Which cinder blocks are best for the home. We build a house from cinder block with our own hands

Cinder block refers to a relatively inexpensive type of building material that has long been loved by the Russian consumer. Inter-apartment floors are also erected from cinder blocks; it is often used in the construction of summer cottages and. Today, the editors of the site will talk about the disadvantages and advantages of this type of material, as well as introduce the algorithm of work.

Cinder block houses are built very quickly

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What is a cinder block, and what do cinder block houses look like in a photo

A cinder block is a kind of cinder block created from a mixture and additives. It is known that the raw material for this building material is crushed stone in a special way crushed and heated. Also, broken glass or expanded clay, shavings and sawdust, ash, ashes, as well as ordinary river sand are used to create bricks.


Such a characteristic as the strength of a cinder block depends on its brand. The range of values ​​varies from 35 to 125 kg / cm².

The lower value of the indicator means that this type of cinder block can be used as an additional structure when strengthening non-bearing and low structures. For example, protect, or highlight. Grade 50-75 kg / cm² is suitable for internal partitions, 100-125 kg / cm² - material for load-bearing walls. The strongest solid bricks can be used in the construction of structures partially submerged in water.

Cinder blocks can withstand about 50 freezing cycles and not lose their strength.

Pros and cons of cinder block houses

Like any construction material, cinder blocks have their advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

Among the minuses is the question of the quality of raw materials and its safety.

What can reduce the pros of cinder block houses, and how to solve problems with cons

How to determine a clear marriage or low-quality raw materials? The first way is to buy only from trusted suppliers. For any product of this kind, there are certificates of conformity. Usually the documents indicate which filler is used in production.

Important! Granite can give an unpleasant radioactive background. It is better not to buy blocks with such fillers. To control the quality of the goods, you can rent a Geiger counter for the duration of the purchase of the material.

Choose a flat block or section of blocks, paying attention to the geometric shape. Chips in a batch can indicate a technological marriage and a violation of production technology.

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Head of the team of the repair and construction company "Dom Premium"

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"It is better not to use soft blocks. If you are planning to buy a cinder block, do not hesitate to take a nail with you. If you managed to stick it into the material without using a hammer, then it is better not to consider such a cinder block for purchase.

"
Use pallets to transport blocks

Characteristics and sizes of different types of cinder blocks

Used for different tasks different types blocks. separate type building structures used for insulation, the other for the construction of solid walls, the third for decoration.

Durable solid cinder blocks

For the construction of load-bearing walls and ceilings, use only solid blocks. They must be selected according to the strength class. Cinder concrete foundation blocks are especially in demand. But you need to remember that they can shrink and need reliable.


Lightweight hollow cinder blocks

For the construction of light interiors, hollow cinder blocks are often used. The voids can be oval, round, square or rectangular. The size of such voids is about a third of the volume of the building element.

Typically, blocks of the following sizes are used: 39 × 19 × 18.8 cm. Compared with a brick, 12 bricks “fit” into the volume of one cinder block.


Decorative cinder blocks

Decorative material for the construction of large structures is rarely used. Usually colored bricks are used in the construction of fences, as well as supports.

Most often they are covered protective layer, which extends the service life and increases performance. However, this is still a budget option, for there are many other finishing materials.

What type of cinder block is better to use for building a house

The basis for choosing the strength of a stone is usually such an important concept as the number of storeys of a building. The higher the house, the more durable brick must be used. If the percentage of voids is within 30, blocks can be used to build a house with two or three floors. If there are more voids - only in construction.


For the basement and foundation of the building, it is best to use a monolithic brick. A house built for centuries simply cannot be hollow. It is not worth saving on load-bearing structures made of any materials.

Related article:

Nuances of operation modern houses from a log: we study all the pros and cons, types of round log house projects, prices for finished buildings, project development features wooden house from rounded logs, the differences between the projects of summer wooden buildings and houses made of logs for permanent residence, recommendations of experts - read in the publication.

Which is better: buy cinder blocks or do it yourself?

By the way, you can organize a cinder block business yourself. There are several dozens of stamping units that “blind” bricks from literally any raw material.


The only problem is where to find raw materials. Here you have to think carefully. On the one hand, the ideal option is a boiler room nearby, or a sawmill. Indeed, to create a cinder block, you can use any available material, including wood chips and gypsum. It is important to use proven technology.


If we talk about profitability, at first it will hardly be higher than 15-20%

How to build a cinder block house with your own hands: highlights

The construction of cinder block buildings is a laborious process. However, not as tedious as . With an adequate team and the amount of material, you can build a small house in just a few weeks.

How to calculate the number of cinder blocks for building a house

Construction itself has never been a cheap process. However, in order to save money, it is important to correctly and accurately. The first thing you should pay attention to is what will be the thickness of the wall. for the south and middle lane It is permissible for Russia to install external walls with a thickness of 20 to 40 centimeters. For the northern regions, at least 60 centimeters are required.


The second important indicator is the parameters of the building itself, number of storeys, height, length of the building, the presence of balconies and ledges

How to calculate the amount of cinder block in 1 m²: 12.5 pieces of blocks are required for laying one row standard size. If the wall thickness is 40 centimeters, two rows are required, which means that we multiply the number of elements of one row by two - we get 25 pieces. If you need a wall of 60 cm - multiply by three.

The total area of ​​the wall is calculated by multiplying the sides. For example, if the wall of the house has dimensions of 10 × 5, then we have 50 m² of masonry.

September 6, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction works (laying the foundation, erecting walls, constructing the roof, etc.). Internal construction works (laying of internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobby: mobile connection, high technologies, computer equipment, programming.

A dwelling made of cinder blocks in its appearance and strength strongly resembles the castle of a medieval baron or duke. And in order to convert it into a cozy and energy-efficient country residence, you need to know how to insulate a cinder block house.

Today I want to tell you how to do the thermal insulation of such a building with your own hands. And do it with minimal effort, money and time.

Features of thermal insulation of a cinder block building

Cinder block walls are highly durable and long lasting. Therefore, a house built from this material will resist external negative factors well and have a long service life.

However, if we consider the cinder block in terms of thermal insulation properties, then its thermal conductivity will not be enough to effectively retain heat indoors and protect rooms from summer heat.

According to SNiP number 23-02-2003, in order to ensure a comfortable microclimate for living, it is necessary to build cinder block walls with a thickness of 150 to 200 cm (depending on the region of the Russian Federation).

Naturally, enclosing structures of this thickness will have many disadvantages:

  • the estimated cost of construction increases;
  • the weight of the house increases, which forces a stronger foundation to be made;
  • getting worse appearance at home (window and doorways look especially strange).

The way out of this situation is quite simple - to insulate the wall from cinder blocks using some kind of heat-insulating material. I will talk about the choice of the latter a little later, but now it's time to decide on which side it is necessary to mount the insulation - from the inside or outside.

