You’ve probably heard of gas silicate and aerated concrete if you’re thinking about building a house and comparing various concrete block types. Although the insulating qualities and lightweight nature of both materials make them popular, there are some notable differences between them that may influence your decision. Having a better understanding of these variations will enable you to choose wisely depending on your spending limit and unique requirements.
For many years, precast, lightweight aerated concrete—also referred to as autoclaved aerated concrete, or AAC—has been utilized in construction projects. Cement, lime, water, and a foaming agent are mixed to create it, giving the concrete its lightness and porosity. This kind of concrete is a great option for energy-efficient homes because it is fire-resistant and provides excellent thermal insulation.
Another kind of lightweight, insulating concrete is gas silicate, which is sometimes mistaken for aerated concrete. That being said, it is made with a distinct method and has unique qualities. Although it is lightweight and has similar benefits to aerated concrete, such as good thermal insulation, it may have different structural strengths and moisture resistance.
The best material for your house will depend on a number of variables, such as the local climate, your spending limit, and the particular building codes. We’ll examine the main distinctions between gas silicate and aerated concrete in this post, so you can compare the benefits and drawbacks of each and decide which is best for your building project.
| Aerated Concrete | Gas Silicate |
| Aerated concrete is lightweight and has good thermal insulation. | Gas silicate is similar in lightweight and thermal properties but has a slightly higher density. |
| It’s made by mixing cement with a foaming agent and then curing it. | Gas silicate is produced by mixing sand, lime, and cement, then adding aluminum powder to create gas bubbles. |
| It offers excellent fire resistance and is easy to cut and shape. | Gas silicate also has good fire resistance and is generally easy to handle. |
| Aerated concrete tends to have better insulation against sound. | Gas silicate provides decent sound insulation but might not be as effective as aerated concrete. |
| It can be more expensive due to the production process. | Gas silicate is usually less expensive and widely available. |
| It is prone to moisture absorption if not properly sealed. | Gas silicate is also susceptible to moisture but typically requires a good finish to prevent issues. |
| Best for areas where sound insulation and lightweight are critical. | Good for cost-effective construction with decent thermal and fire properties. |
- What do aerated concrete and gas silicate have in common?
- Composition and properties of materials strengths and weaknesses
- Types and scope of application of both materials
- Features of the technology for the production of aerated concrete and gas silicate and products made from them
- Equipment and materials
- Process of the production process
What do aerated concrete and gas silicate have in common?
The materials’ similar characteristic values serve as their primary point of similarity. The demand for energy-saving structural products is driving developers to look for materials with the best possible price/quality ratio.
Composition and properties of materials strengths and weaknesses
Aerated concrete is typically processed in an autoclave, a machine that quickly hardens materials at high pressure and temperature. The characteristics of the production process distinguish one type of aerated concrete from another.
Like aerated concrete, cellular concrete also has a porous structure, and this is what aerated concrete is. This feature makes the material durable but lightweight at the same time. The blocks’ low thermal conductivity is a result of their voids.
The following ingredients are combined to create an aerated concrete solution:
- cement;
- sand;
- lime;
- water;
- blow-forming agent – aluminum powder or paste;
- special additives to increase the numerical values of the required characteristics.
Given that the specifications of aerated concrete products and aerated concrete blocks are fairly similar, it is worthwhile to draw attention to the shared benefits of marginally different materials:
- Low thermal conductivity coefficient, which according to GOST for cellular concrete, starts from 0.09 W * mC.
- Frost resistance. The technical documentation for each material specifies the minimum number of freeze-thaw cycles – 25. In practice, this number varies among different manufacturers. Due to high competition, this figure usually exceeds 50, regardless of the type of aerated concrete blocks.
- Optimum density – designated by the letter D. It is in the range of 300-1200 kg / m3. The densest products are used in the construction of walls. Blocks with a lower indicator are used for insulation.
- Strength grade. According to GOST, it is B1.5 – B15.
- Environmental friendliness. According to this indicator, cellular concrete is inferior to wood by only 1 point.
- Resistance to combustion.
- The ease of creating masonry is explained by the ease of sawing and grinding materials. When working with aerated concrete and gas silicate, there is no need to use special equipment.
