A new trend in construction is the use of blocks from cellular concrete. These include aerated concrete and foam concrete. Particularly lively discussions are taking place around aerated concrete, its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Despite conflicting opinions (any building material has pros and cons), aerated concrete has proven itself well in private construction.
Cottages and houses built from aerated concrete blocks have been standing for several decades and will confidently stand for at least a hundred more. Despite the fact that building a house from aerated concrete is cheaper than from brick. Inexpensive does not mean bad, by the way, sometimes quite the opposite. Of course, such a service life indicator is only possible if standards and regulations are observed. And the recommended technology for building an aerated concrete house has been taken as an axiom.
But, if professionals are guided by many years of experience, then beginners who want to do the work themselves need step by step instructions from A to Z, from the foundation to the roof.
All processes of constructing a private house are regulated by such standards as:
GOST 31359-2007 “Autoclave-hardening cellular concrete”;
GOST 10884-94 “Thermomechanically strengthened reinforcing steel for reinforced concrete structures”;
GOST 9561-91 “Multi-hollow reinforced concrete floor slabs for buildings and structures”;
SP 22.13330.2011 “Foundations of buildings and structures”;
Construction of a house from aerated concrete blocks
To achieve a good result, even without construction experience, you need to carry out the work step by step, below are step-by-step instructions that were compiled on practical experience and on owner reviews.
Stage 1 - Calculation of the amount of material per house
How much building material will be needed, how thick the walls should be, how many blocks, glue and reinforcement to prepare.
Material for construction:
- the required configuration in the calculated quantity;
- fittings with a diameter of 6-8-10 mm;
- adhesive solutions for aerated concrete masonry;
- material for the foundation: concrete, crushed stone, sand, reinforcement, piles, pillars, etc. The quantity and type are determined by the type of foundation;
- floor slabs (if necessary);
- lumber (for the roof rafter system and formwork);
- roofing material and related materials (waterproofing film, plywood, OSB, hardware, etc.).
Thickness of aerated concrete walls - calculation
The number of blocks is affected by the thickness of the aerated concrete wall, which is determined at the design stage.
- climatic conditions (amount of precipitation, wind strength and direction, average annual temperature. Data are taken from directories of the architecture department);
- thickness of aerated concrete block;
- view adhesive composition. When using aerated concrete adhesive (ready-made masonry mixture) layer thickness is 2-3 mm, which reduces heat loss. When using traditional cement mortar, it increases;
- intended appearance exterior finishing(the presence of cladding reduces heat loss);
- heating power, which varies depending on the region. For example, in Moscow and the region the power is 6,000. The power is determined through the GSOP indicator (degree-day heating season) and for each region is indicated in the directory (to obtain data, you should contact the architecture department at the construction site). In private construction, this indicator is determined by the power of the house heating system specified in the design documentation;
- density of the aerated concrete block (grade D300, 400, 500, 600), which determines its thermal conductivity. For example, with a GSOP of 6,000, the heat transfer wall resistance standard is at least 3.28 (m2 °C/W). Data for determination in a specific region can be gleaned from SNiP 02/23/2003. Some data is shown in the table.
The heat capacity indicator for aerated concrete brand D600 (density at normal humidity 600 kg/m3) is 0.14 m2 °C/W.
When calculating the wall thickness, the heat transfer resistance indicator for the exterior finishing material is taken into account. For example, for gypsum plaster it is 0.4 W/(m°C), for cement 0.58 W/(m°C).
To avoid confusion in dimensions, please note: heat transfer resistance (m2 °C/W), the reciprocal of the heat capacity (W/(m°C)).
Note. With an increase in humidity from 5 to 12%, the thermal conductivity will increase to 0.21.
You can simplify the calculations using the table
Calculation of the number of aerated concrete blocks per house
Main consumables when building a house - gas blocks.
How to calculate how many blocks are needed for a house?
Using the formula (result for load-bearing walls, in pieces):
Rbl. = ((L*H - Spr) / Sbl) * k
Rbl.- number of blocks of a given thickness;
L- length of the wall;
H- wall height;
Spr- area of openings (windows + doors);
Sbl- block area;
k- coefficient that determines the waste of aerated concrete for trimming. For a house with a simple configuration it is 5%. For more complex structures- up to 15%.
Please note that the thickness of the wall is determined by the thickness of the block. That is, in this way you can calculate the number of pieces of aerated concrete blocks with a masonry thickness of one block. If the walls are laid in two blocks, the resulting value should be multiplied by 2.
Calculation of the amount of aerated concrete for internal partitions performed in the same way.
Calculation of reinforcement for reinforcing aerated concrete masonry
The required amount of reinforcing rod for reinforcing walls in linear meters can be calculated using the formula:
Ra = 2*L*H / 4h
Ra- length of reinforcement;
L- length of the wall;
H- wall height;
h- the height of one aerated concrete block;
4
- masonry reinforcement is performed in every fourth row;
2
- the reinforcement is laid in two rows in each row of aerated concrete masonry.
Calculation of adhesive for aerated concrete
The calculation is related to the glue consumption, which depends on the recommended seam thickness and the size of the gas block. On average, it takes 1 bag (25 kg) of glue to lay 1 cubic meter of aerated concrete blocks.
