DIY foam block house. Construction of a house from foam blocks

Self-construction at home - this is a difficult and responsible process. First, the material from which the new building will be constructed is selected. Currently, foam blocks have gained popularity. If we consider building houses from foam blocks with our own hands, it turns out that this material is excellent for these purposes.

do-it-yourself foam block house without experience. Photo

Projects of houses made of foam blocks

Before starting construction, you should consider foam block house projects and choose the best one for your own family. Houses can have different number of floors, layouts and sizes. Among the presented projects you will definitely find the most comfortable house.

The first project of a house made of foam blocks presents small building. On the lower floor there is a kitchen combined with a living room, and on the upper floor there is a bedroom. There is a “second light” above the living room. The staircase leads to a balcony, from which the door to the bedroom opens.

finished project of a house made of foam blocks. Photo

A one-story building with an area 64 square meters. The project of a house made of foam blocks has a living room and open kitchen with dining area. There are two rooms 14 and 9 square meters area, as well as a bathroom with a bath. All the necessary premises are located in a relatively small area

Here is a project of a house made of foam blocks with a total area 71 square meters. The house consists of two floors. On the lower floor there is a living room, bathroom, kitchen and utility rooms. On top floor there are bedrooms and dressing rooms. Compact dimensions do not interfere with the reasonable organization of space.

do-it-yourself finished project of a house made of foam blocks. Photo

The presented project of a house made of foam blocks has two floors. On the ground floor there is spacious kitchen, which has a comfortable dining area. Also on the ground floor there is a living room and a bathroom. The second floor is occupied by three bedrooms.

seventy three square meters. In this area there is a living room with glass doors overlooking the garden, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The kitchen is combined with the living room, which creates an additional feeling of spaciousness.

Project one-story house area 74 square meters. Space planning involves highlighting small rooms. There are two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room, a bedroom with a dedicated office space and a second smaller bedroom.

Project of a two-story house with a total area 87 square meters. On the ground floor there is a living room, kitchen and small bathroom. On the second floor there are three bedrooms and a fairly spacious bathroom. The staircase is provided with a comfortable, two-flight staircase

Project of a two-story house with an area 95 square meters. The house has open veranda and a balcony on the second floor. On the ground floor there is a living room and all utility rooms. Including a kitchen and one of the bathrooms. On the second floor there is a spacious parent's bedroom and two relatively small children's rooms.

How to build a house from foam blocks?

• Foundation

To build a house from foam blocks with your own hands, you first need to lay the foundation. The classic version of a country house is with a basement. Laying a foundation with your own hands for a house made of foam blocks with a basement begins with excavation work.

DIY foam block house. Photo

Dig up foundation pit, in which the basement will be located. It is imperative to carry out high-quality waterproofing of all surfaces, otherwise dampness will destroy the structure and rise into the living quarters.

If under construction two-storey house from foam blocks with your own hands, then you need to perform a thorough calculation according to expected loads. This will allow you to select best option to create a footer and select suitable materials. For a relatively light one-story house, ready-made solutions are often used. For example, a basement with block walls, molded floors and ceilings.

When the pit is dug, install a pipe for drainage It should drain water from the walls into the drain well.

Next they collect at the bottom formwork for the basement floor. The surface of the soil in the formwork is covered with mats that level the surface and increase waterproofing. On top of this layer is placed reinforcing mesh with cells ten by ten centimeters. If such reinforcement is not used, the basement floor will be too fragile, which will shorten its service life.

Next creation basement foundation with your own hands under a house made of foam blocks continues with pouring concrete. It will be most convenient to use a concrete mixer with a feed hose. In this case, all that remains is to guide the hose and pour concrete evenly onto the mesh, and then level it.

The resulting floor is covered with film and left to cure for two weeks. A metal strip is placed along the contour of the slab for installing concrete blocks. Wall blocks lowered by crane and then steel connectors are used.

Further construction from foam blocks with your own hands involves the installation wall supports. They will hold ceiling slab in the basement. The supports are made from steel corners, which are carefully connected to the floor. The ceiling is poured in the same way as the floor.

The construction of the basement is completed by thoroughly waterproofing all external surfaces. For this, resin and euroroofing felt are used. Also, the basement walls are insulated, air ducts and ventilation are installed, and an electrical network is installed. The structure is covered with gravel on all sides.

• Walls

Foam blocks are not difficult to lay due to their precise shape and low weight. It is important to monitor the level of the evenness of the walls, lay out the corners correctly and prepare lintels for arranging the openings. After laying out the walls of the house from foam blocks with your own hands, the surfaces are covered with waterproofing, and the outside is finished, for example, facing bricks.

The ceiling of the house is arranged in a similar way to the ceiling of the basement. After pouring the concrete, its surface is covered with a film and kept for two weeks.

• Roof

After arranging the ceiling, building from foam blocks with your own hands involves arranging the roof. The simplest design is gable roof.

Supports from which it is assembled rafter system are purchased ready-made. They are placed with a crane and the beams are connected together into a single structure. To protect the rafter system from moisture, it is covered with a film, and then the sheathing is installed. Almost any roofing material is suitable for a house made of foam blocks. Flexible tiles and metal tiles are optimal in terms of cost and characteristics.

Each type of roofing material has its own installation features. Which must be considered separately.

How thick should the walls be?