- High construction speed – due to simple technology of laying blocks and optimal sizes of products.
Both materials have the benefit of being readily available, which is explained by the large selection of manufacturers. Owing to the materials’ popularity, wall products and U-shaped elements are made from them.
Common drawbacks of both aerated and non-aerated concrete:
- High fragility. During transportation of products, they are often subjected to mechanical stress, which leads to the formation of chips and an increase in the number of rejected blocks.
- High degree of water absorption. Since the materials are hygroscopic, they quickly absorb moisture, which requires their thoughtful protection. With prolonged exposure to water, the products gradually deteriorate.
- Difficulty in fixing various objects to walls made of cellular material.
- Low degree of adhesion to finishing materials.
- Susceptibility to shrinkage and cracking as a result of this process.
With the general drawbacks of gas blocks in mind, you can concentrate on the building possibilities.
Types and scope of application of both materials
One classification has been established for cellular concrete, which includes gas silicate blocks and aerated concrete:
- Structural products have high strength and the ability to withstand significant loads. Thermal conductivity of such products is higher than that of other types.
- Structural and heat-insulating gas silicate and aerated concrete are more often used by developers, since their use reduces the cost of insulation.
- Thermal-insulating cellular concrete is characterized by a high degree of thermal insulation.
First and second floors of country homes and outbuildings are frequently built using gas silicate or aerated concrete blocks. You can identify particular construction tasks by understanding the distinctions between them.
Features of the technology for the production of aerated concrete and gas silicate and products made from them
In terms of production process, aerated concrete is not much different from aerated concrete. There are only changes at the very end of the process.
Aerated concrete can be distinguished from gas silicate blocks based on the method of manufacture.
Equipment and materials
Various tools are used to produce cellular concrete:
- Conveyor. It is very expensive.
- Stationary lines have lower productivity, but the investment in them is significantly lower than that of a conveyor.
Apart from the equipment set, loaders, trucks, and other devices not included in the standard package need to be prepared for the production of cellular blocks.
Process of the production process
The process for producing gas silicate and aerated concrete is as follows:
- Raw materials are fed from storage bins to the dispenser. Then they are sent to the mixer, where the components are mixed.
- After mixing, a gasifier is added to the composition.
- The concrete is poured into molds by 1/3. They are not filled, since the solution will increase in volume when swelling.
- After filling the form with the solution, it is necessary to remove the excess.
- The concrete layers are cut into standard sizes.
- The final stage of aerated concrete production is the autoclaving process. It is at this stage that the main difference between aerated concrete blocks and aerated concrete blocks lies. Then the products are sent to the finished goods warehouse.
It is possible to store aerated concrete blocks indoors or outdoors. The only requirement is that moisture be kept away from them. It is advised to use completed goods for building no later than 28 days following production.
Understanding the main distinctions between gas silicate and aerated concrete will help you choose the material that will work best for your needs when building a home. While gas silicate, which is comparable but frequently a little bit denser, offers better strength and durability, aerated concrete, which is well-known for its lightweight and insulating qualities, offers outstanding thermal efficiency and ease of handling. The best material to use will depend on your personal priorities, such as the need for increased structural strength and longevity or the importance of insulation and ease of construction. Knowing these distinctions will assist you in choosing the material that best suits the needs and budget of your project.
When building a house, the decision between gas silicate and aerated concrete ultimately boils down to your priorities and individual needs. Both materials are reasonably light and provide good thermal insulation, but there are some significant differences between them that may affect your choice. Many builders prefer aerated concrete because of its many air pockets, which offer superior insulation and make the material easier to work with. It can also withstand a variety of weather conditions and is fairly durable.
Conversely, gas silicate exhibits marginally distinct properties. It is renowned for its power and fire resistance, which, depending on your location and the needs of your building, may be vital. In certain circumstances, gas silicate blocks can also be more reasonably priced, which could be a big consideration if money is tight. Its insulating qualities can differ depending on the product, and it might not be as simple to work with as aerated concrete.
The decision between gas silicate and aerated concrete should ultimately be based on your needs, your budget, and the climate where your building is located. Seeking advice from an expert in construction who can offer insights specific to your project is always a good idea. You can make a better-informed choice that will result in a successful and effective building process by taking these factors into account.
