How to build a house from expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands?

Putting together a house by hand can be a very fulfilling experience. It allows you to personalize every element of your house and provides an unrivaled sense of achievement. Expanded clay concrete blocks are a common material among self-builders due to its exceptional durability and thermal insulation properties.

Expanded clay concrete blocks are a great option for both inexperienced and seasoned builders because they are lightweight, manageable, and offer effective sound insulation. This material creates a versatile and effective building block by fusing the insulating qualities of expanded clay with the strength of concrete.

We’ll walk you through every step of building a house out of expanded clay concrete blocks in this article. We will go over every step of the process, from choosing the proper blocks to constructing the walls and foundation, to help you construct a strong and energy-efficient house. These pointers will assist you in achieving a high-quality build that endures over time, regardless of the size of the family home or cabin you’re designing.

Expanded clay concrete – characteristics, advantages, disadvantages

Low-rise private homes as well as summer cottages and auxiliary buildings are in high demand for lightweight concrete products, the primary filler of which is fired clay pellets. Expanded clay is a porous, lightweight, eco-friendly, and extremely durable material.

A product with numerous advantages is produced when cement mortar is used to bind pellets:

  • increased thermal conductivity. Due to the large number of air cavities inside the expanded clay, even a half-block house made of expanded clay concrete blocks perfectly retains heat in winter and coolness in summer;
  • light weight. If you want to reduce the load on the foundation, expanded clay concrete blocks are used. Reviews from home owners confirm that reducing loads has a positive effect on the operational characteristics of the foundation;
  • high strength characteristics. When you first get acquainted with the material, you may get the feeling that building a house from expanded clay blocks is not justified due to its increased fragility. The material is indeed susceptible to impact loads. As for compressive forces, the composite is ahead of many building materials in this indicator;
  • increased soundproofing properties. Thanks to the same voids located inside the filler, wall materials based on expanded clay are characterized by increased sound insulation. With proper soundproofing of window and door openings, even in busy city limits, a comfortable noise level is always maintained inside such buildings;
  • environmental friendliness. Since only components of natural origin are used in production, the environmental friendliness indicator is quite high;
  • low shrinkage indicators. This indicator can be appreciated during the operation of the building. Even after a long period, cracks do not appear on the walls, as often happens with aerated concrete products.

Benefits that enhance mood during material purchases and construction activities without compromising quality of work include:

  • low cost of production. Using easily accessible components in the manufacture of easily accessible components allows the price range available to most developers;
  • The ease of masonry. Small dimensions and weight of individual elements allow you to install an accelerated pace;
  • increased roughness of the surface, which improves adhesion with finishing compounds and facilitates facial cladding.

We can jump to the hasty conclusion that the house made of expanded clay concrete blocks is perfect after studying the virtues. In many ways, the owners’ reviews support this belief.

Nonetheless, it is not worthwhile to ignore the following drawbacks when selecting building materials:

  • increased porosity. The presence of a large amount of air pori contributes to, on the one hand, to improve thermal conductivity and increase the soundproofing properties, and, on the other hand, increases moisture absorption indicators. Therefore, the construction of houses from expanded clay concrete blocks is associated with mandatory waterproofing of walls;
  • reduced thermal conductivity compared to cellular concrete. In this regard, projects of houses made of expanded clay concrete blocks contain requirements for insulation of the box;
  • appearance requiring additional finishing. Decorative panels, tiles, siding can be used as cladding.

It’s helpful to research the benefits and drawbacks in order to adequately prepare for construction-related activities.

Expanded clay concrete blocks can be a cost-effective and energy-efficient building material for homeowners. This kind of block is appropriate for do-it-yourself projects because it is lightweight, provides good thermal insulation, and is reasonably simple to work with. We’ll walk you through every crucial step of building in this post, from foundation preparation and planning to block laying and wall finishing, so you’ll be equipped to take on this project on your own with confidence.

Expanded clay concrete block calculator for a house

The calculation stage is one of the building process’s preparatory phases. The project must be developed and approved before the amount of materials required can be determined. You are able to calculate how much building material is needed. Let’s use a 10 x 20 m, one-story home with a ceiling height of 3 m composed of expanded clay concrete blocks as an example.

Two approaches can be used to perform calculations:

  • by area;
  • by volume.

We use the following algorithm to determine how many elements are needed for the first option:

  1. Determine the total area of ​​the walls. In our case – (10+10+20+20) x3=180 m².
  2. Calculate the number of units of production per 1 m². For an element with dimensions of 400x200x200 mm, this is 12.5 pieces (1/0.4×0.2=12.5).
  3. Multiply the total area of ​​the walls and the quantity per 1 m² – we get the required number of units of production – 180×12.5=2250 pieces.

Similar to the first calculation option, the second one uses volumes of masonry and a single unit of production instead of area indicators for calculation purposes.

It is important to note that the calculation process does not account for window and door openings. In order to account for the loss of building materials during the work, this is done on purpose.

Building a house from expanded clay concrete blocks

You can start building after you’ve dealt with the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the products, learned how to determine how much building material you’ll need, and made your purchase. Follow tried-and-true methods if you want to construct a sturdy and long-lasting home with your hands out of expanded clay concrete blocks.

The general construction algorithm includes:

  • foundation construction;
  • wall construction;
  • roof arrangement;
  • waterproofing, insulation, cladding.

Let’s talk more in-depth about each topic.

Foundation for a house made of expanded clay concrete blocks

Prioritizing consideration of the soil’s structure, composition, and groundwater level is essential when selecting the type of foundation.

Only three types of foundations are appropriate for lightweight concrete structures out of all the varieties available:

  • strip;
  • pile;
  • slab.