I’ll answer right away that I prefer to insulate the cinder block wall from the outside, since this method has several important, in my opinion, advantages:

  1. A cinder block wall in contact with the warm air of the room, when heated, is able to accumulate thermal energy, and then, when external conditions change, give it away. Consequently, the thermal inertia of the dwelling increases and during short-term frosts there is no need for additional heating.
  2. The insulation installed outside protects the cinder block from temperature fluctuations. The material will not constantly experience successive cycles of freezing and thawing, which has a positive effect on its service life.
  3. The outer thermal insulation layer shifts the dew point so that moisture does not condense inside the wall. Excess water vapor collects on the surface of the material and evaporates.
  4. Insulation protected by an external decorative material (cladding or plaster) additionally prevents damage to building envelopes as a result of external destructive natural factors (snow, rain, ultraviolet radiation, frost, and so on).
  5. The insulating layer installed on the outer surface of the cinder block walls does not reduce the usable area of ​​the rooms.

I can give many more similar reasons, but I think that the above are enough for you to come to the same opinion with me in matters of choosing the location for installing the insulating material.

In the meantime, I will move on to choosing a suitable heat insulator.

The choice of insulation

So, we decided where to put the heat insulator. Now let's decide how to insulate the house from the cinder block from the outside. I won't list everything now. possible options because it will take a lot of time. I can only say that in the case I am describing, I prefer polystyrene foam or polystyrene to all of them.

This material has many positive properties, which I have described in the table below:

Characteristic Description
Low thermal conductivity Expanded polystyrene block is the warmest material among all heaters popular in the market. For effective thermal insulation cinder block walls, it is enough to glue a layer of foam plastic with a thickness of not more than 10 cm.
High strength The insulation, having a low density, tolerates external loads well (strength at 10% compression is 80 kPa), therefore, the heat-insulating layer withstands plastering and is not damaged by external mechanical action.
Hygroscopicity Styrofoam absorbs no more than 4% of liquid from its own volume, so thermal insulation does not require additional protection with waterproofing membranes.
Antiseptic The surface of expanded polystyrene is not subject to biocorrosion even if it is not treated with fungicides. Moreover, this property is maintained throughout the entire period of operation.
light weight The insulating layer of expanded polystyrene weighs a little, so it does not exert additional load on bearing walls buildings and the foundations that support them.
Availability The price of building polystyrene foam for insulation is lower than the cost of other popular heaters. No less affordable in terms of cost is the cinder block thermal insulation technology itself.
Ease of installation You can install the insulation yourself, even if you do not have much experience. An instruction describing in detail all the stages of work is presented below.

For work, I recommend using PSB-S-25 expanded polystyrene plates. The density of the material is 25 kg per cubic meter, thickness 10 cm, width 50 cm, length 100 cm. The letter C indicates the presence of fire-fighting additives in the insulation. You can choose the manufacturer of foam plastic according to your taste.

Used materials and tools

The insulation technology chosen and described by me provides that in addition to expanded polystyrene, other materials will be used:

  1. Primer for pre-treatment of the base. It improves the adhesion of wall blocks, removes dust from them and reduces the consumption of the adhesive mixture, with which the blocks of expanded polystyrene are fixed.
  2. Glue for gluing expanded polystyrene. With its help, insulation plates are attached and their surface reinforcement is performed.
  3. Fiberglass mesh for reinforcement. Remember to make sure you buy mesh that is designed for external (not internal) reinforcement.
  4. Profiles for reinforcement and decoration. It's about plastic. perforated corners, with the help of which the outer corners of the insulating layer and window slopes are strengthened. I will also use plastic grooves that decorate the facade of the house.
  5. starting profile. Perforated galvanized part on which the polystyrene foam thermal insulation layer rests. Mounted at the bottom of the wall.
  6. Dowels-umbrellas. Drive-in type parts with a plastic core. I don't like to use dowels with screws, as the metal part can lead to the formation of a cold bridge in the fastened area.
  7. Decorative facade plaster. Necessary for finishing the facades of a cinder block house.

Now about the tools. You definitely need a puncher to drill holes for dowels, as well as a complete set of plastering tools (trowels, graters, rules, and so on).

Mounting technology

Now let's look at how to insulate a cinder block house from the outside. I broke the whole work into several steps, which are shown in the diagram below:

However, each of these steps consists of many successive stages, which I will try to describe in the most detailed and thorough manner.

Step 1 - Preparing the Walls

  1. I level the surface of the cinder block masonry. It is necessary to remove the protruding parts and repair the cavities with cracks:
    • Using a chisel or perforator, pieces of the mortar that was used for laying the cinder block should be removed.
    • Then you need to fill the through seams in the cinder block masonry with a mounting solution.
    • Large chipped wall blocks must also be leveled flush with the surface using a cement repair mortar.
    • If significant defects (cracks, distortions) are found, it is necessary to get rid of them before installing the heat-insulating layer.

  1. I clean the surface of cinder block walls from dust and debris. To do this, you can use a regular brush. If the walls are not cleaned, difficulties may arise during the subsequent priming of the enclosing structures.

  1. The ground surface of the walls with a penetrating primer. To work in the case I describe, I used the MajsterGrunt composition. The work is done in the following sequence.
    • First, pour the primer into the bucket, then dilute it clean water in a ratio of 1 to 1. With this solution, I pre-treat the walls to reduce the absorbency of the surface.

  • I apply the first layer on the walls of the dwelling with a sprayer. Thus, the time for processing cinder block masonry is significantly reduced. After that, it is necessary to give the primer 2-3 hours for partial drying.
  • Then I prime the walls a second time with a brush, which I carefully rub the liquid into the cinder block. Deeply penetrating improves wall adhesion, equalizes the absorbency of slag blocks, strengthens the base and removes dust from the wall.
  1. I mount the starting profile, on which the entire insulation layer will rest. It is a perforated galvanized metal piece that is installed at the junction of the basement and the walls of the house and supports the polystyrene foam during its gluing. Another purpose of the strap is to protect the insulation layer from damage by rodents. It is installed as follows:
    • Using a laser or water level, a strictly horizontal line is drawn around the entire house along the wall, which will serve as a guide for mounting the starting profile for insulation.
    • The profile is attached to the wall with screws with dowels, which are inserted into pre-drilled holes.

  • It is not necessary to join adjacent parts closely. Between separate elements the starting profile should have a gap of 2-3 mm wide to compensate for the possible thermal expansion of the metal.
  • After installation, I recommend once again checking the correct installation of the part using a long water level.

On this, the preparation of walls from cinder block for subsequent insulation can be considered completed. And it's time to move on to sticking polystyrene foam.

Step 2 - Installation of thermal insulation

I'm going to install the insulation. The work instructions are as follows:

  1. I'm preparing the adhesive. The correct execution of all subsequent work depends on how correctly this seemingly insignificant stage is performed:
    • For gluing the styrofoam in my case, I will use Styrolep K dry mortar, which can be used for gluing and reinforcing styrofoam inside and outside the building.

  • To prepare the solution, you need to pour a certain amount of water into a bucket (in my case, 6 liters), then pour the powder from the bag into it and stir it with a low-speed drill with a mixer.
  • As soon as the solution becomes homogeneous, you need to leave it alone for 5 minutes to activate various additives that improve its quality and operational properties. After this time, the mass should be mixed again.

