditions of normal humidity. The difference between gas silicate and aerated concrete becomes more evident when comparing characteristics and properties:

Indication name	Gas silicate	Aerated concrete
Density grades	400 to 800	350 to 700
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W / m ° С	0,096-0,14	0,14-0,3
Compressive strength class	B1 to B5	Average B2.5
Water vapor permeability, mg / m h Pa	0,17-0,25	0,2
Water absorption,% of the total mass	25-30	20-25
Frost resistance, cycles	35	50
Shrinkage, mm / m	0,17-0,24	0,3
Noise absorption ability	High	Average
Flammability class	NG
Estimated service life, years	50	70

Both materials are fireproof, but under the influence of an open flame, aerated concrete retains its shape longer and beneficial features... Also, despite the closed structure of the cells, these types of lightweight concrete absorb moisture well and require adequate protection from steam and precipitation. At the risk of getting wet, experts advise choosing cement-based products as more resistant (in such conditions, a 5-10% difference can be decisive). The key difference is strength: due to heat treatment under pressure of 12-14 atm, gas silicate withstands high loads well and is less prone to cracking.

The controversial characteristics include frost resistance and durability, declared by the manufacturers of autoclave products for 100 cycles and 50 years in practice have not yet been confirmed. Construction forums claim that for both varieties, the average value does not exceed 35 and it is worth focusing on it. In practice, gas silicate elements are inferior in this regard, both because of the absence of cement in the composition, and because of the greater amount of water absorption, but in general the difference is insignificant.

What blocks are better for building a house?

When comparing these materials, they are guided by:

• Weight: with an equal strength class, aerated concrete blocks will be heavier, they exert a slightly greater load on the foundation.
• The need to ensure maximum energy savings: gas silicate retains heat better. The beneficial qualities of both types are manifested exclusively in a dry state; with insufficient protection from moisture, there is no difference between them.
• Geometric accuracy, in this regard, cut gas silicate elements benefit, their use reduces the cost of glue and finishing. For laying on a cement-sand mortar, it is better to choose non-autoclaved aerated concrete.
• The difference in price, the availability of building materials. With an equal size, aerated concrete products are cheaper; for household and similar buildings, blocks that solidify in a natural way, including self-production, are quite suitable.

Gas silicate is optimal for higher structural strength requirements. Both ordinary wall and partition walls, as well as non-standard and tongue-and-groove products are used, the latter are valued for their good energy-saving properties and comfortable grip. The construction of a house from aerated concrete is chosen with a limited construction budget, its non-autoclave varieties are recommended when pouring monolithic walls and ceilings. These blocks better remove moisture and, unlike gas silicate blocks, do not accumulate it inside.

Both types require additional reinforcement when laying rows in load-bearing structures.

Protection from moisture is carried out immediately, immediately after the end of shrinkage, with external wall decoration, preference is given to vapor-permeable materials or a system of ventilated facades. Siding is excellent for these purposes, it is inexpensive and does not crack.

Average cost of aerated concrete and gas silicate

Item type	Manufacturer	Density grade	Dimensions, mm	Quantity in a cube, pcs.	Price for 1 m3, rubles
Blocks autoclave hardening from gas silicate
Partition	Bonolit	D500	600 × 150 × 250	44,4	3600
Wall structural and thermal insulation		D400	600 × 400 × 250	16,7
Groove-comb, wall	Ytong	D500	625 × 250 × 250	25,64	4200
Smooth wall		D600			4900
Non-autoclaved aerated concrete blocks
partition	Sibgazobeton	D500	598 × 295 × 98	55,56	2600
wall			598 × 295 × 198	27,7	2700
		D600	560 × 295 × 198	29,76
Autoclaved aerated concrete
Wall blocks	Sibit	D500; D600	625 × 400 × 250	16	4400
			625 × 300 × 250	21,4
Tongue-and-groove, for glue laying	Betokam	D350- D500	600 × 400 × 250	16,7	3150
Smooth wall		D600			4000
		D700			4200

Due to the simpler manufacturing technology, aerated concrete is cheaper in comparison with gas silicate, but this applies only to hydration varieties. High-quality autoclave blocks with high geometric accuracy cost at least 3400 rubles / m 3. The leaders among the producers of gas silicate are Hebel, Wehrhahn (EKO), Kostroma ZSM, aerated concrete - Betolex, Aerobel, Betokam.