You can decide which of the foundations will work best after analyzing the soil at the construction site. On unstable soils that are prone to movement, slab foundations make sense. It is able to compensate for bending loads and stop the material from cracking during soil shifts because of its large area and increased strength. However, there is a small detail that you should be aware of: the arrangement of the slab foundation is laborious.

When built on soils susceptible to frost heaving, a pile foundation offers numerous benefits. In situations where building on a sloped site is required, it is also irreplaceable. However, the loads resulting from shifting soil are distributed unevenly by a pile foundation. Thus, carefully consider all the advantages and disadvantages before selecting a screw structure for a lightweight concrete home.

When groundwater is scarce, a strip foundation works best.

Compared to other kinds of foundations, it offers the following benefits:

  • evenly distributes loads, which prevents cracks;
  • allows you to do the pouring yourself, since large-sized equipment is not required during the work;
  • allows you to arrange a full-fledged basement.

Utilizing the following algorithm, pour a strip foundation as you work:

  1. Plan the surface of the site. Make a feeding of trees and shrubs. Remove small vegetation manually or with chemicals.
  2. Mark the foundation using pegs and rope.
  3. Dig a trench deeper than the soil freezing level. Align the sides and bottom of the trench.
  4. Prepare and install the formwork. For the formwork, you can use scraps of boards or use plywood boards.
  5. Pour a crushed stone and sand mixture into the trench. Compact it.
  6. Assemble the reinforcing frame. The connection of metal rods can be done by welding or knitting wire.
  7. Prepare the concrete solution according to the recipe. Use concrete solution of at least grade M400 for the work.
  8. Pour the finished composition into the trench. Tamp the solution thoroughly to remove air bubbles.
  9. Level the surface. Cover with polyethylene to retain moisture.
  10. Remove the formwork after the hardening process is complete.
  11. Waterproof the foundation.

As soon as the base is stronger, begin constructing the frame.

Laying walls

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The general algorithm is followed in the construction of the walls of a two-story house constructed of expanded clay concrete blocks and a country house constructed of the same material:

  1. Lay the first row. Start laying from the corner zone.
  2. Check the horizontality using a level.
  3. Lay the next row, shifting the elements relative to the lower level by a third or half the thickness.
  4. Reinforce the masonry every 3-4 rows. Use metal rods or reinforcing mesh for this.
  5. Reinforce door and window openings.
  6. Perform concreting of the armored belt at the upper level for installing the roof structure.

Proceed with the roof installation after the work is finished.

Roof arrangement

Similar to the foundation, the roof is essential to the building’s longevity. Consider the design and select the right flooring material before beginning the roof installation. When selecting roofing material, saving money is not worthwhile.

It is crucial that it be:

  • durable;
  • strong;
  • resistant to the effects of natural factors;
  • Environmentally friendly.

Get ready the following supplies before installing the roof:

  • wooden beam 150×150 mm for Mauerlat;
  • chopped board for the crate;
  • roofing material;
  • Metiza for attaching structural elements.

Gather the frame and secure the roofing material using the documentation as a guide.

Warming a house from expanded clay concrete blocks

Structures made of cement require insulation. The question of how to heat a house made of expanded clay concrete blocks frequently arises for developers. It is advisable to install thermal insulation both inside and outside in order to maintain a comfortable microclimate. A more comprehensive approach to insulation will result in lower costs associated with preserving a comfortable temperature.

How to warm a house from expanded clay concrete blocks from the outside

Selecting the best heat insulator is crucial for external insulation.

The most popular heaters consist of:

  • foam plastic. Characterized by low price, easy installation, easy finishing. Disadvantages – flammability and damage by rodents;
  • mineral wool. Distinguished by affordable price, increased thermal insulation properties. When laying it outside the building, the use of waterproofing is a mandatory condition;
  • facing panels. Distinguished by high price and increased level of installation costs. Installation technology ensures the effectiveness of thermal insulation.

Every option that has been suggested has the right to exist. The decision is based on available funds.

Step Description
1. Planning Determine the size, layout, and design of your house. Obtain necessary permits.
2. Foundation Excavate and pour a concrete foundation, ensuring it"s level and secure.
3. Laying the Blocks Start with the corners, using a level to ensure straightness. Apply mortar and lay the blocks in a staggered pattern.
4. Installing Reinforcement Place reinforcement bars in the walls to add strength and stability.
5. Windows and Doors Leave openings for windows and doors. Install lintels above openings to support the weight above them.
6. Roof Installation Construct the roof framework and cover it with suitable roofing materials.
7. Insulation and Finishing Add insulation, plaster the walls, and finish with your choice of interior and exterior materials.

Expanded clay concrete blocks can be a great option for homeowners looking for affordability, durability, and insulation in a home. Thanks to its special qualities, this material provides a workable way to build a sturdy and energy-efficient home.

Even individuals with no prior construction experience can build with these blocks because the method is quite simple. Professional results are achievable with careful planning, preparation, and adherence to construction guidelines. In order to preserve structural integrity, important procedures include choosing premium materials, making sure the foundation is solid, and precisely aligning the blocks.

Homeowners can save labor costs and enjoy building their own home by taking the time to learn and apply the necessary techniques. To avoid common pitfalls, it’s crucial to exercise patience and attention to detail throughout the process. Expanded clay concrete blocks can be used to build a sturdy and comfortable home with the correct methods.

All things considered, this building technique combines conventional building methods with contemporary materials to provide a useful and fulfilling experience. Building a house with expanded clay concrete blocks is a doable and rewarding project, regardless of your experience level as a builder or your level of interest in do-it-yourself projects.

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Marina Petrova

Candidate of Technical Sciences and teacher of the Faculty of Construction. In my articles, I talk about the latest scientific discoveries and innovations in the field of cement and concrete technologies.

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