Brick and aerated concrete: comparative analysis of the properties of materials, and options for using them in construction

Two of the materials most frequently used in contemporary construction are brick and aerated concrete. Because of their distinct qualities, each is appropriate for a variety of projects. Knowing their qualities can assist homeowners and builders in selecting the right material for their particular requirements.

With a rich history, brick is a material valued for its timeless beauty and toughness. Because of its thermal mass, it has good fire resistance and can control interior temperature. Because of this, brick is a great material for external walls and buildings that need to last a long time and have a classic appearance.

On the other hand, aerated concrete is a more recent invention that aims to offer a strong yet lightweight building alternative. It is created by adding air bubbles to the concrete mixture, which lightens the mixture and improves its insulating qualities. This makes aerated concrete a well-liked option for projects where handling convenience and energy economy are crucial.

Both materials have specific benefits and are suitable for different kinds of construction. When it comes to classic building styles and situations where long-term durability is important, brick is frequently chosen. In contemporary construction projects that prioritize energy efficiency and speed of installation, aerated concrete is often selected.

We will examine the unique characteristics of brick and aerated concrete in more detail and contrast their advantages and disadvantages in the ensuing sections. We will also look at each material’s useful uses, assisting you in choosing the one that might work best for your upcoming building project.

Property	Brick	Aerated Concrete
Strength	High, ideal for load-bearing walls	Moderate, suitable for non-load-bearing walls
Insulation	Poor, needs additional insulation	Excellent, built-in thermal insulation
Weight	Heavy, requires strong foundation	Lightweight, easier to handle
Cost	Generally more expensive	More affordable
Durability	Highly durable, long lifespan	Good durability, shorter lifespan compared to brick
Construction Speed	Slower, time-consuming process	Faster, larger blocks speed up building
Usage	Traditional buildings, fireplaces, and exterior walls	Modern constructions, interior walls, and energy-efficient homes

General characteristics of brick

Brick has a long lifespan. The fact that buildings constructed from it have an exceptionally long service life is well known. To form a comprehensive idea, it is simply necessary to analyze the properties, as this is not the only feature that enables you to fully appreciate the advantages of products.

Composition of the material, dependence of properties on manufacturing technology

We will discuss fired brick production, which is the main focus at the moment. Any product must abide by the GOST 530-2007 and GOST 7484-78 regulatory documents.

The primary ingredient used to make ceramic bricks is fine-grained clay combined with water and a consistent composition.

Two primary categories of production exist:

1. Semi-dry pressing
2. Plastic method

The qualities of the final product are directly impacted by the manufacturing process. The newest technique is pressing.

Because the brick is subjected to high pressure while it is being produced in a semi-dry state, its strength characteristics greatly improve. The amounts of additives and raw materials have an impact on the properties as well.

Classification

Based on the brick’s intended use, it can be separated into:

1. Ordinary. Serves as a material for laying walls both outside and inside the building. It, in turn, can be solid and hollow.

1. Facing. The main requirements for it are imposed on the front part. It must have a number of properties, such as resistance to the effects of sun, rain.

The brick must also have a pleasing appearance. It can have nearly any color.

Products may vary in structure and include:

1. Solid, without any holes. It has a greater weight and a higher thermal conductivity coefficient. It is used in the construction of load-bearing walls and partitions.

1. Hollow. They are distinguished by their light weight due to the presence of through voids. Used in the laying of partitions, cladding.

Brick sizes varied, which further necessitated a classification.

As per its terms, bricks are:

• Single, height of 6.5 cm and marking 1NF

• One and a half, height of 8.8 cm and marking 1.4NF

• Double, height of 13.8 cm, and marking 2.1NF

• Euro. It differs not only in height, but also in width: 6.5 * 8.5, respectively

Brick types vary from one another based on the brand, which also dictates the products’ application area.

The strength grade indicator has the following numerical values:

• M50 – can be used in the construction of interior partitions that are not subject to loads or in the construction of, for example, fence posts.
• M75, 100– suitable for laying almost any wall, except for load-bearing
• M125 – products of this brand can be used in the construction of load-bearing walls and partitions.
• M 150, 170, 200 – suitable for foundations, load-bearing walls and basements.

Let’s now compare the key performance indicators of the various brick types. Use the table, please.

Table 1 lists the attributes and characteristics of bricks:

Name	Density, kg/m3	Frost resistance, cycles	Compressive strength grade	Porosity	Thermal conductivityь
Solid brick	1600-1900	15-50	75-300	8	0.6-0.7
Solid brick super efficient	1100-1150	15-50	75-300	6-10	0.24-0.26
Hollow brick	1000-1450	15-50	50-150	6-8	0.3-0.5
Facing brick	1300-1400	35-75	75-250	6-14	0.25-0.26
Clinker brick	1900-2100	50-100	450-1000	Up to 5	1.16
Glazed brick	1300-1450	35-75	125-150	6-14	0.25-0.26

As you can see, practically every indication varies based on the kind of brick.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Similar to any other material, brick has a variety of advantages and disadvantages that directly affect the building’s cost, dependability, service life, safety, and comfort. What traits will therefore win out?

