Technology for building a house from foam concrete: the main methods and features of the process

Foam concrete construction is a choice that more and more builders and homeowners are choosing to make. This novel material provides an exceptional blend of strength, light weight, and superior insulating qualities. In order to create a lightweight and adaptable building material, cement, sand, water, and a foaming agent are mixed together to create foam concrete, also referred to as cellular concrete.

There are various ways to use foam concrete to build a house. Foam concrete blocks, which are pre-cast and easily assembled on-site, are one popular method. When compared to traditional materials, these blocks are easier to handle and enable quicker construction times. An alternative approach is the in-situ, or cast-in-place, technique, in which the walls and other structural components of the house are made by pouring foam concrete straight into molds. This method can be applied to both load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls and offers design flexibility.

There are a few essential steps involved in using foam concrete for construction. To guarantee a solid foundation for the structure, the foundation must first be leveled and prepared. Next, depending on the method of construction selected, the foam concrete is mixed and either poured into molds or used to form blocks. The foam concrete creates a sturdy, long-lasting structure that can be finished with a variety of exterior and interior finishes after it has dried and set. To get the best results and guarantee the building’s longevity, it is crucial to maintain the right curing conditions during the building process.

Among the many advantages of foam concrete are its fire resistance, sound insulation, and energy efficiency. Because of its light weight, there is less strain on the foundation, which can save construction costs overall. Furthermore, compared to conventional concrete, foam concrete requires less energy and raw materials to produce, making it more environmentally friendly. These characteristics make foam concrete a desirable choice for cutting-edge, environmentally friendly home solutions.

All things considered, foam concrete construction technology is both inventive and useful. Using foam concrete blocks or the cast-in-place method, the process offers a versatile and effective means of building long-lasting, energy-efficient homes. This technology has a lot of potential for the development of residential construction in the future.

The main features when building a house from a foam block

What distinguishes a foam block from comparable building materials?

• A distinctive feature of the foam concrete block is the size-to-weight ratio. The fact is that it has a fairly large volume in comparison with, for example, brick or stone, but at the same time, walls built from both materials will differ significantly in weight. The foam concrete block, in this regard, leaves its competitors far behind.
• As a result, the load on the foundation is significantly reduced and brings with it the cost reduction so desired by developers.
• The speed of construction from foam concrete is another advantage and one of the main qualities. The blocks are so easy to handle that almost anyone can handle masonry.

However, it’s also not worthwhile to try by accident. Start practicing only after thoroughly understanding and evaluating the fundamentals of construction.

Step-by-step review of construction technology

In this article, we’ll use foam concrete blocks to construct a one-story house, with a strip monolithic foundation that has a brick base. Let’s examine the phases of construction in more detail and learn about the technology involved in erecting a structure using foam blocks.

Preparatory work

Any house’s construction starts with geodetic work, which includes foundation markings and soil analysis. Here’s where we’ll begin.

First and foremost, soil research is required to ascertain the kind and depth of foundation. Since tape is the strongest and most durable soil, it can be used in almost any type of soil.

Next, mark the location of the future house according to the plan, remove the top layer of soil, and dig a pit that is the necessary depth and width. A cushion of sand must be placed at the bottom of the pit.

Take note! According to experts, you should dig the foundation down to the point where the soil freezes. As a result, the future home’s foundation will be even more sturdy.

Using cutting-edge technology that combines the strength of concrete with the lightweight and insulating qualities of foam is necessary when building a home out of foam concrete. This process yields a material that is inexpensive, energy-efficient, and easy to shape. It involves steps like combining cement and foam agents, pouring the mixture into molds, and waiting for it to cure. Foam concrete is an excellent material for modern construction because it is not only environmentally friendly and versatile, but it also offers excellent thermal and acoustic insulation.

Determination of the design resistance of the foundation soil

Foundation structure

The following complex of work will be involved in setting up the foundation in order to use a foam concrete filling technology:

• Step 1 — making formwork — a mold that will hold the concrete in place in the future. Of course, you can buy it ready-made, but in order to save money, you can make the formwork yourself.
• Edged board or other similar material that needs to be knocked down is perfect for this. We fix the finished formwork and put waterproofing material in it.
• After that, a reinforcement frame is made, which is filled with foam concrete to the height of the formwork.

Counseling! It is advised to fill the entire foundation at once, even if the future house will be quite large; in other words, do not wait until the next day. Due to the base layers’ poor adhesion, such an error could negatively impact the outcome.

• The concrete solution must harden before the next stage of work begins.
• And the next will be the brickwork of the base. 4 rows of bricks will be quite enough. It is important between them to lay a reinforcing layer of a mesh fastening the first and second row.
• In conclusion, the foundation requires waterproofing. Bitumen or other coating material with similar properties is well suited for this.

Erection of walls

Masonry construction can start once the foundation is built. You must first determine the quantity of material needed. We’ll count the number of blocks in it since the cube is the unit of measurement for blocks.

