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How to build a house from expanded clay blocks with your own hands. DIY expanded clay block house

We are engaged in the construction of cottages and country houses from expanded clay block for more than 10 years. We employ qualified and experienced builders who have already learned all the advantages of using this unique material. We can build structures intended for housing according to any individually developed schemes or drawings. We also work with standard ( standard projects). You can contact us even if you have no project at all.

Expanded clay – excellent material, combining high strength, thermal efficiency and affordability, used in construction low-rise buildings. Can be used for construction residential buildings, and for utility buildings with a height of 1 to 3 floors.

Many developers have come to the conclusion that for country houses and cottages the most effective material Expanded clay has become the material used for construction today. Expanded clay concrete blocks are made in a specific shape and combine well with metal structures and reinforced concrete products. The method of building a house does not differ from an exclusive method and is similar to masonry ceramic bricks. The low weight of the blocks allows you to reduce the load when constructing large reinforced concrete structures which are used for floors. And the existing voids make it possible to make a hidden frame, which provides additional reinforcement in the walls.

In Europe this type buildings have long been widely used in the construction of private houses due to the enormous heat savings. In our country, this type of construction has been familiar for a long time, but its use in practice is only now beginning to gain momentum. Below we will learn more about the composition, possible sizes, advantages over other materials and nuances during construction.

Composition and classification

Expanded clay concrete, unlike other types of concrete, is distinguished by its porous composite. In addition to cement, sand and water, expanded clay plays a significant role in the composition (this is fired clay and, as a result, foamed). Externally, expanded clay resembles fine crushed stone, coarse sand or gravel.

Compound ready mixture for an expanded clay concrete block with a specific weight of 1500 kg per 1 m 3 we present it in the form of a list:

Expanded clay calculated at 510 kg, which is 34% of general composition(burnt fusible clay rocks in the form of fractions of 5 - 10 mm.);

Cement not lower than M400 grade per 430 kg, which is 28.6%;

Sand in the amount of 420 kg, which is 28% (large or medium fraction, creating the skeleton of the block);

Water in the calculation is 140 kg, which is 9.4% (it is advisable to use water without impurities).

To reduce the weight of the mixture, I reduce the percentage of cement and sand. And in lighter mixtures with a specific gravity of 1000 kg per 1 m 3 or less, sand may be completely absent.

The dimensions of expanded clay concrete panels are determined in accordance with GOST 6133-99:

Installed Dimensions panels for walls – 90(190,290,390)x190x188 mm, 288x138 (288)x138 mm;

The established dimensions of the panels for partitions are 190(390.590)x90x188 mm.

The following types of blocks are distinguished by purpose:

1. Constructive - specific gravity 1400-1800 kg per 1 m 3 (use for load-bearing structures of houses or technical structures - overpasses and bridges);

Increasingly, instead of traditional materials, such as brick, in private low-rise construction, products belonging to the class of cellular concrete are becoming increasingly popular. But which ones have pros and cons of a house made of expanded clay concrete blocks, material known for more than half a century, but never fully appreciated?

Although, in the last decade, against the backdrop of rising costs of energy and coolants, as well as the desire modern man to living in an environmentally safe and comfortable home, this material is experiencing a real renaissance.

Expanded clay - what is it and where is it used?

Initially, production of expanded clay concrete blocks was a side activity of factories for the production of expanded clay, a material obtained from lightweight grades of clay and which is a granular porous material used mainly in construction as bulk insulation.

And since the production of blocks did not require equipping the enterprise with technically complex equipment, their cost was low. But, since the range of products was very limited, their application was also limited.

Today expanded clay production technology has not changed much compared to the beginning of the last century, when it appeared. The clay from which expanded clay is made is of natural origin, and the blocks made from it are highly environmentally friendly, and the houses built have a special favorable microclimate, since for their production only ordinary concrete is used, which is a solution of cement, sand and lime.

The filler in this case is expanded clay itself, which, depending on its mass fraction in the product, affects such an indicator as density and, accordingly, weight. That is, it turns out the higher the density of the material, the heavier it is, but also the higher the thermal conductivity coefficient.

