What kind of house to build: brick or aerated concrete – which is better?

Selecting the appropriate building material for your home is an important choice that will affect its cost, comfort level, and longevity. Brick and aerated concrete, two of the most widely used materials, each have particular advantages and disadvantages. Making an informed decision for your construction project can be aided by your understanding of these.

For centuries, brick has been a widely used building material due to its durability and timeless aesthetic. It has outstanding resistance to weather and fire and is incredibly durable. However, because each brick must be laid by hand, brick construction can be more costly and time-consuming. Bricks can also absorb and release heat, which contributes to their good thermal mass and ability to maintain a constant interior temperature.

Conversely, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), sometimes referred to as aerated concrete, is a contemporary, lightweight substitute. Its cellular structure and natural ingredients of sand, lime, and water give it exceptional insulating power. This indicates that aerated concrete homes use less energy, which lowers the cost of heating and cooling. Aerated concrete can also be worked with more quickly and easily, which could reduce building costs. However, in some environments, it might not hold up to brick’s durability and longevity.

When deciding between brick and aerated concrete, consider factors like your budget, the climate of your area, and your personal preferences for aesthetics and maintenance. Each material has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. By weighing these factors, you can select the material that will provide the best balance of durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for your new home.

Aspect	Brick	Aerated Concrete
Cost	Generally more expensive due to material and labor	More affordable, lightweight, easier to handle
Thermal Insulation	Good but often needs additional insulation	Excellent, often doesn"t need extra insulation
Strength	High compressive strength, very durable	Less strong than brick, but sufficient for most homes
Construction Speed	Slower, requires skilled labor	Faster, easier to cut and shape
Fire Resistance	Very good, non-combustible	Good, but not as high as brick
Environmental Impact	High, due to energy-intensive production	Lower, more eco-friendly production process

Characteristics of brick

You should carefully consider the qualities of each material before determining whether to build a house out of brick or aerated concrete. Then, you should compare the materials and select the one best suited for the building project.

Brick is a premium material that is long-lasting, dependable, and ecologically friendly. A brick building that is built correctly will endure for at least a century. These homes typically have reinforced concrete slabs installed for the ceiling, which allows bricks to be used to construct multi-story structures and large premises.

Sand-lime and ceramic bricks are still available in the building supply market today. Clay is fired at high temperatures to give it strength and resistance to different impacts. This process is used to make ceramic bricks. Bricks made of ceramic can be regular or facing.

In production, silicate bricks are made with lime, sand, and water. A mixture is put into containers and then heated to a high pressure in an autoclave. The brick is strong, dense, and resistant to temperature fluctuations and high humidity levels.

Characteristics of aerated concrete

An inventory of the components that make up the mixture should be the first step in analyzing the characteristics of aerated concrete. Today, aerated concrete is growing in popularity because of its superior performance qualities, perfect block geometry, speed, and simplicity of installation. The ingredients for gas blocks are cement, aluminum powder, quartz sand, quicklime, and water.

All components are combined in precise amounts, added water, and the mixture is then poured into a container to allow the aluminum and water to react. Concrete begins to show bubbles in its thickness as the mixture thickens and solidifies. After that, the blanks are sliced into the required size blocks and placed in an autoclave to achieve a set strength.

Aerated concrete has a slight weight, good soundproofing indicators, and excellent thermal insulation due to its porous structure. The material breathes, is strong and quick to build, and is environmentally friendly (though the inclusion of aluminum powder raises concerns).

Advantages and disadvantages

When deciding whether brick or aerated concrete blocks are better for a house, it’s important to weigh the main advantages and disadvantages of each material.

The primary benefits of bricks are:

• Environmental friendliness
• Excellent soundproofing, thermal insulation characteristics
• Resistance to low temperatures
• Long service life
• Strength and reliability

One of the cons that should be noted is its small size and significant weight, which adds a lot to the construction time and expense.

Thus, there’s no need to do complicated math when comparing the cost-effectiveness of aerated concrete vs brick. Aerated concrete wins out. Typically, silicate brick is not utilized in the building of furnaces, wells, fireplaces, chimneys, or foundations.

• Relatively low cost
• Large size and small weight, which simplifies installation
• Ecological cleanliness
• Good heat and sound insulation properties
• Ability to perform any finishing

One of aerated concrete’s drawbacks is that because of its pore structure, it absorbs a lot of water, making the waterproofing layer extremely important. Because aerated concrete is brittle and has a much lower load-bearing capacity than brick, gas blocks are typically used in the construction of low-rise structures.

The house will be warm because aerated concrete has a low thermal conductivity.

Difference between brick and aerated concrete

It is hard to compare aerated concrete and brick because they have different qualities, the same qualities in others, and different applications for different kinds of construction under different circumstances. You must, at the very least, weigh the relative merits of the two options before making a decision based on the project’s needs, specifications, and preferences.

Compressive strength indicator

This parameter shows the maximum loads that the material can support as well as the strength of the future structure. Aerated concrete can support 25–50 kg/cm, while brick can support 110–220 kg/cm.

Brick can be used to build any type of house, but aerated concrete blocks are not recommended for use in the construction of load-bearing walls in multistory buildings. The strength table for each material can provide more precise numbers.

Mechanical resistance of the material

Excellent geometry and large size of aerated concrete blocks allow for speedy construction, perfectly even walls, and minimally visible seams in the masonry.

