Selecting the appropriate building materials has a significant impact on the building process as well as the long-term comfort and upkeep of the home. Aerated concrete and wood are two common options that come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Making an informed decision that best meets your needs and preferences can be aided by being aware of the main distinctions between these materials.
Wood is a traditional building material valued for its warmth and inherent beauty. Because it’s a renewable resource, choosing it will not harm the environment. To keep wood safe from moisture, fire, and pests, it needs to be maintained carefully. Aerated concrete, on the other hand, is a contemporary material renowned for its robustness and energy efficiency. It is robust and lightweight, offering good fire resistance and insulation. Although it might not have the same aesthetic appeal as wood, many homeowners find aerated concrete to be a compelling alternative due to its many useful benefits.
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| Factor | Wood | Aerated Concrete |
| Insulation | Good natural insulation, stays warm | Decent insulation, requires additional layers |
| Durability | Prone to rot and pests, needs maintenance | Resistant to rot and pests, longer-lasting |
| Environmental Impact | Natural, renewable resource | Eco-friendly but requires more energy to produce |
| Cost | Can be more expensive, especially for quality wood | Generally more affordable |
| Construction | Quick to build with |
- Characteristics of timber and aerated concrete. General information
- Timber
- Aerated concrete
- How to install wooden floors in a building made of aerated concrete blocks
- Comparative analysis
- Shrinkage
- Appearance
- Environmental friendliness
- Fire resistance
- Service life
- Ease of construction
- Thermal insulation
- Thermal conductivity
- Construction price
- House Weight Calculator
- Video on the topic
- Which house is better: Wooden, Brick or foam block?
- Aerated concrete or wood | What is better to build from
- Brick or wood? What is better to build a house from? Which is cheaper?
- Wooden or stone – which house to choose? Pros and cons of these houses
- HOW MUCH DOES EACH STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION OF THIS HOUSE COST / HOW MUCH MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A HOUSE
- Aerated concrete vs. wood: thermal efficiency, vapor permeability, environmental friendliness
Characteristics of timber and aerated concrete. General information
Timber
Since ancient times, wood has been utilized as a building material. But even now, its application in building has not become obsolete; in fact, in recent times, it has become more and more well-liked.
This is because wood is readily available, and in addition, structures built of it often look good and don’t need extra finishing or insulation.
Owing to the unique properties of wood fibers, homes constructed from them have excellent natural ventilation and can keep the interior at the appropriate humidity level. Using wood products also has the added benefit of releasing essential oils that are good for human health and can be used to trap harmful bacteria and microorganisms from the outside.
- Seismic resistance;
- Environmental friendliness;
- Long service life;
- Does not require additional finishing;
- It is a warm material;
- Has excellent soundproofing properties;
- Fire hazard;
- Formation of cracks during drying;
- Wood is subject to rotting and mold formation;
Aerated concrete
It is a typical building material used by both private developers and construction firms. Aerated blocks are primarily composed of lime, quartz sand, Portland cement, aluminum powder, and water.
- Lightness in weight;
- Ease of processing;
- Fire safety;
- High strength;
- Excellent thermal insulation qualities;
- The ability to “breathe”;
- Low price.
Products’ drawbacks:
- High coefficient of moisture absorption;
- Possibility of cracks;
- The need for insulation and external cladding.
Counseling! It is advisable to choose wooden flooring for your home instead of reinforced concrete slabs.
Both wood and aerated concrete have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to construction. While wood is naturally warm-looking and provides good insulation, it is less fire-resistant and requires more upkeep. Conversely, aerated concrete lacks the organic beauty of wood but offers greater soundproofing, durability, and resistance to fire. The ideal option will rely on your priorities, including your spending limit, the local climate, and the style and feel you want for your house.
How to install wooden floors in a building made of aerated concrete blocks
The load-bearing walls of the building support the beams that make up the wooden floor at their ends. The ceiling is supported entirely by beams, from which the load is subsequently transferred to the wall.
Additionally, because aerated concrete is so brittle, the beams need to be supported by a support cushion, which could be an interior wall-mounted reinforced belt. The load on the wall will be evenly distributed as a result of its use.