Now cellular concrete, to which the popularly known aerated concrete, foam concrete and gas silicate belong, are extremely popular, especially in private construction. However, many do not fully understand the difference between them, in particular, the difference between aerated concrete and gas silicate blocks, but it is.

The difference between aerated concrete and gas silicate lies in their composition and processing method, therefore, we will dwell on the production method in more detail.

Features of production

The aerated concrete block contains cement (this is the main component), sand, lime, water and aluminum powder, which guarantees the formation of air bubbles. Aerated concrete blocks can harden both in natural conditions and in special autoclaves. The second method, of course, is better and adds strength, reliability, thermal insulation, etc. to aerated concrete. The finished block of non-autoclave hardening looks gray, since there is a lot of cement, the autoclave has an almost white color.

Gas silicate blocks, although they belong to aerated concrete, have a slightly different composition. It is dominated by sand - 62%, and lime - 24%, there is also aluminum powder. The finished composition hardens only under autoclave conditions. The result is white blocks.

It should be noted that in fact, some domestic manufacturers make something in between aerated concrete and gas silicate - they add both lime and cement to the composition.

Advantages of aerated concrete and gas silicate

Before moving on to the comparison, it is worth noting some common features of these types of aerated concrete. So, both aerated concrete and gas silicate have excellent heat and sound insulation properties, they are cheaper than bricks, and in terms of environmental friendliness they are much superior to them, they are frost-resistant, fire-resistant, vapor-permeable, easy to process, install and finish, and durable. All these qualities are sufficiently expressed, but still slightly differ in these two materials.

Advantages of gas silicate over aerated concrete

Depending on the composition, the finished blocks have certain properties that we can consider as positive or negative, starting from some ideal building material. It is worth noting that the question of which material is better - gas silicate or aerated concrete - is rather controversial and does not have a definitive answer, but you can deduce this answer for yourself or for a specific situation.

1. As a result of the preparation of gas silicate blocks, air bubbles are distributed throughout the entire volume more evenly, so that strength such blocks come out higher in comparison with aerated concrete. As a result, the walls of the house are less likely to crack and shrink. That is why gas silicate is well used for the construction of load-bearing partitions; it is possible to build high-rise buildings from it, and all this with a density of 600 kg / m3. Similarly, for aerated concrete, if you want to build a house of 2-3 floors, it is better to use blocks with a density of 800-900 kg / m3 - this is according to the rules, but in practice blocks with a lower density are often used, but then the consequences are difficult to predict.
2. Due to this more correct location gas silicate has air bubbles and best performance in terms of noise insulation... So, if this indicator is fundamental for you, and requirements for the minimum sound transmission are put forward to the building, then it is better to choose gas silicate.
3. If purely important for someone aesthetic properties, then the gas silicate is somewhat whiter autoclaved aerated concrete, and significantly stands out against the background of non-autoclave.
4. Gas silicate has the best heat and sound insulation properties... This is again explained by the structural features of the gas silicate block. But in this regard, one should not discount aerated concrete, which also has excellent thermal insulation properties, which are only slightly inferior to gas silicate blocks, and in some cases are not inferior at all and even exceed the indicators of gas silicate.

Advantages of aerated concrete over gas silicate

Output

In fact, for construction, one- or two-storey house both aerated concrete and gas silicate blocks, especially since domestic manufacturers themselves sometimes give out one for another. According to their characteristics, they do not have radical and fundamental differences, but nevertheless there are some features. So, gas silicate blocks are stronger, but you will have to pay for this strength, but otherwise all the characteristics are very similar, and the difference between them is literally insignificant.