Different composition of expanded clay concrete provides material density from 500 to 1800 kg/m3. If expanded clay with a larger fraction is used to produce blocks, the material is more durable, but colder.

Blocks with high density it is quite possible to use for the construction even four-story houses, but not more than 15 m in height, but for this you will have to give preference to a material with lower thermal insulation characteristics.

Despite the fact that the price of the products is low, the production of blocks directly on site is very attractive and profitable. construction site. In order to make expanded clay concrete with your own hands All you need is a form into which the prepared solution is poured, consisting, as mentioned above, of concrete mixture and expanded clay.

Dimensions and main types of expanded clay blocks

Expanded clay concrete building blocks can be different sizes And different types, but the most common are products with the following parameters: length – 40 cm, width and height – 20 cm each.

So pretty modest dimensions of expanded clay concrete block, compared, for example, with aerated concrete, are explained by the rather large weight of the products. With other parameters, it would be necessary to bring special equipment to the construction site, but as it is, all operations on building a house can be done manually.

On this moment Construction expanded clay is used for the production of mainly two types of products: hollow and solid. The latter are more durable and are used for the construction of fairly strong load-bearing walls and designs.

Hollow products apply to device internal partitions, and sometimes - as an additional thermal insulation layer. Often such products have a smaller width, as a rule, half the standard width, which is quite enough. If the dimensions solid block are 188?190?390 mm, then the hollow one is 188?90?390 mm.

In addition, there are products on the market with tongue-and-groove system, which not only facilitates the construction of construction projects and reduces the amount of mortar used for masonry, but also solves one of the most difficult problems of this material - elimination of cold bridges.

All expanded clay blocks can be classified as one of the following types products: private or front. The construction of walls or other structures from the latter does not imply the use of additional finishing, but for the former it is necessary.

Construction from expanded clay concrete, video:

Technical characteristics of expanded clay concrete blocks

Before we begin to consider all the advantages of expanded clay blocks, we should dwell in more detail on their main technical specifications . And since in many ways construction from this material is attractive precisely from the point of view of energy saving, you should start paying attention, first of all, to thermal conductivity of expanded clay, a parameter that is one of the main ones for this material.

So, expanded clay concrete has:

coefficient of thermal conductivity in the range from 0.18 to 0.81–0.90 W/(m°C);
material density, varying from 500 to 1800 kg/m3. It should be noted that if the density of expanded clay is 500-1100 kg/m3, then it is classified as a structural-thermal-insulating type, and with indicators of 1100 kg/m3 or more - as a structural type;
strength, amounting to 35-250 kg/cm 2 static load;
high vapor permeability, which are also determined by the density of the product and fluctuate in the range from 0.256 to 0.094 mg/(m*h*Pa);
frost resistance, according to this parameter the material can be classified as classes F25, F35, and even F50 and F75;
fire resistance, which allows the material to be classified as the highest, first safety class (A1);
the service life of the material reaches 60 years or more;
block weight from 10 to 25 kg, which varies depending on the size, shape and density of the products.

In order to determine what should be the thickness of a wall made of expanded clay concrete blocks and how much material is needed to build a house, you need to learn to read special markings, which provide very complete and detailed information.

The first letter “K” is the same for all products, as it indicates that this building stone is of artificial origin.

The following are letters indicating the main purpose of the “C” blocks - wall, "L" - facial, "R" - private and "P" - for partitions.

After this, the specific characteristics of the product are indicated, for example, “UG” - For corner connections ; "PZ" - for dressing sutures, "PS" - hollow etc.

The next point in the marking is indication of block length in centimeters, and then the values of strength, frost resistance and density are indicated.

Types of expanded clay concrete blocks, video:

Pros and cons of expanded clay blocks

Before considering What are the pros and cons of expanded clay blocks?, it should be clarified that these products are actively used not only in low-rise construction and, above all, private, for the construction of houses or various utility buildings, but also in a monolithic– as a wall material for filling external and internal openings.

And if you take into account how much expanded clay costs, then the use of products made from it allows you to significantly reduce construction costs multi-storey monolithic frame houses.

