How to make masonry from foam blocks. Construction of walls from foam blocks - nuances of proper masonry. What solutions are used for laying foam blocks

Laying foam blocks is a very responsible task. Improperly laid material loses its quality over time and may crumble. In particular, in conditions high humidity The foam block loses its shape, so the walls must be properly waterproofed.

Such masonry does not tolerate any foundation deformations, so many experts recommend creating a foundation in the form monolithic slab, which can be either continuous reinforced concrete structure, and laid out from concrete blocks. In this article we will look at how to correctly lay foam blocks and what is the best place to lay foam blocks on in order to avoid harmful deformations.

About foam concrete blocks

This material can be produced in two ways:

Molding method. The foam mixture is poured into special molds, where it hardens to form a durable block. Laying of such material is carried out exclusively on cement-sand mortar.
Cutting method. A large block is formed from the foam, which is dried in an oven and cut into products required sizes. IN in this case For installation, you can use specialized adhesive mixtures. This manufacturing method is characterized high accuracy, and the error in the production of each block is no more than 1 mm, while the material produced by the injection molding method may have a slightly larger discrepancy.

Characteristics of foam concrete blocks

The building material has the following characteristics:

Reliability and durability. A properly laid foam concrete block is a virtually ageless material.
Heat. The high thermal resistance of such walls allows you to reduce heating costs by 30%.
Excellent sound insulation.
Easy to use. Anyone can lay out foam block masonry with their own hands. House master, working with brick or cinder block. There are only a few nuances here, which will be discussed below.
Since they don’t even know how to lay a cinder block or brick correctly professional builders, then you won’t have any special problems with this material.
Environmental friendliness. Over the entire period of operation, the material does not emit harmful substances into the air, second only to wood in terms of environmental friendliness.
Foam blocks and gas blocks are produced various sizes and forms.

Relatively light weight allows you to significantly save building materials by laying the foundation at a shallower depth.
Fire safety. According to test results, the material has the first degree of fire resistance.
Wide range of applications.
Today there are the following types of foam blocks:
- Structural. Which are used to create loaded structures that carry additional load in addition to their weight.
- Thermal insulation, used for insulation purposes.
- Thermal insulation and structural, combining the properties of the two previous types.

Many home craftsmen are interested in the following question: “Is it possible to lay floor slabs on a foam block?” Of course, you should build load-bearing walls yourself using foam concrete blocks of grade 600 (and higher) only.

Foundation for masonry made of foam concrete blocks

As mentioned above, for foam blocks you need reliable foundation, which would minimize any deformations and pressure from the soil. And a monolithic base is an excellent choice.

However, it has several significant disadvantages:

The price of such a foundation is quite high; moreover, its construction is unjustified due to the relatively low weight of the foam block structure.
With such a foundation, you will not be able to equip a basement, which in some cases significantly expands the usable space of the house.

Considering these factors, many home craftsmen prefer columnar or strip bases, which, with the right approach, can also become reliable basis for such a house.

When a builder asks whether it is possible to lay floor slabs on foam blocks, this means the construction two-story structure. And if columnar foundation is aimed at light buildings, then the strip one may be quite suitable for two-storey house, so we will consider the features of working with this material.

The instructions are:

We mark the territory using pegs and a fishing line that is stretched between them.

Advice!
When marking, you should take into account the allowances for arranging the formwork, which amount to a total of 15 cm.

We dig a trench according to the markings. Its depth should be about one and a half meters. In the event that you are planning to arrange basement– the depth should be increased to at least two meters.
We make the base for the formwork, which is made from wooden beams. TO internal parties boards are nailed onto the beams, forming the formwork.
Pour a layer of sand (about 15 cm) into the formwork, which must be watered and compacted tightly. Water generously and evenly.

Advice!
In order to check how well the sand layer is compacted, you just need to step on it. If no trace remains, then everything was done correctly.

Using construction stapler, attach plastic film to the formwork.

Advice!
Use film in winter period it is impossible, because it will lose its elasticity, which will lead to poor quality of the foundation.

Take steel rods and wire and tie reinforced frame. The design of such a frame is not of fundamental importance; the main criterion here is strength.
Now you should start pouring concrete. For this, a mixer machine or a specialized pump is used.
We distribute the concrete evenly over the formwork using a wooden lath. Make sure there are no particles on the surface empty seats or protrusions.
After a month, you can start laying walls.

How to lay foam blocks

It’s not for nothing that home craftsmen are interested in how to lay foam blocks correctly. Once you figure out how to lay a cinder block on a foundation, you can easily handle foam concrete blocks.

And in order to carry out the work correctly, you should consider several recommendations from professionals:

You should start laying foam blocks with your own hands from the corner.
Experts recommend laying the material in two rows of 20 cm each. If you take into account the facing layer of half a brick, the thickness of such walls will be 52 cm, and if you add mortar joints - 55 cm.