The process is easy to follow:

1. Calculate the volume of one block measuring 600 * 300 * 250: 0.6 * 0.25 * 0.3 = 0.045
2. Divide the unit by the volume of one block and get 22.22. This means that in one cube, taking into account rounding, there are 22 blocks

Next, we use the following information to determine the future building’s area: box size 12 by 16; wall height -2.8 meters. Area = 156.8 m2, perimeter = 12 * 2 + 16 * 2 = 56.

1. To find out the required volume of blocks, you need to multiply the area of ​​​​the building by the width of the future walls. 156.8*0.3=47.04.
2. From this value, the volume of window and doorways should be deducted, there are about 1.5 m3 of them. We get: 47.04 – 1.5 = 45.54 m3 or 1012 pieces (45.54 / 0.045). Calculation of foam concrete blocks is complete.

Calculation of the number of foam blocks

Selecting the block size, LxHxD

Total length of walls, meters

Average height of walls, meters

Total area of ​​window and door openings, m2

Calculate

m 3pcs.m 3pcs.

1. The first layer of the block must be laid on cement mortar in order to strengthen the adhesion to the base. You should start from the corner at the highest point. In the future, this corner will act as a beacon for laying the entire row horizontally.
2. A thread is pulled between the blocks located in the corners to control the evenness of the row.
3. The second and subsequent rows are laid on a specialized adhesive composition designed for the construction of walls from foam concrete blocks. The mixture in its finished form is applied in a thin layer not exceeding 5 mm. Glue consumption depends on the manufacturer and the quality of foam concrete blocks, especially their geometry.

Within the first ten to fifteen minutes of laying, align the blocks with a rubber hammer and a level. Reinforcement of the first row is required; if the building is going to be large, this process will be repeated every four rows.

Counseling! With a specialized hacksaw, the foam block can be cut to the required size if it does not fit into the row entirely. The products can be shaped into any desired shape and are easy to handle.

Reinforcing mesh and reinforcement should be used when installing partitions.

Once the walls are constructed to the appropriate design height, you should prepare a reinforced belt for the ceiling installation that will come next. In order to achieve this, formwork is positioned atop the foam block, followed by the placement of a metal frame that is filled with concrete. In the next twenty-eight days, the strengthened belt should strengthen.

You can learn more about the technology used to build a house’s walls out of foam blocks by watching the video in this article:

Roof installation

When building a structure out of foam concrete blocks, the roofing configuration is similar to when installing a roof for a house made of other materials.

There are several steps in the process:

• Installation of the rafter system
• Lathing and counter-lathing
• Laying of waterproofing and thermal insulation
• Installation of the finishing coating

Any style of roof is an option; they include mansard, gable, and single-pitched roofs.

Basic recommendations for finishing the facade

In order to highlight the benefits of the material and guarantee a long service life, the facade finishing must take these characteristics into consideration because foam concrete blocks have certain attributes that set them apart from other wall materials of a similar nature.

Protection of foam concrete walls

Foam block products in particular require protection, and it is strongly discouraged to leave the facade unfinished for an extended period of time. In this instance, indicators of the primary characteristics may drastically decline in blocks due to the influence of climatic and atmospheric factors.

Insulation is a worthwhile place to start.

Because foam concrete blocks have a low heat conductivity, some developers choose to forgo additional insulation when the wall is arranged correctly. Nonetheless, there are numerous choices that work well for foam concrete walls if such a need arises.

Mineral wool, polyurethane foam, and foam plastic can all be used as insulation. With the aid of a table, let’s examine in detail the technology involved in insulating a house using foam concrete blocks.

Table 1 lists the characteristics of materials for foam concrete wall insulation:

Applied using a spraying technique.

Plastering facades from foam concrete blocks and finishing

Although there are still some differences, plastering walls made of foam concrete is not all that different from general technology. It is recommended that work be completed after several months, ideally six months. In this time frame, foam concrete will contract. Spring or a mild summer are the best seasons.

You must buy a specific mixture for cellular concrete blocks before you can begin construction. Its composition is not the same as plasters meant to be applied to brick or aerated concrete, for example. This is because of the unique properties of the substance.

Prior to anything else, the walls must be reinforced and primed. This will strengthen the foam concrete blocks’ adherence to the plaster mixture.

Due to the wide selection of compositions, everyone can select a plaster option that satisfies all requirements. The dominance of one or more properties and, of course, pricing are the primary distinctions amongst brands.

You can move on to the building’s final finishing after the plastering is completed. This can include painting, putting up siding, cladding with brick or wood, applying ornamental plaster and then painting afterwards. The best kind of paint for foam concrete walls is silicate and silicone-based paint.

It’s important to pay attention to the application of a water repellent while working. This is required to enhance foam concrete’s ability to repel moisture.