What is better foam block or gas silicate block, we will consider today in detail. In many ways, these two materials are quite similar, but there are some differences. And when deciding what is better gas silicate or foam block, you need to look at the characteristics of the material and the type of structure. Also on the video in this article and a photo you can get additional information on this issue.

Material characteristics

The difference between a gas silicate block and a foam block lies in the characteristics of the materials. They are both widely used in construction work.

By choosing required material it is necessary to look at the specifics of the use of the premises itself. After all, they build not only residential premises, but also use blocks for construction and technical structures.

Features of foam blocks

High quality construction material, produced in accordance with the norms and requirements of the state standard, has undoubted advantages in comparison with similar products.

It is worth listing the most significant points regarding foam concrete:

• Foam concrete has good strength... Its density is 1200 kg / m3. He has served for at least 50 years. After release, foam blocks ripen to brand strength within 10 years. The most durable types of foam blocks allow you to build structures up to four stories high.
• Since the foam blocks are lightweight, their installation is not difficult... The construction speed is much faster than with any other material. The low weight of foam block structures means less stress on the foundation.
• The insignificant thermal conductivity of the material is due to its porous structure... A wall made of a foam block is fashionable to have three times less thickness than a brick wall.
• The high quality of foam concrete and its environmental friendliness are comparable only with wood structures... If the environmental friendliness of wood corresponds to 1, then for a foam block this indicator is 2 with a brick indicator of 10.
• The use of foam blocks provides buildings with good sound insulation. It is extremely necessary when building structures in airport areas or near railways. A ten-centimeter thick foam block reduces the noise level by 43 dB.
• It is very easy to work with foam blocks, the material is perfectly cut and polished.
• Micropores of foam blocks allow the house to breathe... This makes the indoor climate lively and comfortable. Mold and mildew will not bother with their presence.
• The high speed of construction from this material attracts specialists.
• Foam blocks are completely fireproof.

The material also has certain disadvantages, because when deciding how the foam block differs from the gas silicate block, one must remember about them:

• First of all, you must always remember about the composition of foam blocks. For the release of the material, aluminum powder is used. It is necessary for the passage of the gas formation process. Each cubic meter of raw materials for the production of foam blocks requires 0.4 kg of powder. The result is a material whose composition is chemically active. Oxygen in the air quickly oxidizes aluminum. This process negatively affects the quality of the building material.
• The finished foam block contains 20 kg per cubic meter of bound aluminum, which has significant chemical activity. According to the manufacturer, foam concrete has excellent consumer characteristics and is completely safe. But in order to fulfill the conditions for using this material, all structures made of foam blocks require the most careful finishing (see). This leads to an increase in the cost of the structure as a whole.

Among other negative aspects of using foam concrete, it should be mentioned:

1. The need to use for masonry blocks of foam concrete is not the usual cement-sand mixture (see), but a special adhesive composition. Manufacturers prefer to keep silent about this. However, this requirement must be met, since otherwise the thermal insulation performance of the structure will significantly deteriorate. The thermal characteristics of the adhesive composition are similar to those of the foam concrete itself. Cement mixtures in this respect differ significantly. When laying foam blocks, cement joints are wider than the adhesive composition. This negatively affects the strength of the structure and the cost of construction.
2. The high price of the adhesive and the need to dilute it during use are negative factors. There are no complaints about the quality of the composition and the quality of the resulting masonry, the material is consumed sparingly. But the glue costs twice as much cement mortar... This makes construction more expensive.
3. Foam concrete blocks are manufactured using lime. Lime is required for a chemical reaction resulting in a cellular structure in the material. Lime has no negative properties, but in contact with metal, it affects it negatively. In the presence of lime, metal fittings undergo intense corrosion processes. Its alkaline reaction leads to destruction of the metal and a decrease in the strength of the structure. The applied metal protection does not guarantee the absence of corrosion after some time. Under any circumstances, construction costs go up.

