On the market, wall materials are presented in a wide variety, so developers are faced with the difficult task of choosing. Light artificial stones - foam blocks, gas blocks and cinder blocks - are very popular in low-rise construction (house, garage, bathhouse). But in order to choose the most suitable option, it is necessary to compare their physical and mechanical properties and technical characteristics.

The cinder block consists of a light filler - slag, Portland cement is used as a binder, and sand, screenings or gravel are additives. The density depends on the aggregate fraction: the larger, the lighter the material. The volume of one cinder block is equal to 4-5 bricks, which means that construction will progress very quickly, while masonry mortar is saved. The cost of such blocks is lower compared to analogs.

For the production of a foam block, lightweight porous foam concrete is used, which consists of Portland cement with the addition of sand, water and a foaming agent. An artificial stone is made in two ways: by pouring it into special forms or by sawing a monolith from aerated concrete into blocks of the required size. A wall element can be:

• Heat insulating - D300-D500.
• Structural and thermal insulation - D500-D900.
• Structural - D1000-D1200.

Main characteristics

To give preference to a foam block or a cinder block, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with all the properties of both materials, after which it will be possible to compare and determine which stone is better. The table below shows the technical characteristics of the wall blocks.

All these parameters of the stone have a good effect on the operational characteristics of buildings for various purposes. The foam block is suitable for building houses, as it is able to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. In addition, the foam block is not afraid of dampness, since thanks to the porous texture, the air humidity is regulated (such properties are inherent only in wood).

Advantages and disadvantages

Construction from slag and foam blocks is popular due to the following features of the wall material and numerous advantages:

1. high strength and reliability;

2. good sound and heat insulation;

3. favorable microclimate at any time of the year;

4. fire safety and fire resistance (up to 4 hours the stone is able to withstand high temperatures, does not crack or burst);

5. resistance to temperature extremes;

6. low coefficient of shrinkage;

7. Ability to withstand heavy loads;

8. environmental friendliness of raw materials (complete safety and compliance with European standards);

9. efficiency - no need to build a powerful foundation, additional insulation;

10. the ability to build buildings on unstable soils and independently, without the help of specialists;

11. fast laying due to its large size;

12. easy processing (it is well cut, drilled, sawed with ordinary tools - a hacksaw or a saw, as well as a wall for electrical wiring and communications, compared to a stone made of slag);

13. availability - low cost;

14. durability.

The disadvantages of foam concrete include:

• violation of production technology, as a result, the material is brittle and unsuitable for construction;
• water absorption, due to which premature destruction of the stone occurs.

All these shortcomings can be easily eliminated if the walls of the house, garage or bath are protected with high-quality finishing. In order not to be mistaken in the reliability of the blocks, it is better to buy from trusted manufacturers that guarantee high quality and strength.

Why is it better to build from a foam block?

An overview of the characteristics and features of slag and foam blocks makes it possible to choose the most suitable option. Comparing all the advantages and disadvantages, it becomes clear how cost-effective and practical the foam block is. A garage or a bathhouse built from light stone will not only last a long time, but will also not create problems during the entire operational period.

A small structure can be erected in a few days and will require significantly less labor and the amount of masonry mortar compared to the same volume, but made of brick. When constructing a building from foam blocks, significant savings on the foundation occur. A strong and reliable bond between the stones is created by a special glue, and so that "cold bridges" do not form, the layer thickness should not be more than 1 cm. The smooth sides of the foam blocks allow for high-quality external cladding and for these purposes different finishes can be used.

At the present time, the variety of building materials is very large, so it will not be difficult to build a fence, house or garage. It is easy to work with such building materials for both a professional builder and an ordinary person. Now on the market, foam concrete or aerated concrete is quite often offered for the construction of houses. They practically do not differ from the standard materials that have already become traditional for us: wood, cinder block and brick, but for some unknown reason, many builders are afraid to work with such materials. But after all, before starting construction, you need to select a good and high-quality material, therefore it is much wiser to first find out everything about everything, and then make the only right choice for yourself. Moreover, progress does not stand still and being afraid of the new is definitely not the right choice.