To make a house from foam blocks with your own hands, you must first decide on all its parameters. One of the most important is the thickness of the walls. The load-bearing capacity and thermal insulation characteristics of the walls depend on it. In this case, the thicker the walls, the better. But on the other hand, there is economic feasibility. It limits the growth of the wall in thickness. It is the combination of these parameters that determines the individual dimensions of specific walls in each case.

What to consider when choosing adhesive for foam concrete?

Since foam concrete is not particularly demanding, for masonry you can use not only special adhesives, but also a classic type of sand-cement mortar.

The specific choice is made taking into account many factors, ranging from the thickness of the seam to the skills of a particular craftsman.

Reinforcement

Availability reinforcement in walls made of foam blocks does not affect their load-bearing characteristics. But it is still worth reinforcing, since the likelihood of cracks occurring during shrinkage is reduced.

Reinforcement should be:

• bottom row;
• every fourth or fifth row in the wall;
• openings and arches;
• places of additional load.

It can be reinforced with reinforcement and mesh.

Reinforcement fittings

For reinforcement, steel or fiberglass elements with a diameter of six to eight millimeters are used. A groove (groove) is formed in the block into which the reinforcement is placed. It is covered from above with the material used to connect the blocks, i.e. glue or solution.

If the block is wider than twenty centimeters, then two grooves are made, and if less, then one. They should not be placed more than six centimeters from the edge. The reinforcement should bend smoothly, without corners.

Reinforcement mesh

Such reinforcement is performed exclusively for thin seams, i.e. when using glue. The mesh used is plastic or metal. It is laid on rows of foam blocks, and glue is poured on top.

The type of connecting composition is determined by the size of the mesh. If the diameter of the wire is more than three millimeters, then it is not advisable to use glue; it is better to choose a cement mortar.

Insulation of walls made of foam blocks

If you want to make a house made of foam blocks with your own hands warm and comfortable, then perhaps you should consider a method of insulation. Typically, such houses do not require special thermal insulation work, since the wall material itself has high level heat preservation, it is enough to choose its thickness correctly. In particular, for central regions, for example, for the Moscow region, a wall with a thickness of 49 cm is sufficient. However, it should be taken into account that the blocks must be connected with thin seams with a minimum amount of cold bridges.

If insulation is still required, then a number of rules should be followed. A vapor barrier with a vapor transmission coefficient equal to or greater than that of the blocks is laid on the surface. Thermal insulating materials can be attached directly to the wall without gaps. This will avoid condensation. Another option is to use ventilated facade systems.

Exterior finishing

To make a house made of foam blocks beautiful with your own hands, you need to decorate it with suitable decorative materials. High-quality cladding of a house made of foam blocks will hide defects and create additional protection from external factors.

You can finish walls made of foam blocks with facing bricks. In addition, they are finished with any type of siding or clapboard. Another option is to plaster the surface, after which it is painted. Thanks to the finishing, walls made of foam blocks are less damaged by external factors.

Cost of foam blocks

The question of the cost of material is of interest to everyone who is going to build own house. Foam blocks may vary in price depending on the manufacturer and some other characteristics.

The considered indicators are average. The price of foam blocks ranges from 2,700 rubles to 4,900.

Pros and cons of foam blocks

Foam concrete blocks have a number of advantages and some disadvantages.

pros

Among the advantages of the material they call it environmental friendliness. Foam concrete is made from sand and cement with the addition of foaming additives.

The blocks can withstand significant temperature fluctuations. They are not damaged by fire and chemicals. The porous structure provides good vapor permeability and low thermal conductivity.

The result is comfortable conditions in the premises of the house. Significantly lower heating and cooling costs are required. Thanks to these characteristics, walls can be made from one row of blocks, which significantly reduces construction costs.

Weight There are significantly fewer foam blocks than bricks, so the buildings themselves are lighter. They have less load on the foundation. Foam blocks are easy to process and quickly laid, which makes construction easier.

Gates made of corrugated sheets differ in the type of opening of the leaves and are divided into swing, sliding and lifting. We will look at the simplest...

You have always dreamed of building a house away from noisy highways and heavy city air. Dreams tend to come true. You have documents in your hands for a plot of land in a wonderful location, and now it’s time to think about what your house will be built from, what size, how it’s lined and many other questions. We recommend that you build a house from foam blocks with your own hands and are ready to provide step-by-step instructions.

What is so attractive to builders in using foam blocks? The answer is very simple:

1. Walls made of foam blocks “breathe” and do not sweat in the same way as a structure made of wood.
2. The porous structure of the material perfectly keeps the house warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather.
3. Excellent sound insulation performance.
4. Environmentally friendly material that does not require complex processing.
5. Using foam blocks to build a house will allow you to save on space heating in the future.
6. Foam concrete increases its strength with age.
7. To make foam blocks, the simplest ingredients are used: water, cement, sand and foam, which significantly reduces financial costs.
8. One foam block replaces an average of 15 bricks and weighs half as much.
9. The technology of building with foam concrete is much simpler than laying bricks.
10. For buildings made of foam concrete, there is no need to lay a foundation that can withstand heavy loads.

Step #1. Obtain all permits for the development of the site. Order a house project, including the development of an individual water supply, drainage, and a heating system.

Step #2. Before the beginning construction work on the acquired site, it is necessary to provide a constant supply of water, a place to store building materials and tools, and a temporary structure for yourself and your assistants. You will need physical assistance 3-4 people. Individual water supply can be an Abyssinian well or borehole. Before you start drilling, mark the location of future structures on the site.