But, besides this, expanded clay concrete provides other undeniable advantages:

From cons material, it is necessary to indicate, first of all, to:

formation of “cold bridges”, but taking into account the fact that expanded clay surfaces have a lining, and often an additional thermal insulation layer, this problem is solvable;
because quite mediocre moisture resistance characteristics, you can’t do without a reliable waterproofing device;
despite the fact that the weight of the material is relatively small, it is still higher than that of other cellular concrete, therefore requires the construction of a reliable and powerful foundation for the house;
impossibility of using material for foundation construction, and to the question Is it possible to lay out a plinth from expanded clay concrete blocks?, the answer will depend on the level groundwater and the number of floors of the building, but in any case this is not the most rational solution.

It should also be taken into account that external walls built from expanded clay blocks should not be long time without cladding, as this can significantly reduce the durability of the building due to low moisture resistance.

Laying expanded clay block, video instructions:

Laying expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands

Because the weight of a building made of expanded clay concrete blocks is quite large, then it requires a reliable foundation, otherwise what will it be foundation for a house made of expanded clay concrete blocks, largely depends on the geological situation at the site.

It is also necessary to take into account the depth of freezing and the groundwater level, as well as the number of storeys of the house.

For complex, loose or rocky soils the most optimal choice – .

If the situation on the site is more favorable, then you can choose between two options for the strip base: monolithic and prefabricated from foundation blocks ( FBS) . This option will certainly be chosen by developers who cannot imagine their home without an underground level or basement, additional premises, which can have a wide variety of functional purposes.

About how it should be produced laying expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands step-by-step instruction differs little from the similar procedure used in the construction of houses, for example, from foam concrete. But there are some features and nuances that should definitely be taken into account when working with this material.

Before you start building a house, must be done, to protect the blocks from exposure to the wet soil environment.

It is necessary to directly erect the walls in compliance with the dressing rules, which require mandatory offset the next row by at least a third of the length of the block, in relation to the previous one. Also, to ensure structural rigidity, you should perform masonry reinforcement, approximately every 3-4 rows - depending on the number of storeys of the house, and, consequently, on the expected load-bearing load.

After each row, it is imperative to check the accuracy of the masonry using building level and plumb line.

One of the important issues when building a box at home is - Which masonry mortar use for expanded clay concrete blocks. The most common option is ordinary cement-sand mortar, but you can also choose adhesive mixtures based on cement, since they allow thinner connecting seams to be made, which partially helps to cope with the problem of the formation of “cold bridges”.

And in the event that a traditional masonry mortar is used, which should be applied in a layer of no more than 12-15 mm, then you should comply correct proportions during its manufacture, which are determined by the density of block products used for construction.

If expanded clay concrete blocks are laid in two rows, then they are erected simultaneously, always being tied together to ensure the reliability of the house structure.

After the first floor box is ready, you should definitely do armored belt on expanded clay concrete blocks , which can be made of brick or in the form of reinforced concrete monolithic design, with the preliminary production of formwork for it.

But regardless of the material used, armored belt must be thermally insulated, since in any case its thermal conductivity coefficient is higher than that of the walls. Similarly, the armored belt, when constructing a building of several floors, is performed after the completion of each of them.

For finishing a house made of expanded clay concrete blocks you can use the most different materials. One of the popular options is plaster made using the . In this case, insulation of expanded clay concrete walls can be done using expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam, as well as materials based mineral wool.

In addition, a system can be used for finishing using siding as a decorative layer. Brick cladding is also allowed, or ceramic tiles, clinker, etc.

Opponents of construction from expanded clay concrete blocks hint at the rather high costs associated with finishing the house.

But as evidenced

Since the time when expanded clay appeared, no significant changes have occurred in the technology of its production. Porous blocks made using this material are also highly environmentally friendly and are relatively cheap. In buildings constructed from these products, it is easy to “breathe”; and a house made of expanded clay concrete blocks, which in terms of thermal insulation characteristics is not inferior to a structure made of gas or foam concrete, can be built even by a novice builder.

