Timber or aerated concrete: analysis of properties and comparison of materials

Aerated concrete and wood are two common choices with unique qualities and advantages when it comes to selecting the proper building material. With its inherent warmth and pliability, timber has been used for building for thousands of years. However, a more contemporary material called aerated concrete provides superior fire resistance and insulation. Knowing the distinctions between these materials will enable you to choose wisely for your building endeavors.

We’ll examine the salient features of aerated concrete and wood in this post. We will examine the performance of each material in terms of environmental impact, durability, and insulation. We hope to give you a clear picture of these two materials’ advantages and disadvantages so you can decide which might be the best fit for your requirements.

General characteristics of materials

It is worthwhile to begin by taking into account the products’ operational, mechanical, physical, and technical features. They frequently represent the last debate when selecting a resource.

What is a timber, its types and application

Sawn wood with a square or rectangular cross section is called timber. It is made by sawing a log, and the rectangle’s side widths range from 100 to 250 mm.

Specifically, construction timber is meant by this. By the way, the timber becomes rounded and becomes a log when it is shaped like a cylinder.

Manufacturers are currently providing multiple versions of this material. The following timber types are available:

• These types not only determine the future appearance of the building, but also the speed of construction of the building.
• Let"s consider each of them in more detail.
• Rough timber is the most budget option. Its cross-section can be square or rectangular.
• This material is used in the construction of summer cottages, gazebos, various racks, frames and partitions. Experts advise using it in places that are hidden from view.
• This lumber requires subsequent finishing. Siding and clapboard are usually used.

Kindly take note! Because this kind of wood is prone to shrinking, cracking, and deformation, it is advised to start finishing it no sooner than six months later.

• Profiled timber differs from unplaned timber in that it is given a certain profile. Usually, it is a rectangular timber that has grooves in the form of a groove or ridge. The front sides are smooth.
• The profile virtually eliminates the possibility of moisture getting between the layers. The structure looks like a solid massif. The strength of the building is increased.
• This type of timber is very common, due to the excellent price-quality ratio.
• It is also subject to shrinkage and deformation, but this does not reduce its popularity.

• Rounded timber is also no less common. It is used in the construction of country houses, baths, gazebos.
• It does not need additional finishing, except for impregnation with specialized compounds, it has an attractive appearance.
• Clear joining of the beams guarantees protection from moisture.

• Glued beam is the most expensive, due to more costly and complex production. It is made from lamellas glued together under pressure.
• This production method is somewhat reminiscent of plywood production. The only difference is that the latter is made from veneer.
• Such timber practically does not shrink, so finishing can begin almost immediately after construction. The material has high thermal insulation and strength characteristics. Although much, of course, depends on the manufacturer of the products.

With the aid of a table, let us now examine the primary attributes of wood.

Table 1: Timber characteristics

Name	Description and comments
Material for manufacturing	Most often, softwood is used: larch, pine, cedar, spruce. Unplaned, profiled and rounded timber is made from round logs, and glued timber is made from boards of different thicknesses.
Thermal conductivity	Thermal conductivity coefficient varies from 0.1 to 0.36. However, this indicator characterizes well-dried products. In damp wood, the ability to retain heat decreases.

• Dry, its humidity is 0%;
• Room-dry, characterized by humidity from 8 to 12%;
• Basic, with humidity of about 15-19%;
• Air-dry, humidity of 20-30%;
• Freshly cut, humidity from 50 to 100%;
• Wet, characterized by 100% humidity.

It is important to discuss the quality of the wood separately. It can be first, second, third, or fourth in line with GOST.

The following criteria set apart the first grade, which is the highest:

• The material has no damage caused by biological exposure;
• Fungal spots make up no more than 8-10% of the entire surface of the product;
• End cracks – no more than 25%;

When installing the subfloor, this material is utilized in the construction of the roof base. A product like this can be used to make furniture and other interior items if it undergoes additional processing.