Step #3. Purchase of building materials for the construction of the foundation. Preparing a pit for laying the foundation of a house made of foam blocks. The best option is the construction of a strip foundation. According to the building design, markings are made at the construction site, along which a pit is dug manually or using special equipment.

The fertile layer of soil should not be transported far; you will need it on your site. For a house measuring 12 * 10 meters, four people will dig a foundation pit in two weeks. The depth of the pit depends on the freezing depth in your region, and it varies from 30 cm to 170 cm.

It is better to purchase building materials for the current stage of work, so as not to clutter the construction site.

Step No. 4. Construction of a pit. Before laying the foundation, pour up to 30 cm of sand into the pit, and then compact the same layer of crushed stone on top. This is the pillow under concrete foundation. Continue the work by assembling the reinforcement frame. The reinforcing bars must be connected to each other firmly and efficiently.

It's time to install the formwork. To do this, you will need strong boards fastened into shields. They are easier to install in the pit and remove at the end of the work. Place the panels strictly parallel to each other so that the foundation pit is level. At the top, connect the opposite panels together with transverse boards.

Transverse pieces need to be laid along the entire foundation asbestos pipes acting as ventilation holes.

To prepare high-quality concrete, add three units of sand and a little fine crushed stone per unit volume of M500 cement. First, fill the foundation cushion with a small amount of mortar without crushed stone, and then begin work on the construction of the entire structure. The width of the foundation strip can be from 30 cm to 50 cm, and the height is not less than 70 cm.

The foundation work is completed and you can rest for 7 to 10 days. During your vacation, take care of the delivery of foam blocks (it is better to use the D800 brand), special glue, reinforcing rods, and waterproofing material in the required quantity to the construction site.

Step #5. Wall masonry. It's time to start raising the walls of the future house. A waterproofing layer is laid on the finished foundation. To lay foam blocks, use a notched trowel and a special layer.

The level of laying foam concrete blocks depends on the quality of the first row. During work, use a laser level or level. For each wall, plane marks are marked, along which the blocks of the first row are then ground down, if necessary.

When deciding how to make a house made of foam blocks strong and durable, you must not forget about the need to bandage the blocks. It must be done in the same way as when working with brick. In each subsequent row, the blocks are shifted by half the length in relation to the previous row.

Prepare the adhesive solution for foam blocks according to the instructions on the package. Using a notched trowel, first apply glue to the side walls of the block, and then to the lower part. Place the block. Each row of stacked blocks is checked with a level.

Reinforcement will help reduce and eliminate cracking of walls during shrinkage of the house. Having laid out the first row of blocks, you need to cut grooves (40 by 40 mm) on their surface, stepping back from the edge of the block by at least 60 mm. Make two parallel grooves along the entire contour with roundings at the corners. Thoroughly clean the grooves from dust and fill with glue. Lay down reinforcing bars with a diameter of 8 mm. Continue laying blocks. Having made four rows, repeat the reinforcement.

Install metal corners above window and door openings on both sides of the masonry. The length of the corner must exceed the width of the opening by at least 60 cm. For wide openings, this size must be increased. Before installing the corner, cut a groove in the wall and apply glue. The corner is laid in the vertical plane of the inner and outer line of the wall.

For a team of four people, only 7-10 days are enough to lay the walls of a house measuring 12 * 10 meters, if you work at a good pace.

Step #6. Ceiling, attic and roof. To cover the ceilings, ready-made factory slabs or wooden beams are used. When purchasing beams, you need to pay attention to ensure that they are dry. To tie the ceiling beams, use a 30 mm board.

The attic structure is assembled on the ground and lifted upward for installation. The rafter structure is sheathed with boards, a waterproofing layer and roofing are laid.

Step #7. Installation of doors and windows.

Step #8. Finishing the facade of a house from foam blocks. If you do not finish the exterior of a house built from foam blocks, over time the walls will darken and will not look very attractive. In addition, the exterior decoration will enhance quality characteristics foam concrete and will make the house even warmer and stronger.

Finishing methods:

• Decorative panels or siding. Be sure to leave an air gap between the wall and the hanging cladding.
• Use of mixtures intended for plastering foam concrete.
• Finishing stone or brick.
• Grouting joints and painting foam block walls with silicone vapor-proof paints.

The interior decoration of a foam concrete house can be made from completely different materials.

Additional Information

To perform grooves under electrical cable use a wall chaser. Using a drill, you can easily drill out sockets for switches and sockets in foam blocks.

Foam blocks lend themselves perfectly to drilling. Screw in small screw it will be easy and simple. If you need to screw in a large screw, use special self-tapping dowels for foam concrete.

To cut the block into the desired pieces, use a hacksaw with large teeth.

To completely build a house made of foam blocks with a team of four people, it will take only one season.

Photo

Video

You can see all the steps described above in this video.

Currently, the construction of structures made of foam blocks is widespread. The use of this material is due to a number of its positive properties. A question such as the step-by-step construction of a house from foam blocks clarifies many of the nuances of the process.

Foam block technology has made it possible to create a wide range of new building materials. Some of their properties are unique. This allows the material to be used as in construction residential buildings, and during the construction of various economic and industrial structures. Step by step construction houses made of foam blocks take into account all the features of the material both during the construction of walls and during finishing work.

Features of the material

In general, foam block is a building material based on foam concrete. Foam concrete is obtained during hardening aqueous solution cement with sand, into which a substance that forms foam (air bubbles) is introduced.

Unlike aerated concrete, air bubbles in the mass of the material are obtained due to mechanical mixing, and not as a result of chemical gas release. Air bubbles are evenly distributed throughout the volume of the block. Blocks of the required size are produced by cutting a solid mass or by molding in molds.

