A house made of brick and aerated concrete: which material is better to choose for construction?

Selecting the proper materials for a house build can be a difficult undertaking. Modern aerated concrete and conventional brick are two of the most popular choices. Selecting a material can be difficult because each has distinct benefits and factors to take into account. When deciding which material is best for your construction project, it’s helpful to know what advantages each one has.

Because of its ageless beauty and unwavering durability, brick has been a preferred material for building for centuries. It is renowned for its great insulating qualities, strength, and resistance to fire. Any home can look strong and classic with bricks, and they age beautifully over time. However, compared to some more modern materials, brick construction may be more expensive and labor-intensive.

In contrast, aerated concrete is a more recent addition to the construction industry. Because of its light weight, this material is quicker to construct with and easier to handle. Additionally, aerated concrete provides excellent thermal insulation, which can lower energy expenses. For modern construction, its efficiency and ease of use may be appealing, but it might not have the same long-term durability or aesthetic appeal as brick.

The decision between aerated concrete and brick ultimately comes down to your priorities. Which is more important to you: energy efficiency and ease of construction, or a timeless, robust appearance? You can choose a material that best suits your needs and preferences by being aware of its advantages and disadvantages.

Aerated concrete vs. brick for home construction: considerations such as cost, ease of construction, durability, and insulation should be taken into account. Brick has a classic appearance and a long lifespan, but it can be costly and labor-intensive. Aerated concrete, on the other hand, may not have the same classic appearance but offers superior insulation and quicker construction times at a lower cost. Whether you value modern efficiency and affordable options or classic aesthetics and long-term strength, the optimal option ultimately depends on your priorities.

Pros and cons of brick and aerated concrete

To determine which is preferable, a brick or aerated concrete home, you should first become acquainted with each material’s primary advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of brick buildings and their main disadvantages

The primary advantages consist of:

  • High strength characteristics. Ceramic products can be used even in the construction of the base;

  • Durability is time-tested;

  • Frost resistance is also one of the main positive qualities;

  • Ecological friendliness, fire resistance;
  • A large assortment of different types, including facing textured, profile;

  • Aesthetic appearance;

  • Vapor permeability and soundproofing qualities;

  • Biological, atmospheric resistance;

And now let’s discuss the drawbacks:

  • The cost of products is relatively high. This is especially true for clinker products, facing and profile. Silicate products are not so expensive, but building a house from them will cost more than, for example, using a block of lightweight concrete.
  • Tendency to shrink;
  • The possibility of efflorescence cannot be ruled out, which, of course, can be gotten rid of, but the drawback is still significant;
  • Speed ​​of construction is important, which we have already mentioned, it will be reduced.
  • The installation technology is not so simple and requires skill;
  • The material is prone to water absorption. If we talk about clinker products, for example, then this value is reduced, but this is rather an exception than a pattern. Most species are hygroscopic at 7-14%.
  • Weight is relatively large, and this means an increased load on the foundation of the building;
  • In conclusion, it is worth mentioning the increased thermal conductivity coefficient.

Take note! It’s also important to keep in mind that experts advise against using brick for temporary structures. This house requires continuous heating. When you return there after a long absence, the place will seem like a basement.

In some circumstances, things may also go as follows. Assume that a summer home has been constructed. The house will need to be heated when residents visit during the colder months because the walls will cool completely.

This will cause the interior of the wall to heat up quickly. At the edge of a sudden temperature drop, moisture (also known as the dew point) will start to accumulate and will only get heavier over time. It will undoubtedly freeze after cooling and start to negatively impact the material, eventually destroying it.

Strengths and weaknesses of aerated concrete blocks

  1. Aerated concrete blocks are characterized by high thermal efficiency. It can make a home really warm, while the wall thickness can be very small and be about 40-50 cm.

  1. Density allows the use of aerated concrete in various areas of construction, from insulation to the construction of load-bearing wall structures.

  1. Environmental friendliness is substantiated by the composition.
  1. Fire resistance is confirmed by relevant tests.

  1. Ease of processing and relatively large dimensions allow to speed up and simplify the process of building construction.

  1. Low price.

  1. The possibility of self-production allows to save on construction by reducing purchase costs.

  1. Frost resistance and durability are also very competitive.

  1. Low weight allows, in some cases, to build a lightweight or shallow foundation.

  1. It is also worth noting the ability to vapor permeability and sound insulation.
  1. High hygroscopicity;
  2. Fragility of products and poor resistance to mechanical stress;
  3. Quite strong shrinkage of walls;
  4. The need to use special fasteners;
  5. Poor resistance to tearing;
  6. Low adhesion with building mixtures.

Thus, which is preferable—a brick home or one built with aerated concrete?

Now that we are acquainted with the materials, let us examine which of the houses is superior.

After carefully weighing all the advantages and disadvantages, the following conclusions can be drawn:

  • Aerated concrete significantly surpasses any type of brick in thermal efficiency, but at the same time is inferior in density and strength characteristics.
  • When building from ceramics, it will be necessary to build a more powerful foundation, since the load on the base, due to its greater weight, will be greater.
  • As for the number of cycles for frost resistance and durability of buildings, in the case of a block, everything is ambiguous. Due to the modernity of the material and its short existence on the market, the performance characteristics of this kind have not been tested in practice.

However, it is evident that brick buildings are durable. Many of you have undoubtedly seen old houses multiple times, and you are able to make the right inferences based on their appearance.

  • Yes, brickwork is not so easy to perform. It requires skill and theoretical knowledge. However, with the help of this material, you can bring to life almost any ideas regarding architectural solutions.
  • Moreover, the buildings have a very attractive appearance. With the help of the decorative appearance of the products, you can noticeably distinguish the building from the rest.
  • The price category, of course, for gas blocks is much lower.
  • And the speed of construction is much lower due to small dimensions.

When you consider everything mentioned above, it becomes clear that you must prioritize the qualities that are most important to you and your future building in order to make the best choice.

  1. Want to reduce the cost of the work process and the overall cost of construction? Give preference to gas block.
  2. Do you want your home to be guaranteed to last for centuries?? In this case, only a brick can give you a 100% guarantee.
  3. Since we are talking about price, it is worth noting that silicate products are much cheaper than ceramic ones, but the building will still cost more than if it was built from aerated block.
  4. Or maybe you should give preference to silicate material? Many people wonder what is better: a house made of sand-lime brick or aerated concrete? In this case, it is worth noting that most types of the first version of products are similar to each other in characteristics, their disadvantages and advantages are largely similar, with the exception of individual narrowly targeted features.

In other words, silicate products have a lower thermal efficiency but are heavier, more hyper-pressed, and more durable than ceramic ones.

There are a ton more examples, and the developer is still in charge, of course.

The "Houses made of aerated concrete and brick" video in this article will walk you through all the challenges a developer might have when building a structure out of both materials.

Options for combining materials in building construction

Combining these materials is currently the most popular approach in construction because it enables you to balance out their drawbacks and combine their benefits. And this is the best option if you want a building that is both beautiful and durable in addition to being warm.

A finished home composed of aerated concrete and ceramics will combine the benefits of both materials as a result of this combination. In order to achieve this, the house’s walls are built from a block using conventional technology, and ceramic products are used as the final layer.

There might be a few; we’ll quickly go over them.

Facing close to the wall from the block

There is no need to leave any space between the ceramic masonry and the gas block wall, and insulation can be installed or not. Contrary to popular belief, this kind of cladding is appropriate for both heated and non-heated spaces.

  • For a residential building, this option is also quite acceptable. The peculiarity is that the interior decoration must technically correspond to the exterior, in this case, be sealed. That is, the principle must be observed: if moisture has no outlet, then there should be no entrance.

Note: Otherwise, the following will happen. The moisture that is inside the room will look for an outlet, and since there is no outlet, it will accumulate in the layer between the cladding and the aerated concrete wall, and then return to the premises in the form of condensate. Hence the disrupted microclimate in the premises: fogged up windows, dampness, mold.

  • The cladding must be attached to the aerated concrete wall. This can be done in several ways, depending on what material was used when laying the products.
  • When laying on mortar, as a rule, flexible ties are fixed directly during the construction of the gas block wall.
  • If the blocks are laid on glue, then such ties are mounted in the finished wall.
  • They can be: stainless steel nails or plates, spiral nails, galvanized mesh.

Facing with a ventilated gap

The most common type is insulation and ventilation-gap-equipped cladding. With this option, you don’t have to worry about the masonry’s increased vapor permeability and can use any finishing materials inside the house.

The interior decoration will be somewhat more variable in this instance.

  • When calculating the size of the gap, the thickness of the future insulation should also be taken into account if you plan to use it.
  • It is better to give preference to vapor-permeable materials, such as mineral or basalt wool, for example.

  • Its disadvantage is the high level of water absorption. But the advantages also include low cost and ease of installation.
  • When creating a ventilated facade, it is not recommended to use polystyrene foam for external insulation of aerated concrete masonry, since it is vapor-tight and creates the same conditions as brick cladding done close to the main wall.
  • If there is a ventilation gap, air exchange is carried out by air circulation through vents that are not filled with solution.

  • They are protected by a mesh so that rodents and other living creatures do not get into the wall layer through them.
  • The ceramic laying is connected to the main wall in the same way as in the previous case – that is, through flexible connections.

Wall finishing with a gap device without ventilation

In the absence of ventilation, you can alternatively face the wall with a gap.

  • Insulation, again, can be used, or not.
  • Thermal insulation will increase in any case due to the creation of an air layer.
  • The main feature is that there will be no air exchange in this case.
  • The ingress of steam that accumulates inside the building should also be avoided, since without finding an outlet, it will turn into condensate and settle, causing irreparable damage to the gas block.
  • Almost any insulation can be used, since the vapor permeability of the material is completely unimportant with this type of cladding.
  • That is, even non-breathing polyurethane foam and foam plastic will do.
  • Flexible ties are still used when connecting.

The steps of the work will be shown in the video in this article: "Instructions for cladding walls made of gas blocks with bricks."

Be aware that the well masonry method is an additional cladding option. In this instance, porous crushed stone, slag, foam concrete chips, and various other fillers are utilized in addition to loose insulation, which is frequently expanded clay. The masonry is done concurrently with the primary one, and the previously discussed loose material is poured in between the layers.

House Weight Calculator

Criteria Brick Aerated Concrete
Strength High, durable and long-lasting Moderate, sufficient for most residential buildings
Insulation Poor, needs additional insulation Excellent, good thermal and sound insulation
Weight Heavy, requires strong foundation Lightweight, easier to handle
Cost More expensive Generally cheaper
Construction Speed Slower, labor-intensive Faster, easier to work with
Durability Very durable, lasts for centuries Durable, but less than brick

When constructing a home, brick and aerated concrete are two materials with distinct advantages that can be chosen to suit various requirements and tastes. Renowned for its robustness and timeless appeal, brick offers superior thermal mass and acoustic insulation. It is a tried-and-true substance that is resilient to deterioration and provides stability and security.

Aerated concrete, on the other hand, is a contemporary, lightweight substitute that offers greater energy efficiency and simplicity of installation. Because of its ability to insulate, it can drastically lower heating and cooling expenses, which makes it a desirable choice for builders who care about the environment. Its lower weight can also ease the building process and lessen the strain on the foundation.

The decision between brick and aerated concrete ultimately comes down to a number of variables, including the construction schedule, climate, budget, and taste in aesthetics. Aerated concrete might be the better option for people who value sustainability and ease of construction, while brick might be the go-to material for those who want a classic appearance and long lifespan.

Both materials have their strengths, and the best choice will align with your specific project requirements and personal priorities. By understanding the key characteristics and benefits of each, you can make an informed decision that ensures your new home meets your needs and expectations.

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Dmitry Sokolov

Chief engineer in a large construction company. I have extensive experience in managing construction projects and implementing modern technologies.

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