Foundation calculation
The amount of concrete, piles or other materials for the foundation is determined based on its type and parameters (depth, width, length).
Tools for building a house from aerated concrete
- level, plumb line, square;
- hand saw (preferably with pobedit tips, otherwise a regular one will quickly become unusable);
- plane, grater or sanding board;
- mallet;
- manual wall chaser for aerated concrete (designed for cutting grooves for reinforcement, anchors, wiring of communications);
- brush for removing dust after the wall chaser;
- drills - screw and feather;
- container and drill with an attachment (mixer) for mixing the solution;
- trowel, spatula for applying mortar or carriage for applying glue.
- a guide template (corner) will simplify the cutting of aerated concrete blocks in door or window openings, as well as slopes and when forming semicircular elements.
Simultaneously with the calculations and purchase of material, the site for future construction is cleaned - garbage removal, removal of trees, removal, if necessary, of a layer of soil, etc.
Stage 2 - Selecting and pouring the foundation
The construction of a foundation for a house made of aerated concrete blocks is a prerequisite that determines the longevity of the functioning of the building. Despite the lightness of cellular concrete, you should not think that any type of foundation will do.
The choice will be influenced by several factors: region of residence (determines the depth of soil freezing), soil condition, level of occurrence groundwater, relief of the land plot for construction, owner’s capabilities, etc. A more detailed overview of the types of foundations for aerated concrete will make it possible to make an informed decision taking into account economic and technical factors.
Stage 3 - Basement and blind area
Considering the hygroscopicity of aerated concrete, it is obvious that it needs protection from all sides. On the foundation side, the role of protector is played by the plinth and blind area.
Even though minimum height The base of the foundation above the ground according to SNiP II-22-81 is considered to be 500 mm for a hard blind area (concrete, asphalt) and 300 for a soft one (), in the case of aerated concrete it is better to increase this parameter. According to user reviews, the height of the plinth for a house made of aerated concrete should be 500-800 mm for soft and hard blind areas, respectively. At the same time, the majority believes that it is not worth doing at all.
It is preferable to use special glue for laying gas blocks. It has several advantages over the solution: the ability to make a thinner layer (reduce the area of heat loss), simplify the mixing of glue, and make the seam visually neater. You can read more about this in the book by A.S. Gorshkova “The influence of mortar joints of masonry on the parameters of thermal uniformity of aerated concrete walls”
Separately, it should be said about how to properly apply glue to the gas block to avoid squeezing it out.
How to lay aerated concrete blocks correctly
An adhesive mixture with the consistency of thick sour cream is applied to the pre-wetted horizontal surface of the masonry wall made of aerated concrete blocks using a spatula, trowel or carriage. Then the masonry mixture is leveled with a notched trowel, which has a width equal to the width of the block. If the gas block has a tongue-and-groove installation system, this is enough. If the aerated concrete block is ordinary, glue is also applied to the vertical surface of the masonry.
Next, a block is installed on the solution. It needs to be laid correctly, and the installation accuracy must be checked with a level. If the block has hand grips, install the block, fill the joint with water and then fill with adhesive mixture. If necessary, the block can be adjusted by tapping it using a rubber hammer.
Note. In summer, the masonry is protected by covering it with film. Thus, the drying rate of the solution is reduced and its uniform hardening is ensured.
Blocks can be laid at a temperature not lower than - 5°C (using winter glue) and not lower than 0°C (using summer glue or concrete mortar).
Please note. The blocks can be adjusted within 5 to 15 minutes after laying (depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations); after this period, the block only needs to be knocked out and re-glued.
Do-it-yourself technology for laying aerated concrete blocks
It starts with preparing the base. The first row of gas blocks is laid on a layer of waterproofing and checked for horizontalness. That is why a cement-sand mortar is always used for laying the first row, even if the laying is done with glue or foam. Cement mortar less demanding on the surface and allows you to compensate for its unevenness. In this case, the surface must be cleaned of dirt. There is no need to moisten the surface before installing the first row.
Note. If during the installation of aerated concrete blocks excess mixture protrudes from the seams, they are allowed to harden and only then removed with a spatula.
Installation of blocks begins from the corners, between which a rope - a beacon - is pulled. It’s good to have a level, but if not, then a rope is a classic. It will serve as a guide for correct masonry. To avoid sagging of the cord, you can install additional intermediate beacons. Naturally, it will be difficult to ensure an ideal horizontal line, but the difference in height between the corners should not exceed 30 mm.
As the work progresses, the need may arise for additional aerated concrete blocks - parts of the block. They are easy to cut hand saw or Bulgarian. Please note that the sawing work is very dusty.
In this case, the length of the trimmed blocks installed in the corners should not be less than 115 mm.
After the first row is laid, it is checked with a level and leveled. Laying the first row of aerated concrete blocks is the most difficult, but if done correctly, further work is simplified.
Note. After laying the first row, you need to stop working for 3-4 hours. During this time, the cement mixture between the foundation/basement and the first row of aerated concrete blocks will dry out.
Stage 5 - Reinforcement of aerated concrete masonry
To enlarge bearing capacity walls made of aerated concrete use reinforcing materials.
Do I need to reinforce aerated concrete walls?