Foam concrete has a number of undeniable advantages compared to other building materials.

It has high compressive strength, frost resistance, low thermal conductivity, good sound insulation properties, and very high fire resistance.

The material tolerates sudden temperature changes well. It is practically not subject to shrinkage. Its ability to “breathe” is important.

The properties of foam blocks significantly depend on the density of the material, i.e., on the content of air pores. Based on density, it is customary to distinguish the following types of foam concrete: heat-insulating (density up to 500 kg/m³), structural-thermal-insulating (500-900 kg/m³) and structural (1000-1200 kg/m³).

An increase in density leads to an increase in strength, but to a decrease in thermal insulation properties. Foam blocks are also characterized by high manufacturability, which is expressed in the ease of processing and fixing fasteners in them.

During construction, you should take into account the differences in the properties of different brands of foam blocks, and also choose optimal sizes blocks.

Thus, it is recommended to use foam blocks of grades from D600 to D1000 with dimensions of 20x30x60 cm for load-bearing walls, and for internal partitions - from D100 to D400 with sizes up to 10x30x60 cm. Foam blocks can be cut with a hacksaw, nails are driven into them and screws are screwed into them.

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Features of building a house from foam blocks

A number of advantages and creates some specific features building a house from foam blocks. The first feature is associated with the alternative choice of foam block brand. You have to choose between increased heat resistance and strength. In temperate climate areas, the issue is resolved in the direction of increased strength, which makes it possible to use a single-layer wall made of high-density blocks. In cold areas, a two-layer design should be used, where the inner layer is made of a more porous material and serves as insulation.

In general, the walls of a house made of foam blocks have less mass than walls made of other materials. Consequently, the load on the foundation is reduced, it can be made in a lightweight design.

The disadvantages of porous concrete include low resistance to changes in vertical loads. This property necessitates the installation of reinforcing belts or lintels in the area of ​​such loads.

Construction of a house from foam blocks is carried out quickly due to the fact that the blocks have dimensions much larger than the size of a brick. However, this requires special care and precision when laying the first 2-3 layers of blocks. They ensure the quality of further construction. The installation itself can be done using special glue, which reduces the gaps between the blocks.

The properties of foam blocks deteriorate significantly when moisture penetrates into the air pores. To avoid deterioration of heat resistance, it is necessary to apply external waterproofing. Unprotected foam concrete on the facade may darken when exposed to external factors, which requires the application of plaster with the addition of special compounds for foam blocks. Good air permeability in cold winds can significantly cool the house. To eliminate this effect, it is necessary to use external insulation ( mineral wool, polystyrene foam, etc.). This property limits its use if it is necessary to build a bathhouse.

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Detailed step-by-step instructions

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Preparation for construction

Tools and equipment necessary for building a house from foam blocks:

• welding machine;
• Bulgarian;
• electric drill;
• sawmill;
• concrete mixer;
• hammer (sledgehammer);
• screwdriver;
• hacksaw;
• vice;
• Sander;
• chisel;
• bit;
• chisel;
• file;
• pliers;
• mites;
• shovel;
• roulette;
• plumb line;
• level;
• putty knife;
• scissors;
• roulette;
• meter ruler;
• mallet;
• Master OK.

Any construction must begin with the development of a house project and coordination of all necessary documents for construction. When constructing a residential building, a water supply, sewerage and heating system design must be developed and approved by the relevant organizations. If necessary, a plan for electricity and gas supply is developed. You need to make a plan for yourself that includes phased construction home, as well as cost estimates.

Step No. 1 - obtaining the necessary permits for the development of the site. Such a major undertaking as the construction of a house cannot be started without resolving the issue of security construction site water. It is necessary to have a place to store materials and tools. If there is no water source, it is possible to drill a well.

Step No. 2 - solving the issue of water supply and storage. Important preparatory stage to the construction of a house is the purchase of building materials for the first stages of construction - the construction of the foundation and the beginning of laying walls from foam blocks. It is not practical to purchase all building materials; phased procurement is better.

Step No. 3 - purchase the first batch of building materials.

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Digging a foundation pit

The construction of the house itself begins with marking and digging a pit for the foundation. Thus, step No. 4 is digging a pit.

The most common type of foundation for a private house, including a house made of foam blocks, is strip foundation. The pit is marked under it.

For a standard house made of foam blocks, the pit is dug 80-170 cm deep, depending on the depth of soil freezing in winter. The dimensions of the pit correspond to the dimensions of the house with a margin of 60-100 cm on each side.

The pit is dug manually or using an excavator, if possible. Fertile soil extracted from the pit should not be taken far: it may be useful in the future when arranging a plot or vegetable garden.

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Construction of the foundation of the house

The phased construction of a house made of foam concrete includes step No. 5 - construction of the foundation. The foundation is the basis of any house, determining the stability and strength of the structure. First, a cushion for the foundation is created at the bottom of the pit by filling it with sand and crushed stone up to 30 cm thick. The cushion is well compacted.

Then the reinforcing foundation frame (reinforcement) is assembled. Used to make the frame steel reinforcement diameter up to 15 mm. Vertical rods are installed every 1-1.5 m to the height of the foundation, which are connected by horizontal rods. The connection is made by welding.