In order to efficiently install foam concrete blocks, you should control the remaining voids at the seams. Vertical, horizontal and inter-row seams should be filled with glue or cement so that no cavities remain. Remaining composition should be removed as soon as possible.
In order to achieve maximum strength, the masonry is reinforced with a thin metal mesh.
To apply the composition evenly, use a notched trowel.
Is it possible to lay foam blocks in winter? It is possible, but it is still better to carry out the work during the season (spring-autumn).

Carrying out work

Now let's figure out how to properly lay masonry from foam blocks.

Since laying a foam block on glue is as simple as laying it on concrete, we will consider both options in one instruction:

First, the material must be cleaned of dust, dirt, snow, etc.

Advice!
If there are chips on the blocks, it is necessary to remove chamfers and sharp corners.

We start laying from the corners. The first row should be laid on a waterproofing layer. Roofing felt laid in 1 or 2 layers can be used as a waterproofing material.

Laying is carried out on sand- cement mortar in a component ratio of 1:3. The thickness of the seam does not exceed 30 mm. If the masonry is carried out in dry and hot weather, the material should be moistened before work.
Having laid the first row, we check its horizontalness with a level. If minor irregularities are found, they can be removed using a grinding tool.

Subsequent rows should be laid out on a light solution.
Stick to the following seam thickness:
- Vertical – 8-15 mm.
- Horizontal – 10-15 mm.

Advice!
Using adhesive composition The thickness of the seam is indicated on its packaging.
Usually it is 1-2 mm.

The solution should be applied along the entire length of the block, and then leveled using the notched side of a spatula or trowel.
The foam block should be lowered from above onto the solution, and it should not be moved more than 5 mm.
You can place the blocks with light blows of a rubber hammer, while shaking them.
Do not forget about the dressing - it must be correct. Vertical joints should be offset by no more than 0.4 block heights.

Conclusion

Foam concrete blocks are an excellent building material. And so that the building built from it will serve you for a long time. for long years, you must adhere to all the rules described above in your work. In the video presented in this article you will find Additional information on this topic.

Foam block is a relatively new building material, and if technology brickwork developed and improved over thousands of years, then the search for the best way laying of foam blocks continues. This is due, first of all, to the low specific gravity of foam blocks, high porosity and low strength. At the same time, the attractive aspects of the foam block, its high heat-protective and “breathing” properties, the possibility of quickly erecting a building from the foam block at a fairly low cost, make it in demand in private construction. But the question arises: how to lay foam blocks correctly?

Main distinctive points:

In addition to cement mortar, adhesive mortar can be used to bind blocks together;
completely filled seams, there should be no voids;
the masonry must be reinforced;
on top of masonry before installation concrete floor a reinforced concrete belt is laid.

What to choose - cement mortar or adhesive knowledge can help foam block manufacturing technologies, of which there are only two: either the foam concrete mixture is poured into molds for hardening, or blocks of the required size are cut from the foam concrete monolith. The second method involves fewer deviations from the specified parameters, i.e. the blocks are all identical. In this case, it is faster and more convenient to glue them together using a special tool designed for this purpose. adhesive solution. A building erected using this technology has good geometry, smooth walls, which allows you to significantly save on finishing, both time and materials.

When laying molded blocks, cement-sand is used solution of classic proportion 1:4. The solution helps smooth out the unevenness of the blocks and deviations in their dimensional parameters. Before laying the blocks on the cement mortar, they must be moistened, otherwise it will be impossible to ensure uniform drying of the mortar, which will affect the strength of the masonry.

The order of laying walls

First row of masonry in any case, it is performed on cement mortar. A layer of sand-cement mortar, about two centimeters thick, is applied to the foundation and covered with a layer of waterproofing. As a waterproofing material you can use modern roll materials, their choice is quite large: rubemast, hydroisol, bikrost, but it is better to refuse traditional roofing felt. A layer of cement mortar is applied again on top of the waterproofing layer and the first row of foam blocks is laid on it.

The corner block is placed first, i.e. Foundation stone. The laying is carried out in two rows, and it is necessary to carefully monitor the uniform distribution of glue or mortar over the surface of the block, horizontal and vertical, in order to avoid the formation of voids in the seams. A special notched trowel is used to distribute the solution.

To increase the stability of the masonry and protect against cracks, reinforcement is laid every 3-4 rows of blocks. This can be done in two ways:

When laying on cement-sand mortar masonry welded mesh laid in interblock seams. You can take a ready-made mesh made of wire 4-5 mm thick.
When laying on glue, the reinforcement is placed in grooves specially cut for this purpose - grooves. This is easy to do using a wall chaser or saw, since the foam block material is easy to process. Bulgarian or Circular Saw It will also be required for possible cutting of blocks.

Crowns the masonry of foam blocks special monolithic concrete-reinforced belt 10-20 cm high, which will take the load from the floor slab and ensure its even distribution. Its width is slightly smaller block masonry, since a cold concrete belt requires additional insulation. For installation of door and window openings prepare blocks with a U-shaped cutout, the width of which corresponds to the ceiling along with insulation.