Unknowing people, seeing a foam block and a cinder block, can say that they are very similar and hardly differ from each other. But don't jump to conclusions. Outwardly, they are really similar, but a number of distinctive qualities make these two building materials completely different both during the construction process and during the operation of the finished housing. Let's take a closer look at all the advantages and disadvantages of foam concrete and cinder block and find out how they differ and which one will be better.

Cinder block

Cinder block is not a new material in the construction field. It has been tested for decades, and that is why they are not afraid to buy and build houses from it. In any more or less large settlement, you can find a cinder block manufacturer, with the production technology everything is clear and understandable for a long time - a lot of experiments were carried out, which were tested in practice and gave certain results that allow drawing conclusions.

The first thing that catches your eye is the rather low price of the material, it is directly dependent on the fact that secondary material is used in the production of blocks - slag. Also, the block is made from a concrete mixture and various fillers, so it will be somewhat lighter than a brick. The weight and size of each block may not match, since the cinder block does not have GOST standards. Such material can be produced not only in factories, but also in private firms, which again does not make it possible to unequivocally judge the quality of the material.

Another of the distinguishing features of the cinder block is its low thermal conductivity, when compared with a brick or foam block. But here, too, the developers found a way out. they have improved by using various fillers. Therefore, if you need more heat-conducting materials, pay attention to the composition of the cinder block.

Many experts who have worked with such blocks recommend cinder blocks with lime admixtures, since they are more durable. And few people know that cinder blocks can be used not only for the construction of walls, but also for laying a solid foundation.

Pros of cinder block

One of the most important advantages is its speed and ease of use. The cinder block in its size replaces about 7 bricks, so it takes only a couple of hours to lay out the wall.

Due to its low thermal conductivity, the cinder block is a good thermal insulation material.

A wall built with a cinder block dries up much faster than any other material.

The cinder block is not dangerous for human health, since it is completely non-toxic, does not contain radioactive substances, and is fire-resistant.

Although, of course, it will not be superfluous to check the documents with a sanitary and hygienic conclusion for the purchased batch of material. Radiation is a relative indicator.

Cons of cinder block

Has a very low level of sound insulation. Therefore, it is still better to use a cinder block for walls inside a residential building. If you live near a busy road or are building an apartment building for several tenants, after a short period of time you, with a high degree of probability, will want to soundproof the walls, and this is a troublesome and costly pleasure.

After the construction of the walls is completed, it will be necessary to make internal and external decoration, since externally the cinder block does not differ in elegance and attractiveness.

Cinder blocks are very afraid of water and moisture, so walls can collapse relatively quickly in our climatic conditions. This can be avoided only by significantly working out the elements of the hydro and vapor barrier of the walls, both from the outside and from the inside of the building.

The large weight of the cinder block wall requires a reliable foundation. For multi-storey construction, such material is not recommended, since there is a high risk of cracking the walls and foundations.

The cinder block makes it difficult to install the wiring of internal communications. It is not very easy to work with it; considerable physical strength is required both for transportation and for laying the walls. To work independently with a cinder block, if possible, is definitely problematic.

If, nevertheless, you settled on cinder block material, do not forget that after using it you will need to cover the outside of the house with brick or, for example, siding. And this will lead to some waste.

Foam blocks

Foam concrete blocks are made by foaming concrete with special installations. The quality of the foam block is practically in no way inferior to the brick. And the biggest plus is the cost of the blocks. It is much shorter than a brick. But, despite the fact that foam concrete is very similar to brick, it also has its positive and negative sides.

Advantages of the foam block

The foam block is an environmentally friendly product that does not harm people. It is made almost entirely of natural material: sand, cement and foaming agent.

Fire resistant and reacts well to possible temperature changes.

Walls made of foam block do not need additional insulation.

The small weight of the foam block will allow you to install the foundation and drive out the walls on not very stable ground. It is easier to work with it, which means that the time spent on construction is reduced.

In comparison with a cinder block, communication in a foam block is quite easy to carry out.

It has a very high level of sound insulation, so it can be used not only for interior walls.

Cons of the foam block

Disrupted technology in the manufacture of a foam block can affect the quality of the product itself. Blocks will break and crumble a lot.