Yes, aerated concrete walls need to be strengthened; for this purpose, horizontal and vertical reinforcement of the masonry is performed. The reinforcement step for aerated concrete walls is 1 meter or every 4th row (if the block height is 250 mm), every third row (if the block height is 300-350 mm).
To lay the reinforcement, a groove is made in the aerated concrete (slot, recess). The grooves are made using a manual wall chaser (in professional construction use an electric wall chaser or corner cutting machine). According to the technology, two recesses (grooves) with a depth and width of 2.5 cm are made at a distance of 5-6 cm from the outer edge of the gas block. One rod of reinforcement that will go through the middle of the block is enough, but it’s better to be safe.
How much to make a groove for aerated concrete reinforcement
- block thickness less than 250 mm, one reinforcement rod is sufficient;
- 250-500 - two rods;
- more than 500 - three rods.
What type of reinforcement should be used to reinforce aerated concrete masonry?
The cross-section of the reinforcement should be 0.02% of the masonry area. From practice, optimal diameter reinforcement 6-8 mm. A400-A500 fittings are used.
How to reinforce aerated concrete masonry
Before laying the reinforcement, the recesses must be cleaned of dust and moistened, this will increase the adhesion of the glue. Then the groove must be filled with the mixture, the metal must be laid and the remaining mixture must be removed.
The reinforcement is laid with an overlap of 30-40 mm. To do this, additional grooves are cut to expand the main one. And the ends of the reinforcement are recessed into aerated concrete.
Aerated concrete walls with this monolithic reinforcement will not fall apart.
A new trend in construction aerated concrete houses is the replacement of metal rods with galvanized reinforcing tape (perforated strip). The advantage of the reinforcement strip is that there is no need to groove the walls. Thus, the speed of construction increases and its dustiness decreases.
Reinforcing strip for blocks is sold in galvanized steel strips (3 and 6 m) or rolls (50 kg). Its width ranges from 25 to 100 mm, thickness 4-8 mm. The cost of the strip is 70-95 rubles/kg.
The reinforcing tape is laid directly on the block and covered with a layer of glue with a thickness equal to the thickness of the strip.
Laying aerated concrete in subsequent rows
Performed with bandaging of masonry seams. Bandaging is the displacement of the blocks of the next row relative to the blocks of the previous one. The ideal displacement value is 50%, the minimum is 80 mm.
The second and subsequent rows are also laid from the corner. The installation of each block is checked by level. After laying the row, the blocks are processed and the frozen excess mortar is removed
Sloping rows (for example, laying a pediment made of aerated concrete) can be made in two ways. The first is to lay out the rows, and then saw off (trim) the protruding parts. The second is to cut the gas block to size before laying it (a longer method, but simpler and more economical).
Bandaging aerated concrete masonry
The formation of internal walls simultaneously with the laying of load-bearing walls can be done in three ways; the dressing nodes are shown in the figure.
Method 1- dressing across the entire width of the block
Method 2- bandaging 150 mm deep into the outer wall
Method 3- (butt joint) construction of internal walls can be completed after completion of the construction of load-bearing walls.
Laying partitions and internal walls from aerated concrete
Interior partitions are laid out in blocks 100-200 mm thick (partition aerated concrete). The thickness of the block affects the choice of the height of the partition. Using a block with a thickness of 100 mm, you can lay a wall up to 3 m high; with a 200 mm block, the height will increase to 5 m. Partitions laid without ligation with load-bearing walls are attached to the external walls using T-shaped anchors.
After how many rows should aerated concrete be reinforced?
Reinforcement is done for every fourth row and window sill row of aerated concrete.
The execution technology is similar to the reinforcement of the first row. This frequency will increase the resistance of the house to loads. After all, metal, unlike aerated concrete, has a good resistance to variable loads.
Note. Even though the interior walls are not exposed external factors, it is also recommended to reinforce aerated concrete blocks.
Aerated concrete lintels
Features of installing windows in a house made of aerated concrete. Installation of window blocks involves reinforcing the window sill row with aerated concrete blocks. Saving at this stage can end in disaster.
The figure shows how to make a lintel over a window from aerated concrete (device diagram)
Arched, window or door openings need reinforcement. Strengthen them metal corner unacceptable. This will create an additional bridge of cold.
It will be correct to install lintels in aerated concrete walls using U-blocks.
U-shaped gas blocks (tray) are installed in openings, and are also used as formwork for monolithic beams and monolithic lintels(which are manufactured at the construction site). Supports are installed under the U-blocks, which are not removed until the adhesive solution has completely set. Taking into account the fact that the cavity of the lintel is filled with the mixture and reinforcement, it is recommended to leave the supports for a week until they completely harden.
U-blocks are installed with the wide part facing out. The resulting cavity is filled with reinforcement, arranging a 5-6-row reinforcement cage.
How to make an aerated concrete lintel - video
Installation of expansion joints in aerated concrete walls
Reinforcement of aerated concrete masonry does not protect the house from cracks; metal allows you to redistribute the load. More reliable protection is the installation of expansion (temperature) joints.
The construction of an expansion joint is mandatory in the following cases:
Expansion joints need to be sealed, for example, with mineral wool. From the inside (from the room side), they are sealed with any vapor-tight elastic material, and from the outside (from the street) they are treated with sealant for external use and a stripping is installed. No reinforcement is performed at the location where the seam is constructed. The design of the temperature expansion joint is shown in the photo.