Specificity of gas blocks

Aerated concrete is considered a successful invention. It is made from available raw materials, which allows the production of aerated concrete in huge quantities. It requires sand, lime and cement.

Aerated concrete refers to aerated concrete, has a porous structure.

The advantages of the material when used in construction are as follows:

• The incredible cheapness of aerated concrete.
• Excellent thermal insulation characteristics... The material has excellent heat retention. This allows you to reduce heating costs, and in the summer does not require room cooling.
• It is very convenient to work with aerated concrete... Significant block sizes, ridges, grooves, grips and low material weight make it easy to cope with the construction of structures. Aerated concrete is easily assembled, transported, perfectly cut, and can be sanded.
• Its vapor permeability is highly valued. The structure of the material in the form of cells allows the steam to freely escape outside the heated structure.
• Exterior walls made of aerated concrete do not require insulation.
• The material dries quickly due to its high vapor permeability. To maintain this quality, the plaster should not be coated with paint.
• Aerated concrete does not negative impact to health.

Among the weaknesses of aerated concrete, it is worth noting its increased fragility, noticeable thermal conductivity, significant water absorption, low compressive strength in blocks with low thermal conductivity. To nullify the influence of negative factors during construction, you just need to choose blocks of aerated concrete with the required characteristics.

Manufacturing materials

Lightweight concrete is produced from environmentally friendly raw materials. The most different ways production, technological processes differ significantly from each other.

Foam block option:

• Combining components with the addition of foaming additives
• Mixing of mechanical concrete with foam
• Natural hardening
• The use of inexpensive equipment for the release of material, available to the average entrepreneur (see). The material is often produced by very small handicraft enterprises.
• Products usually have a flat surface. Noticeable deviations in the size of the blocks complicate the laying and worsen its quality.

Production of gas blocks:

• Creation of a cellular structure due to the chemical reaction of the components
• Autoclaving required for greater material strength
• The possibility of production only in a large enterprise with the use of high-tech expensive equipment. The quality of gas blocks is in many ways superior to the quality of handicraft foam blocks.
• Gas silicate blocks have perfect geometry. It allows you to quickly mount structures, make them very durable, almost monolithic.

Raw materials for making blocks

These two types of cellular concrete are considered materials with excellent environmental characteristics. Sometimes questions arise regarding the use of aluminum powder used in the manufacture of aerated concrete. The finished product does not have this component.

• Foam blocks are produced using water, cement, lime and other additives. Industrial waste can be used - slags, etc. among the mandatory components there is a jetting lye. It is necessary to create a cellular structure of concrete.
• Aerated concrete includes water, lime, sand, cement. Aluminum paste is required. Aluminum powder is chemically active and can be harmful to health. During the manufacture of the product, pure aluminum is completely chemically bonded; it is not harmful to the body in the finished product.

What is the difference between foam concrete and gas silicate

Based on the foregoing, it is possible to determine how gas silicate blocks differ from foam blocks:

• The production of foam concrete requires only the use of high grade cement, sand and a chemical foaming agent. This circumstance makes it possible to produce material of good quality even in a handicraft way. This threatens to purchase a low-quality product on the market. It is difficult for the uninitiated to define marriage.
• The production of gas silicate requires more components. Autoclaving must be part of the process. It is possible to create conditions for material processing only in a developed modern enterprise, since too much pressure is required and heat... This material can only be released at a large industrial facility.
• The difference between the foam block and the gas silicate block is also in appearance... Aerated concrete has a white color, it has a homogeneous structure. Foam concrete looks much grayer.

Application and protection against moisture

These two aerated concrete have a very small specific gravity... The dimensions of two types of concrete blocks are much more sizes bricks. This facilitates faster laying of blocks.