Just like the gas block, it does not like moisture, the lack of ventilation, as a result, can collapse.

All the disadvantages of the foam block can be easily and simply eliminated. And in order to protect yourself from a low-quality product, you need to buy blocks from trusted manufacturers. Also, the facade wall can be protected from moisture if the facade is finished with heat-insulating material.

Which material is better - cinder block or foam block

After all the positive and negative aspects of these materials have been listed, a conclusion can be drawn. Cinder block will not be the worst material for construction, and its low price, in comparison with brick, cannot but rejoice.

But all the same, the foam block will be the most suitable material for the construction of houses. It is not inferior in quality to either brick or cinder block. And also all the disadvantages of a foam block can be easily corrected and the price will be much less than a brick, but more cinder block. Also, the long service life of this material will not leave anyone indifferent. Given the current trend towards energy savings, the high heat-preserving rate of the foam block will more than pay off its cost in just a few years.

Building a block bath is an economical alternative to timber construction. Using this option allows you to shorten the term of work and reduce labor costs. Since this is a large group of materials, let's try to figure out which blocks are best for building a bath.

What is the specificity of the bath?

The material used for the construction of such objects must have the following properties:

1. Low thermal conductivity. The lower the thermal conductivity of the material, the more efficient the bath is: it heats up faster and cools down more slowly.
2. Resistant to water. The Russian bath involves intensive use of hot water steam. Not every material is capable of maintaining its structural properties for a long time under such conditions.
3. Resistance to temperature extremes. Heating followed by cooling leads to accelerated wear of structures. This phenomenon is most noticeable when using the bath in winter.
4. Environmental Safety.

Variants

The existing types of blocks have a high level of thermal insulation and a relatively low cost. Let's consider the specific features of the various options.

Aerated concrete

This is a material based on foamed concrete, produced in an industrial environment with mandatory autoclaving. The thermal conductivity and strength of this option depend on the density. The higher the density of the material, the higher the strength, but the lower the thermal conductivity. Therefore, it is advisable to use low density aerated concrete for compact baths, and high density for large projects.

Advantages: stability of geometric dimensions and ease of processing. Aerated concrete is laid on glue, which eliminates cold bridges and improves insulating properties.

Cons: Ability to absorb moisture. As a result of the accumulation of moisture, the performance properties of the material deteriorate.

Gas silicate

The production technology of this material is identical to the production technology of aerated concrete. The difference is that the main component of the side is not cement, but lime.

Gas silicate is characterized by an even higher hygroscopicity, and therefore is not very suitable for the construction of Russian baths.

Foam concrete

A simplified version of aerated concrete. For the production of foam concrete, industrial conditions are not needed, which allows you to make the material yourself.

Pros: low cost.

Cons: variation in size and the risk of getting low-quality material.

Cinder blocks

It is a material based on concrete and wood waste. The share of waste can reach 90% of the block volume. Hence the low cost and availability to all segments of the population.

Cons: inconsistency in size, low load-bearing properties, controversial level of fire safety. It is advisable to use cinder blocks in conditions of austerity and independent production (so you can be sure of the quality of the material).

Expanded clay concrete

An improved version of the cinder block, where expanded clay is used instead of waste. This approach increases the strength of the block and makes its properties stable. Expanded clay concrete weakly absorbs moisture and tolerates low temperatures well, as well as sudden changes.

Ceramic blocks

In fact, it is an enlarged brick with a high volume fraction of voids. The material is characterized by high performance properties and price.

Output

What blocks are better for building a bathhouse? According to the combination of operational properties and cost, the best option is aerated concrete and expanded clay concrete. If you can afford to use ceramic materials, then you should consider using traditional wood.

In the modern world, construction technologies allow the use of various materials in the construction of houses and other objects. It is possible to solve the issue of building a house, even if you have a very modest budget. Approaching the issue of choice, many turn their attention to materials that have a democratic price. This list includes both a cinder block and a foam block, but which is better for the construction of buildings? Dealing with this issue, it is worth proceeding from their characteristics and other properties of these materials, because they have different thermal conductivity, strength, as well as their inherent disadvantages and advantages.