The second grade can be identified by its slightly fungal coating and greater quantity of resin pockets. Sheds, scaffolding, and temporary structures are all made from this kind of wood.

Kindly take note! Some private small businesses adopt technical specifications, or TU, as a standard instead of GOST. These products typically have lower strength, quality, and properties and are manufactured outside of GOST guidelines.

Aerated concrete: main properties and qualities, classification

Because it has a porous structure, aerated concrete, a kind of cellular concrete, stands out from other wall materials. The chemical reaction between lime and aluminum powder, which acts as a blowing agent, can produce it.

Let’s use the table to review the products’ primary features.

Table 2: Aerated concrete’s characteristics and attributes

This indicator is not normalized in partition blocks.

There are several categories for aerated concrete, and each one is determined by a specific characteristic or element. Let’s use the table to think about them.

Table 3: Aerated concrete classification

There is a wide range of applications for aerated concrete. Not to be overlooked is its monolithic version either. Among many other things, it’s used to install the underfloor heating base, fill in ceilings, and insulate roofs.

Knowing the differences and advantages between aerated concrete and wood is crucial when making construction decisions. Aerated concrete provides exceptional fire resistance and durability, while timber is prized for its inherent insulation and visual appeal. This article will help you make an informed decision based on the requirements of your project by comparing these materials’ structural performance, affordability, and environmental impact.

Advantages and disadvantages of both materials

So, which is preferable—wood or aerated concrete? Maybe the answer is already clear to some of them. To make a logical choice, let’s examine the primary benefits and drawbacks of each material.

Pros and cons of timber

The primary benefits are:

• Environmental friendliness;
• Ease of installation;
• Low cost of some types of products;
• Speed ​​of construction;
• Durability of the structure with technically correct installation and processing of wood;
• Seismic resistance;
• Attractive appearance;
• Most types of log houses do not require subsequent exterior finishing;
• Variability of designs;
• Density and frost resistance of the material, good compressive and bending strength.

The following are the drawbacks:

• Wood – burns;
• Shrinkage is characteristic of timber, and cracks are also common;
• Timber is susceptible to biological influences, there is a tendency to mold and mildew;
• Hygroscopicity.

Strengths and weaknesses of aerated concrete

Aerated concrete is a highly favored material. Nevertheless, it has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s think about them, maybe beginning with the advantages.

Among them are:

• Large dimensions of products, which can significantly speed up the construction process;
• Low weight of the block reduces the load on the foundation;
• Precision of the geometry of products;
• High strength, density and frost resistance;
• Low thermal conductivity;
• Environmental friendliness and fire resistance of the material;
• Ease of processing. Aerated concrete can be sawed, ground, and specialized tools are not required;
• Variability of interior and exterior finishing should also be considered as an advantage;
• Ease of installation, the ability to do it yourself. For this, you will need a minimum set of tools and instructions;
• Low price of the material.

The following are the primary drawbacks:

• Fasteners are poorly fixed, which is why it is necessary to purchase and use specialized hardware. If you want to fasten particularly heavy objects, you will have to think through the fastening points in advance and strengthen them;
• Low adhesion with finishing materials will lead to additional costs for specialized mixtures, primers, reinforcing mesh;
• High level of moisture absorption. Aerated concrete needs technically correct protection;
• Fragility of the material. It is especially manifested when transporting blocks and directly during work;
• The presence of handicraft production of non-autoclaved aerated concrete increases the chances of purchasing low-quality products;
• Shrinkage is a significant disadvantage. As mentioned above, the appearance of cracks is a fairly common phenomenon.

Comparison of materials

It’s time to go straight to the comparison now that we have discussed the primary characteristics, attributes, and range of applications of materials. Use the table, please.

Table 4: Aerated concrete blocks versus timber: Which is superior?