Let’s begin with the advantages:

• One of the main advantages is the durability of structures built using brick.

• Large assortment of sizes and shapes.

• Wide selection of colors and shades. Some manufacturers even offer custom-made products with the required tinting

• High sound insulation. The room built from the published material will be maximally isolated from extraneous noise from the outside

• Ecological friendliness. The composition of the material completely eliminates the negative impact on the environment and humans

• Good indicators of the ability to retain heat. A brick building heats up slowly, but also cools down just as quickly.

The drawbacks consist of:

• Efflorescence may form on the surface of the brick

• When buying, you may encounter a large number of defective products.

• Brick tends to crumble, breaks easily, especially during transportation.

• The material may crumble due to improper use, violations in the laying technique, or after using an unsuitable solution.

• Relatively high price.
• The main disadvantage is increased water absorption, which has a direct impact on the frost resistance index.

Kindly take note! Certain drawbacks can be reduced or eliminated entirely by adhering to specific guidelines: Select reliable producers; inspect items thoroughly before shipping; look for a product quality certificate. If the supplier does not offer a delivery service, make sure you sign a contract with the cargo carrier to prevent damage to the material.

There are bricks made of entirely different materials in addition to clay products. Additionally, they are widely employed in the building sector for the cladding of buildings as well as for the construction of main walls and partitions.

1. Silicate brick. It is made from a mixture of slaked lime and quartz sand. The products are characterized by high density and, as a result, increased thermal conductivity. At the output it has a white or grayish color. With the help of dyes, other shades are also obtained.

1. Hyper-pressed brick. Made from a mixture of limestone, dye and cement. Used in the construction of walls and cladding of buildings.

Aerated concrete as a material for the construction of walls

An aerated concrete block is a material just as common as brick. Because of its unique composition and manufacturing process, it has some characteristics that set it apart from other wall materials.

Properties and characteristics of products

The ingredients for an aerated concrete block are water, cement, sand, lime, blowing agent, and specialty additives. The market value of the material is greatly diminished by the production of high-quality goods at low labor costs using cutting-edge, technically sophisticated machinery.

Building bricks are no longer the only material that aerated concrete can compete with thanks to its excellent performance and affordable price. Thus, we can presume that the question of which is less expensive—brick or aerated concrete—has already been addressed.

Analyzing the block’s properties is essential as we attempt to determine which is preferable: brick or aerated concrete. Let us examine the table.

Table 2 lists the primary characteristics of aerated concrete along with corresponding numerical indicators:

Name	Numerical value of the indicator
Frost resistance, cycles	35-150
Thermal conductivity	0.1 – 0.14
Shrinkage	0.3 mm / m2
Strength grade	B2.5 (M400) – B3.5 (M500)
Water absorption	10-16%
Density	D400-D700

Pros and cons of buildings made of aerated concrete

The following are included in the block’s primary list of advantages:

• Aerated concrete is lightweight, primarily due to its porous structure.
• Products are extremely easy to process. You can saw, cut, grind using any suitable tool.
• Aerated concrete block does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere, and therefore is absolutely safe.
• The material does not burn.
• Aerated concrete is characterized by a high strength index, combined with a low thermal conductivity coefficient. The first property allows you to build buildings up to 3 floors, and the second will make the house as warm as possible in the cold season and cool in the heat. Also, the ability to retain heat will help save on insulation and, in the future, on paying for heating services for living space.
• A large range of sizes is also a plus.
• The vapor permeability index indicates the establishment of a comfortable microclimate in a building made of aerated concrete, due to the ability to absorb moisture from an environment where it is in excess, and give it off when the air is excessively dry.
• Soundproofing characteristics are also good.
• The geometry of the block is close to ideal. This helps reduce the consumption of masonry material and increase the rate of construction of walls.

The following are some drawbacks of aerated concrete:

1. Unreliable fixation of fasteners, and the need to use only specialized hardware
2. The ability to absorb moisture, which, accumulating in the pores of the block, negatively affects the structure of the product.
3. Lack of resistance to mechanical stress. As already mentioned above, the block is easy to saw and sand, but, however, it also breaks and crumbles well.

This concludes the list of the primary drawbacks. And if the regulations for laying and cladding are followed, the vast majority of advantages can entirely outweigh these drawbacks.