Note. During the construction process, unused gas blocks must be in a packaged state. After completing the construction fragment, aerated concrete masonry is also protected by the released film. This approach has two advantages: it will ensure uniform drying of the adhesive mixture and protect the aerated concrete from moisture in the morning or in case of unexpected rain.
Stage 6 - Interfloor ceilings in a house made of aerated concrete
Construction of two storey building made of aerated concrete implies the installation of overlap between floors. The information will also be useful for those who are planning a basement under a house or cottage (installation of the first floor will be required).
Which floors are best for aerated concrete houses?
When choosing a material for flooring, you don’t have to limit yourself, because aerated concrete allows you to use any of those on the market. The most popular are wooden and monolithic floors; the former are practiced more often.
To do this, you need to make a circular (around the perimeter of the building) armored belt on aerated concrete under the wooden floor beams. To make a reinforcing belt, U-blocks are used, into which wooden beams are inserted at 200-250 mm. It is desirable that the length of the stop of the wooden beam is equal to its height. The lumber is insulated, while its ends remain open.
Interfloor floor slabs for aerated concrete houses
A monolithic ceiling does not require an armored belt.
To cover the first floor you can use:
Aerated concrete floor slabs
The characteristics of the material depend on its purpose and are presented in the table
Dimensions aerated concrete slabs are given in the table
Cost from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles/piece depending on the size and purpose.
Hollow-core reinforced concrete slabs (reinforced concrete)
The marking of reinforced concrete slabs depending on their purpose is shown below (GOST 9561-91).
Decoding the marking of floor slabs: for example, “PK 49-12-8”: the letters indicate the type of slab, the index after the letters indicates the dimensions of the slab (unit of measurement - decimeter), the number after the hyphen is the calculated one vertical load(in 100 kg/cm2) and class of fittings.
The dimensions of reinforced concrete slabs are given in the table
The cost of reinforced concrete slabs ranges from 3,000 to 18,000 rubles/piece, depending on the size and purpose.
Stage 7 - Roof under a house made of aerated concrete
The rafter system is arranged depending on the type of roof and the chosen roofing material. It is mandatory to attach the pitched roof to the gas block using a Mauerlat.
Stage 8 - Warm contour of aerated concrete house
Warm home contouring is a general term that refers to the installation of windows, as well as filling doorways. Windows and doors are installed in prepared openings in accordance with installation technology.
Insulation of a house made of aerated concrete
Based on the characteristics of aerated concrete, it can be noted that the use of thermal insulation material is optional. The high porosity of the material suggests that a house made of aerated concrete will be warm on its own.
But there are places in the masonry to which this rule does not apply. These include:
- ends of floor slabs;
- foundation;
- roof;
- window and door openings.
All these places - real source heat loss in a house made of aerated concrete. To exclude them, you need to use thermal insulation material. At the same time, soft insulation will allow the aerated concrete to breathe, and hard insulation will require forced ventilation in the cottage.
Is it necessary to insulate a house made of aerated concrete?
Whether it is necessary or not is decided taking into account the region, block thickness (D300, 375, 400) and capabilities. If traditional concrete mortar was used for laying aerated concrete blocks, insulation must be performed. Because The thickness of the seam is large, and together they create a significant area through which heat escapes.
Stage 9 - Exterior decoration of aerated concrete house
Exterior finishing is not a necessary step, because aerated concrete itself can withstand moisture and other atmospheric phenomena. But, if wet concrete freezes, it loses its properties and can become covered with a network of unpleasant cracks. To eliminate the likelihood of such events developing, as well as to make the cottage more beautiful appearance resort to lining aerated concrete walls on the outside.
Material for exterior finishing of an aerated concrete house:
- or plastic panels;
- facing brick or natural stone. In this case, it is necessary to provide for an increase in the load on the foundation at the design stage;
- . This is the most popular method of finishing a house made of aerated concrete.
When choosing a material, it is important that it allows ventilation of the walls and has properties such as frost resistance and water resistance.
Stage 10 - Interior decoration of aerated concrete house
Provides for implementation finishing works indoors, wall decoration, communications wiring, installation heating devices etc.
Building a house from aerated concrete with your own hands - video
In conclusion, a few words about how long it will take to build a house from aerated blocks and how much construction will cost.
Construction time for a house made of aerated concrete
The construction period consists of the duration of its individual stages:
- foundation installation - can take from 2 weeks to a year (when pouring a strip foundation, it is recommended to wait a year for the concrete to gain strength);
- box - construction of load-bearing walls and partitions - 2-5 weeks;
- roofing work - rafter system+ laying roofing material - 2-6 weeks;
- formation of a warm contour - 3-4 weeks will be spent on installing all windows, doors, flooring and insulation;
- exterior finishing - 3-6 weeks;
- wiring of communications - at least a month, including approval at all levels;
- interior decoration - ad infinitum.
On average, according to user reviews, the construction of a house made of aerated concrete takes 5-6 months. Craftsmen will complete this work faster, from 2 months, depending on the complexity of the project.
The duration of the work is significantly influenced by the complexity of the house design, the degree of mechanization of the work, the experience and number of performers involved in the construction.
How much does it cost to build a house from aerated concrete?