Main types of expanded clay concrete blocks

Expanded clay concrete blocks (according to GOST they are regulated like stones) are produced different brands indicating the compressive strength. Depending on the volume of expanded clay, the density of the blocks varies from 350 to 1800 kg/m³. The less expanded clay in a product, the denser, heavier it is and its thermal conductivity coefficient is higher, that is, the material is durable, but not very “warm”. The high content of porous expanded clay significantly reduces the density of the material and its strength, but gives it good thermal insulation characteristics. Therefore, only after understanding the purpose of stones and their scope of application, you will be able to understand what products you will need to erect a building from expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands. Based on density, all expanded clay concrete blocks are divided into the following types:

Thermal insulation products with a density from 350 to 700 kg/m³: used for laying the thermal insulation layer.

Important! Thermal insulation blocks cannot be used for the construction of load-bearing walls.

Mixed-use blocks with a density from 700 to 1400 kg/m³: used for construction wall panels And interior partitions that are not subject to heavy loads.
Structural blocks made of expanded clay concrete, the density of which varies from 1400 to 1800 kg/m³ (they are quite heavy). Used for the construction of load-bearing structures.

Advice! A structure made from products of this type is durable, but “cold”, so plan how to insulate a house built from expanded clay concrete blocks.

Conclusion: a material with low density has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, but its strength leaves much to be desired; High-density material has good compressive strength, but when using it when building a house, it is necessary to provide insulation.

On construction market Expanded clay concrete products are presented in two varieties: hollow and solid. Solid ones are highly durable and are used for the construction of load-bearing walls and structures that can withstand heavy loads. Hollow blocks are not very strong, but have good heat-saving characteristics. They are used for the construction of internal partitions, and sometimes as an additional heat-insulating or sound-proofing layer.

To facilitate the construction of a building such as a house made of expanded clay concrete, reduce the amount of mortar and prevent the formation of cold bridges, products with a tongue-and-groove system are often used.

Calculation of the required number of blocks

How to calculate required amount blocks for building a house from expanded clay concrete with your own hands? Very simple. The calculation is made without taking into account the thickness of the masonry joint. Initial data: width of the front wall - 6 m, length of the side wall - 9 m, height at the corner - 3 m, height at the ridge - 7 m, we lay the wall in half a block.

We calculate the total area of the walls: S(total) = 6×3×2 + 9×3×2 + 4×3×2 = 36 + 54 + 24 = 114 m².

We determine the area of window openings (taking into account that the width of one window is 1.4 m; height – 1.2 m; quantity – 4 pieces): S(windows) = 1.4 × 1.2 × 4 = 6.72 m².

We determine the area of the doorway (taking into account that the width of the doorway is 1.2 m and the height is 2.2 m): S(doorway) = 1.2 × 2.2 = 2.64 m².

Wall area (excluding windows and doorways): S(walls) = S(total) - S(windows) - S(doorway) = 114 - 6.72 - 2.64 = 104.64 m².

Expanded clay block measuring 0.2 m × 0.2 m × 0.4 m has an area: S(block) = 0.2 × 0.4 = 0.08 m².

Number of blocks required for masonry: N = S(walls) : S(blocks) = 104.64: 0.08 = 1308 pieces (this is the number of blocks needed for our construction).

The amount of material will decrease if the thickness of the masonry joint is taken into account in the calculation (about 15 mm), but it is better not to do this (let there be a small margin). Calculation of the number of products for internal partitions is done in a similar way.

Technology of building a house from expanded clay concrete

If you are building expanded clay concrete house, stick to the recommended technology and you will succeed.

Foundation

Professionals say that when building a house from expanded clay concrete blocks (by the way, as well as under monolithic house) is most suitable strip foundation. The technology for its arrangement is simple, so you can easily make the foundation needed for your house from expanded clay concrete blocks yourself. We carry out the following work:

we dig a trench under the foundation (the width exceeds the width of the wall by 10-15 cm, and the depth is 50 cm);
Place a sand cushion on the bottom (height – 15 cm);
moisten the sand generously with water and tamp;
pour a layer of crushed stone (15 cm high);
compact the crushed stone;
we arrange a waterproofing layer (for example, roofing felt);
we install the formwork, which must be waterproofed;
We make a reinforcing frame inside the formwork;
pour concrete;
after 5 days we remove the formwork, waterproof the upper and side surfaces of the foundation with mastic and roofing felt;
fill the cavities between the foundation and the trench with sand;
we take a break for 1-3 months so that the foundation settles;
We are starting to lay the walls.