Kindly take note! The shortcomings of aerated concrete can be shielded by a number of clever techniques. For instance, the moisture absorption capacity can be greatly decreased with appropriate finishing.

Calculation of the composition of the solution for masonry work

Two common building materials are aerated concrete and brick, each of which has special qualities to meet various building requirements. Brick is well-known for its strength, thermal mass, and traditional appearance, which make it perfect for structures that withstand fire and load-bearing walls. Aerated concrete, on the other hand, is great for energy-efficient buildings and easier to handle on-site thanks to its light weight and superior insulation. The advantages and disadvantages of these materials will be compared in this article, along with helpful guidance on when to use each for the best outcomes in various construction projects.

Comparison of materials

Now that we have examined the characteristics of each material, it is time to determine which is superior: bricks or aerated concrete blocks? Let’s start by comparing the list of essential features to determine how practical the house will be constructed out of these materials and how much labor will cost the developer.

• Frost resistance. Its value for aerated concrete varies within 100-150 cycles, while for brick, depending on the type, it can reach 200. However, since aerated concrete is not used as a finishing facing material, it would be fair to compare this value with ordinary brick. As a result, aerated concrete is ahead.
• The ratio of thermal conductivity properties and strength of products. Comparison of aerated concrete and brick in these characteristics will be very contradictory. Since the strength of brick is undoubtedly much higher, but at the same time the thermal conductivity coefficient is significantly increased. It turns out that in one respect the aerated concrete block wins, and in another respect its competitor-brick wins.
• An important point is the ratio of variability of sizes, colors and shapes. It becomes obvious that ceramic products have a noticeable advantage in this. The modern market is so rich in the range of these materials that any developer can choose the most suitable option for himself.
• As for shrinkage, in the competition between aerated concrete and brick, in this regard, there will be no winner. Both materials have this ability, and it is almost impossible to avoid the consequences of it, given the high speed of construction.
• Wall thickness. Aerated concrete and brick differ significantly in this indicator. For a block, the minimum threshold established by GOST is 40 cm, for its competitor – 120 cm.
• Load on the base. As already mentioned, brick has a fairly high density and, as a result, a lot of weight. In turn, aerated concrete is a lightweight material. This helps to save a little on the foundation device.
• Masonry speed. The block leaves brick far behind, it is quite voluminous and replaces the laying of 16 ceramic products.
• Architectural possibilities. So what is better: aerated concrete blocks or brick in this case? The answer is obvious: the range of shapes and shades of bricks is practically unmatched. Facades, the cladding of which is made of these products, look the most attractive. At the same time, there is a choice among dozens of styles.

Price is one of the most significant factors influencing homeowners’ final decisions to choose one material over another. Aerated concrete costs 3200 per cubic meter on average, while regular bricks cost 4500.

Assume for the moment that we must buy the supplies necessary to build an 18 by 20-meter house, excluding partitions.

Let us compute the difference that will exist:

• Let"s find out the area of ​​the walls. Perimeter = 18 * 2 + 20 * 2 = 76. Area, with a wall height of 3 meters = 76 * 3 = 228 m2.
• We find out the area of ​​​​a block measuring 625 * 400 * 250. 0.6 * 0.4 = 0.24 m2.
• 228/0.24=950 pieces of blocks we will need to build walls with a total area of ​​228 m2.
• Convert to cubes. Block volume=0.625*0.4*0.25=0.0625 m3.

One cube has sixteen blocks, according to our calculation (1 / 0.0625).

Block volume calculated using 950/16=59.375 m3, considering a 400 mm single-layer wall’s thickness.

Assuming we lay the wall in 1.5 bricks, let’s proceed.

Its thickness, as per SNiP II-22-81, will be 38 cm. For the sake of clarity, let’s assume that the material volume required and the wall’s dimensions are the same as they would be if it were constructed using aerated concrete blocks.

The final figure for a wall composed of brick is 59.375 * 4500 = 267,187.5 rubles, while a wall composed of aerated concrete is 59.375 * 3200 = 190,000 rubles. The outcome is clear.

When comparing the cost-benefit analysis of aerated concrete versus brick, it is evident that the former is superior to the latter when the question is asked.

Since thermal conductivity has come up, it is also worthwhile to compare the pros and cons of using warm or porous brick in place of the block on its own.

There’s no agreement on this issue. Due to their superior heat retention qualities and large win sizes, both materials greatly streamline the installation process. You can also construct the walls yourself.

The primary distinctions are found in the materials’ composition, production process, and water-absorbing capacity. Naturally, in this instance, the ceramic block should win out because it is more robust, moisture-resistant, and long-lasting. Most of the time, gas block is selected because of the cost benefit.

You can learn more about all the distinctions between brick and aerated concrete by watching the video included in this article.