Attention: It is necessary to remember that with all the advantages of cellular concrete blocks, moisture is destructive for them. The construction will require a strip foundation with reliable waterproofing.

• With the end of the construction of a structure from a foam block or gas silicate, protection of the surface from the effects external environment... Siding is considered a good option for this. It will shelter the structure from any kind of precipitation.
• The ingress of moisture on both types of concrete is highly undesirable. It significantly worsens specifications constructions.

Features of the structure of materials

Silicate blocks and foam blocks are excellent in their structure:

• Closed pores appear in foam concrete. Buildings made of it are distinguished by excellent thermal insulation. The soundproofing characteristics of the walls are also very good. Foam concrete does not absorb water as intensively as aerated concrete. Yet without exterior decoration in this case, you can't do it.
• A microcellular structure with microcracks is created in aerated concrete. In aerated concrete, water absorption occurs more strongly. It is absolutely necessary for him to create a coating to protect the effects of moisture.

Strength of materials

The strength of both aerated concrete is largely determined by the specific gravity. For foam concrete, the density can be from 650 to 711 kg / m3, aerated concrete is lighter - 450 kg / m3. it would seem that aerated concrete should yield in strength.

• However, this is not entirely obvious. Application modern technologies and the release of industrial production conditions make gas silicate blocks no less durable than foam concrete, the density of which is twice the value.
• Aerated concrete has the best quality and sufficient strength. Constructions made of it will be durable. Its use increases construction costs, which must be taken into account when choosing. For construction, it is worth choosing aerated concrete, even at its higher cost. Saving in this matter does not make sense.

Specific use of materials

Both types of foam blocks are usually used in low-rise construction.

If foam concrete is used:

• To create partitions (see),
• Load-bearing walls not higher
• Fencing elements

Then aerated concrete can be used for:

• Partitions
• Bearing structures
• the frames of monolithic structures from this material can be used to construct buildings of increased number of storeys, if stiffness belts are provided.

Which material is warmer

Foam blocks or silicate blocks have increased heat capacity. It is important to understand at the stage of determining the material, which of them will allow you to get a warm building.

• With low frost resistance of aerated concrete, its important advantage is the ideal geometry of each block. Masonry from it with the use of cement-adhesive compositions allows you to make the structure almost monolithic. The fit of these blocks is very high. This means minimizing the influence of cold bridges.
• You can understand a lot by the coefficient of thermal conductivity. Aerated concrete D 500 has a value of 0.12, foam concrete D 700 has half the coefficient.
• Foam blocks have high thermal resistance. The material perfectly accumulates thermal energy. This makes it possible to reduce heat consumption when heating buildings and structures. In this case, the walls of a building made of foam concrete should be twice as thick as the walls built from aerated blocks.
• Aerated concrete structures are twice as warm as aerated concrete structures with an equal wall thickness. Insulation of the building and the construction of a ventilated facade will be required for a more comfortable environment in the house.

The cost of foam concrete and aerated concrete

Price sometimes affects the final decision:

• Aerated concrete blocks are produced on expensive equipment using complex technology, which in itself requires serious costs.
• Foam blocks can be produced in handicraft industries. Sometimes they are produced directly at the construction site. They are of inferior quality than aerated concrete. The geometry of the foam blocks is not ideal, which affects the process of their laying.
• Aerated concrete is more expensive. With more expensive construction, the advantage in using aerated concrete lies in the durability of the structure. Ideal material dimensions allow minimizing glue consumption when laying blocks. Foam blocks usually need more mortar for masonry, since they do not have the correct geometry. It is possible to correct the errors of the material only with an additional amount of cement mortar during laying.

Foam blocks or gas silicate blocks, which you can better define in your specific case. After all, you have to proceed from this. By doing the work yourself, you will significantly reduce costs. And for all types of work there is detailed instructions on our website.