We completed our long-awaited home 2 years ago. Unfortunately, we built it from aerated concrete. But now I regret this decision. And then this option seemed to me the most optimal.
It should be noted that before starting construction, I asked for advice from friends who live in houses made of aerated concrete. Nobody told me that this material has a lot of shortcomings, so I had no doubts in my choice. So that you do not step on the same rake as me, I want to tell you what is bad about aerated concrete.
Today's article will focus on 6 key disadvantages of houses built from aerated concrete. If you are still at the stage of choosing the material for your future home, then be sure to listen to my advice, and only then decide whether to build or not.
1. High humidity coefficient
In houses made of aerated concrete there is always high humidity (we are talking about the release humidity).
As soon as the blocks of aerated concrete leave the conveyor, their moisture content is about 40%. For the material to dry properly, you need to wait several years. Under normal circumstances, the equilibrium moisture content of aerated concrete should not exceed 5%.
This fact negatively affects the thermal performance of the building. It is many times more difficult to heat a house made of aerated concrete than a house made of bricks. Resources, and, consequently, money, are spent on heating much more. And no matter how hard you try, the humidity in the rooms will still rise due to precipitation, all kinds of wet processes, etc.
This was one of the main problems that caused me a lot of resentment. I looked for various ways to deal with it, and finally I found it. I spent two years searching, but the result paid off all my efforts. I arranged ventilation in the house and the humidity gradually began to decrease.
I will say a few words about insulation. When it is constantly cold inside the house, you want to insulate the walls. However, this will only contribute to an increase in humidity. Excessive moisture will remain in the insulation, the walls will stop drying out, then there can be no talk of external finishing.
Ventilation in the façade will help reduce the problem.
2. Fragility of the material
It is very easy to split an aerated concrete block. Passing another house made of such material, I pay attention to whether there are chips on the blocks. I will say that I have not yet seen a single building without chips.
Of course, whitewashing will hide external problems, but will not solve them.
3. Low heat capacity
These indicators for aerated concrete are at a minimum. He does not even stand next to a brick or stone according to these characteristics. In order to somehow increase the thermal inertia of the house, you can build internal walls from materials with high heat capacity.
4. Fasteners fall out of aerated concrete
Maybe this is not such a critical problem, but in some cases it causes a lot of trouble. All kinds of fasteners can be found in stores these days. If you spend a little more time and money, then it is quite possible to find something suitable. Aerated concrete can easily withstand some light objects, but something heavy can cause fasteners to fall out.
5. Very poor soundproofing
If brick and concrete are distinguished by good sound insulation, then aerated concrete is the opposite. In such a house you cannot hide from the noise, and the audibility between adjacent rooms will be high. It is unlikely that you will be able to hide from the ears of household members.
6. Nobody wants to pay large sums to buy aerated concrete house
You will not be able to profitably sell a finished aerated concrete house. On the Internet, you can stumble upon incredible amounts that owners want for their homes. But such ads hang for years and there is no demand for them.
Let's step aside a little ...
I heard from some "smart guys" that you can dig a hole in aerated concrete even with your fingernail. I haven't tried it myself, but I'm sure it's unrealistic. If there are those among the readers who have done this, please write about the results in the comments!
Also, some "smart people" assure that it is not difficult to break through a wall in an aerated concrete house, therefore such houses are a playground for thieves. I would like to look at such thieves who will wield a sledgehammer in the midst of the day or night to get into the house.)) And of course it will not work quietly.
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