Options for using and combining brick and aerated concrete in construction

You should think about combining these two materials if you want your future building to be able to combine the great thermal conductivity of block with the high strength of brick.

Facing aerated concrete walls with brick

Most often, aerated concrete is used to build load-bearing walls and partitions, and ceramic bricks are used for cladding. For both products, this combination is practically perfect.

One of the following methods is used to install the cladding:

• The brick is laid close to the aerated concrete wall. In this case, it will be important to think in advance about the option of sealed finishing of the walls from the inside. The following are suitable: plastering with a cement-based solution, laying tiles, wall cladding with preliminary laying of a vapor barrier.

Negative outcomes are unavoidable if the aforementioned requirements are not fulfilled. The truth is that without a sealed interior finish, heat buildup inside the building will inevitably escape outside. Furthermore, moisture will build up on the exterior of the aerated concrete wall due to the lack of an escape route, eventually destroying it. This will be a violation of the house’s operational and strength characteristics.

• Ceramic brick fits with a gap with respect to the gas concrete wall, while ventilation is absent. The minus of this method is obvious: the condensate formed between the layer of brick and the block, in view of the lack of ventilation, will accumulate, drain down and destructively affect the materials. The plus of the method is to increase thermal insulation properties.

Thus, once more, this approach is better suited for a building without heat.

• The most reliable way is the cladding of aerated concrete walls with a brick with a ventilated layer. Brick fastening to aerated concrete occurs at a distance of about 3-4 cm. If the insulation is desired, the thickness of the material used should also be taken into account.

There are various methods to implement the ventilation option.

In the first example, a brick wall has 30-35 cm2 of holes drilled into it for every 10 square meters of wall. Doing them in the seams works best. To better release condensate to the outside, the lower ventilation vents are sloped in design.

Using ventilation boxes is the second choice. Rather than using mortar, they are inserted into the vertical joints separating adjacent bricks. They allow for the circulation of air. Condensate then exits the wall through the openings created at the base.

It is possible to insulate the wall in any of the options. Selecting materials with the capacity to allow air to pass through while preventing moisture buildup is worthwhile. Basalt wool is one example of this.

Insulation of aerated concrete with subsequent brick cladding

It is very evident that insulation is used to enhance heat retention properties.

Using the following materials is recommended:

1. Expanded clay. This material is bulk and consists of clay granules subjected to firing.

1. Basalt wool. The material is distinguished by moisture resistance and the ability to pass air.

Prior to cladding, basalt wool is installed on an aerated concrete wall. Umbrella dowels are used for this. A plastic part that has been shortened for better fixation is inserted through a hole made in the wall. Next, the insulation is directly screwed through with a nail.

When the masonry grows, expanded clay is poured during the cladding process. It is not a good idea to insulate a wall from the outside when using foam plastic, also known as extruded polystyrene foam. Since these materials don’t let any air through, they are better suited for installation from inside the structure.

Description of the process of fastening bricks to an aerated concrete wall

There are various ways to attach facing bricks to aerated concrete:

1. Even during the construction of an aerated concrete wall, rods made of galvanized steel or stainless steel are fixed into the masonry. The diameter should be about 6 mm, the protrusion is at least 10-12 cm. In this case, the thickness of the insulation to be installed in the future should also be taken into account.

1. The most popular method is the method in which the anchors are attached to the finished block wall during the construction of the cladding. The dressing of aerated concrete and brick, in this case, is more accurate.

House Weight Calculator

Aerated concrete and brick are comparable in that they each have special qualities that meet various building requirements. Brick is a tried-and-true material for construction because of its timeless appeal and reputation for durability. Because of its high density, which offers superior thermal mass, homes can use less energy. Furthermore, brick is a dependable material for long-lasting structures due to its resistance to weathering and fire.

Conversely, aerated concrete has benefits in terms of light weight and heat insulation. Because of its porous structure, it is quicker and easier to handle, which can save a lot of money on labor and shorten construction times. Aerated concrete can be used for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls because it is lighter while maintaining good strength. Because of its superior insulation qualities, a home with less energy use can have lower heating and cooling costs.

An important factor to take into account when choosing between brick and aerated concrete is the project’s particular requirements. For buildings that must endure severe weather and where aesthetic appeal is important, brick might be a better choice. For projects where superior insulation and ease of installation are important considerations, aerated concrete might be a better option. Since every material has a unique set of advantages, both are excellent choices for contemporary building.

The decision between aerated concrete and brick will ultimately come down to the project’s objectives, financial constraints, and environmental factors. Builders and homeowners can create long-lasting, effective, and aesthetically beautiful structures by being informed about the qualities and best applications of each material. Both materials have the potential to make a substantial difference in the sustainability and quality of construction projects, whether they are used separately or in combination.

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