As you can see, building a house from foam blocks is not that difficult, and experienced masons are confident that laying foam blocks is much easier than laying bricks.

How to lay foam blocks: characteristics of foam concrete blocks. Foundation Features

Laying foam blocks is a very responsible task. Improperly laid material loses its quality over time and may crumble. In particular, in conditions of high humidity, the foam block loses its shape, so the walls must be properly waterproofed.

Such masonry does not tolerate any foundation deformations, so many experts recommend creating a base in the form of a monolithic slab, which can be either a solid reinforced concrete structure or made of concrete blocks. In this article we will look at how to correctly lay foam blocks and what is the best place to lay foam blocks on in order to avoid harmful deformations.

The photo shows the process of laying foam blocks.

About foam concrete blocks

This material can be produced in two ways:

Molding method. The foam mixture is poured into special molds, where it hardens to form a durable block. Laying of such material is carried out exclusively on cement-sand mortar.
Cutting method. A large block is formed from the foam, which is dried in an oven and cut into products of the required sizes. In this case, specialized adhesive mixtures can be used for installation. This manufacturing method is characterized by high precision, and the error in the production of each block is no more than 1 mm, while the material produced by the injection molding method may have a slightly larger discrepancy.

Characteristics of foam concrete blocks

The building material has the following characteristics:

Reliability and durability. A properly laid foam concrete block is a virtually ageless material.
Heat. The high thermal resistance of such walls allows you to reduce heating costs by 30%.
Excellent sound insulation.
Easy to use. Any home craftsman who has worked with brick or cinder block can lay out masonry from foam blocks with his own hands. There are only a few nuances here, which will be discussed below.

Since even non-professional builders can lay cinder blocks or bricks correctly, you won’t have any special problems with this material.

Environmental friendliness. Over the entire period of operation, the material does not emit harmful substances into the air, second only to wood in terms of environmental friendliness.

Foam blocks and gas blocks are made in various sizes and shapes.

Foam blocks of various sizes.

Relatively light weight allows you to significantly save building materials by laying the foundation at a shallower depth.
Fire safety. According to test results, the material has the first degree of fire resistance.
Wide range of applications.

Today there are the following types of foam blocks:

Structural. Which are used to create loaded structures that carry additional load in addition to their weight.
Thermal insulation, used for insulation purposes.
Thermal insulation and structural, combining the properties of the two previous types.

Foundation for masonry made of foam concrete blocks

As mentioned above, foam blocks require a reliable foundation that would minimize any deformation and pressure from the soil. And a monolithic base is an excellent choice.

However, it has several significant disadvantages:

The price of such a foundation is quite high; moreover, its construction is unjustified due to the relatively low weight of the foam block structure.
With such a foundation, you will not be able to equip a basement, which in some cases significantly expands the usable space of the house.

Considering these factors, many home craftsmen prefer columnar or strip bases, which, with the right approach, can also become a reliable basis for such a house.

When a builder asks whether it is possible to lay floor slabs on foam blocks, this means constructing a two-story structure. And if a columnar foundation is aimed at lightweight buildings, then a strip foundation may be quite suitable for a two-story house, so we will consider the features of working with this material.

We mark the territory using pegs and a fishing line that is stretched between them.

When marking, you should take into account the allowances for arranging the formwork, which amount to a total of 15 cm.

We dig a trench according to the markings. Its depth should be about one and a half meters. If you are planning to arrange a basement, the depth should be increased to at least two meters.
We make a base for the formwork, which is made from wooden beams. Boards are nailed to the inner sides of the beams, forming the formwork.
Pour a layer of sand (about 15 cm) into the formwork, which must be watered and compacted tightly. Water generously and evenly.

In order to check how well the sand layer is compacted, you just need to step on it. If no trace remains, then everything was done correctly.

Using a construction stapler, we attach plastic film to the formwork.

Formwork with reinforced frame.

The film cannot be used in winter, as it will lose its elasticity, which will lead to poor quality of the foundation.

Take steel rods and wire and tie the reinforced frame together. The design of such a frame is not of fundamental importance; the main criterion here is strength.
Now you should start pouring concrete. For this, a mixer machine or a specialized pump is used.
We distribute the concrete evenly over the formwork using a wooden lath. Make sure there are no empty spaces or protrusions on the surface.
After a month, you can start laying walls.

How to lay foam blocks

And in order to carry out the work correctly, you should consider several recommendations from professionals:

You should start laying foam blocks with your own hands from the corner.
Experts recommend laying the material in two rows of 20 cm each. If you take into account the facing layer of half a brick, the thickness of such walls will be 52 cm, and if you add mortar joints - 55 cm.

In order to efficiently install foam concrete blocks, you should control the remaining voids at the seams. Vertical, horizontal and inter-row seams should be filled with glue or cement so that no cavities remain. Remaining composition should be removed as soon as possible.
In order to achieve maximum strength, the masonry is reinforced with a thin metal mesh.
To apply the composition evenly, use a notched trowel.
Is it possible to lay foam blocks in winter? It is possible, but it is still better to carry out the work during the season (spring-autumn).