We lay expanded clay concrete wall blocks

The masonry algorithm looks like this:

We lay roofing material on the foundation in 2-3 layers (coat each layer with mastic);
place 2 blocks on the solution from each corner;

along the entire perimeter we stretch a cord between the corner blocks, along which we align the laying of expanded clay concrete products of the first row;
we check the masonry with a level, adjust the position of each block using a rubber mallet;
we take a break for 1 day so that the row of masonry settles;
we build subsequent rows in checkerboard pattern starting from the corner (we lay no more than 3-4 rows per day);
before laying floors between floors and rafter system We install reinforcing belts on the roofs.

Important! Check the quality of the masonry as often as possible using a level and plumb line.

Options for laying standard blocks depending on the desired thickness:

Insulation

To insulate houses made of expanded clay concrete blocks from the outside, different materials are used: mineral wool with a foil layer (this material provides a vapor barrier aluminium foil), glass wool, polystyrene foam, penoplex.

Important! To increase the service life of the thermal insulation layer, it is necessary to install a vapor barrier on top of it.

The most effective and available material counts mineral wool with a foil layer (available in the form of dense and durable slabs), it is ideally suited for such a “breathable” material as expanded clay concrete.

The technology for laying the thermal insulation layer is quite simple:

we clean the outer walls from dust and treat them with a primer for exterior work;
mix the glue according to the instructions indicated on the package;
apply glue along the entire perimeter of the mineral wool sheet and additionally in the middle;
glue the slabs to the wall in a checkerboard pattern, starting from the bottom of one of the corners;
after 1 day, we secure the glued mineral slabs with plastic dowels (“umbrellas”);
We install the reinforcing layer (special facade fiberglass mesh): we press it into the layer of applied plaster glue using a wide spatula;
We lay another layer of special glue on the dried reinforcing layer and cover it with some kind of facade decorative plaster;
After final drying, we paint.

In custody

If you decide to build and you are capable of building a house with your own hands, follow our recommendations and use expanded clay concrete products. As a result, you will receive housing with a favorable microclimate.

Combine in one wall material strength and energy saving are the cherished goals of every developer.

Unfortunately these two physical properties are exactly the opposite, so in practice the best option- a compromise between them.

One of successful examples The union of reliability and warmth is a house made of expanded clay concrete. This structure retains heat better than traditional solid brick. In terms of resistance to loads, expanded clay block is superior to brittle gas and foam concrete.

In Europe, where every calorie of heat is saved, this material has already won a place of honor.

It wouldn’t hurt for us to take a closer look at the features of construction from expanded clay concrete blocks in order to make conscious choice from wall materials offered on the market.

Features of expanded clay concrete blocks, their advantages and disadvantages

Expanded clay concrete is a three-component material consisting of cement, quartz sand and expanded clay gravel (burnt and foamed clay). In terms of environmental friendliness, it is impeccable, since no chemicals are used in its production.

Thanks to lightweight expanded clay granules, the weight of the material is reduced and its energy-saving ability increases. Thanks to cement, the structural lattice of expanded clay concrete blocks is strong and stable. Additional weight reduction is achieved through voids created when the blocks are formed. They are used to strengthen masonry with reinforcement or install additional connections in frame houses.

Before making a purchase and starting construction, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate.

In addition to those already listed, their advantages include:

moisture resistance;
resistance to fire, rodents and insects;
durability;
low thermal conductivity (from 0.14 to 0.66 W/mK);
frost resistance (for heat-insulating blocks 15-50 cycles; for structural-thermal insulation blocks - 100, for structural blocks up to 200);
good vapor permeability (from 3 to 9 mg/m h Pa);
high speed and low labor intensity of masonry (one mason lays up to 3 m3 of blocks per shift);
savings in solution (compared to brickwork reaches 50%);
reliable fixation of fasteners during installation of external and internal finishing;
low cost.

We also note that building a house from expanded clay concrete blocks has its disadvantages:

it is impossible to save on the foundation, because expanded clay concrete walls heavier than foam and gas blocks;
cold bridges through masonry seams (walls must be insulated);
it is not recommended to leave the house without outside protective finish more than 2 seasons (wall strength decreases).