It is advised to apply two coats of paint to the wall, spaced a little apart. Following drying, the solution leaves a thin layer on the wall’s surface that can shield foam concrete from water damage while still allowing for good vapor permeability.

Applying decorative plaster to a foam concrete facade is a rather common way to finish it. It is lovely in the first place, and dependable in the second. The sole disadvantage is the cost; plastering a home with ornamental compounds is not an inexpensive task.

Siding is another popular choice for adding a finishing touch to foam-block walls. When compared to decorative plasters like the ones mentioned above, for instance, it is less expensive and has a more appealing appearance.

Brick veneering the outside of a structure constructed of foam concrete blocks is a viable choice. The service life in this instance rises dramatically.

An advantage is also the attractive appearance of the building. However, the price of the specified facing material repels many developers. This type of finishing will cost several times more than most other types.

Interior decoration of a house made of foam concrete

A foam concrete block home is a common choice for interior finishing projects. Nonetheless, it is important to abide by a few guidelines that have the potential to significantly alter the block’s performance attributes.

They are listed in the following order:

• Interior decoration of a room made of foam concrete blocks is carried out first, and only then the facade is faced.
• Work should be carried out mainly in the summer, especially work that is somehow related to water. At negative air temperatures, moisture can penetrate into the cells of the block and freeze in them, causing the material to deteriorate.

The interior walls of the building are plastered in the same manner as the facade: first the wall is primed, after which a fiberglass reinforcing mesh is installed and a layer of plaster is applied. In order to increase adhesion, blocks created with casting technology are also ground.

Plaster is thrown onto the wall to provide the corrugation’s structure. Once it dries, a rule is used to level the next layer of plaster. Plastering foam concrete walls will further enhance performance metrics and lengthen the building’s service life, provided that technology is adhered to.

The walls need to be painted after the plastering is finished. Similar to the house’s facade, silicone and silicate paints work perfectly.

The image displays two different ways to use these two materials to finish foam concrete walls inside the building:

Plasterboard sheathing is a highly recommended method for completing a foam concrete home. GKL sheets completely meet all technical specifications needed to construct structures out of foam blocks. Additionally, you can install arches, partitions, and multi-level ceilings as well as contemporary interior elements with their assistance.

The following materials are also very popular for finishing and decorating: wood, block houses, and imitation timber.

Possible errors and tips for eliminating them

Table 2. Typical mistakes, their eradication and prevention techniques:

Description	Useful tips
One of the most common mistakes is an attempt to save on the quality of foam concrete blocks.	Purchase material only from trusted suppliers, avoid handicraft production. For the construction of a residential building, give preference to 1st and, as a last resort, 2nd accuracy category. This will reduce the consumption of glue and plaster in the future.
Errors associated with calculating the optimal block thickness.	Thin walls will make the house cold. Give preference, especially in the middle region, a wall width of 300 to 400 mm.
Some would-be builders and inexperienced developers lose sight of the presence of such an important part in construction as an armored belt.	The consequence of its absence may be cracks and a general loss of structural strength when exposed to external influences. The presence of an armored belt is mandatory.
A less common mistake is using a block for other purposes.	Do not forget that you cannot build a reliable house from a heat-insulating foam concrete block. Be sure to consider this point when purchasing material. The density and strength of the block must correspond to the future load.
The absence of important elements that perform the functions of supporting load-bearing structures, such as reinforced posts	This may result in deformation of the floor from the load and subsidence.

Step	Description
1. Foundation	Lay a solid foundation to support the foam concrete walls.
2. Mixing	Prepare the foam concrete mix with cement, sand, water, and foam agent.
3. Pouring	Pour the mix into forms to create wall panels or blocks.
4. Curing	Allow the concrete to cure properly for strength and durability.
5. Assembly	Assemble the cured panels or blocks to form the structure of the house.
6. Finishing	Apply finishes such as plaster, paint, or cladding to the walls.

Foam concrete construction offers a combination of insulation, durability, and efficiency. This technology produces a strong, energy-efficient structure while making construction simpler. Compared to traditional materials, foam concrete is easier to handle and install because of its sturdy yet lightweight nature.

The procedure is mixing cement, water, and a foaming agent to create a foam concrete mix. After that, this mixture is poured into molds to create blocks or panels, which are then put together on location. As a result, there is a solid, uniform wall with superior acoustic and thermal insulation. Because of the material’s adaptability, different construction techniques—each with specific benefits—can be used, such as prefabricated blocks or monolithic casting.

The capacity of foam concrete construction to drastically cut building time and labor costs is one of its key advantages. Because of its insulating qualities, homes can save energy over time and become more comfortable and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, foam concrete’s low permeability and resistance to fire improve the structure’s longevity and safety.

Building with foam concrete technology can result in affordable, environmentally friendly homes. The use of this technique is growing in popularity among homeowners and builders seeking dependable and effective building solutions. Foam concrete is expected to play a significant role in construction in the future with further advancements.

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