The cinder block is made by vibrocompression of the form, from a variety of materials.

It can be:

• sawdust,
• perlite grains (volcanic rock),
• boiler slag,
• ash,
• also expanded clay, broken concrete or brick,
• sand, granite or river pebbles,
• directly the slag itself.

You can watch the video about how a cinder block is made at home:

Its properties directly depend on the use in the production of a block of materials:

1. If you want to achieve maximum strength, heat resistance, frost resistance, then it is better to make a solid cinder block from sand, crushed stone or pebbles.
2. Lighter weight, hollow blocks, with lower thermal conductivity, are made from perlite, expanded clay, slag, and the addition of sawdust makes it possible to release a heat-resistant, ecological material.

Foam blocks are made from a mixture of cement, water, sand, foam by stirring this mixture, so that air bubbles are evenly distributed inside the block. They can be made on the basis of synthetic and natural foaming agents.

By changing the number of certain elements in the block, you can change its characteristics.

For example, when the amount of sand is reduced, it is possible to increase its strength. By density, strength and thermal conductivity, foam blocks are divided into 11 types, starting with the D300 brand and ending with D1200. The higher the grade value, the better the strength value of that material.

In terms of frost resistance, this material is divided into four types, these indicators vary from 15 to 75 cycles. With a value of 75 cycles, this material can be used in construction, taking into account the northern regions of the country.

Also, foam blocks can be distinguished depending on the method of their manufacture - cut or molded block.

Advantages and disadvantages

In this section, we will touch on the question of which material is better in terms of its characteristics, cinder block or foam block.

Walls from foam blocks

The advantages of this material include the fact that the cinder block:

• resistant to high temperatures, this indicates the fire safety of the material,
• it also minimizes the heat loss of the building, thanks to its heat engineering characteristics,
• also the cinder block is not subject to shrinkage and is strong enough for the construction of low-rise buildings,
• easy to handle and, due to its size and weight, is easy to work with,
• is inexpensive.

The disadvantages of this building material include:

• low sound insulation, especially for hollow blocks,
• despite a certain degree of strength, fragility during cladding, installation, transportation of the product,
• it can also be noted: poor waterproofing of the cinder block, when moisture enters it, it is subject to destruction,
• another negative is the difficulty of carrying out work on the plaster of this material, due to its great adhesion.

Due to its advantages, the foam block is a durable material, heat, moisture do not have a destructive effect on it, it is not subject to decay. Due to its porous structure, it has good thermal insulation, which makes additional external insulation of the building unnecessary.

• excellent sound insulation that meets all modern standards,
• incombustibility, thanks to which the foam block is a good obstacle to the spread of fire, it can, without cracking for several hours, withstand exposure to high temperatures.

The fine-pored structure of this building material ensures that the interior of the building maintains a microclimate with various changes in external temperature, warmth in winter, coolness in summer. Also, this feature makes it easier to process such blocks.

Another advantage of this raw material is its low weight with significant dimensions, which reduces the load on the foundation and the consumption of fastening mixtures, it comes out cheaper than when building with other materials.

The disadvantages of this building material include:

• slow set of strength,
• cracking reaction to shrinkage phenomenon,
• chipping of edges during transportation,
• also the absorption of moisture, which can subsequently contribute to the destruction of blocks,
• unpresentable appearance.

We look at the video for the real results of research on modern building porous materials:

Application in construction

The use of cinder block in construction

The use of cinder block in construction is very diverse and depends on the type of material chosen. For the walls and foundations of the house, it is better to use a solid cinder block, and for the construction of partitions in a house, a bath, a garage, a barn and other utility rooms, hollow blocks are quite suitable. He also proved himself well, as a heater in frame-type structures. This will be the optimal material for such buildings.

The use of foam blocks in the construction of buildings of various storeys is considered optimal, taking into account the economic benefits. Which grade of this material is best for the construction of certain buildings depends on their type.

As a rule, baths are erected from wood, but nowadays it is not so easy to find a sufficiently skillful carpenter who could perfectly cope with the task, and besides, his services will not be cheap. In this regard, the construction of baths from blocks is gaining more and more popularity. This article will discuss which blocks are best for a bath and what types of them there are.