Carrying out work

Now let's figure out how to properly lay masonry from foam blocks.

Since laying a foam block on glue is as simple as laying it on concrete, we will consider both options in one instruction:

First, the material must be cleaned of dust, dirt, snow, etc.

If there are chips on the blocks, it is necessary to remove chamfers and sharp corners.

We start laying from the corners. The first row should be laid on a waterproofing layer. Roofing felt laid in 1 or 2 layers can be used as a waterproofing material.

Laying starts from the corner

The laying is carried out using sand-cement mortar in a component ratio of 1:3. The thickness of the seam does not exceed 30 mm. If the masonry is carried out in dry and hot weather, the material should be moistened before work.
Having laid the first row, we check its horizontalness with a level. If minor irregularities are found, they can be removed using a grinding tool.

Wall construction process

Subsequent rows should be laid out on a light solution.

Stick to the following seam thickness:

Masonry with adhesive composition.

When using an adhesive composition, the thickness of the seam is indicated on its packaging.

Usually it is 1-2 mm.

The solution should be applied along the entire length of the block, and then leveled using the notched side of a spatula or trowel.
The foam block should be lowered from above onto the solution, and it should not be moved more than 5 mm.
You can place the blocks with light blows of a rubber hammer, while shaking them.

Do not forget about the dressing - it must be correct. Vertical joints should be offset by no more than 0.4 block heights.

Conclusion

The result should be something like this neat structure in the shortest possible time!

Foam concrete blocks are an excellent building material. And in order for a building built from it to serve you for many years, you need to adhere to all the rules described above in your work. In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic.

Source: http://openoblokah.ru/montazh/27-kak-klast-penobloki

Step-by-step guide to laying foam concrete blocks

Foam concrete blocks have a number of advantages, thanks to which they are used in the construction of private houses, cottages and country buildings. Their weight less bricks, so you can plan a lightweight foundation, which will help significantly reduce construction costs. In addition, the foam block has big sizes, high levels of heat and sound insulation, resistant to sudden changes in temperature, easy to process and is a cost-effective material.

But it is worth noting that all of the listed qualities occur only in the case when the block laying technology is strictly followed. Therefore, before constructing a building with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with this process.

Before you start construction yourself, you need to choose the right foam blocks. For load-bearing walls Brands D600 - D1000 are used, and the size of the blocks is 20x30x60 cm. For interior walls and partitions, D100 - D400 are used, with parameters 10x30x60 cm. In warm and temperate climates, you can lay foam blocks in one layer, but in cold areas it would be advisable to use a two-layer option. In this case, the outer layer is constructed from high-strength foam concrete, and the second layer is made from a porous material that acts as insulation.

With numerous positive characteristics, foam blocks are unstable to changes in vertical loads. This drawback is eliminated by installing reinforcing belts in the first row of blocks and between floors. It is made continuous and laid exactly around the perimeter of the building. Separately, it is necessary to carry out reinforcement of window and doorways, as well as those areas that receive the main load from the jumpers. The laying technology also depends on the type of foam blocks. They can be cut, that is, a large slab is cut into blocks with special tools, and molded, when a mass of foam concrete is poured into containers. Products obtained by the first method are fastened with glue, but for the second option only cement mortar is suitable.

Adhesive mixtures

Before starting work on building walls with your own hands, you need to carefully check the horizontalness of the foundation using a level, and only then lay a layer of cement-sand mixture. This allows you to smooth out all possible surface irregularities.

You can buy this solution ready-made or make it yourself. To do this, you need to take 1 part of cement, 3 hours of sand and 0.5 hours of water. After mixing, a plasticizer is added in the amount specified in the instructions on the package. When using the ready-made factory composition yourself, you should take into account that it is suitable for three hours. Therefore, you should not breed a lot at once.

According to the technology, the first row of foam blocks of any type is laid only on this mixture. Further, it is possible to use special glue provided that cut products are used. It has a number of advantages over cement-sand mortar:

1. The thickness of the seam is no more than 3 mm, which reduces the consumption of material for the walls and reduces the load on the foundation.

2. The use of glue eliminates the formation of cold bridges between foam blocks.

3. Gaps and cracks do not form in the seams, and mold microflora does not develop.

4. Simplicity and ease of use. The dry mixture is diluted with water in the proportion indicated in the instructions on the package. Then it is allowed to brew for ten minutes and mixed thoroughly again, after which the foam blocks can be placed.

In cold climates, frost-resistant tile adhesive is sometimes used. But the feasibility of its use is questioned by experts due to its high cost.

In order to correctly lay walls made of foam blocks with your own hands, you must follow a certain pattern.

A cement-sand mortar is applied to the poured foundation. A waterproofing layer is mounted on it and again covered with the prepared mixture.

Now the first row of foam concrete blocks is laid. This process is carried out according to a certain scheme, which involves first drawing out the corners, and then gradually moving to the center of the wall. After the row has been completely laid, it should be checked to ensure it is level. If necessary, the blocks are put in place using rubber mallet. Any excess solution that appears must be removed immediately.

In the foam concrete blocks of the first row, two parallel grooves measuring 4x4 cm are cut from the top at an equal distance from the center of the product. Metal rods with a cross-sectional diameter of 8 mm are inserted into them. This operation is performed in every fifth layer of foam blocks and between floors.

To lay the second and subsequent rows of the wall, you first need to smear glue on the lower foam concrete blocks and the ends of the products installed on top. Foam blocks must be fitted very tightly to each other to avoid the formation of voids in the seams. Construction adhesive is applied with a notched trowel.

Common mistakes

When constructing walls made of foam concrete great importance has not only the laying of foam blocks with your own hands, but also the subsequent insulation and finishing of the building. The main mistake is to conduct finishing works immediately after completion of construction. This leads to shedding and cracking of the material, since walls made of foam blocks shrink within another six months. The same rule applies when wiring communications that may suffer from deformation of the building structure.

After six months, you can begin finishing the foam concrete walls. However, there are some nuances here that are often not given importance:

1. First you need to carry out interior work and only then proceed to the external ones. This is explained by the occurrence of vibrations from the construction tools used, which are transmitted to façade surfaces walls and can cause cracks in finishing materials.

2. Moisture from putties, primers, wallpaper glue or paints is absorbed by the pores of foam concrete and removed outside. This can also adversely affect the building's cladding and cause the insulation to become wet.

3. The owner of the buildings should know that wet and dry methods are used for insulation. The first option involves gluing it to the walls. polystyrene foam boards, which do not allow moisture to pass through. This method has worked well in the case of brick walls, so some builders, without hesitation, use it for foam blocks. However, here it is worth taking into account the previously described ability of foam concrete to absorb moisture generated in the room, with its subsequent removal to the outside. But it will not be able to pass through the insulation layer and will settle on the surface of the structure in the form of condensation, which will create favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms and mold microflora.

Therefore, foam concrete walls should be insulated using ventilated systems or mineral wool, and only after carrying out interior finishing work.

Before you start laying blocks, you should calculate their exact number to avoid unnecessary costs. To do this you need to know:

1. The exact dimensions of future premises, minus door and window openings.

2. Separately, it is worth considering the area internal partitions, since their construction will require smaller foam blocks, the price of which will be lower.

4. Also, the cost of the reinforcement must be included in the costs, given that it is used in every 4-5 rows of the wall.

5. A separate expense item is wages for construction workers. But here you can save a lot if you have the knowledge and skills of how to lay foam blocks correctly.

The technical characteristics of foam blocks allow their use in construction for construction.

The correct choice of material is the basis of any technology in construction. At.

Foam concrete is a universal building material that has been used in construction for more than a century.

What foam concrete is better or aerated concrete?

Application of DSP in construction

When constructing a private house, developers use different kinds blocks that are laid next to each other on a cement-sand mortar or special glue. Foamed concrete blocks are popular. Foam block masonry has its own characteristics. When planning to lay foam concrete blocks with your own hands, you should study the rules for installing the first row, as well as the technology for laying and strengthening the remaining rows using reinforcement. To increase the stability of the masonry, it is important to understand how to reinforce the openings. Let's look at the features of the technology.

Preparation of special and general construction tools and building materials

Foam concrete blocks are characterized by their low weight, the necessary margin of safety, and are easily subjected to machining, effectively insulate the room, but are quite fragile building materials. Having decided to carry out construction, you should carefully handle foam products and use tools and equipment for special and universal purposes to carry out the work.

Tools for laying foam blocks

To lay foam blocks you will need:

a massive hammer with a rubberized head, used for tightly laying block material;
construction level necessary to control the masonry and the location of the horizontal seam;
a hand saw and a square, allowing you to mark blocks and adjust their size;
an electric drill or a construction mixer, which speeds up the preparation of the binder mixture for foam block masonry;
a trowel, with which the solution is applied in an even layer when constructing walls;
a special grater and plane for blocks, allowing you to give the building material the required shape and size;
a wall chaser that forms a longitudinal groove on the foam block surface for placing reinforcing bars;
twine stretched between corner blocks and serving as a guide when laying blocks;
a grinder with a cutting wheel for metal, necessary for cutting reinforcing bars into pieces of the required length.

For construction foam concrete walls a private house will require the following building materials:

Enough to have basic knowledge to start laying foam blocks with your own hands

foam concrete blocks. The construction of walls subject to significant loads will require the use of more durable material, marked with the designation D600. Construction of partitions located between interior spaces, made from foam concrete blocks brand D500. You should not take risks and buy foam blocks made in artisanal conditions. Products industrial production undergoes laboratory control and meets the requirements of standards, which is confirmed by a certificate of conformity;
Portland cement grade M400, as well as fine sand, cleared of foreign impurities. From the indicated ingredients, taken in a 4:1 ratio, prepare masonry mortar. To increase the frost resistance and moisture resistance of the working mixture, plasticizing components are added to it. Not expensive to use cement-sand mortar when laying foam concrete walls, it reduces the level of costs. The thickness of the binder when laying blocks reaches 20 mm, which causes additional heat losses through cold bridges;
construction adhesive for laying blocks. Glue mixture sold in construction supermarkets in powder form. The recipe regulated by the manufacturer provides for adding water to the dry mixture at the rate of 0.1 liters per 0.5 kg of dry powder. The glue is mixed with a drill with a mixing attachment until a uniform consistency is obtained. Construction adhesive is applied to the surface thin layer, the thickness of which does not exceed 3 mm. Using glue for laying blocks can improve the thermal insulation of the room.

When deciding which binder mixture will be used for foam block masonry, you should not focus only on the level of costs. The use of a cheap solution of sand and cement increases the amount of heat loss, and the use of more expensive glue, applied in a thin layer, prevents the formation of cold bridges. All indicators should be comprehensively assessed to make the right decision.

You should not focus only on the level of costs when deciding which binder mixture will be used for foam block masonry

You will also need steel reinforcement with a diameter of 8-10 mm with a corrugated surface or ready mesh. The use of steel rods of class A-III will ensure the reliability of the reinforcement reinforcement. It is important to prepare in a timely manner necessary tool and building materials so that you can lay foam blocks with your own hands without interruption.

Calculation of building materials for the construction of foam concrete walls

When planning to build a house from foam concrete blocks, you must first perform a number of calculations. To determine the need for material, a building plan will be required.

Initial data:

foam block length – 60 cm;
product width – 20 cm;
block height – 30 cm;
the dimensions of the building outline and the height of the box are determined by the plan;
thickness of foam concrete walls - determined at the design stage;
Dimensions and number of openings are indicated in the design documentation.

It is necessary to perform a number of calculations beforehand when planning to build a house from foam concrete blocks

Settlement operations are performed using various methods:

manually. Knowing the dimensions of the foam blocks, the thickness of the walls and the dimensions of the building box, it is easy to independently determine how much foam concrete is required;
using an online calculator. It allows you to more accurately determine the number of blocks, taking into account additional parameters, including the thickness of the joint in the masonry.

Let's look at how the calculations are performed manually. To calculate required quantity blocks, do the following:

Calculate the perimeter of the box by adding the lengths of the walls.
Determine the wall area by multiplying the height of the walls by the length of the contour.
Calculate the total area of window and door openings.
Subtract the resulting value from the total wall area.
Divide the resulting area by the area of the lateral plane of the foam block.

On specific example Let's determine the number of foam concrete blocks required to build a box with dimensions 5x7 m, height 3 m and wall thickness 0.3 m.

To calculate blocks you need:

Calculations of the required number of blocks

Determine the area of the box - (5+7+5+7)x3=72 m2.
Calculate the area of doorways (0.7x2=1.4 m2) and window openings (1.3x1.5=1.95 m2).
Sum up the values obtained for the openings - 1.4 + 1.95 = 3.35 m2.
Calculate the area of the walls without openings - 72-3.35 = 68.65 m2.
Determine the area of the lateral plane of the foam block - 0.6x0.2=0.12 m2.
Calculate the number of blocks – 68.65:0.12= 572 pcs.

Do-it-yourself external masonry from foam blocks

Having decided to build a house from foam blocks with your own hands, you should carefully familiarize yourself with the requirements of the technology. Masonry of walls made of foam blocks is carried out from pre-prepared material. It is necessary to clean the blocks from dirt, check the conformity of dimensions, and also plan their surface by removing sagging using a plane or grater. Let's dwell on the features of the technology.

Preparing the foundation for the house for masonry work

To build a house from foam blocks, the foundation of a strip structure is best suited. She is tested in different conditions operation and ensures the stability and durability of foam block buildings. So, where to start laying foam blocks?

Preparing the foundation for masonry work

First, you should prepare the surface of the existing foundation:

Check the horizontalness of the base with a building level.
Plan the foundation with cement-sand mortar.
After the cement has hardened, lay two layers of roofing felt on the surface.

When preparing the foundation, remember that it is necessary to lay sheets of roofing felt with an overlap of 100-150 mm.

Rules for laying the first layer of foam blocks on cement mortar

To compensate for height differences, the lower level of blocks should be laid on cement mixture. Follow the given procedure:

Use a laser level to determine the rising corner of the foundation.
Place a cement mixture 20-30 mm thick on the roofing material in the corners of the base.
Moisten the surface of the blocks intended for laying in corners.
Lay down blocks to control the horizontality of the bottom row.
Stretch string between the corner blocks and check for any slack.
Adjust the position of the blocks by tapping them with a hammer.
Wet the surface of the blocks intended for laying in the bottom row.
Apply a layer of mortar and lay blocks on it, focusing on the stretched cord.

Rules for laying the first layer of foam blocks

By doing masonry work, please pay attention to the following points:

the need for constant compaction of the blocks during laying to ensure the size of the vertical joint is no more than 10 mm, and the horizontal joint is 15-20 mm;
mandatory performance of control operations to check the horizontalness of the masonry;
the feasibility of strengthening the lower foam blocks with reinforcing bars.

After laying the reinforcement, the rods should be connected by welding or tying wire, and then filled with cement mixture.

How to correctly lay the remaining rows on glue for foam blocks

The second and subsequent levels of foam blocks should be laid using construction adhesive. You must adhere to the following algorithm:

Start laying rows from corner sections.
Pull the cord in each row between the corner blocks.
Moisten the material and apply a thin layer of glue.
Control the horizontalness of each level of masonry.

Do not forget about the need to reinforce the masonry with mesh or reinforcement at intervals of 3 or 4 rows.

The second and subsequent levels of foam blocks should be laid on construction glue

Correct dressing of seams when laying foam concrete products

A professionally performed dressing guarantees the reliability of the masonry and prevents the formation of cracks. Possible options dressings:

with a displacement of foam blocks by 50% of the length relative to the blocks of the lower level. This is a common dressing method that provides strength and aesthetics;
with a shift of masonry elements by 30-40% of the length. This method is less popular, but also reliably protects the masonry from cracking along vertical seams.

The choice of a specific type of dressing is determined individually.

Features of installation of foam concrete products in the corner sections of the box

Laying corner blocks is carried out with the most high point. It is important to comply with the following requirements:

be sure to bandage the corner elements;
control the tight fit of the foam blocks;
ensure equal thickness of the masonry joint.

Location of the masonry seam in the middle of the foam block - best option offsets.

Corner blocks are laid from the highest point

Arrangement of wall openings and reinforcement to ensure load-bearing capacity

Foam blocks laid on various bases are also used to arrange door and window openings:

metal profile;
ready-made reinforced concrete lintels;
lintels, independently concreted into the formwork.

To increase the strength of the masonry, foam blocks are reinforced. To strengthen foam block walls use:

steel reinforcement laid in grooves on the surface of the blocks;
metal mesh placed in a binding solution.

Reinforcement is carried out along the entire height of the box at equal intervals through 3-4 levels of blocks.

Arrangement of wall openings

Technology of laying foam blocks for the construction of internal walls of a house

If you want to build a house from foam blocks with your own hands, you should study the rules for laying internal walls.

Load-bearing walls located inside the box are connected to external walls using various methods:

with bandaging 50% of the length of the block and recessed into the external wall by 30 cm;
with the installation of blocks of internal walls in prepared cavities with a depth of 15-20 cm;
with laying foam blocks close to the surface external walls without dressing.

Professionals prefer the second method, which prevents the formation of corner cracks.

Laying internal partitions

Masonry of foam blocks for internal partitions

They do not lie on the foundation, but on the concrete floor surface.

It is important to consider the following points:

provide a thermal gap of 1-1.5 cm in the upper part of the wall;
patch up expansion joint using polyurethane foam;
lay blocks on roofing felt;
strengthen the partition masonry with reinforcing bars.

The masonry technology complies with the rules for installing wall foam blocks.

Recommendations for the correct construction of foam concrete structures

Use the advice of professionals when performing work:

prepare the binder mixture in a small volume, which retains its properties for several hours after preparation;
compact the foam blocks immediately after laying, until the glue or solution has hardened;
Carry out plastering a month after construction, when shrinkage is complete.

It is not difficult for novice craftsmen to master the techniques of foam block masonry, having understood the requirements of the technology. The increased dimensions of foam blocks make it possible to build the walls of a house at an accelerated pace. The durability of the structure is guaranteed by the use of high-quality raw materials and the implementation of technological recommendations.

From the author: Greetings, dear readers. Today I will talk about how to lay foam blocks on the foundation yourself. For many self-taught builders, this process becomes incredibly difficult, because building walls is not just making brick or stone masonry.

You will need to observe a lot of subtleties, without which the entire structure may collapse. You should also take into account the peculiarity of the foam blocks themselves, which we will also discuss now.

I would like to draw maximum attention to the fact that foam blocks are unique only to this material. Usage classical schemes work can lead to local disasters in the form of a loose stone or the collapse of an entire wall.

Technical characteristics and production features

Modern production technologies building materials reach an unimaginable level. It involves the use of specialized chemical additives that give a particular product special properties, which were previously inaccessible.

Four ingredients are used to make foam blocks. Cement, sand and water are the standard three, to which a unique foaming agent is added. Its composition allows the formation of closed air cavities in the solution, giving the resulting material the necessary characteristics.

Nowadays, there are two ways to make this type of stone:

bulk or casting. This type involves filling a huge number of small cells. Quite a convenient method if viewed from any angle. The prepared solution is used in in full. The exact quantity of each sample is known and there is confidence that they will be same sizes. Great way in order to make foam blocks with your own hands, since it is also possible to prepare them at home;
split. Involves the production of one large dried piece of material, which is then cut into pieces required sizes. It has disadvantages in the form of residual material, which only has to be disposed of, since it cannot be recycled. To do this, you need to have expensive equipment and the required amount of raw materials. There is no point in making a piece that will later be cut into four bricks. The method is recommended to be used exclusively for industrial purposes.

Now I would like to help you understand the advantages of this type of stone over others by determining its technical characteristics:

education inside finished sample air pores makes it surprisingly light, while maintaining strength at the proper level. Low weight will simplify the work and also facilitate transportation both to the construction site and around the site itself;
non-standard internal structure reduces thermal conductivity, thereby avoiding loss internal heat premises. Installation of additional, passive insulation means - such as polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene or mineral wool - will reduce the indicator to almost zero;
foam blocks have a very low hygroscopicity. This means that they practically do not absorb moisture. environment which manifests itself in the form of rain, fog or other precipitation;
The affordable price allows anyone who decides to start a small construction project to purchase it. However, global projects won’t particularly bother your wallet;
the material is environmentally friendly, since all elements are of exclusively natural origin;
all of the above indicators contribute for a long time operation, and establish a high level of frost resistance.

I am sure that after all the above, you will have no doubts about your choice.

Selection of materials and tools

Before starting any work, you need to prepare everything necessary materials and tools. Let's start with the first one. Considering that we will be making a solution, we will need its components:

cement directly;
sand. I recommend using river water, as it has the best price-quality ratio;
water. Some people recommend using distilled or rain water, but this is not necessarily the case.

Naturally, you also need the foam block itself. In order to make a choice, it is worth considering the height of your building and the climatic conditions in which the work will be carried out. construction works. The difference lies in the density of foam concrete, which affects both its strength and ability to absorb moisture and conduct heat. A sales consultant from a construction hypermarket will help you in your choice, since this issue is best resolved locally, rather than talking about standard concepts.

The third stage becomes waterproofing material. Both I and all my colleagues recommend using rubemast and moving away from traditional roofing material. It is better, of higher quality and will perform its functions longer. It is best to immediately buy the width of the sheet according to the size of the stone, so that there are fewer scraps left and so that you save your money.

You can’t go anywhere without an entrenching tool. Tools like shovels and buckets should immediately appear in your arsenal. An advantage that will allow you to complete the work faster and better will be laser level. If you don’t have it, you can use the usual and already familiar thread and two stakes.

In addition, take a spare trowel and concrete mixer. If you don’t have the latter, I advise you to look better. It will significantly speed up the process. If you can't get it anywhere, arm yourself with a drill and a special mixing attachment, but don't be surprised if the equipment doesn't survive until the end of construction.

The process of laying walls from foam blocks

The masonry process should begin with the installation of waterproofing. It is installed correctly directly on the foundation. Considering that foam blocks tolerate precipitation well, but do not adequately survive constant exposure to liquid, it is worth raising it above ground level.

To do this, we lay out a sheet of rubemast in such a way that it reaches from one edge of the future wall to the corner. At the corner, you should immediately make an overlap, and in such a way that the insulation of the next side is under the first sheet. This way we will achieve maximum grip. It should be laid on a mortar, the thickness of which should not exceed two centimeters, otherwise the entire building may sag significantly.

You need to approach the laying of the first row with special responsibility. Remember that you need to start exclusively from the corner, since part of the stone on the first level can lead to damage to the building. I also don’t recommend finishing near the wall; it’s better to create a seam somewhere in the center.

If you do not have proper experience as a mason, then this will come in handy special device. You can buy it anywhere, and it doesn't cost as much as you might imagine. It is a small piece of plastic that allows you to apply the solution evenly and make the seam between the layers as pleasant as possible for external perception.

Remember that the level is yours best friend, and without it you will achieve absolutely nothing!

Features and lifehacks

My friends, the first and main negative feature of foam blocks is their lack of strength. A huge number of experts, including me, do not recommend using them during construction tall buildings. Alas, my colleagues do not know which floor to limit themselves to. I can say with confidence that I would not go higher than the first. The maximum is a two-story building. The rest is done!

When I was about twenty, my father took me to help at a site where walls were being built using foam blocks. Considering that this was at the beginning of the two thousandth, find quality material it wasn't that easy. Then the foreman showed me a secret that I still use to this day.

He carried out the reinforcement of the masonry. The house had two floors, so it was extremely necessary. By placing reinforcement every four bricks horizontally and every seven bricks vertically, my father achieved phenomenal adhesion, and this house is still standing.

A great feature of the foam block is that it lends itself to any type. I still prefer to do external insulation, and then lay it with decorative gypsum bricks. Someone will say that it is expensive, but not when you know how to do it.

Another secret: having acquired a silicone mold of the desired stone, you can make hundreds of such slabs at home using an ordinary bag of plaster. How exactly this is done can be seen in the video below:

Friends, I am sure that this article has opened your eyes to some points, and soon your construction will be moving at full speed! All the best!