Next, formwork is installed for pouring concrete. It is made of boards or plywood, interconnected in the form of a shield. The distance between the sides of the formwork depends on the thickness of the wall and is usually 30-50 cm, the height is at least 70 cm. The panels are installed so that the reinforcement is inside the foundation fill, and are placed parallel to each other. From above, the side panels of the formwork are connected by wooden jumpers.

The foundation is poured with concrete based on M500 cement (one part cement, three parts sand, fine crushed stone). The solution should have a thick consistency. First, a small layer of cement mortar with sand, without crushed stone, is laid on top of the sand cushion. Then the formwork is filled with concrete. During the pouring process, it is necessary to compact the concrete using a shovel. The foundation dries within 7-10 days. After this, the formwork is dismantled. While the foundation is drying, care should be taken to purchase building material for constructing walls.

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Features of wall masonry

Step No. 6 is very important when building a house - laying walls from foam blocks. This step includes several stages. First of all, the surface of the foundation is leveled with a layer cement mortar, and horizontality should be checked with a level. A waterproofing layer is laid on top, which consists of 1-2 layers of roofing material. The sheets are overlapped with an overlap of at least 10 cm.

The next stage is laying the first row of foam blocks. made with a special glue, which is applied using a notched trowel. Laying the first rows begins with laying corner blocks. The corners of the house are formed to a height of 4-5 blocks. Linking the blocks in the corner is done as follows. The first row of the facade wall begins with laying the block along the foundation, and the second row begins with the end of the block of the perpendicular wall. The laying of layers alternates.

This ensures that the blocks are offset relative to each other in adjacent rows. Twine is stretched between the first corner blocks, and the entire first row is laid out along it. When laying, glue is applied to the surface of the masonry and the bottom of the block. The horizontality of the row is checked with a level, and if necessary, a mallet is used. All irregularities in the blocks should be eliminated immediately.

To strengthen walls made of foam blocks, it is necessary to carry out reinforcement during the masonry process.

After laying the first row, two parallel channels (grooves) measuring approximately 40x40 mm are cut out on its surface in the middle of the block. Reinforcing rods with a diameter of 8 mm are placed in the channel along the entire perimeter of the house. This operation is repeated every 4-5 layers of masonry.

The walls are laid taking into account door and window openings. If it is necessary to reduce the length of the block, use a grinder or a regular hacksaw. A reinforcing element must be installed above window and door openings. It is usually made from a steel angle of at least 80x80 mm. The length of the corner must exceed the width of the opening by at least 60 cm. Instead of the corner, you can use a reinforced concrete floor.

When choosing a material for the external and internal walls of residential buildings, foam concrete blocks are considered as a budget option. Their workers and performance characteristics cannot be classified as universal, but if you take into account all the features at the preparation stage, you can quickly get a reliable, warm and non-shrinking building. Prices for the construction of such houses are 14,000 rubles/m2 for a box and from 19,000 for turnkey construction. The dimensions and weight of the blocks allow you to carry out the masonry yourself, the same applies to most other stages, but the design and preparation of the reinforcement scheme is entrusted to specialists.

Foam concrete is valued for its lightness, fire safety, good thermal insulation properties and ability to absorb noise, the absence of deformation and shrinkage processes. The main advantages include the reasonable price of the products themselves, the simplicity of their laying and finishing. With the correct calculation of the walls and the exclusion of cold bridges, there is no need for additional insulation. If the latter is necessary (due to living in a harsh climatic zone, for example), the thickness of the outer layer of the heat insulator will be minimal. The material allows the walls to breathe, there are no toxins in its composition, and as a result, its use provides a good microclimate in the house.

Features taken into account during the design include low tensile strength, the need for protection from external moisture and good permeability due to the cellular structure. Foam concrete blocks are optimal in low-rise construction to ensure reliable operation structures are reinforced: longitudinally through 2-3 rows and in areas with high loads: openings, a belt for attaching the Mauerlat or installing floor beams. Durability is 50-70 years, performance characteristics largely depend on the quality of production. The last factor is considered the main disadvantage; checking the certificate when purchasing material is a mandatory step.

Brief description of projects

A simple house made of foam blocks with an attic and a garage; if desired, a glazed terrace can be added to the scheme. The main advantage is compactness: on a limited rectangular plot of 68 m2 there is a spacious living room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, separate bathroom and toilet. The attached 3x7 garage is designed to park one car, attic space above it is used as a utility room. Daylight on the attic floor is ensured by sloping windows in the pitched roof and vertical windows on the pediment. The house is designed for permanent residence of a family of 3-4 people.

Another traditional project two-story house made of blocks with separated zones for joint and individual pastime. On the ground floor there is a spacious living room with a fireplace combined with a dining room, a kitchen with a multifaceted glazed bay window, and utility rooms. The attic includes three separate bedrooms (if desired, any of them can be converted into an office or studio) and a bathroom; there is no garage. The interior is made in classic style, the visual appeal is enhanced by protruding windows (the total glazing area is large) and a wide single-flight staircase in the spacious hall.

Project of a cottage made of foam blocks with an attached garage and attic, general effective area is 140 m2. The form is complex, it includes protruding bay windows and a multi-sloping roof. On the ground floor there is a bathroom, kitchen, dining room and spacious living room. A two-flight staircase leads to the second floor; this area is intended for relaxation; it contains 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. The cottage can be used both as a summer country house and for permanent residence, the garage is designed to accommodate 1 car.

How and on what can you save?