What does the cost of construction consist of:
- price of materials;
- purchase of tools, rental (rental) or purchase of equipment;
- costs of material delivery and waste removal;
- cost of work.
To summarize, building a two-story aerated concrete house with your own hands with dimensions of 6 by 9 and a height of 6.5 m will cost approximately 680 thousand rubles (without finishing work).
Conclusion
Having prepared theoretically, you can safely begin to practice - building a cottage or house from aerated concrete blocks with your own hands.
In this section of our catalog you can see various projects aerated concrete houses with two floors, which our builders are ready to build for you in a short time and with a five-year guarantee.
Aerated concrete blocks make it possible to build in the shortest possible time inexpensive houses with two floors. That is why this material is popular in suburban construction. In the catalog you will see ready-made projects of two-story houses; in addition, we have the opportunity to develop individual projects, as well as conclude a turnkey contract.
Features and advantages of country houses made of aerated concrete
- A house made from this material is suitable for year-round residence, as well as for living in summer period. Aerated concrete walls maintain a comfortable microclimate and also provide complete sound insulation.
- Natural, environmentally friendly materials are used in the production of blocks, so such houses are safe for health.
- Technological specifics of constructing a two-story house based on modern solutions makes it possible to carry out construction work quickly and at an affordable cost, and the ease of processing aerated concrete allows you to realize any design and architectural ideas.
Aerated concrete is modern material, which is characterized by high strength characteristics and wear resistance, the ability to retain heat and relatively low weight. That is why buildings made of aerated concrete can be called universal (you can live in them all year round or use as seasonal country houses, utility rooms are also made from buildings).
Cottages made from this material combine a number of advantages:
- The ability to place houses on small plots of land, while the internal area of the buildings can be of impressive size. Our projects involve functional zoning premises.
- Possibility to add extensions to the house (for example, a sauna or a garage).
- Wide range of possibilities in the field of architecture and finishing works.
On our website you will find projects of two-story houses various dimensions, with different interior layout options and wide choice finishing materials. Search the desired project can be done using photographs of sample houses, as well as using a convenient filter.
Why is it worth ordering the design and construction of a house from IC House Construction Technologies?
- a wide selection of house designs with two floors made of aerated concrete and affordable prices;
- when ordering construction work, you can get any project you want completely free of charge;
- We regularly hold promotions and offer discounts; in addition, we have convenient ways payment for services.
Minimum load-bearing wall thickness according to building regulations is 250 mm, even if it summer house. Smaller wall thicknesses are not able to withstand roof loads and the influence of external factors such as wind. For year-round living in a house, it must be equipped with a heating system, facade insulation and ventilation. For internal partitions, smaller blocks are used, their thickness is 100mm.
Finishing a house made of aerated concrete should be taken seriously. Aerated concrete is a material with increased vapor permeability. Due to temperature differences (indoors and outdoors), condensation forms in it. Therefore, for external finishing it is worth choosing a material that helps reduce vapor permeability. The most budget option finishing is painting. However, in this case the walls should be close to a perfectly flat state. You can reduce the cost of painting by using inexpensive façade putty. To give it the desired color, add water-based color. The most rational finishing option is a ventilated facade using sheet finishing materials (block house, siding, etc.). The most expensive is facing brick, but it is also the most durable and reliable.
To reduce the cost of construction, you can abandon the full second floor and make an attic. To save budget, it is better to choose a house shape close to a cube, with a minimum number of protrusions and complex shapes, abandon bay windows and balconies. Large quantity windows and a minimum of internal partitions also reduce the cost of building from aerated concrete
Researchers believe that an area of 30 square meters per person is the most comfortable option. However, when designing a house, the construction budget is taken into account first of all. The size of the plot also matters, its landscaping is important, as is the comfort inside the house. If the plot is not large, it makes sense to think about the second floor or attic.
To answer this question, you first need to carry out geological surveys. At high level groundwater construction ground floor it will be unreasonably expensive. But if the soil allows, then building a basement will be appropriate when you want to: make a workshop or a room for storing equipment, make a swimming pool or sauna. If the site is on a slope, such a basement will form naturally. During construction, you can equip it and find useful uses for it.
- -it must be pitched;
- - the edges should be extended as much as possible so that less moisture gets onto the facade;
- - it is better to abandon heavy materials (natural tiles) in order to reduce the load on load-bearing walls;
- - tightness must be maintained so that moisture does not seep inside.
When choosing materials, it is better to turn to classic sheet materials. The most budget-friendly, but at the same time reliable and durable - slate (asbestos-cement sheet). However, such a sheet cannot be mounted independently due to its weight and fragility; it periodically requires treatment against fungus. Very practical material is bitumen slate (ondulin). It is easy to install and affordable. Unlike metal tiles, it is silent.
What has been done
Project: the Innsbruck project was adapted to the site and the wishes of the Customer's family, and a solution was proposed to move the terrace.
foundation: based on geology and the architect’s calculations, the house was built on a pile-grill foundation.
ceilings: basement - reinforced concrete monolithic; interfloor - reinforced concrete floor slabs.
box: walls made of aerated concrete blocks, masonry with masonry glue. Windows are made to order, with one-sided lamination, installation on site.
roof: metal tiles.
external finishing: walls are insulated with basalt facade insulation and plastered, finishing elements made of wood, manufactured locally, based on technical specifications visualization, painted. The base is laid out decorative stone.
interior finishing: finishing was carried out according to the design project, where the combination was taken as the basis decorative plaster with stone and wood. False beams were installed on the ceilings.
additionally: a fireplace has been installed and finished.