  1. I put glue on the sheets of styrofoam. This process significantly affects the reliability of the installation of insulation boards. Therefore, I will talk about the process of applying glue to the insulation in more detail:
    • The finished adhesive composition is applied with a trowel to the edge of the expanded polystyrene plate. In this case, you need to work so that the solution does not fall on the end of the part (the place that will form the seam).
    • After that, 3 slides of glue are placed in the middle of the insulation board in such a way that after its distribution during gluing, more than 40% of the foam surface is covered.

  1. I glue the insulation panels on the wall of the blocks. The essence of the process, I think, is clear without much explanation. I'd rather focus on those nuances that are not obvious to a novice master:
    • When gluing the first row, it should be supported on the starting profile, carefully monitoring the correct installation (vertically and horizontally). All subsequent rows are based on the first, so if you glue the first insulation belt crookedly, the rest will also be mounted incorrectly.

  • The seams of the top row should not coincide with the seams of the bottom row, but should be staggered with an offset relative to each other by a distance of at least 15 cm.

  • When joining the sheets, it is necessary to ensure that they fit together as tightly as possible. If necessary, the end of the insulation can be slightly cleaned with a foam grater or coarse sandpaper. Otherwise, there is a danger of the appearance of cold bridges, which reduce the energy efficiency of the home.
  • When gluing expanded polystyrene boards in the area of ​​windows, it is necessary to arrange the sheets so that the seams of the insulating layer are not a continuation of the slope of the window opening. To do this, you need to cut out L-shaped parts from the foam, which are glued to the corners of the window.

  • At the corners of the building, thermal insulation slabs are installed using the gearing method. This means that the slab of the top layer should hang over the slab of the bottom one, and so on in order up to the very top. Moreover, the part of the plate that protrudes beyond the cinder block wall should not be larger than the area on which the glue is applied. It is difficult to describe in words, but you can clearly see everything in the illustration.

  • After 12 hours (partial setting time of the adhesive), the joints between the foam sheets must be sealed with a polyurethane foam adhesive (eg Ceresit). It is necessary to seal the seams with a gun so that the foam fills the entire joint space - from the cinder block wall to the surface of the expanded polystyrene.

  • After the foam has hardened, it is necessary to cut off the excess sealant flush with the surface, and then finally clean the surface of the insulation layer with a grater. It is necessary to make sure that there are no protrusions and irregularities on the foam (especially in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe seams).

  1. Additionally, I fix the polystyrene foam on the cinder block wall with dowels. Dowels can only be used on those surfaces that experience increased wind load. It is obligatory to use dowels on buildings with a weakened base or having walls more than 12 meters high. The operating rules are as follows:
    • The installation of dowels must be started 72 hours after gluing the expanded polystyrene boards.
    • The consumption of dowels should be 4 pieces per one square meter insulated surface in the central part of the wall and 6 pieces - near the corners and window openings.
    • Before fixing, a hole is drilled in the polystyrene foam with a special drill with a round disk, which makes a recess in the surface sufficient to place the dowel head there.
    • After that, a dowel is inserted inside, into which a plastic core is hammered. In this case, the dowel head must be recessed into the surface of the expanded polystyrene.
    • Then the hole is closed with a circle of foam. It all looks like this:

Following the tips above, you can glue the cinder block walls with expanded polystyrene sheets without much difficulty. After that, you can safely proceed to the reinforcement of the insulation layer and the final decorative finish.

Step 3 - Reinforcement and Finishing

For reinforcement, you will need glue, with which I glued the foam, fiberglass mesh for outdoor work and various profiles. However, I will tell about everything in order.

  1. Reinforcing the outer corners of the building. For this, special perforated profiles are used with fiberglass mesh attached at the edges. The strengthening process is carried out in the following order:
    • I measure the corner of the building with a level, after which I cut off all the protruding parts of the polystyrene foam boards that were not removed during the gluing process.

  • After trimming, I clean the surface again with a perforated metal float or coarse sandpaper.
  • I smear the corner of the building with a glue mixture. I apply a layer 1 cm thick and 10-15 cm wide. Here you can not be afraid to overdo it with glue, since its excess will be removed through the perforation in the corner.
  • I apply an angular profile to the smeared area, after which I press it deep into the glue and press it firmly against the surface of expanded polystyrene.

  • I remove excess glue from the profile, and press the mesh attached to it into the glue, after which I smooth the solution with a trowel along the wall.
  1. Reinforcing window and door openings. These are sections of the walls that are subjected to increased loads during operation. Therefore, their strengthening should be given increased attention. The sequence of actions is as follows:
    • I install fiberglass mesh kerchiefs at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal at the corners of the window opening on the wall surface. To do this, coat a section of the wall with a reinforcing mixture, attach a piece of mesh to it, then press it into the solution with a trowel and smooth the surface.

  • I glue self-adhesive reinforcing profiles with a mesh already attached to the window blocks. To do this, you must proceed according to the following scheme:
    • Clear window block from dust and debris to ensure a snug fit of parts to each other.
    • Degrease the surface of the window block with an alcohol-containing solution
    • Remove the protective tape and press the part firmly against the window. This can only be done once. If the glue is uneven, you will have to change the part to a new one.
    • smear the surface window slope glue composition, then attach a mesh from the profile to them, and then deepen it into the glue with a trowel so that the fiberglass does not rise above the glue surface.

  • I reinforce the corners of window and door openings with perforated profiles. The process is described in detail in paragraph 1, so I will not repeat it.
  1. I install decorative elements. We are talking about specialized profiles in the form of the letter P, which are mounted in a foam layer and serve as a facade decoration. They are attached as follows:
    • On the wall, using the building level, I draw a strictly horizontal line, which will serve as a guide for further sawing grooves in polystyrene foam.
    • I cut a groove. To do this, I used a special device, but it is quite possible to replace it with an ordinary clerical knife or other suitable tool. Although in the latter case, the complexity of the process will increase slightly. I note right away that if the decorative profile passes through the corner of the building, then it must be fixed before gluing the corner reinforcing part (point 1)

  • Inside the groove I insert a special aluminum or plastic profile. To connect parts to each other and arrange corner turns, shaped parts are used. Parts are fixed on polystyrene foam with an adhesive solution.

  1. I reinforce the entire surface of the walls of the building. For this, I use a fiberglass mesh for outdoor work, which prevents the destruction of the decorative layer due to temperature fluctuations in the insulation layer and external mechanical influences. The scheme of work is as follows:
    • I clean the surface of expanded polystyrene from dust and foam plastic granules adhering to the walls during the installation of thermal insulation boards.
    • I cover the entire surface of the expanded polystyrene with the reinforcing composition Styrolep Z, after which I evenly distribute it with a spatula with teeth. It is necessary to apply the mortar starting from the top of the wall in strips, the width of which is equal to the width of the reinforcing mesh used.

  • I apply a strip of mesh to the wall, after which I press it into the mortar with a plaster trowel. At the inner corners of the insulating layer and at the junction of adjacent mesh elements, it must be positioned so that an overlap of 10 cm wide is formed. During operation, I recommend that you be especially careful not to damage the fiberglass with the working part of the plaster grater.

  • After pressing the mesh into the reinforcing compound from above, I apply another layer of mortar and smooth it so that the fiberglass mesh is not visible on the wall surface.
  1. I prime the walls before applying decorative plaster. This must be done after the complete drying of the reinforcing layer on the insulation. I chose the primer in such a way that its color was as close as possible to the shade of the future facade plaster. Priming of the reinforcing layer is necessary to improve the adhesion of the surface, ensure uniform setting of the plaster and equalize the absorbency of the walls.

  1. I'm doing some final decorating on the walls. To do this, I took MajsterTynk silicone lamb-type facade plaster. Its features are high vapor permeability, resistance to destructive external phenomena and good antiseptic properties.

The process of plastering facades is described in detail in other articles on this site, so I will not dwell on it in detail. I'd rather show you the house decorative trim which was almost finished. Only small details remain.

Summary

In conclusion, I want to note one more point about what and how to insulate: you can insulate a cinder block house, in addition to the polystyrene foam discussed in this article, with mineral wool. You can learn about this technology from the video in this article.

You can leave your questions and wishes on the topic outlined in this material in the comments below.

September 6, 2016

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Increasingly, for the construction of modern houses, materials such as cinder block are used. And the secret of such popularity lies not only in its low cost. It has many benefits. It is no worse than modern building materials, which are made according to the latest technologies. It is ideal for the construction of residential buildings.

The cinder block is a building stone. It is obtained by shrinkage cement mortar v different forms. The manufacturing technology is not particularly complicated, it does not require special equipment and installations. The solution is made up of various components, but this does not greatly affect the final characteristics. Therefore, you can make such a building material yourself. To do this, you will need to make a form into which the solution mixture will be poured.

Manufacturing

Usually cinder block industrial production always larger than red or silicate brick. By making it yourself, you can give it the size and shape of your choice. You can make a form from ordinary wooden planks. The solution is made from ash, which can be replaced with slag waste from boiler houses. Cement is also added to it. All these components make it possible to obtain building materials of increased strength. For even greater strength, sand, dolomite crushed stone, brick chips, and limestone screenings can be added to the solution. Of course, all this must be filled with water. From such a solution, concrete cinder blocks are obtained, which have a significant weight. To get a lightweight version, the solution is kneaded on the basis of cement, expanded clay, slag and ash.


Such elements are used not only for the construction of residential buildings. Other types of buildings are also built from them. Due to the relative lightness of the material, you can easily build a house on your own in the shortest period of time. A cinder block house is warm and comfortable.

Construction Benefits

A cinder block is essentially a concrete block. As a filler, slag is used for it, which determines the basic properties of the material. Slag is a vitreous mass. It consists of the smallest particles of waste rock, which is mixed with flux. This substance removes impurities that form during the melting of the metal.

What are the advantages of buildings built from such material?

  1. First of all is the cost. This type of block material is inexpensive. In addition, it is generally possible to make it yourself.
  2. Minor weight. This allows you not to focus on the strength of the foundation, and saves on construction.
  3. High strength. Blocks are made on the basis of cement, slag, sand and sawdust. As a result, the material is durable. After its surface is plastered, it will be no different from silicate brick.
  4. Fire resistant. There are simply no components left in its composition that could catch fire. Under influence high temperatures they can melt, but not catch fire.
  5. The building is not afraid of insects and small rodents. Therefore, residents may not be afraid of such a neighborhood. But it is worth noting that such non-love is caused by the fact that some components carry a certain harmfulness.
  6. Technological simplicity. You can build a house from cinder block yourself even with total absence experience in construction.


If we talk about insulating properties, then the prospects look rather sad. The cinder block has a porous structure that absorbs moisture. This leads to freezing of the walls in winter time of the year. Therefore, a building that is not insulated will serve as a poor protection for you from cold and frost.

Construction Disadvantages

Knowing all the shortcomings of the building material, you can more accurately understand whether this material meets your needs. Unfortunately, the cinder block also has them.

  • High level of thermal conductivity. The house requires mandatory insulation. If you do not fulfill this condition, then the fuel costs will shock you.
  • An increased degree of hygroscopicity, that is, the material is too porous. This means that the walls will catastrophically absorb any moisture. This will lead to dampness and cold indoors in winter. To avoid this, you will need an exterior plaster and a wall waterproofing agent. The latter must be used even when the facade of the building will be insulated from the outside using wet technology.
  • Low level environmental friendliness. Of course, manufacturing companies convince that this building material does not contain anything bad. However, no one can guarantee you that radioactive slag was not used in its production.

The list can go on for a very long time. You can add some nuances that make the process more complicated. But in reality, all this is not important if the builder is armed in advance with modern and reliable high-quality tools.

Construction features

The technology of erecting buildings from cinder block material is practically no different from building, for example, from brick. In the same way, the foundation is made, walls are erected, a roof is put up and communications are laid. Differences are noticeable only at certain stages.

  • Protection of the foundation from water. Due to the fact that this type of building material is hygroscopic, it simply needs to be protected from moisture, which will come from everywhere, including the foundation. Therefore, the waterproofing work of the foundation must be carried out with special care.
  • Masonry. The cinder block is laid in almost the same way as a brick. The method of bandaging the blocks is the same and has not changed for many years. The difference lies in the fact that the cinder block has voids. They are used depending on what the goal is. If the house is low, then the voids are simply filled with cement. This allows you to achieve additional strengthening of the structure. If the building will have several floors, then a reinforcement frame is inserted into the cavity. This allows the material to withstand the load coming from the upper floors.
  • A cinder block house cannot do without an armored belt. Of course, I use it in the construction of all buildings from blocks. It is designed to distribute the load that comes from the floor slabs to all walls. If the house is being built from cinder block, then the armored belt is especially important. They even make it a little bigger size, than usual.

Start of construction

Before starting the construction process, you need to decide on the size of the budget. There should be enough money to purchase ready-made material or components for its subsequent manufacture. In addition, the construction process will also require funds from you, as well as the repair process.

So, if you get everything you need to build a foundation, and build walls on it, and there is not enough money to continue building, then all the work will go down the drain. After all, we already wrote earlier that the cinder block absorbs moisture, which means that it will quickly become unusable, and everything will eventually have to be redone. If you cannot do all the calculations yourself, then contact construction company, which specializes in planned developments and calculates the number of required material with budgeting.

Also, you must put in order all the documentation proving your right to property and so on.

Building a foundation

When the documentation is put in order, and all materials are purchased, you can start digging a foundation pit. To build the latter, you will need cement, reinforced concrete foundation blocks, crushed stone, gravel and sand. If you are planning to create a basement or want to build a garage under the house, then the foundation pit should be larger and deeper than usual.

The foundation itself, as a rule, has a tape structure. Especially when it comes to low-rise buildings. The quality of the soil on which the house is being built also affects how the foundation will look. Its height should have a height of at least 70 centimeters above ground level. This will protect the blocks from possible wetting.


When the foundation is ready, it must stand for at least one month. But laying the plinth is an exception. Its layer should be at least five rows if the building is built from concrete blocks. The bottom of the plinth without fail must be completely isolated from the surface of the foundation itself. The upper part of the plinth is covered with a layer of waterproofing.

Wall and roof construction

When the foundation is settled, you can start laying the walls of the house. To do this, you need to prepare the cinder block itself and, of course, the solution. It is prepared from cement and plasticizer. The latter will not allow the cement to harden very quickly. Therefore, it can be mixed in large quantities. So, for the process of building walls, the following tools will come in handy.

  • Hacksaw. You will need it for sawing blocks to give them the desired size.
  • Respirator. When sawing, a lot of dust is generated.
  • Building level.
  • Hydraulic level.
  • Hammer.
  • Trowel.
  • Plumb.
  • Order.

Construction stages

As with building a brick house, you need to carefully align all the corners. The result should be a perfect rectangle shape. Then four cinder blocks are placed on the surface of the foundation. They are leveled with a building level and a stretched cord. After that, a layer of cement mortar is applied to the surface. It is on him that the first row of cinder blocks is exposed. If necessary, to give the solution a viscosity, ordinary ash is added to it. If there is red clay, then it will do the same.

The blocks are very easy to install. There are very few differences from brickwork. The solution is applied with a trowel. The stone is placed at an angle to the surface, turned so that it is parallel to the surface of the wall, and pressed firmly against the stone that was laid earlier. In this case, you need to lightly tap with a hammer on the concrete block. Excess residues of the solution are removed with a paint trowel.


The very first rows must be laid out as accurately as possible. When erecting them, you need to check how even the surface is with the help of a building level and a plumb line. The more often you conduct such a check, the faster the work will go. In addition, you do not have to correct the mistakes made.

Laying methods

Laying walls made of cinder block material is possible in several ways.

1) In two stone blocks.

2) One and a half blocks.

3) In one cinder block.

4) Half a stone.

The solution must be laid with a thickness of no more than one and a half centimeters. If the layer is thicker, then the thermal insulation properties of the finished structure may decrease. To increase these properties, voids within blocks are best left unfilled. The solution is laid only at the joints of the blocks and where it is needed. When the wall is ready, the voids in it are covered with very fine slag, which is then carefully compacted.

In any case, the construction process is much faster than if you used ordinary brick. This is due to the size of the material and ease of use. So, the brick is smaller, so it will need twice as much. Therefore, more movements will have to be performed. Yes, and the same cement will go a lot. This means that the cinder block saves money. When the process of building walls is completed, you need to take on their hydro and thermal insulation. This is necessary so that moisture does not get on the surface of the material. This is especially important to do before you mount the roof.

When the walls are completely insulated from the effects of weather conditions, the roof frame is installed. It is designed after all the work related to the box of the building is completed. So that condensation does not form between the ceiling and the roof of the house, moisture does not collect, steam and waterproofing materials should be laid between them.
When the installation of the roof is fully completed, it is necessary to perform a vapor barrier on the ceiling. It, like the entire roof, must be insulated inside with basalt or mineral wool.

Video. We build a house from cinder block

Video. Cinder block its pros and cons

Cinder block is one of the most popular building materials. From it not only build houses, but also make reliable fences and partitions. Often, cinder block is used in the construction of solid country cottages. Today we will take a closer look at this well-known building material and its varieties.

What it is?

Cinder block is a popular building material that is made using special molds and vibrocompression.

From such raw materials, you can build a very strong and reliable house or use it in the construction of load-bearing walls.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cinder block is a building material that has established itself as one of the most practical, reliable and strong. Due to its impressive size (especially when compared with ordinary brick), such a block significantly reduces the time for the construction of a particular building.

Today, this raw material is used very often. Each consumer wants to purchase the highest quality and wear-resistant material for the construction of a residential building or outbuilding, so the cinder block is in enviable demand.

At this stage, you should familiarize yourself with all the positive qualities of such products:

  • One of the most important advantages of the cinder block is its fire safety. This material is not only non-flammable, but also does not support combustion. That is why you can contact him without any hesitation when it comes to building a bathhouse or a country house.
  • Cinder block buildings are very strong and reliable, so they are not afraid of either hurricanes or earthquakes. Of course, this feature also depends on the correctness of the construction work. In addition, such a block house will need to be supplemented with a high-quality reinforced belt. Steel bars, coupled with the stability of cinder blocks, will do their job - the structure will be very wear-resistant.

  • To repair a dwelling built from cinder blocks, you will not need to spend a lot of time and effort. All work in such buildings is carried out in a short time.
  • Many craftsmen prefer cinder block, since any buildings from it are built very quickly. This is due to the impressive dimensions of the blocks.
  • Even inexperienced home craftsmen who have not previously encountered similar work will be able to lay cinder blocks.
  • Cinder block is a versatile material. Many people use it not only for the construction of dwellings of various modifications. Gazebos, barbecues and flower beds made of similar elements look interesting and are easy to use.

  • Cinder block buildings boast a long service life. On average, such block houses serve for at least 100 years without losing their useful properties.
  • Another advantage that many consumers note in the reviews is the low cost of construction work using cinder block.
  • Cinder block walls perfectly protect the premises from the penetration of excess noise from the street.
  • This well-known building material is made from a variety of raw materials. Each consumer will be able to choose the right product.
  • Separately, it is worth highlighting the decorative cinder block. This material can easily replace expensive lining.

  • During construction using cinder block, little cement mortar is used.
  • The weight of this block material is very small, since it is inferior to ordinary brick in terms of density. Due to this quality, cinder blocks can be used in the construction of buildings on lightweight foundations.
  • Cinder block is a material that is completely uninteresting to rodents. In addition, neither mold nor fungus appears on it. For this reason, this material does not need to be treated with protective agents or antiseptics.
  • This material boasts good frost-resistant properties.
  • Cinder blocks can be transported both in pallets and simply neatly folded.

  • Cinder block is a heat-intensive material. Thanks to this quality, houses built from such blocks are warm and comfortable.
  • The forms of this material can be very different. Of these, structures of various modifications are erected.
  • Buildings made of this material are not afraid of temperature changes.
  • There are several options for cinder block. This means that the right material can be selected for the construction of a wide variety of structures.

The advantages of cinder block made it terribly popular among consumers.

However, this building material is not ideal.

Unfortunately, it has many disadvantages:

  • Not all varieties of cinder block are lightweight. There are also quite heavy options, which are not so easy to work with.
  • If it is not possible to purchase a beautiful decorative cinder block, then you need to be prepared for the fact that aesthetic and original walls simply will not work out of ordinary blocks. As a rule, they look boring and stereotyped.
  • This material is recommended to be protected from moisture and moisture. This is due to the fact that the cinder block quickly absorbs them into its structure. Over time, this often leads to their destruction.
  • Some varieties of cinder blocks are not environmentally friendly due to their composition. The content of fresh slag contains a certain percentage of harmful substances.
  • More attractive materials with a decorative structure are bad because they are hygroscopic. They need to be protected from the weather.

  • Such material for construction complicates the process of laying cables and pipes. Because of this, during construction work, it is often necessary to turn to special equipment.
  • From a slag block it will not be possible to build a tall building with several floors. Too heavy structures can adversely affect the density and strength of materials.
  • The construction of any buildings of their cinder block is distinguished by its technology. If it is not followed, the consequences can be dire.
  • This material is not recommended to be finished with a plaster mixture. Coating with this decorative material may cause the top layer of the cinder blocks to peel off.
  • These materials are characterized by imperfect geometry.

As you can see, the advantages of cinder blocks are still greater than the disadvantages. However, it can be noted that these materials are capricious and specific.

You need to work with them carefully and wisely. Otherwise, the result may disappoint you.

Specifications

Before proceeding to construction work involving cinder blocks, you should familiarize yourself with their main characteristics.

The standard dimensions of cinder blocks are 200x400 mm. There are also materials with a parameter of less than 200 mm - semi-blocks, which are used in the construction of partitions.

There are two types of cinder blocks:

  • hollow;
  • monolithic.

These materials are characterized by their level of cavity volume:

  • 2 rectangular cavities;
  • 4 rectangular cavities;
  • 2 or 3 round cavities;
  • cavities in 3 rows, having an arbitrary shape.

To find out what density a cinder block has, you need to look at its brand. It is in the marking of this building material that the value of the load that it can withstand per 1 sq. cm.

These materials differ not in the highest bearing capacity. That is why they are not used in the construction of multi-storey buildings.

In addition, cinder blocks are characterized by high hygroscopicity, therefore it is allowed to work with them only if the following requirements are met:

  • Construction work should be started only if the weather is dry.
  • Laying must be done only on a high foundation (about 70 cm).
  • The outer coating on the cinder block must be applied with a layer of 2 cm. This work must be started immediately after construction is completed.
  • In no case should a cinder block house be left without a roof for a long time.

If we consider the parameters of the cinder block in more detail, then it is worth considering the following:

  • The density of the blocks is 35-125 kg/cm2. If we are talking about materials marked M125 or M100, then they make foundation structures and basement walls. Materials marked M75 or M50 are used in the construction of walls / partitions. The M35 brand stone is used as a heater of another material, which takes on the main load.
  • Such a block can seamlessly "survive" 15-50 seasonal freeze/thaw cycles. This characteristic indicates the excellent frost-resistant qualities of the building material. To make the outer walls last as long as possible, they are made of cinder block with a frost resistance of 35 cycles. Buildings that will be in more severe conditions, as a rule, are built of stone with this parameter in 50 cycles.
  • The cinder block is thermally conductive. This characteristic is expressed in such parameters - 0.35-0.48 kW / m * ºС.

Different kinds cinder blocks, which differ in their main purpose, have certain sizes and characteristics.

Let's consider them in more detail:

  • The wall complete block (both empty and full) has the following standard dimensional parameters: length - 390 mm, depth - 190 mm, height - 188 mm.
  • The wall hollow so-called semi-block is available in two versions: 390x120x188 mm and 390x90x188 mm.

As for the weight of cinder blocks, it all depends on their structure and content.

  • full-bodied options can weigh from 25 to 28 kg;
  • hollow specimens usually weigh about 18-23 kg;
  • the weight of semi-blocks is 10-13 kg.

Compound

You should not think that in the content of modern slag blocks there is only such a component as slag. The name of this building material has long become conditional.

In the role of a filling ingredient in accordance with GOST, any of the following components can be used:

  • ash of volcanic origin;
  • crushed granite;
  • sand;
  • broken glass/brick/concrete/hard cement;
  • expanded clay;
  • river gravel;
  • gravel;
  • sawdust;
  • combustion wastes such as slag or ash.

It should be borne in mind that the performance characteristics and properties of this material depend on the components used in its production. So, full-bodied elements are made from gravel, sand and pebbles. They are quite dense and heavy. Such materials will have excellent thermal conductivity.

To cook lighter concrete mix, refer to components such as perlite, slag and expanded clay. From the resulting composition, elements with low weight and less efficient thermal conductivity are made.

The introduction of sawdust will make it possible to produce an environmentally friendly, heat-resistant, but fireproof block. However, it will have to be additionally protected from the effects of precipitation.

Kinds

There are several types of such blocks. Let's take a closer look at their properties and features.

Full and hollow

Both options are very popular in modern construction. Slag blocks of a solid type are used in the construction of foundation foundations, different kind columns, load-bearing structures of various buildings, as well as basement floors. main role play their strength characteristics.

Hollow specimens are usually used to create walls and partitions of various buildings. They are distinguished by a modest weight, so we can safely say that they do not weigh down the structure at all.

Decorative cladding

These building materials appeared on the market relatively recently. They differ in that they have a decorative coating. It can be on one or both sides. This layer of cinder block not only repeats a variety of textures (for example, a natural stone or plaster mixture), but also additionally protects the building material, making it as resistant to moisture and dampness as possible.

Because of this equipment, the need for decoration ceases to occur.

Partition

These types of cinder blocks are used in the construction of partitions. They boast a number of advantages, for example, they allow you to form walls of perfectly correct geometry, save mortar, are light in weight and are very easy to install.

colored

Such varieties of cinder blocks are used on a par with simple materials. As a rule, they are addressed in the manufacture of strong fences, gables or pillars. The required shade of cinder blocks is achieved even at the stage of their creation. To do this, crushed red brick or multi-colored chalk is added to the composition.

Fundamental

Otherwise, such materials are called artificial stone. It boasts excellent strength characteristics. In addition, the foundation cinder block boasts a very long service life. Over time, it not only does not shrink, but also does not undergo destruction (does not crumble). If you are laying cinder blocks in a reliable foundation structure, then you need to remember the presence of a reinforced concrete tape. Its layer should be at least 1.5 cm.

The walls of the foundation cinder blocks in all cases are supplemented with waterproofing and thermal insulation materials. In no case should this stage be neglected.

Chipped and torn

Relatively recently, interesting cinder blocks appeared on the building materials market, the surface of which is decorative and imitates a kind of “torn” or chipped brick. Typically, these cinder blocks are used for external cladding of fences or various buildings.

Cinder blocks are also divided according to their immediate basis. So, the most common are materials based on slag, arbalite and expanded clay.

Based on slag

The qualitative characteristics of blocks made on the basis of slag directly depend on the properties and characteristics of the feedstock. This mainly concerns the environmental friendliness of materials (it implies the presence of harmful toxic components in them). This parameter must be taken into account when choosing cinder blocks. They have good thermal insulation qualities, and the service life is the same as that of ordinary bricks. However, it should be borne in mind that the last parameter depends on the direct composition of the filling component.

If you make a choice in favor of high-quality blocks and subsequently properly finish them, then they will serve you for a very long time, and in many of their parameters they will surpass brickwork.

Based on wood concrete

Excellent thermal insulation characteristics are possessed by special varieties of cinder blocks, which are based on such an element as arbalite. However, it should be borne in mind that these materials cannot boast of a long service life, which is their significant drawback. When the latter parameter is improved, the environmental friendliness of materials usually decreases. This is due to the addition special means affecting the strength characteristics of the blocks. These components are not always environmentally friendly.

Based on expanded clay

Cinder blocks based on expanded clay are considered environmentally friendly and safe. These building materials have excellent thermal insulation characteristics, coupled with a fairly long service life. The advantages of such cinder blocks are exactly the expanded clay base. Such raw materials are characterized by low weight, and in its structure there are natural voids in large quantities.

Most experts argue that expanded clay cinder blocks are the ideal choice for any craftsman (both experienced and beginner). These statements are confirmed by statistics - over 50% of European houses are built from such blocks.

Stamps

When choosing cinder blocks for any construction work, it is very important to pay attention to their marking. This indicator indicates the load that the block is able to withstand. For example, a material that has a brand with the designation "35" will seamlessly carry loads that are no more than 35 kg per 1 sq. cm.

There are such brands of cinder blocks:

  • M-35 kg/cm2;
  • M-50 kg/cm2;
  • M-75 kg/cm2;
  • M-100 kg/cm2;
  • M-125 kg/cm2.

Cinder blocks marked "35" are usually purchased for the purpose of insulating another base material that takes on the main load. Instances marked M-50 and M-75 are often used to install walls and partitions. Blocks with strength values ​​M-100 and M-125 are suitable materials for the manufacture of foundations for various buildings. In addition, they are suitable for the construction of foundations and load-bearing structures. From this information, it should be concluded that the greater the marking of the strength of the blocks, the more significant the load it can endure.

How is it different from other materials?

Currently, block building materials are among the most popular and in demand. Buildings made from them are found with enviable frequency. Today, there are many varieties of blocks, and many users are wondering how cinder blocks differ from other options. Let's try to answer this question.

From sand blocks and expanded clay blocks

Sand blocks and expanded clay blocks are made in the same way as cinder blocks. As for their environmental characteristics, here the latter are inferior to sand and expanded clay options, because the raw materials for their production are sand and expanded clay, which can boast a clean composition without any chemical and aggressive substances. Cinder blocks are usually made from various industrial waste.

In addition, it should be noted that sand blocks and expanded clay blocks are not afraid of exposure to dampness and moisture, and also have good strength characteristics. Cinder blocks are inferior to them in these parameters.

From gas block and aerated concrete

It is also necessary to understand how the cinder block differs from aerated concrete and aerated block. In fact, the latest materials are identical. When making them important point is the corresponding chemical reaction providing a porous structure. Cinder blocks are made mechanically - by pressing.

Based on the parameters of these products, we can come to the following conclusions:

  • cinder blocks are denser, harder and stronger than gas blocks, but they are inferior to them in thermal qualities;
  • cinder blocks are less frost-resistant than aerated concrete.

From foam blocks

Foam blocks today are in demand materials, from which not only houses are built, but also all kinds of outbuildings. These materials are similar in many respects to cinder blocks.

The standard dimensional parameters of cinder blocks during laying are 4-5 bricks, while standard foam blocks can replace as many as 7-8 bricks. However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the foam block is inferior in cost to cinder blocks. The same cannot be said about its thermal insulation characteristics and weight.

The foam block is more convenient and hassle-free in matters of transportation than the cinder block, and its installation is faster and easier. Otherwise, such a building material is called an eco-block. It has a higher strength factor than the slag version.

From the brick

The lion's share of consumers is interested in how the cinder block differs from the good old brick. It's no secret that the latter is terribly popular and has been used in construction for many years. In terms of its performance characteristics and parameters, the cinder block is in many ways similar to brick, and in some respects even surpasses it (this applies to strength qualities).

Masonry bricks in rare cases have a strength grade of more than M-100. Cinder blocks are also produced with higher markings - M125 or M-150. In addition, it is impossible not to mention that it is very difficult to make a brick with your own hands (as a rule, it is almost impossible without the appropriate knowledge and equipment), and it is quite possible to make cinder blocks yourself.

If you decide to build a house from a cinder block, then you first need to build the strongest and highest foundation possible. Experts recommend contacting tape options.

We must not forget that the cinder block walls are very dense. Because of this, many craftsmen are faced with the problem of laying pipes and electrical wiring. As a rule, specialists in such cases turn to special equipment. That is why it is advisable to consider carrying out these works in advance if you are going to do it yourself.

When choosing this building material, always pay special attention to its filler. The best are options with shell rock, expanded clay, sawdust and gravel. They are safe and environmentally friendly.

Be sure to check the integrity of the cinder blocks in the process of selecting them. In addition, attention should be paid to the identity of the geometry of several elements located in different pallets.

Inspect the outer walls of the cinder blocks before buying - they should be even. Also, inquire about the storage conditions of the materials.

As for the transportation of cinder blocks, pallets are most often used here. However, you can also turn to simple warehousing. It is allowed to store blocks only on pallets. They should be placed under a canopy to protect them from the damaging effects of various atmospheric precipitation. Hollow elements must be laid with voids down.

Experts say that it is quite possible to check the quality of a cinder block using an ordinary 15 mm nail - try sticking it with your own hands into the material below. If a nail enters it, then this will indicate that the quality of the blocks is not the highest.

Please note that cinder blocks, which were produced without the use of a special vibrator, are much inferior in their strength characteristics to elements that were made with a similar technique. They can only be used in the construction of uncomplicated non-residential premises.

If you decide to make cinder blocks with your own hands, you can always add certain missing components. The main thing is not to forget about the solidification time of the raw materials, as well as the required proportions.

Cinder blocks cannot boast of high thermal insulation characteristics, such as, for example, the same foam blocks. Therefore, if you build a residential building from these materials yourself, then you will have to pay special attention to the thickness of the seams. If they are too thick, then the building will turn out cold - the heat will simply go out through the seams.

An overly thick layer of mortar (more than 1.5 cm) will adversely affect the thermal insulation qualities of the walls.

If you decide to finish the cinder blocks with a plaster mixture, then first you need to prepare them for these works. Otherwise, the plaster simply will not stick to the blocks.

Before proceeding with the construction of a particular building from cinder blocks, you need to correctly calculate their required number. To do this, calculate how many parts will be in 1 m3. For example, a material with parameters 390x190x188 mm can be calculated in this way: 39x19x18.8 = 13930; 1000000 (cube volume): 13930=71. There will be 71 blocks in 1 m3.

Do not save on the purchase of cinder blocks. Too cheap materials can be of poor quality or even dangerous from an environmental point of view.

The pros and cons of the cinder block are described in the next video.

Appearing less than 50 years ago, the technique of building structures from cinder blocks has gained wide popularity. All thanks to the simplicity and high speed of installation. To make the construction even more economical, many decide to build a cinder block house with their own hands. With a minimum of tools, following the technology, you can build a warm, reliable, durable structure.

For construction, a certain number of cinder blocks will be required. You can make them yourself. This will require special forms in large quantities, since drying will take place directly in them. With the help of filler, water and cement, a mixture is created that is distributed over the forms. To form voids in blocks, you can apply glass bottles or metal and wooden blanks.

The entire manufacturing process will take about a month. Therefore, if the speed of construction of the building is important to you, as well as the necessary funds, then it is better to purchase finished material. It must be certified and have the relevant documents. Experts recommend paying attention to the following points:

  1. Use in the production of environmentally friendly fillers.
  2. These include shell rock, shavings and crushed stone. All ligaments with cinder block must be the same and without defects.
  3. Should be carefully studied quality characteristics, such as resistance to low temperatures, strength, thermal conductivity, so that building a house from a cinder block with your own hands brings the maximum result.
  4. Take an interest in manufacturing technology. When purchasing material for the construction of a residential building, pay attention to the use of a vibrocompression machine. If other devices were used in the production, then such cinder blocks are suitable only for outbuildings.
  5. Pay attention to the color of the blocks. Gray indicates a large amount of cement. If a different shade prevails, then this is a sign of the use of a large amount of filler, which is unacceptable for such a building material.

Connoisseurs of the construction business advise checking the quality before building a house from a cinder block with your own hands. This can be done with an ordinary 1.5 cm nail. If it enters the bottom of the block, then its quality is in doubt. You can also drop it from a height of 1.5 meters. A reliable cinder block will remain intact or its corners will slightly go astray. If the material crumbled or crashed, then it should not be used for construction.

Calculation of the number of blocks

The result of building a house from cinder concrete with your own hands from scratch largely depends on the correct calculation of building materials. It should be borne in mind that masonry can occur using different technologies:

  • in the floor of a stone (20cm);
  • in one (40 cm);
  • in two (80 cm);
  • one and a half (60 cm).

This choice will depend on the climate zone. In a temperate climate, a stone floor may be enough, but in regions with harsh winters, a thickness of at least 60 cm will be required.

The required number of cinder blocks is calculated according to the following algorithm:

  1. First you need to calculate the cost of building materials per meter of wall. The standard area of ​​one cinder block is 0.08 m². That is, 12.5 blocks are required for 1 m. If the laying of a cinder block house with your own hands will take place in two rows, then we double the resulting figure.
  2. Next, you need to calculate the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe entire building. To do this, its perimeter must be multiplied by the height.
  3. To find out the total number of cinder blocks, you need to multiply the amount for one meter by the resulting area.

When making calculations, do not take into account window and door openings. This will be a reserve, since rejection or damage to building materials is possible.

Foundation laying

When building a house from a cinder block with your own hands, it is worth laying a fairly high foundation. This is due to the fact that under the action of moisture, the blocks can collapse, as a result of which the entire structure will suffer. The minimum height must be 70 cm. The best option considered to be a tape type foundation.

The main stages of laying the foundation:

  1. The pit breaks out. In cases where a basement is planned, it should be deepened.
  2. A pillow of gravel and sand is laid half a meter thick.
  3. Mounted crate and metal frame.
  4. The cement mortar is poured.

If it is planned to build a basement, then it will be possible to start it a week after pouring. The house itself is built after complete drying. This may take about a month. Important! It is necessary to take care of waterproofing between the plinth and cinder blocks to prevent their damage from moisture.


Walling

At this stage, the most important nuance is alignment. Therefore, after laying the first row, it is necessary to carefully check this moment with the help of a level.

As for the laying of cinder blocks, it is carried out quite quickly. You should have at hand a mallet for tamping, a trowel to remove excess mortar and a spatula.


It is necessary to monitor the thickness of the applied solution. It should not exceed 1.5 cm. Otherwise, the thermal characteristics of a self-built cinder block house will deteriorate. To increase the strength of the mixture, a plasticizer is added to it. It will also help slow drying down, resulting in less frequent re-mixing of the mortar.

It is necessary to lay the blocks at a temperature not lower than 15 ° C in dry weather.


The rows are stacked with an offset on the floor of the block. To increase the strength of the structure, you can use reinforcement, which is inserted into specially prepared recesses in cinder blocks every 4 rows.

How to insulate a house?

Since external insulation is much more effective than internal insulation, it is worth taking care of this already at the construction stage. In addition, the installation of insulation will create reliable protection for cinder blocks. The most economical and sufficient effective option is considered foam insulation. If exercise internal insulation using this material, a vapor barrier is required. It is not needed for external thermal insulation.


You need to do the following:

  1. Putty the walls.
  2. Attach the heater. This can be done on a metal bar, the role of which can be played by drywall profiles. Styrofoam should be tightly laid so that there are no gaps between the seams.
  3. Apply a reinforcing mesh to prevent the appearance of defects during mechanical action.
  4. Level the surface and finish. Finishing work is carried out using bark beetle or decorative plaster.
  5. Paint the walls.

It is also possible to insulate with mineral wool. In this case, you can sheathe the house with siding. If financial possibilities allow, then you can purchase polyurethane foam. This insulation is applied by spraying, as a result of which there are no joints, therefore, thermal insulation characteristics are improved.

Roof

On the finished frame of a cinder block house with your own hands, it is necessary to mount the roof in a short time. This is necessary to protect the cinder blocks from negative atmospheric phenomena. This process can be carried out simultaneously with warming.


The most common type of roofing is gable roof. The installation process includes the following steps:

  1. To begin with, a Mauerlat is mounted, the so-called base, on which it will rely rafter system. Here you should think about waterproofing to prevent wood from rotting from rain and snow.
  2. The rafter system is assembled. This process is standard. The rafters form the shape of the letter A. But in the case of cinder block houses, additional racks and beds must be used so that the walls are not under constant stress.
  3. Next, ceiling beams are installed.
  4. Then farms are mounted. It is important to choose their sizes correctly so that they can withstand the roofing material. You also need to make sure they are identical.
  5. After that, the hydraulic barrier is stretched. To do this, use a special membrane.
  6. The installation of the crate and the covering with roofing material is carried out.
  7. The final stage is warming. It will help reduce heat loss by another 15-20%.

Advantages and disadvantages of cinder block houses

Cinder block housing is very attractive due to its features:

  • It is quickly erected, while the costs are minimal when compared with other materials.
  • There is no need to lay a massive foundation.
  • The material used for construction is easy to store and transport.
  • The quality of the erected house is in no way inferior to structures made of other materials, if the technology is followed correctly.

But with all the advantages, there are also disadvantages:

  • Moisture is detrimental to cinder block.
  • This material does not provide an adequate level of sound and heat insulation.
  • The material does not differ in attractiveness, such as wood.

It is worth noting that these disadvantages are easily compensated. Proper laying of the foundation, construction in dry weather will help solve the problem with moisture. During the construction phase, you can use mineral wool, foam plastic, polyurethane foam, which will help to achieve the required level of heat and sound insulation. And modern Decoration Materials will give an attractive appearance to housing.

A do-it-yourself cinder block house is an excellent alternative to buildings made from other materials, which helps to save money and get quality housing in a short time.