Construction Features

Anyone who wants to build a house from expanded clay blocks should know the intricacies of the technology of such masonry.

Firstly , you need to decide on the type of material used. For low-rise construction, structural and thermal insulation blocks (density from 700 to 1200 kg/m3) are optimal. Lighter ones are suitable only for insulation, while heavier ones (structural) are used in multi-story construction.

Secondly , choose the block size wisely. In order for the costs of insulating expanded clay walls to be minimal, their thickness must be at least 40 cm (for middle zone Russia). The most popular size used for load-bearing walls is 190x188x390 mm. For self-supporting partitions, blocks with a thickness of 90-120 mm are purchased.

Third , please note that the foundation for the walls must be strong and deep enough. The depth of the trench is chosen based on local soil conditions, but do not dig it shallower than 1.0 -1.2 meters. A sand cushion compacted with a tamper (20 cm thick) under the foundation is required. In addition, you will have to pour a reinforced concrete belt (15-20 cm), making a frame for it from 4-6 reinforcing bars with a diameter of 16-20 mm. In case of uneven soil settlement, it will protect the foundation and walls from cracks.

Fourth , it is more economical when insulation and finishing of a house made of expanded clay blocks are carried out simultaneously. Therefore, you should decide in advance on the cladding material (siding, facing brick, facade plaster, blockhouse) and insulation (basalt or ecowool).

The laying of expanded clay blocks is not fundamentally different from the technology for constructing walls made of block aerated concrete. Here, the seams are also bandaged and the deviation of the wall surface from the vertical is monitored (using a plumb line and level). Horizontal evenness is achieved by installing a mooring cord at the corners, marking the line of the row.

When building from expanded clay concrete blocks, there is one important nuance – use of insulating jute tape. It is laid in the middle of the masonry, thereby cutting off access to the cold through the solution into the premises.

You can save money by abandoning this decision, but in this case, heat will escape from the house through thick masonry joints (12-15 mm).

Another significant point of technology is masonry reinforcement. It should be done in 3-4 rows, placing two reinforcement bars with a diameter of 12 - 14 mm in special grooves on the block.

Despite the fact that expanded clay concrete is stronger than aerated concrete, for the installation of floor panels, a monolithic reinforced belt will also have to be made for it. It will distribute the load from the slabs and prevent them from pushing through individual sections of the walls. From the outside, cold reinforced concrete must be insulated using foam inserts 5 cm thick.

As we have already said, laying expanded clay concrete stone is not too complicated, so not only a professional builder, but also any careful beginner can do it if desired. The main condition for quality independent work– careful study of orders (block layout patterns) and the use of control tools - plumb line, level and mooring cord.

Since the blocks are quite large in size, it is not difficult to lay them out in an even row. The holes made in them increase the accuracy of splitting with a hammer when it is necessary to make a “half” or “three-four” for ligating seams.

Expanded clay concrete blocks drill well and hold fasteners and plaster perfectly. Therefore, installation of a ventilated facade on them, finishing decorative mortar, drywall and others sheet materials is not particularly difficult.

Having ordered detailed project In such a house, most home craftsmen can remove the masonry with their own hands.

Speaking about reviews of people living in buildings made of expanded clay blocks, it should be noted that most of them are positive. Most often, owners note the good heat-saving qualities of the material, its strength and comfortable microclimate in the premises (subject to competently executed masonry and finishing).

Counting the number of blocks

In order to accurately determine the volume of purchase, you need to make a preliminary calculation of expanded clay concrete blocks for the house. To do this, sum up the length of all external walls and separately calculate the length of the internal partitions of the building.

The results obtained are multiplied by the height and thickness of the walls and partitions. Then the total volume of the masonry is divided by the volume of one standard block - 0.014 m3. This is how the amount of material in pieces is obtained. As a working reserve, 20% is added to the final figure, or when calculating, the volumes of window and door openings are simply not subtracted from it.

Estimated construction cost

It consists of several components:

Cost of work;
Fittings prices;
Cost of the solution;
Block prices;
Cost of delivery to the site.