Today, you can find many types of blocks that have both their pros and cons. But their most important advantage is that you do not need to have special skills in order to independently build a bathhouse from wood and blocks. It is enough to have at least the slightest experience in construction or familiar builders. In addition, due to the small mass of the blocks, there is no need for a reinforced foundation - this will reduce construction time, effort and finance.

Varieties of blocks, their qualities and characteristics

Aerated concrete is concrete with a cellular structure. It is made from cement with the addition of quartz sand and foaming agents. The finished mixture is distributed into molds and water is added. In the course of the reaction, the mass foams, filling the mold.

To make the material stronger, the finished blocks are steam-treated in autoclaves. As a result of high pressure, quartz sand changes its structure, becoming stronger. In other words, a foam block is a lightweight artificial stone with great strength.

What blocks are better for building a bathhouse when erecting load-bearing walls and partitions? Of course, this is autoclaved aerated concrete (read: ""). For insulation, you can also use non-autoclave, since it is cheaper, but its strength is not so high.

Aerated concrete blocks are found in various densities:

• 0.3-0.5 t / m 3 - used for thermal insulation;
• 0.5-1.2 t / m 3 - suitable for building walls.

For the construction of small buildings, aerated concrete of the D500 brand with a density of 0.5 t / m 3 is suitable. It can also be used to lay out boxes and partitions, and its price is not as high as that of high-density brands. When building a bath from a foam block or aerated block, in order to save them, they are laid on the edge, while the wall will turn out to be about 200 mm thick (in more detail: ""). This will be enough, because the block perfectly retains heat, and the walls themselves will still be insulated.

Aerated concrete is notable for the fact that it has a small mass, it is easy to process (a hacksaw is suitable for cutting, and you can make a hole with a simple drill), it is not flammable, and over time it only becomes stronger. Of the minuses, it can be noted that it is highly hygroscopic (for low-quality material) and a considerable cost.

To reduce the moisture-absorbing properties of blocks, special substances are added to them. It is better to lay blocks on special adhesives. The cement mortar will give up a lot of moisture to the blocks, as a result of which their thermal insulation qualities will be significantly affected.

A variety of aerated concrete - gas silicate - is distinguished by an astringent additive. For aerated concrete, this is cement - up to 60%, and for gas silicate it is lime - 24% and 62% of quartz sand. In addition, gas silicate is produced only in autoclaves. Materials vary in color and hygroscopicity.

Gas silicate is white, it is able to strongly absorb moisture, from which it is subject to destruction. Aerated concrete, on the contrary, allows moisture to pass through, keeping the room at a normal humidity level. That is, when choosing between these two materials, unambiguously, aerated concrete will be the best choice.

Foam concrete is one of the types of aerated concrete. For its production, a composition of cement, sand and water is used, to which foam from a foam generator is added. The manufacturing technology of foam blocks is quite simple, so that the production process is possible privately.

This, in turn, generates a number of dangers for the end user, since there is a high chance of buying poor quality material at an inappropriate price. Over time, such material will surely begin to deteriorate and collapse.

The positive side of foam concrete can be considered its lower cost compared to aerated concrete and higher levels of hygro-resistance.

For the production of cinder blocks, waste is used, they are added to the cement mortar. Slag from the combustion of coal and other materials is used as waste. This type of building material is considered the cheapest, but there is one caveat - the slag must be kept for at least a year before use, otherwise it is capable of releasing toxic substances.

Sawdust can serve as a filler in the production of building blocks, and this material is called sawdust concrete. It is easy to cut and drill, and its thermal conductivity is twice that of a brick. In addition, sawdust concrete is an environmentally friendly and non-combustible material, and it has a small mass.

Among the minuses, one can single out the fact that the material is afraid of moisture, but this is partially eliminated by pretreating the sawdust with moisture-repellent mixtures or by moisture-proofing the walls.

Expanded clay concrete is another type of building blocks, which, by and large, replaced the cinder block. In this case, expanded clay (burnt and foamed clay) acts as a filler. Expanded clay concrete is absolutely harmless, maximally hygroscopic and has high thermal insulation properties.