Name of indicator, characteristics	Comments, comparison
Frost resistance	According to manufacturers, a gas block can withstand up to 150 cycles, and timber – up to 100.However, in practice, both materials are approximately equally durable in this regard.
Aerated concrete or timber, which is warmer?	Aerated concrete has a lower thermal conductivity coefficient. However, when searching for an answer to this question, the ratio of density and heat retention capacity should be taken into account.

To make a clearer comparison, consider the following: wood with the same density (about 0.5) and aerated concrete blocks (about 0.3) with a density of D800.

It is also impossible to provide a definitive response when discussing the best material to use for building frames. First and foremost, a lot depends on the kind of construction, the area, and the developer’s personal preferences.

A less expensive kind of wood would work well if this is only going to be a temporary summer home. And you should absolutely use aerated concrete if this is a residential building that is also located in a cold climate or in a seismically hazardous area.

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Overview of the process of work on the construction of buildings

Let’s now examine which material is simpler to handle. Which technology is the easiest to use and which building will be constructed more quickly?

Installation of timber

The following is the work order:

1. The beginning of the work is the installation of the crown. Everything should be done at one level. No matter how well the foundation is made, differences in height may occur.

One way to make adjustments is to check the position with a building level and insert adjusting spacers.

1. The corners are fixed with construction brackets at a distance of no more than 1.5-2 meters and at least 2 points on one wall.
2. The fastening to the foundation is carried out using metal anchors.
3. Then the inter-crown sealant is laid and secured to prevent displacement.
4. The further assembly process consists of sequentially laying the crowns in the established order.
5. To strengthen the structure and prevent deformation, holes are made every 1-1.5 meters, into which dowels made of hardwood are installed.
6. For greater rigidity, the crowns can be fastened with screw studs.

Laying aerated concrete

It is not at all difficult to lay aerated concrete. It is almost easy to do.

The following are the stages of the work:

• Laying the first blocks begins from the corners. A cord is stretched between them, which serves as a guide.
• The first row is laid on the solution in order to improve strength and adhesion to the base.
• The second and all subsequent rows are laid using an adhesive mixture, while the thickness of the seam should be minimal to reduce the number of cold bridges, which lead to additional heat loss.
• Do not forget about the seam displacement by about 25-30%.
• The first and every fourth row are reinforced. This is extremely important for the strength of the future structure.
• Control, adjustment of the evenness of the masonry is carried out using a level and a rubber mallet.
• If there is a gap, the block is cut to the desired size.
• The final stage will be the installation of an armored belt.

The masonry work can now be regarded as finished. More information about the steps involved in using both materials can be found in the article’s video.

Calculation of MZLF according to Sazhin

Property	Timber	Aerated Concrete
Weight	Lightweight and easy to handle	Heavy, requires special handling equipment
Insulation	Good natural insulation properties	Excellent thermal insulation
Durability	Can be prone to rot and insect damage	Highly durable and resistant to pests
Cost	Generally more affordable	Can be more expensive due to manufacturing processes
Environmental Impact	Renewable resource, but deforestation concerns	Manufacturing has a higher carbon footprint

Your unique needs and priorities will play a major role in your decision between aerated concrete and wood. Timber is a fantastic material for projects that care about the environment because it provides good insulation and a natural, aesthetically pleasing appearance. Additionally, it offers a lighter structure, which is beneficial for some kinds of buildings.

Aerated concrete, on the other hand, is notable for its resilience to fire and longevity. It is a low-maintenance choice that performs well in inclement weather. The thermal efficiency and soundproofing properties of the material can also make a home more comfortable.

In the end, the choice should be made in light of variables like price, climate, and preferred aesthetic. You can choose the material that best fits your project and guarantees long-lasting performance by carefully weighing these factors.

Video on the topic

What is better – a house made of glued laminated timber or aerated concrete?

Comparison of the cost of a house made of different materials: aerated concrete, brick, glued laminated timber

House made of aerated concrete or timber What to choose What is the best house made of