At self-masonry first price factor equal to zero. If you order a team, you will have to pay about 1,200 rubles/m3 for the work. It costs about the same to build walls made of aerated concrete.

For 1 m3 of masonry you will need 65 hollow blocks, with an average cost of 40 rubles per piece. Taking into account the price of reinforcement, cement, sand and their delivery, we find that the minimum cost of erecting a wall from expanded clay blocks is about 2900-3100 rubles/m3 (without work).

In order to compare this figure with other types of masonry, let's say that Brick wall on average it costs 2 times more. Difference with aerated concrete masonry not so great. However, it also exceeds the cost of expanded clay by 10-15%.

Expanded clay concrete blocks are optimal material for construction own home. They have low thermal conductivity, low cost, lightness and strength. With certain skills, you can build a private home from them with your own hands.

Pros and cons of the material

The main filler of the blocks is expanded clay. It is porous, durable and lightweight. Granules of the material are made from baked clay. Thanks to it, expanded clay concrete has a low specific gravity and low thermal conductivity.

The blocks are produced simply. First of all, concrete is mixed, consisting of Portland cement, quartz sand, expanded clay granules and water. Next, the material is placed in molds and dried.

Advantages of expanded clay concrete houses

Walls made of expanded clay blocks have many advantages:

Low thermal conductivity. The source of this parameter is the porosity of the filler. Thanks to it, the building retains heat well.
Low weight. This parameter becomes possible due to the lightness of expanded clay. In addition, in addition to solid analogues, manufacturers also produce hollow blocks. This further reduces the weight of the material. Thanks to this, the walls made of it do not put much pressure on the foundation.
Expanded clay concrete is durable and strong. Walls made from it can easily withstand loads from lintels, purlins and floor slabs.
The cost of the material is low. This makes it possible to carry out low-budget construction.
Expanded clay concrete walls shrink little. Thanks to this, cracking does not occur on them.
The material is environmentally friendly. Therefore, it does not emit any harmful substances.
Porous concrete has excellent sound insulation properties. As a result, the house will be well protected from external sounds.
Plastering walls made of expanded clay concrete blocks is very convenient. Cement-sand mortar sticks to them well. Thanks to this it is possible to carry out Finishing work at lower costs.

Due to their not very large dimensions and lightness, expanded clay concrete blocks are relatively easy to lay. Therefore, you can build a house from them on your own.

Disadvantages of the material

Expanded clay concrete also has disadvantages:

The porous structure of the material is not only its advantage, but also its disadvantage. As a result, the blocks actively absorb moisture. At negative temperatures it turns into ice, which begins to destroy the walls. Because of this, expanded clay concrete must be protected with cladding - plaster, decorative bricks etc.
Due to the small dimensions of the blocks, the masonry made from them has a large number of seams. They are cold bridges, because... they actively let him inside the house. Because of this, the building must be additionally insulated.
Expanded clay concrete has a higher thermal conductivity than, for example, gas silicate or aerated concrete analogues.
Manufacturers produce only two sizes of blocks: ordinary 39×19×18.8 cm and half-blocks, their only difference is the thickness - 9 or 12 cm. Therefore, near the walls it can only be 39 or 19 cm.
Expanded clay concrete is fragile. Blocks made from it break when dropped or hit.

Foundation for a house

The construction of a house begins with the construction of its foundation - the foundation. For expanded clay concrete buildings it is often chosen belt type. Such a foundation is easy to build, inexpensive and has sufficient strength.

First you need to select a place on the site to build a home. Then prepare the site for its construction: clear it of debris, level the surface.

Foundation construction algorithm:

First, you will need to mark the location for the future trench using construction cord and pegs.
After this, the ditch itself is dug out. Its depth should be about 40-50 cm.
Then you need to fill it with a cushion consisting of 10 cm of sand and 10 cm of crushed stone. These layers are well compacted.
After this, a reinforced frame of steel rods is welded in the trench.
Then on both sides of the trench they are installed wooden boards formwork.
Then a solution consisting of 1 part of Portland cement, 2 parts of sand, 1 part of crushed stone and some exact quantity water.
Then the mixture is placed in the formwork.
Simultaneously with pouring concrete, it is necessary to lay all necessary communications in the foundation, for example, sewer pipes. In addition, ventilation ducts should be left in the base.