What has been done
This is the very case when our Customer and we speak the same language and are inspired by the ECO high-tech style! Designer Ilya came to us with a ready-made Project for his future home! Our team liked the project - it’s so unusual and stylish solutions It's always a professional challenge!
We prepared estimates for Ilya and developed unique constructive solutions- all this allowed us to implement this project! Frame house made in our proven Canadian technology with 200 mm insulation along the entire contour! The outside of the house is sheathed with imitation timber. All windows are made according to individual order and laminated in colors according to the project. Additional accents are placed thanks to professional painting of imitation timber and selection of paints.
What has been done
What does it cost us to build a house? Indeed, having a team of professionals and knowledge, building a house from scratch is a matter of time! But sometimes the task is more difficult! We have introductory ones - an existing foundation, or buildings on the site, extensions to existing buildings and much more! For the Matsuev family it was exactly this not an easy task. They had a foundation from an old burnt house, and a landscaped area around it! A new house had to be built in short term on the existing foundation. Dmitry and his family had a desire to build new home in high-tech style. After careful measurements, a design was made that took into account old layout, but had a new one modern form with interesting innovations! The house now has an entrance area where you can sit at a table on cozy evenings and a complex but possible exploitable roof in our area. To implement such a roof, we called upon our knowledge and modern building materials, LVL beams, fused roofing and much more. Now in the summer you can have an unusual dinner on such a roof or watch the stars at night! In the decoration, our architect also emphasized the minimalistic and graphic high-tech style. Smooth plastered walls with painted plank details, and wooden beams at the entrance added personality. The inside of the house is decorated with imitation timber, which is painted in different colors depending on the purpose of the room! Large windows in the living room kitchen overlooking the site - created desired effect illumination and airiness of space! The house of the Matsuev family - decorated our photo gallery in the section country architecture in high-tech style, the style chosen by brave Customers with excellent taste.
What has been done
Olga and her family have long dreamed of a country house! A reliable, solid home for living that will fit perfectly into their difficult narrow plot! With the advent of children, it was decided to make the dream come true; children grow quickly and in own home There are many opportunities and fresh air in nature. We, in turn, were glad to work on an individual house project in classic style made of red brick with a bay window! After the first acquaintance with our company in a cozy office, we invited Olga to take a look at our current construction site: evaluate the order and construction processes, storage of materials on site, get to know the construction team, make sure the quality of the work. After visiting the site, Olga decided to work with us! And we were glad to do our favorite job again to make another country dream come true!
What has been done
Project: changes were made to the San Rafael project and redevelopment was done according to the wishes of the Customer.
floors: basement - reinforced concrete floor slabs; interfloor - reinforced concrete floor slabs
box: walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks, masonry with mortar??? Windows have been installed.
roof: metal tile
terrace: rough fencing elements have been completed, flooring has been installed.
What has been done
Dmitry contacted our company with an interesting preliminary design to calculate the cost. Our experience allows us to perform such calculations according to preliminary designs with minimal errors, no more than 2%. Having visited our construction sites and received the cost of construction, Dmitry chose us from many of our colleagues in the workshop to complete the project. Our team began to carry out a difficult and expressive country project with spacious premises and a garage, large windows and sophisticated architecture. After the project was completed, Dmitry chose us as a contractor company, and we, in turn, wanted to do further work at the same high level! Since the object is large, Dmitry proposed stage-by-stage cooperation, namely upon successful completion foundation works, we started the second part of the project - walls + floors + roof. Also, the exact timing of construction was important for Dmitry; in order to speed up the construction processes, the team was reinforced by 2 experienced masons.
The box on a pile-grillage foundation was delivered right on time! The result pleased us and the Customer. All stages of the work were coordinated and worked out for Dmitry and his individual project, from which all participants in the process benefited!
What has been done
Project: The project of our company Inkerman was changed taking into account the wishes of the Customer’s family, the house was planted on the site taking into account current situation on the site and terrain
foundation: based on geology and the architect’s calculations, the house was built on a reinforced pile-grillage foundation.
ceilings: wooden on wooden beams, in places of large spans installation of LVL beams. Basement ceiling insulated basalt insulation in 200mm; interfloor covering with 150mm sound insulation.
box: box: walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks, masonry with mortar. Windows have been installed.
roofing: installation of metal tiles.
external finishing: the facade is insulated with basalt facade slabs 100 mm, facades are covered with facing bricks; color scheme proposed by the architect and agreed with the Customer.
What has been done
The Krutov family decided to build a spacious house for the whole family to live in!
Olga and other family members went from idea to implementation in several stages! The choice of technology, long work on the project, construction of the foundation, construction of the house with exterior finishing and then work on interior decoration! Frame technology was chosen as energy-saving, prefabricated and high-tech! Why did the Krutovs choose our company? They were pleased with the quality of work on our construction site and the workers who gave us a detailed tour! We also worked on the estimate for a long time, combining different options finishes, comparing their costs. This allowed me to choose best option from great variety finishing materials and accessories.
The project was created by an architect friend, but we had to work out the constructive part of it. After which the most reliable and effective foundation- USHP. Next, work began on the box. A frame house with 200 mm insulation along the entire contour and a unique roof insulation technology of 300 mm. For the exterior decoration, siding was chosen in a spectacular combination of colors - coffee and cream. Accents are placed thanks to powerful roof overhangs, an interfloor belt and large windows!
What has been done
When you decide to become the proud owner own home and move to a new home for permanent residence, first of all, you think about what the house will be like; what to build it from; how much will it cost and most importantly, WHO will do all this?
Alexander, came to our company with the desire to move to his own country house. He liked the Avignon project and there was already a strip foundation. After the initial visit to the site, measurements and inspection of the foundation, we gave our conclusions and recommendations. Strengthen the foundation, change the project and adapt it to the size of the existing foundation! After agreeing on the cost, it was decided to build in winter. Alexander received a gift of reinforced concrete floors, one of the leading construction teams and a house according to the design he liked, which stood on a plot with exterior finishing by spring! Alexander observed every stage of construction, regularly visiting the construction site and was pleased with the result, and we were pleased with our work. This is an individually designed Avignon project, implemented in stone technology with external insulation and siding finishing!
What has been done
Each house is a separate story of creation and implementation! One day we built a house good people and they recommended us to another good person! Rumyantsev Andrey came to our company with a desire to replace the old country house to build a one-story spacious country house with a fireplace for warm family evenings... It was decided to build the house from aerated concrete blocks so that the future country handsome man would delight the owner for decades! The customer voiced his wishes for finishing - and we, in turn, brought everything to life. Thanks to detailed visualization of the project, each element of the exterior decoration is a member of a friendly ensemble! Bavarian masonry, as the final stage of exterior decoration, looks noble and thorough. Without a doubt, such a tandem - aerated concrete and brick can be safely called the best solution in the field of stone house construction - warm, affordable, beautiful, reliable. Modern technologies We have stepped forward so much that such unique configurations become available in a short time, because we built this project over the winter months. The main thing is to have the necessary knowledge and constantly replenish it!
What has been done
Project: the project of a European company was taken as a basis and was adapted to the site and the wishes of the Customer’s family; a terrace and patio were proposed, taking into account the cardinal directions on the Customer’s site.
foundation: based on geology and the architect’s calculations, the house was built on a pile-and-grid foundation.
ceilings: basement - reinforced concrete monolithic; interfloor - wooden on beams with a 150 mm sound insulation device.
box: walls made of aerated concrete blocks, masonry with masonry glue. Windows are made to order with one-sided lamination, installation on site.
roof: metal tiles.
Exterior finishing: the walls are insulated with basalt facade insulation and plastered. Based on visualizations added façade panels under the Tolento stone. The enclosing elements of the terrace and balcony are made of wood, made locally, based on technical specifications visualization, and painted. The roof overhangs are lined with soffits matching the color of the roof.
| Vladimir Murashkin, Owner of a house “individual 8x9m” House parameters: |
What has been done
When Customers come to us with bright, modern ideas for their future home, we become doubly excited! After all, working on a new stylish project is always interesting and a challenge, how to implement all the bold ideas from a constructive point of view, what materials to use? Vladimir bought a plot of land with picturesque views of the Oka bank! This view could not be ignored, so an indispensable attribute of the future house was a dizzying terrace (51.1 m2) and a large balcony, focused on beauty! Vladimir wanted to relax in nature precisely in wooden house, and it was necessary to build a house in a short time and ideal solution became for such tasks frame technology construction! If we’re going to be different, it’s in everything! The house was made even more spectacular by the vertical finishing of imitation timber made of durable larch, painted in natural shades with emphasized wood texture. Laminated windows complement the modern look of the house! It turned out to be an excellent country house, with highlights and at the same time incredibly functional.
Drafting a private country house, many pay special attention selection of the main building material for the construction of walls. Often this choice falls on environmentally friendly, safe, modern and inexpensive materials. Many development companies build cottages from aerated concrete or a similar material. Aerated concrete has significant advantages in price and ease of use over stone, brick or cement, but is significantly inferior to them in strength. In order to build a two-story building from such a material without risk, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of aerated concrete when creating the project and know some of the subtleties to ensure the strength of the structure.
Advantages and disadvantages of aerated concrete
The increased popularity of gas blocks is largely based solely on advertising from manufacturers, who sometimes exaggerate many times over technical specifications this material, which ultimately leads to a violation of the strength of the structure. During the use of this material in construction, many experts experimentally determined real benefits and shortcomings of the material, and also developed some important rules construction. The advantages of the material include:
- Heat saving. For middle climatic latitudes, the walls of the house do not even need to be insulated, since aerated concrete itself has low thermal conductivity due to its porous structure.
- Ease of processing and speed of construction. Cottages made of aerated concrete are built quite quickly, since the blocks can be easily cut with a regular hand saw and quickly adjusted to fit required sizes. The material has large dimensions, almost ideal geometry and is very light.
- High sound insulation. The porous material significantly dampens noise and, when paired with good double glazing, will provide excellent sound insulation from inside and outside.
- Low cost and environmentally friendly material.