An economy class house made of foam blocks costs the future owner 20-30% cheaper compared to a similar building made of brick. The design includes a stable monolithic foundation(type and depth of installation depend on soil parameters), reinforced box, floor partitions and rafter system. To reduce overall costs it is recommended:

1. Take into account all operating conditions at the stage of preparing the house project, draw up a work schedule, calculate exact amount building materials and purchase them in bulk.

2. If possible, replace concrete floors with wooden beams. Compared to factory-made reinforced concrete slabs, they are inexpensive, but their admissibility is determined by calculations.

3. Use foam blocks with high accuracy geometric shapes and sizes, otherwise glue consumption and finishing requirements increase. The quality of the products is checked even before purchase: when placed next to each other, they should not form gaps or become colored, the cells have a closed structure and spherical shape, their diameter does not exceed 1-3 mm, the color on the surface and on the fault is the same and uniform, there is no yellowness. To build load-bearing walls, you need a grade of at least D600, the minimum permissible thickness is 300 mm, but internal partitions you can save money - 100 mm of masonry is enough.

4. Give up the basement.

5. Replace the second floor with an attic located above it. The same solution is offered if it is necessary to obtain more premises during construction in limited space. Exists unspoken rule: with equal total area the design of a one-story house is less justified than a two-story one; the budget is considered to be recouped when it exceeds more than 100 m2. But at the same time, we must not forget about the restriction on the number of storeys - the permissible maximum is 3; ignoring this rule leads to an unjustified increase in costs for armored belts and laying the foundation.

6. If you have a limited budget, avoid complex architectural forms - terraces, bay windows, balconies, turrets. The same rule applies for roofing systems, the simplest and affordable option is a gable roof.

7. Carry out the work on your own. Price finished house turnkey (but without interior finishing and wiring) when contacting construction companies is at least 19,000 rubles per 1 m2, self-masonry and cladding cuts costs by a third.

Factors to consider during design

Houses and cottages are built according to a standard or individual plan. Ready project It is inexpensive (in the range of 20,000-30,000 rubles), but it does not take into account all the conditions of construction and operation. Agreeing on special requirements takes a lot of time; the preparation of such documentation takes at least 1.5 months. In any case, the following is taken into account:

1. Seismic activity of the region; when construction is carried out in the zone of movement of tectonic plates, the requirements for the stability of the foundation and prices for masonry increase; in case of high risks, foam blocks are replaced with other building materials.

2. Climatic conditions: average annual precipitation, humidity and air temperature. These parameters are taken into account when calculating the thickness of external walls, when determining the total weight loads and choosing the material and finishing method. When building in regions with an average daily air temperature in winter below -20°C, roof insulation must be provided.

3. Geological parameters of the site: type and degree of soil homogeneity, depth groundwater, freezing level. The initial data are the results of an analysis of the state of the soil, ideally carried out during the period of maximum precipitation and rise in ground moisture - in spring or autumn.

If there is a risk of flooding, it is better to build a house made of foam blocks without a basement or underground floor; the costs of waterproofing and drainage will be unreasonably high.

4. Construction budget. With limited funds, the simplest project is chosen, without protrusions and. The fewer complex forms are laid, the more reliable the house. This is explained by the low resistance of the blocks to tensile loads; only specialists can achieve their uniform distribution with asymmetrical arrangement of structures.

5. The need for energy saving. One of the main advantages is the possibility of constructing residential buildings without additional insulation, even with single-layer masonry. In practice, the amount of energy consumption is influenced by many factors: from the glass area to the location of the rooms. If the main priority is energy efficiency, then the project includes smaller windows and all outbuildings are placed on the north side. If the emphasis is on external attractiveness, protruding glazed bay windows, verandas and balconies are added to the house plan; accordingly, the costs of turnkey construction and heating of buildings increase.

Foam block is one of the most popular materials in suburban construction. Like any other, it has a number of advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into account before starting work. To build a house from foam blocks with your own hands, you need to carefully study the basic properties of the material and the technology for working with it.

Material characteristics

Foam block is an artificial building material with a light porous structure, which consists of a filler (sand) and a blowing agent (synthetic or organic surfactants). Pores occupy more than 50% of the material.

The main characteristics of the foam block include:

• strength (strength classes B0.35 - B40);
• density (density grades D200 - D1200);
• frost resistance (frost resistance grades F15 - F500);
• thermal conductivity;
• vapor permeability.

Depending on the density brand, the purpose of the foam blocks is determined:

1. Thermal insulation (D200 - D350) blocks with a density of 200–350 kg/m 3. Due to their high porosity they have low thermal conductivity and are only suitable for thermal insulation. Load-bearing walls cannot be erected from such blocks due to their very low strength.
2. Structural and thermal insulation (D400 - D600). Universal blocks for the construction of load-bearing walls with a sufficient degree of thermal insulation. They are used mainly for low-rise buildings.
3. Structural (D700 - D1600). Blocks with very high density, which are used for the construction of buildings of unlimited height.

If the height of your future home is no more than three floors, then it is more rational to use structural and thermal insulating foam blocks of strength grades D400, D500 or B600. The dimensions of the blocks of the indicated brands are accepted according to GOST. The thickness is selected, as a rule, depending on its purpose (internal, external wall or partition).

Table: ratio of block parameters

Advantages and disadvantages of a house made of foam blocks

The advantages and disadvantages of foam blocks as a building material are also characterized by the features of a house built from it. Compared to other materials, it has a number of advantages:

1. Low thermal conductivity.
2. Low weight, thanks to high porosity, which allows you to work alone without much labor and special equipment. Thanks to this, the structure puts less load on the foundation, which allows it to be made less powerful.
3. Large size, which increases the speed of construction.
4. The low price of the foam block affects the cost of the house itself.
5. The non-combustibility of the foam block, which provides the house with the first degree of fire resistance.
6. Durability and no repair costs.
7. Compliance, which allows you to easily saw blocks into pieces and make holes in them.
8. Unique appearance, which is achieved different ways finishing.