Aerated concrete walls have very little heat conductivity. But because the material is so brittle, they must be reinforced; the entire structure entails making an armored belt.

The mechanical resistance of brick is definitely higher. Therefore, gas blocks are much easier to process, but it is difficult to fasten something to them.

Although brick is dense and durable, it is not very flexible; you can attach shelves, cabinets, brackets, and other household appliances to it. You will still need to consider additional fixation for aerated concrete, and there is still a chance of material destruction.

Weight of a cubic meter of masonry

The primary factor considered when designing a foundation is the total weight of the completed building, which can be computed using the weight of one cubic meter of masonry. Aerated concrete and brick vary greatly in this regard. Brick walls require a more substantial foundation because they weigh significantly more than aerated concrete masonry.

A cubic meter of aerated concrete exerts 0.2–0.9 tons of force, while a cubic meter of brickwork exerts 1.2-2 tons. A brick building will weigh 5–6 times more than one with equivalent dimensions.

Ability to conduct heat

Thermal conductivity of brick and aerated concrete also differs. To achieve the optimal level of thermal insulation characteristics, it is necessary to make brickwork at least 50 centimeters thick. A similar effect can be achieved with aerated concrete masonry 40 centimeters thick. More accurate thermal conductivity indicators can be found in the comparative table (for aerated concrete and brick).

Resistance to low temperatures

This parameter establishes how well a material will hold onto its original characteristics in the face of repeated freeze/thaw cycles and moisture exposure. Brick has a far higher resistance to low temperatures; it can withstand more cycles and exhibits superior qualities under a variety of conditions. You will need to create an extra layer of insulation to safeguard the aerated concrete.

In contrast, aerated concrete can withstand up to 25–30 freeze/thaw cycles, while brick can withstand roughly 50 cycles.

Moisture absorption

The ability of a material to absorb moisture, hold it within its structure, and then degrade under the influence, thereby worsening its properties, is known as moisture absorption. The microclimate will deteriorate if a lot of water is absorbed and does not dry, leading to the growth of microorganisms such as mold and fungus and an unpleasant smell throughout the house.

In this case, brick wins hands down: while aerated concrete exhibits a water absorption rate of 100%, brick only demonstrates a rate of 6–14%. Applying a waterproofing layer to concrete will enhance its qualities by shielding it from moisture both inside and outside.

Fire resistance

Both materials have the same level of fire resistance, which is equivalent to class A. When heated, aerated concrete and brick don’t release any toxins and are entirely safe for the environment. A brick or aerated concrete home can safely withstand direct flame for two to three hours.

Environmental friendliness of the material

Both brick and aerated concrete create the ideal microclimate inside the building, let air flow through, and are entirely safe for human health and the environment. Because they are permeable and do not evaporate any toxic or dangerous compounds into the atmosphere, porous concrete and clay brick prevent air and steam from stagnating in the house.

Shrinkage

When constructing a home out of brick or aerated concrete, it is crucial to keep in mind that it is preferable to plan ahead and anticipate problems rather than having to make repairs to a completed structure after the fact. In this case, shrinkage is a crucial parameter. Over many years of use, brickwork exhibits similar parameters and is essentially impervious to shrinkage.

However, it is noticeable that aerated concrete masonry assumes shrinkage equal to 0.3 millimeters for every meter of height. In the first two years following construction, the material shrinks; if this is not considered during design and installation, cracks may show up, particularly in areas that are warm and dry.

Cost of material

Aerated concrete blocks are much less expensive than brick. However, in this case, you also need to consider the cost of the final construction estimate in addition to the material itself. After all, the masonry technology will differ for the two materials. Thus, a cubic meter of brickwork in Moscow and the surrounding area will cost approximately 80 ye, while aerated concrete will cost 45 ye. In other words, the cost of an aerated concrete box is lower.

But taking into account the subtleties is worthwhile. Waterproofing is required to line and shield aerated blocks from the elements. Reinforcement is needed for masonry made of gas blocks, so the cost of a specific quantity of steel rods and knitting wire must be factored into your final calculations.

The decision between an aerated concrete home and a brick home ultimately comes down to your priorities and unique needs. Brick homes are renowned for their timeless beauty and strength. They are very weather and fire resistant and offer great sound insulation. However, because they require heavier materials and a longer construction period, they can be more costly and time-consuming to build.

Aerated concrete, on the other hand, provides a contemporary, affordable substitute. It can save you time and money because it is faster to construct, lighter, and easier to work with. Additionally offering strong thermal insulation, aerated concrete keeps your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Nevertheless, it might not be as robust or long-lasting as conventional brick and might eventually need more upkeep.

The optimal option ultimately depends on your unique requirements, financial situation, and climate where you live. The long-lasting, low-maintenance nature of brick construction may make it a better choice. However, if you’re searching for a less expensive and more energy-efficient option, aerated concrete might be the best choice. To find the solutions that best fit your needs, think about speaking with an architect or builder.

Aerated concrete or brick construction should be chosen based on a number of considerations, including cost, durability, insulation, and construction time. Aerated concrete is lightweight and offers excellent insulation, which speeds up and reduces energy consumption during construction. Brick offers traditional strength and longevity. The ideal option will rely on your preferences, financial situation, and climate.

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