- Vapor permeability. Aerated concrete blocks“dishat”, which prevents the formation of condensation and dampness.
A unique feature is the ability to use a thin layer of mortar for installation. Many experts consider this material a worthy alternative to natural wood.
Important. When building a two-story cottage from aerated concrete, you need to remember that aerated blocks have high compressive strength, but very low fracture strength. In this regard, for a two-story house made of this material, it is recommended to use a high-strength monolithic or strip foundation. If it is planned to build a second floor in the house, then the walls of the first floor must be reinforced with steel rods, as shown in the photo above.
The disadvantages of aerated concrete include the following qualities:
- Moisture absorption. The unprotected surface of the block is a sponge that strongly absorbs moisture and, as a result, the strength of the module is lost, as well as its thermal insulation and breathability. It is for this reason that the surface of the blocks must be protected with plaster or moisture-resistant paint.
- The problem of plastering. This drawback follows from the first. Since the blocks quickly absorb moisture, it is not possible to apply high-quality plaster. For this purpose, special primers are used and plaster mixtures on polymer based with pre-laying of the mesh.
- Cracks. When the slightest tension, especially in places where door and window openings, cracks often appear and blocks are destroyed due to the fragility of the material. The solution in such situations is pre-installation metal frame into the openings, which takes on the entire load, as shown in the photo below.
Important. When transporting aerated concrete, it is necessary to take into account its fragility and transport it in packs on separate trays. It is also necessary to ensure that the material is stored in a dry place. When stored outdoors, the material can absorb moisture, resulting in residual lime becoming wet, which, after drying, contributes to rapid destruction from corrosion.
Differences between aerated concrete and foam concrete
When building houses from aerated concrete blocks with their own hands, many often use foam concrete by mistake. Sometimes even product distributors themselves deliberately substitute materials for the purpose of personal profit from the ignorance of customers. In fact, these are very similar materials to each other, but they differ greatly in the manufacturing method and scope of application.
For example, foam concrete is used exclusively for the construction of internal partitions of a house and cannot be used for load-bearing walls due to its high fragility. These two materials can be distinguished by the quality of the outer surface of the block.
- Foam concrete is made by pouring ready mixture f special forms, as a result of which its surface is smooth and the pores are practically invisible. The material holds plaster very poorly; it is usually treated with a special putty or covered with plasterboard. Before puttying, the foam concrete is covered with soil and a reinforcing mesh is applied.
- Aerated concrete can be distinguished by its porous surface, since it is cut to size with special strings or saws from a pre-prepared slab. Plaster and putty adhere to such material much better, but for greater reliability, laying reinforcing mesh is also recommended.
Construction of houses from aerated concrete
When building a house or cottage from aerated concrete, special attention must be paid to the density of the material, which is indicated in the markings by the English letter “D” and the range can be from 350 to 800 kilograms per cubic meter.
Important. For one-story house Usually, blocks with a density of D400 or D500 are chosen depending on the massiveness of the roof. For a two-story cottage, more durable blocks of grades D600 or D800 are laid on the first floor, and less durable D 400 is used for the second floor.
During two-story building, besides internal reinforcement steel rods as shown in the photo above, experts use additional reinforcement from steel mesh, which is laid every 2 rows of masonry, as shown in the photo below. This provides additional strength to the walls.
Important. Select block density according to climatic zone. The higher the density of the material, the higher its ability to retain heat and therefore the cost increases. It is necessary to carefully calculate the required block density and wall thickness for your climatic region, taking into account the average summer and winter temperature. It is possible that using aerated concrete can be significantly more expensive than using conventional brick.
For interfloor ceilings you can use regular ones reinforced concrete slabs, but the top row of blocks needs to be reinforced with additional reinforcement, as shown in the photo above. However, to reduce pressure on load-bearing walls, experts recommend using wooden floor from beams.
Basic requirements for aerated concrete construction
When building houses from aerated concrete, several basic rules must be taken into account:
- A strip or slab base must be used as a foundation monolithic type, while height differences on one square meter of surface should not exceed 10 mm.
- The first row of masonry is fixed on a cement-lime mortar, the subsequent ones are laid on a special adhesive for aerated concrete, strictly observing the thickness of the mortar.
- If there are tongue-and-groove joints on the blocks, the vertical seams must also be coated with glue.
Important. When creating a two-story house from aerated concrete, the walls of the first floor must be reinforced with metal rods with a thickness of 8-10 mm, as shown in the photo above. The first and every third row are subject to reinforcement.
If there are window openings, the rows must be reinforced in such a way that the bottom and top rows window opening had reinforcement.
- Be sure to lay volumetric reinforcement on the last top row before installing the floor. To do this, it is recommended to use special U-shaped blocks or cut out a cavity for the reinforcement yourself.
It is important to remember that complete shrinkage of aerated concrete requires an average of 2-3 years, with the degree of shrinkage averaging 2 mm per meter of wall.
Houses made of aerated concrete usually do not need insulation, but the surface of the material must be protected from exposure to atmospheric moisture. It is strictly not recommended to insulate a building with foam plastic or similar materials, since they do not allow air to pass through and condensation will form on the walls.
To plaster or putty the walls of a building, use special plastic compounds, having previously installed reinforced mesh silt metal or propylene.