Similar to any other floor, the height and width of a beam in an aerated concrete home are determined by:
Kindly take note! With a span width of 4 to 5 meters, the beam’s cross-section should measure 180×100 or 200×75 mm, and it shouldn’t be any smaller than 150×50 mm. The beams’ axes should be separated by 60 centimeters.
It is best to get in touch with the designer to calculate the floors, or you can view the images and videos in this post, which offer comprehensive instructions and highlight all the subtleties and characteristics of the wooden floor device.
Comparative analysis
A thorough analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of both materials is required before determining which is better for you. Based on all the information gathered, you should determine which is aerated concrete or wood. Let’s compare now.
Shrinkage
A house constructed out of a bar will shrink by roughly 4%. Aerated concrete block homes shrink by a mere 0.3-0.5%.
Appearance
Buildings constructed from a bar do not necessarily need external finishing. All that needs to be done is install the basement trim, hem the cornice, and install the window and door trim. Internal finishing is something you can do or not do, depending on your preferences.
When constructing a home with this material, exterior finishing is required because it serves both a protective and aesthetic purpose. Since the blocks will look ugly and create a dull atmosphere inside the house, interior decoration is also required.
Environmental friendliness
Timber, being composed of solid wood, is an entirely eco-friendly material. Although aerated concrete also contains natural ingredients, its use is prohibited in many European countries due to the presence of aluminum powder.
Fire resistance
Because it only includes non-combustible materials, aerated concrete is completely fireproof. But as everyone knows, wood burns easily and poses a fire hazard.
Service life
The building will last for several decades if the wood is treated with an antiseptic and the timber structure is adequately waterproofed. Wood, being a natural material, is prone to rotting and fungal growth, both of which can be prevented.
A harsh environment can cause aerated concrete to crumble and crack, but it is resistant to the growth of mold and fungus. Outside wall decoration is one way to counter this. A house built with aerated concrete blocks has a very long lifespan if the cladding is installed according to all the guidelines.
Ease of construction
Despite its weight, the beam is simple to install because its geometric shape is consistent and regular all the way along. Because aerated concrete blocks are lightweight and compact, installing them is simple.
Thermal insulation
When walls are thick enough, wood acts as an excellent thermal insulator and doesn’t need extra insulation. However, gaps and cracks in the wood product may show up after the house shrinks and dries out, necessitating more caulking of the walls.
When building walls made of aerated concrete, you can achieve average thermal insulation by laying in 2 rows. However, this will not save you from additional insulation of external load-bearing structures.
Thermal conductivity
Although aerated concrete and wood have different thermal conductivities, the differences are not great enough to affect the walls’ thermotechnical properties. The tree conducts heat more poorly, as was already mentioned, but the thermal conductivity coefficient of aerated concrete is lower.
It should be mentioned that the wooden home has always been cozy and warm. Additionally, we won’t receive a definitive response to the question of whether trees or aerated concrete is warmer. Living in the gas block won’t be any worse than living in a brush, provided you calculate the amounts correctly and heat it up.
Construction price
When building a home from a beam, the foundation installation doesn’t cost much, and the material itself is also reasonably priced (in comparison to glued timber and a valued log) because wall design is so simple.
To be fair, one of the least expensive products for building a private home is the gas block. But because of the extra insulation and exterior finishing work, the structure will weigh more, increasing the strain on the foundation. This implies that building it will cost more money.
House Weight Calculator
Aerated concrete and wood both have advantages and disadvantages of their own. Wood is a naturally occurring, renewable material with a cozy appearance and superior insulation. When properly maintained, it can be fairly durable and is relatively easy to work with. To avoid problems like rot and insect infestations, it needs to be maintained on a regular basis.
Conversely, aerated concrete is renowned for its resilience to fire, strength, and durability. It is an adaptable building material with good thermal insulation that can be used in a variety of climates. It might not be as visually appealing as wood, but it needs less upkeep and is more resistant to environmental harm.
The decision between wood and aerated concrete ultimately comes down to personal preferences and needs. A number of factors will come into play, including the building’s intended aesthetic and feel, budget, and climate. Depending on your preference for the practical benefits of aerated concrete or the organic beauty of wood, these materials can be great options for building projects.