After pouring it, the foundation must dry completely and gain strength. This will take 28 days. After this, it is highly advisable to wait another six months for the base to shrink.

After the specified period, the foundation must be insulated and waterproofed. After this, you can begin building the walls of the house.

Calculation of expanded clay concrete blocks for a house. Calculation example

Before purchasing blocks, you will need to calculate the required number. As an example, we give the calculation the required material for a building measuring 10x10 m. Let it be a two-story building with a ceiling height of 3 m and with total area 200 m².

First the length is calculated external walls along the perimeter: 10+10+10+10=40 m.

Then you need to determine their area; for this purpose, the perimeter of the house is multiplied by the total height two-story house: 40∙(3+3)=240 m².

After this, you need to determine the required number of blocks. To do this, you need to multiply the area of the walls by the number of blocks per 1 m². If this is an ordinary material, the dimensions of which, taking into account the seams, are 40 × 20 × 20 cm, then it is contained in one square meter 12.5 pcs. This means that the walls of the building need: 240×12.5=3000 blocks.

In the example given, door and window openings were not taken into account. When making calculations, subtract their dimensions from the area of the walls to obtain the exact amount of material required.

How to place blocks correctly: step-by-step instructions

Wall laying must begin from one of the corners. Lay several rows there in the shape of a pyramid. Check the correctness of the masonry with a level and plumb line.
The size of interblock seams should be at least 1 cm.
The blocks must be laid offset so that the seams of adjacent rows do not coincide.
Having laid out all the corner pyramids, stretch the construction cord between them. It will show the exact level of subsequent masonry. Next, start building walls along the cord.
Reinforce the masonry with rods every 3-4 levels. They should be folded at the corners.
For reinforcement, you can also use steel mesh. If the house will be faced with decorative brick, then it must be extended beyond the plane of the external walls. This is necessary for binding the finishing and expanded clay concrete blocks.
Load-bearing walls and partitions are best constructed at the same time. When this is not possible, reinforcement should be left in the structure adjacent to the future pier, which will then connect them.
A reinforced concrete reinforcing belt should be poured along the perimeter of the first floor. It is necessary to redistribute the load from the floor slabs.

Tap or move the material only with a rubber mallet. Expanded clay concrete is fragile and can burst from hard impacts.

How to insulate a house

Expanded clay concrete during its operation loses part of its thermal insulation properties. Based on this, the house needs to be insulated.

Mineral wool is best suited for this. It is laid in a pre-assembled frame in two layers. The insulation must be protected on the outside with waterproofing, and on the inside with a vapor barrier film. Thermal insulation is installed on pre-prepared walls. They need to be plastered, dried and cleaned of dirt.

Expanded polystyrene boards can also play the role of thermal insulation. This material, unlike mineral wool, is vapor-proof. Therefore, it does not need to be protected from condensation. The disadvantage of polystyrene foam is that rodents love it. To prevent them from getting to the insulation, it must be walled up under the plaster.

Thermal insulation of expanded clay concrete walls is best done from their outside. This way, less condensation will form, which will have a destructive effect on the house.

Expanded clay concrete building cannot be kept for a long time without external cladding. Porous walls will begin to collapse due to exposure to moisture and ice. Because of this, their strength will be significantly reduced.

The building must be waterproofed. If you don't do this. Then the walls will start to get wet. The lower parts of enclosing structures are especially susceptible to this. High humidity indoors will lead to the growth of mold. In the North and in Central regions In Russia, expanded clay concrete walls need to be thermally insulated. For these regions, the thermal conductivity of the material is not low enough. Expanded clay concrete elements cannot be used to build a foundation. They have insufficient moisture resistance. Even with additional waterproofing, the expanded clay concrete base will collapse very quickly.

Expanded clay concrete blocks are in great demand in domestic construction. They have a lot of advantages and a small list of disadvantages. At the same time, build own house You can make your own from this material.

Watch the published video. It contains a lot useful information for building a house from expanded clay concrete blocks on your own: