When building a house, selecting the proper materials is essential, particularly for insulation and general comfort. Arbolite and aerated concrete, which contains gas silicate and foam blocks, are two common choices. While each material has unique advantages, there are some distinctions as well.
Arbolite is a good option for people looking to build an energy-efficient home because of its excellent thermal insulation qualities. However, aerated concrete materials such as gas silicate and foam block are lightweight, simple to work with, and offer some insulation—though not nearly as much as arbolite.
It’s important to take your home’s climate, construction objectives, and budget into account when choosing a material. To assist you in making an informed choice, we will examine the benefits and drawbacks of both aerated concrete and arbolite in this post.
| Criteria | Arbolite | Aerated Concrete |
| Insulation | Good thermal insulation, keeps warmth well | High thermal insulation, but can be less effective in very cold climates |
| Strength | Strong and durable, good for structural elements | Strong but can be brittle, often used for non-load-bearing walls |
| Weight | Lightweight, easy to handle | Lightweight, easy to transport and work with |
| Moisture Resistance | Resistant to moisture, less prone to damage | Needs good waterproofing, can absorb water |
| Cost | Generally cheaper | Can be more expensive depending on the type and quality |
| Environmental Impact | Eco-friendly, made from natural materials | Less eco-friendly due to production process |
- What is aerated concrete and arbolite – production technology
- Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of aerated concrete
- Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of arbolite
- Comparison of two materials by key characteristics
- What is better for building a house
- Video on the topic
- Arbolite or Aerated Concrete – Which is better?
- Comparison of arbolite and aerated concrete.
- Which material to choose for building a house: arbolite or aerated concrete?
- arbolite versus aerated concrete
- This is BETTER than arbolite? Comparative review and tests. Terekhov
What is aerated concrete and arbolite – production technology
You must first comprehend the characteristics of block production in order to determine whether aerated concrete or arbolite is preferable. Both materials are varieties of lightweight concrete that are provided as pre-cut blocks of a specific size. Arbolite is composed of approximately 90% pine chips and high strength cement, along with a number of additives for component mineralization (sodium silicate, aluminum sulfate, calcium nitrate, chloride).
The primary goal of the technology used to produce arbolite is to guarantee that wood chips adhere as much as possible to the cement binder component. A specific variety of chips, such as those made from fir, spruce, pine, poplar, beech, birch, or aspen, are typically made from logging industry waste (cotton, hemp, straw, and flax can also be used).
Depending on the type of wood, GOST regulates the size of the chips. The material is first treated with unique chemical compounds (which improve adhesion) and then combined with an M400/M500 cement solution.
After that, the mixture is sent to forms so that vibration rolling and press can have an impact on it. You can pour the mixture in layers or all at once. The technology used determines the properties of the blocks, which must inevitably abide by legal requirements.
Cement, sand, and specific additives (such as ash, slag, and other industrial waste) are the ingredients of aerated concrete. The addition of gas-forming agents to the composition, which cause a chemical reaction with the release of hydrogen, is the material’s primary characteristic and sets it apart from all other forms of concrete. Powdered aluminum typically serves as a gas-forming agent.
Throughout the reaction, bubbles form; as a result, porous concrete is produced. After that, the mixture is poured into molds and heated to a high temperature, which strengthens and increases the blocks’ resistance to different loads.
Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of aerated concrete
When deciding between arbolite and aerated concrete blocks for construction, you should first research the characteristics and specifications of each material independently, compare them, and then decide which option best suits your needs and the results of your design calculations.
- Density – is within 400-800 kg / m3
- Upper limit of the thermal conductivity coefficient – about 0.12 W (m * oC)
- Compressive strength class – directly depends on the density of the material (for example, the D500 block has a strength of B2.5)
- Density grade – from D350 to D700
- Vapor permeability level – 0.2 mg / m h Pa
- Sound conductivity – high
- Frost resistance – within 50-100 cycles freeze/thaw
- Water absorption – high, up to 15% of the total weight of the product
The following are just a few of the benefits of using aerated blocks: low thermal conductivity, cutting ability, fire safety, large dimensions, easy and quick installation, high strength, low weight, temperature resistance, ideal geometric dimensions and surface evenness (and, consequently, increased masonry speed, reduced consumption of masonry mixture).
Aerated concrete has a number of drawbacks, some of which are as follows: it is not very attractive (you will need to finish the building both inside and outside), it absorbs more water than other building materials, so you will need to protect the blocks from moisture or the structure will quickly collapse and crack in the winter), it is not very durable against fracture loads, and it crumbles and is prone to deformation.
Aerated concrete is therefore a good building material that will enable you to quickly and easily construct a building on your own. However, there is no chance for a long service life without extra precautions to guard against different impacts.
Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of arbolite
The material’s composition and production technology define the characteristics of arbolite blocks. A house built of arbolite will function well for a long time under certain circumstances, but if you ignore the material’s characteristics, it will fall apart quickly.
- Upper limit of thermal conductivity – about 0.15 W (m * oC)
- Weight of a cubic meter of standard blocks – 683 kilograms
- Frost resistance – up to 25 freeze / thaw cycles
- Water absorption – high, 40-85%
- Bending strength – in the range of 0.7-1 MPa
- Reliability – high, provided that the structure is not exposed to constant pressure
Arbolite blocks have many advantageous qualities, including low weight, high strength, resistance to crumbling, normal thermal conductivity, safety, friendliness toward the environment, and vapor permeability.
- Blocks strongly absorb moisture – the exact figure varies depending on the type of wood and quality, features of chemical processing of raw materials
- High thermal conductivity – to keep the house warm, you will have to take care of serious thermal insulation measures
- Poor compatibility with metal and concrete – due to the fact that arbolite has the property of absorbing and then releasing moisture, which has a bad effect on other materials
- Combustion – blocks are 90% wood chips, so they cannot be used to build objects with a medium / high level of fire hazard
Comparison of two materials by key characteristics
When deciding which material is best for a particular object with particular requirements—aerated concrete, arbolite, or foam blocks—you must weigh their primary characteristics. It is most pertinent to think about aerated concrete and arbolite because foam concrete blocks and aerated concrete share similar technical characteristics.
– Because of geometric errors, arbolite requires a higher mortar consumption than aerated concrete blocks, which require a minimum layer of mortar (maximum 3 millimeters).
– a lot is dependent on the manufacturer’s pricing strategy, the caliber of the production features and materials, and both. However, aerated concrete is less expensive overall, with a 1,000 ruble price difference per cubic meter.
What is better for building a house
Both materials are warm and lightweight, which makes them appropriate for low-rise residential building construction, according to experts. Arbolite, however, manages to hold heat more effectively. Furthermore, despite its high absorption of moisture, the indicators are identical to those of aerated concrete because of contemporary finishing materials. Water, however, has a different effect on the blocks: aerated concrete develops cracks and arbolite swells.
Conversely, under high humidity, aerated concrete maintains its stability while arbolite’s thermal insulation index drops by 25%.
Arbolite is less fire resistant than other building materials, but it doesn’t burn with smoke or toxins, so it can be used to make homes. Both kinds of blocks have shown to be effective when used in low-rise building. You can create a cheap, straightforward foundation for arbolite, but a more substantial foundation is needed for aerated concrete.
Installation benefits of aerated concrete are substantial: thin-seam, perfectly level blocks can be placed fast and effectively without the need for specialized tools. In contrast to arbolite blocks, which typically have cold bridges, the walls do not freeze at the seams.
Less time and finishing material volume are needed when using aerated concrete, which results in savings. While working with arbolite is more difficult, finishing aerated concrete blocks is quicker and easier.
Both materials have similar technical qualities that are crucial for building a house. However, arbolite comes at a higher cost than aerated concrete due to the need for extensive finishing, building, and material costs. Furthermore, since delivery from a distance can be costly, you should ascertain beforehand whether there are factories in the area that generate arbolite in the necessary sizes.
When building a home, there are a number of considerations to weigh when deciding between arbolite and aerated concrete (which includes foam block and gas silicate), as each material has unique benefits. Because of its exceptional thermal insulation qualities, argillite is a great choice for building a warm and energy-efficient home. Its organic elements also support a healthier interior atmosphere.
However, superior strength and durability are provided by aerated concrete, which can be important for structural stability. Because they are lightweight and simple to use, foam and gas silicate blocks speed up construction and save money on labor. Their homogeneity guarantees an accurate and reliable construction.
Because arbolite has a higher thermal resistance than aerated concrete, it usually performs better in terms of warmth. This implies that arbolite-built homes often have higher heat retention, which can result in cheaper heating expenses. Aerated concrete still has strong thermal performance, though, and its structural advantages shouldn’t be disregarded.
In the end, the choice will be based on your own requirements and priorities. Arbolite might be a better option if indoor air quality and energy efficiency are your top priorities. Aerated concrete might be a better option if strength, simplicity of construction, and affordability are your top priorities. Making the greatest choice for your house can be aided by evaluating the particular needs of the project and seeking advice from construction experts.
When choosing between arbolite and aerated concrete (foam block, gas silicate) for a building project, it’s critical to take into account the distinct advantages of each material in terms of overall performance and warmth. Arbolite is an eco-friendly and highly insulating material composed of cement and wood chips that is a great option for sustainable homes. Conversely, aerated concrete, which is well-known for its strong and lightweight construction, offers good strength and thermal insulation, making it a flexible choice for a range of climates. In the end, the best option will rely on the particular requirements of the building as well as financial and environmental factors.