Thanks to these advantages, foam blocks are widely used in private housing construction. The construction of walls from them can be done by a person without experience and without special equipment. Despite the obvious advantages of the material, it should also be said about its disadvantages:

1. The use of special glue for the installation of foam blocks, which provides the entire wall structure with the necessary strength. It is much more expensive than cement-sand mortar, which will certainly affect the overall cost of the house.
2. The need for exterior finishing to protect the material from exposure to precipitation (plaster or facing brick).
3. Can be used in rooms with relative humidity air no more than 75%. In other cases, it is necessary to provide vapor barrier protection, which again will affect the overall cost of the house, especially if it occupies a significant area, for example, a swimming pool.
4. The need for additional thermal insulation, since a wall one block thick may not pass the thermal engineering calculations.

Before you choose wall material, which you will use when building a house, you need to take into account all its features so that unexpected problems do not appear during construction or after putting the house into operation.

Photo gallery: options for exterior home decoration

Necessary materials and tools for building a house with your own hands

To build a house from foam concrete blocks, you need to prepare the blocks themselves, the adhesive mixture and the reinforcing bars.

Materials must be protected from precipitation throughout construction.

The tools that you will need at different stages of construction need to be prepared in advance:

• a notched trowel or trowel for applying the adhesive mixture;
• hacksaw for sawing blocks to required sizes;
• hammer-pick for giving irregular shapes to blocks;
• rubber mallet (used for work on installing blocks in the desired position);
• the plane is designed to level out significant unevenness;
• sanding board for final leveling of surfaces;
• construction cord for orienting blocks along it during laying;
• level for checking the horizontality of surfaces;
• plumb line to check the verticality of the masonry;
• container for mixing the solution;
• drill with a nozzle for mixing the solution;
• a spatula is used for grouting seams, cracks and chips;
• brush for cleaning blocks.

Optimal dimensions of the house and calculation of materials

Before building a house, the most important stage is its design. When determining dimensions, you should be guided by the following conditions:

• the size of the existing site;
• the number of people living in the house;
• degree of complexity of the project;
• the number of premises required;
• desired construction cost.

The required number of foam concrete blocks is calculated as follows:

1. The length of the walls of each floor is determined: L 1 = (6.0 × 4) + (8.0 × 2) + 3.0 = 40.0 m and L 2 = (4.5 × 4) + (8.0 × 2) = 34.0 m.
2. Wall area with a floor height of 2.5 m: S 1 = 40.0 × 2.5 = 100.0 m 2; S 2 = 34.0 × 2.5 = 85.0 m 2.
3. Calculate the net area of ​​the walls minus window and door openings standard sizes(window 1.5 × 1.5 m; door 0.9 × 2.0 m): S 1h = 100.0 - (2.25 × 4) - (1.8 × 4) = 83.8 m 2 ; S 2h = 85.0 - (2.25 × 2) - (1.8 × 2) = 76.9 m 2.
4. The obtained values ​​are summed up: S total = 83.8 + 76.9 = 160.7 m2.
5. Calculated required amount foam blocks 198 mm high and 598 mm long. For 1 m2 of wall you will need 8.5 pieces, therefore for an area of ​​160.7 m2: 160.7 × 8.5 = 1366 pieces.
6. The number of additional blocks and blocks in case of battle is also taken into account (24 pieces): 1366 + 24 = 1390 pieces.

In total, 1,390 foam concrete blocks will be required to build a two-story house. If you compare the cost of a house box of the same size made of brick or wood, then one of the most important advantages of a foam block will be obvious - its price.

Price for foam blocks in different regions slightly different. When choosing a manufacturer, you need to pay attention to the quality of the product and the distance of production from the construction site.

Determining the type of foundation and its structure

Before the construction of the foundation begins on the site, a geodetic alignment of the axes is carried out clearly according to the project.

When determining the type of foundation for a house, you need to pay attention to the groundwater level of the site, the depth of freezing and type of soil, and the load on the foundation. As a rule, when an owner builds a home with his own hands, he neglects high-quality design and survey work due to the significant financial costs of it. If the groundwater level and soil type can be checked independently by drilling a well to 2.5 - 3 m, then calculating the load on the foundation, determining the required depth and its type is best left to professionals.

As a rule, if the groundwater level is at a depth of less than 2 m, then a slab monolithic foundation is installed. If this indicator is more than 2 m, the level of soil freezing does not exceed 1 m, the soil is slightly heaving or non-heaving, then most often a shallow strip monolithic foundation is built. The work on its installation is not particularly difficult, and even a non-professional can do it.

To mark, dig a trench of the required depth and width, lay a 15-20 cm thick sand and gravel bedding on the bottom and install formwork, which is made from planed boards 5 cm thick. Spacers are installed in 1 m increments so that the concrete does not deform the structure.

In parallel with the construction of the formwork, reinforcement is laid. Before concreting, the boards are moistened with water and concrete is laid in stages, compacting each layer by vibration. After completing this work, the foundation is covered with cloth or sawdust and kept moist to prevent cracking. Now the formwork can be disassembled, after which you can begin waterproofing works. They are needed to protect the foundation from the effects of groundwater and precipitation. Waterproofing is applied to all external surfaces in different ways using materials that differ in price, complexity of application and service life.

After all work is completed, the area around the house is leveled to ensure water drainage from the building. After 28 days have passed, the foundation can be loaded and the construction of walls can begin; this time is necessary for the concrete to gain its required strength.

Step-by-step instructions for building walls from foam blocks

After the foundation is fully established, you can begin building the walls:

1. Before installing the first row of foam blocks, you must check building level horizontal foundation. Regardless of its type, the horizontal deviation should not exceed 30 mm. If this condition is not met, then the surface must be leveled.
2. Next you need to apply cement-sand mortar 1 - 2 cm thick, and lay a roll on it waterproofing material. It is preferable to lay it with an overlap of 150 mm.
3. The construction of the first row of external walls is the most important work throughout the entire construction. The blocks are installed strictly according to the design, because all subsequent rows will depend on the quality of the first one. Initially, the building material is placed in the corners of the building on a cement-sand mortar. The upper surface of the blocks is checked with a building level for strict horizontality and, if necessary, knocked down with a mallet.
4. A mooring cord is pulled between the corner blocks, relative to which intermediate ones are laid out on a cement-sand mortar, completely closing the first row of the building.
5. If there is a need for a block of non-standard size, it is sawed with a hand saw. The surface is not always smooth, so if necessary it is leveled with a plane.
6. The second row of external walls begins to be laid approximately 2 hours after the mortar of the first has set. They begin to lay blocks from the corners of the building, subsequently filling the gaps relative to the stretched cord. Place them on the adhesive mixture, which is evenly distributed over the surface with a notched trowel. Each block is checked with a level for horizontality and verticality.
7. Subsequent rows are placed with bandaging with the previous ones to a depth of at least 100 mm. Any dust and dirt that appears should be removed immediately with brushes.
8. The connection of the internal walls to the external ones is carried out using a bandage, while the walls are checked for horizontal coincidence.
9. To build partitions, special connections are used that are placed in the seams. The anchors are placed at one end into the wall and at the other into the seam between the partition blocks. Flexible connections are installed every two rows of masonry.
10. To provide additional stability to the walls and protect the masonry from cracks, it is necessary to carry out reinforcement. The reinforcement is placed in recesses in the blocks, which are first made with a wall chaser.
11. For installing jumpers over window and doorways usually use prefabricated structures required sizes. First of all, you need to pay attention to the support area and installation accuracy. To ensure this, the jumper is tapped with a rubber mallet. If its length is more than 125 cm, then it is necessary to provide additional supporting elements, supporting her. The supports are disassembled after the adhesive solution has reached the required strength.
12. If the height of the house is more than 1 floor, then an important stage of construction will be the installation interfloor ceilings. The slabs are not supported directly on the blocks. For these purposes, a monolithic reinforced concrete belt is poured over the foam block walls, and floor slabs are placed on it. Armopoyas binds load-bearing walls building along the perimeter and evenly distributes the load on the walls. The dimensions are almost always standard: width - 300 mm, height - 200 mm. Considering that the armored belt violates thermal insulation outer wall, then it requires additional insulation.
13. After the concrete in the reinforced belt gains strength, the floor slabs are supported on it.
14. The second floor is built similarly to the walls of the first. For getting smooth surface significant irregularities are removed with a plane, excess adhesive solution remove with a spatula and rub the cracks.
15. The attic floor of a house made of foam blocks is made by analogy with the interfloor floor, or a beam structure made of wood or metal is used.
16. The roof can be pitched, gable, hip or mansard.

    Work on the installation of the roof is carried out in the following sequence: installation of rafter beams, implementation of lathing and counter-lattens, installation of thermal insulation, covering roofing material. As the latter, natural or soft tiles, metal tiles, roofing steel or rolled materials.

17. After completing all the above work, proceed to exterior decoration Houses.

To ensure the required strength of the masonry, the order of ligation of longitudinal and transverse seams should be observed. You need to check the evenness of corners and horizontal surfaces several times and immediately correct any detected deviations.

Features of interior decoration of a house made of foam blocks

The main feature of the interior decoration of walls made of foam blocks is the undesirable performance of wet processes, because the water absorption of this material should be no more than 12% of its own volume. For this reason, walls are very poorly plastered, and preference is given to finishing materials, installed on frame structures. The most popular options:

• plastic panels;
• plasterboard (gypsum plasterboard) sheets;
• gypsum fiber sheets (GVL).

All these materials require installation on wooden or aluminum frames. The surface of gypsum plasterboard and gypsum plasterboard requires finishing putty and subsequent application decorative material(wallpaper, paint, textured plaster). In addition, wall surfaces in rooms with high humidity it is necessary to provide a vapor barrier so that excess liquid does not accumulate in the foam blocks and does not lead to their premature destruction.

In the bathroom, for example, they are pre-attached to the wall. vapor barrier film, and on top of it - frame structure made of gypsum fiber sheets on which ceramic tiles can be glued. Using different methods of interior decoration, you can give your premises a unique and inimitable design.

Video: foam concrete blocks - pros and cons

The construction of any house must be treated responsibly, especially if the work is carried out on our own. Before starting, it is advisable to develop a project, calculate and purchase the required amount of building materials, prepare tools and study in detail all stages of construction. A house made of foam blocks is not particularly difficult to construct, but it is very important to follow the sequence of all work and strictly follow technologies so that the structure meets the requirements for strength, stability and durability.