Blocks made of such material have a relatively low mass. A bath from it turns out to be more practical than from foam concrete or aerated concrete, since expanded clay concrete requires less thermal insulation materials, and it is easier to mount fasteners. It is also practiced to insulate the bath from expanded clay concrete blocks from the inside, which is very effective.

The thermal insulation qualities of expanded clay concrete are determined by the fractions of the filling composition - the larger they are, the higher these qualities are, but the density decreases. In the process of building a bath from such material, it is best to carry out insulation from the inside.

Basalt wool can be used as a heater, followed by a layer of foil paper. The gap between the insulation and the finishing materials should be 2.5 cm.

Ceramic blocks

Separately, it is worth mentioning ceramic blocks, which can also be used to build a bath. Increasingly, you can see advertisements that say that this building material has a higher strength and, moreover, it retains heat better.

However, according to many laboratory tests of ceramic blocks and the analysis of already erected structures, not everything is as perfect as the manufacturers of such material extol all.

How to build a bathhouse from blocks

The very first thing any construction begins with is the definition of the type of foundation. If you nevertheless decide to build a bathhouse from blocks, it is best to give preference to a strip or pile type of foundation, since almost all types of blocks have a small mass, and the finished structure will consist of only one floor. Therefore, there is no need for unnecessary spending of time, effort and finances on laying an unreasonably strong and complex foundation.

The laying of blocks is no different from that of bricks. The difference is minimal, and it lies in laying, if desired, a metal mesh every 2-3 rows of blocks (read: ""). Thanks to the mesh, the whole structure will become stronger. So that the construction of walls is not accompanied by difficulties, try to lay out the starting row of blocks as clearly as possible. This row should level out all the unevenness of the foundation. On the topmost row, it is advisable to lay a wreath made of timber, which will strengthen the structure, in addition, it will be possible to fix the rafter system and the base of the roof to it.

As a heater, you can use basalt wool, after a layer of which a foil film is laid, or vapor barrier membranes. It is better if a gap is left between the foil and the finishing layer, which can be provided by stuffing strips with a thickness of 2.5 cm.

Almost all types of blocks require exterior decoration. In this case, everyone determines the approach for themselves on their own - you can simply plaster the walls and paint, or you can cover them with finishing stone or brick, for example. Siding will work, but you will need to maintain a clearance of at least 5cm from the wall to ensure adequate ventilation. The roof can also be made of any design.

Opinions of the owners of baths from blocks

If during the construction of the bath you follow all the rules, then there should not be any nuances and unforeseen moments. The main thing is to purchase high-quality material so that it is not damaged during delivery. Below we will consider a few reviews of what the owners think of their block saunas.

“We have been using our bathhouse, which we ourselves have built, for more than a year. Its dimensions are 3 × 3 m, and, frankly, we really like it. We also made the stove ourselves, while adhering to all fire safety rules. We placed it horizontally. The inside of the bath was finished with wooden clapboard, and the outside was overlaid with bricks.

We thought for a long time what is better for a bath - a foam block or a gas block. As a result, we settled on the first option, of course, then we made the walls insulated (read also: ""). I got almost all the information from the Internet, I planned everything out, and in the end I came up with an ideal bathhouse for affordable money! "

“Our bathhouse is made of a polystyrene block, its dimensions are 5 × 4.5 m. We have been using it for about two years. Until now, they used a wood-burning stove, but now they decided to replace it with a Tunguska stove. From the inside, the bath was insulated with foil and sheathed with aspen clapboard. The outside was simply plastered and painted. As a result, the bath is perfectly functioning and only positive emotions. The bath heats up in a couple of hours, it keeps the heat just fine. "

There are no foreign odors inside the bath at all; outside they just whitewashed. It took a long time to choose which foam blocks are best for the bath, until they found the right option. The walls were erected as quickly as possible, with a minimum of effort. The blocks are easy to handle, a simple hacksaw will do for sawing, and all you need is a simple drill to drill. It took only two days to build the walls, despite the fact that only one person helped me - a medium-sized bathhouse. "

Finally

Summing up, we can say with confidence that a block bath is quite a worthy option. With a limited budget or time, such a bath is really worth building.