Top Reasons Why Builders in India use AAC Blocks, Not Red Bricks!
‘AAC blocks’ stands for Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. AAC blocks are lightweight, precast, foam-concrete (light weight, low density) building materials used for making ‘blocks’ that are a substitute for the traditional red bricks.
Home buyers must keep themselves abreast of the latest trends and technologies, especially key construction materials like AAC (Aerocon) blocks. Knowledge of ‘what goes in’ our home matters, and we must know it! New home buyers scouting for new apartments or houses must be equipped to ask the right and important questions to the builders. For this, a good understanding of construction materials, and the awareness of the ‘grade and quality’ of all the specifications listed come in handy. Home buyers need to be aware and vigilant while making the final long-term decision of buying a dwelling unit.
With this background, let’s unravel the world of a key ingredient used in construction- the AAC (Aerocon) Blocks!
- ‘Branded’ AAC blocks are costlier than the non-branded ones, but builders committed to delivering lasting value to customers use ‘branded upmarket products’ without a second thought!
- Branded AAC blocks optimize a long-lasting customer experience in many ways. Banded AAC block manufacturers, like Birla Aerocon, Siporex, Biltech, JK Lakshmi, and Magicrete among others, offer a truly high-grade product line in this category.
- Branded AAC blocks give you a ‘robust build’ and a ‘comfortable living experience’ for decades to come.
A Comparison between ‘AAC blocks’ and conventional ‘red bricks’ given below shall give us a good frame of reference for a better understanding:
| S. No. | AAC Blocks | Red Bricks |
| 1. | Constituents of AAC blocks are cement, fly ash, lime, and water- inorganic materials that even help avoid termite and damages | Red bricks are of many types but are largely made up of Silica, Alumina, Lime, Iron oxide, Magnesia |
| 2. | AAC blocks are 8 times bigger than red brick, yet easy to handle, lesser number of joints making the structure sturdy | Red bricks are smaller with a heavier ‘dead load’ on the building structure |
| 3. | AAC blocks are lighter in weight resulting in up to 30% less load on a foundation; AAC blocks are damage-resistant, esp. during an earthquake | Bricks are heavier in weight, and exert a much greater load on structure; Not earthquake friendly |
| 4. | AAC blocks are environment friendly, involving less wastage of material during the manufacturing process | Not ecofriendly, more wastage while making red bricks including water wastage |
| 5. | AAC blocks are generally stronger than bricks; can be used for both load bearing and non-load bearing walls or partitions, and are easy to transport | Red bricks being heavy and relatively uneven, are more difficult to transport |
| 6. | AAC blocks emit lesser heat into the atmosphere as lesser cement, steel, and concrete are used | Red bricks emit much more heat |
| 7. | AAC blocks have sound insulating properties which allow ambient temperatures to remain the same within the structures. Result– pleasant & healthy temperature for human habitat | Red bricks are low in thermal & sound insulation, causing temperature and sound fluctuations. Result– comparatively unhealthy for the human habitat |
| 8. | Fewer steps are required while using AAC blocks in building the structure, both external & internal | Many more steps are involved before red bricks can be used like the mixing of sand, the laborious process of preparing cement to fix the bricks, and the curing process at a later stage |
| 9. | AAC blocks can be used for both external and internal walls; Particularly suitable for non-load bearing partition walls | Bricks are good for bridges, foundations, arches, buildings, pavements |
| 10. | They increase the carpet area for you within the structure | Reduced carpet area with red bricks |
| 11. | AAC blocks reduce cost of air-conditioning; Help save electricity cost for cooling and heating of home | Red bricks increase cost owing to higher consumption of electricity while both cooling and heating the home |
| 12. | AAC blocks save water, as water curing is not required | High dependency on water results in water wastage since the structure depends on water curing as well |
All these reasons and benefits make branded AAC (Aerocon) blocks a preferred option by reputed builders across the country!
How to optimize the use of AAC blocks- a few guidelines
Certain guidelines have to be followed by the builders while deploying AAC blocks to ensure that there are minimal breakages and wastages. Professional builders normally deploy Civil Engineers to effectively supervise adherence to these below-mentioned guidelines to optimize the benefits accrued.
By knowing these guidelines and technicalities, a home buyer also gains a better understanding of the Aerocon blocks.
Stacking:
Stacking of the blocks should be done on an evenly laid out surface. Undulations on the surface might cause the lower blocks to crack or break.
Mortar mixing:
Ready-made jointing chemicals with 3 to 4 mm thickness or with conventional cement mortar (1:6) should be mixed.
Wetting of blocks:
This is a very crucial step, and unless supervised, many masons miss out on this step. Masons must wet all the blocks with water before starting the application process.
The thickness of Mortar:
Mortar is the workable paste that dries-up and binds the AAC blocks. Depending on the AAC blocks being used, keep the thickness of mortar limited to 10 to 12 mm with regular cement mortar and 3 to 4 mm with ready-made jointing mortar.
Coping beam or bond beam:
It is recommended to apply a coping beam (Bond beam) with 2 nos. of 8 mm bia. reinforcement after 1.2 mts height.
Curing of masonry wall:
Curing is necessary only for cement mortar joint and is not required for ready-made mortar jointing.
Cutting of blocks:
Use tools like a hacksaw or rotary cutter or hand wood saw. One must ensure that the block has been completely dry when cutting since the wet block resists easy cutting.
Knowing these technical details prepare a home buyer to ask the right questions, and make an informed decision while choosing a home!
To know more about “Robosand vs. Natural Sand: a Trade-off?“.Click here!
