When you stick to the use of AAC blocks for your new dream home, you will not only get every benefit from it. But, simultaneously, you are protecting your environment from the toxins that the other building materials release. You can reach multiple valid reasons to choose the AAC block over the traditional bricks. And why not? Above all, these blocks ensure much strength and durability to your structure. Altogether, it takes care of your pockets too. It helps you save on your overall construction cost. AAC blocks are leading in the construction industry because of their sustainability and affordability.

What is AAC Block?

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) block is a foam concrete building material available in the precast form. These are sustainable materials fabricated from aggregates of quartz sand, calcined gypsum, lime, cement, water, and aluminum powder. They are a more competent substitute for poor brick construction. AAC block is super light in weight due to its unique cellular structure. In addition, the AAC block is widely recognized worldwide due to its high strength and load-bearing properties. As the name suggests, we cure the blocks in autoclaving process under controlled heat and pressure. These features provide maximum fire resistance, acoustic properties, and thermal insulation.

When was AAC first developed?

In the early 1920s, when Dr. Johan Axel Erikson discovered AAC blocks in the company of Professor Henrik Kreuger. After the manufacturing procedure in 1924, AAC blocks started doing well in 1929 in Sweden.åÊ

The use of AAC blocks is getting recognized in India on a broad basis. AAC blocks are gaining popularity with increasing demand for housing units and commercial sectors in today’s world.

What is the size of an AAC block?

The typical size of the AAC Block is 600mm x 200mm x 100mm as per its length x height x thickness. These sized blocks are the best, ideal, and regular AAC blocks in India. This standard rectangular AAC block size specification is 24 x 8 x 4 in inches.

What is the price of one AAC Block?

In India, AAC block price fluctuates from place to place with various sizes and quality. Therefore, the price varies from Rs. 3800 to 4000 per cubic meter. This price incorporates the transportation cost for loading unloading with GST. Each cubic meter has around 42 blocks depending on the size of the block. Magicrete offers you the most durable rectangular MagicBlox Thermally Insulated AAC Blocks.

Where do we use AAC block?

AAC blocks possess excellent thermal insulating capacity, fire resistance, and acoustic properties. As a result, AAC blocks are widely used in interior and exterior construction as well. In addition, these blocks find wide application in high-rise structures. AAC blocks are the building materials used most in residential, industrial, and commercial sectors such as hotels, industries, hospitals, and offices.

What is better, CLC or AAC block?

Concerning compressive strength, AAC blocks are a better choice than CLC blocks. Also, AAC blocks are light in weight, but CLC blocks are not. In addition to that, AAC blocks comparatively consume 70 % less energy and are resourceful too. Moreover, the manufacturing of AAC blocks is an environment-friendly process. Unlikely, CLC blocks lead to unhealthy working conditions while giving rise to toxic gases.

Which is the best AAC block?

The best AAC block will offer you maximum workability and flexibility standards. Not only this, the best AAC block will save you a lot of money with best-in-class thermal insulation and zero HVAC costs. Magicrete Building Solution makes sure that you get all these benefits by using the best AAC blocks in your homes. As India’s frontline manufacturer of lightweight concrete, we recommend you use MagicBlox AAC Blocks. It is an ideal choice to impart the desired strength and durability that your structure needs while being lightweight. For more details, visit https://www.magicrete.in/walling-products/magic-blox/magicblox-aac-blocks

What are the advantages of AAC Block?

AAC-a lightweight precast foam concrete is not just a protective shield to your home, providing you the best comfort. It’s a revolutionary material that outshines the red clay bricks in strength and durability in terms of

Compressive Strength

The compressive strength of AAC blocks is higher, i.e., 4.5 Mpa, making the AAC block robust than the red clay bricks. Therefore it is potent in all different kinds of wall construction.

Resistance to Fire

The preliminary step to safety while building your home should be resistance against fire. So here comes into the picture the AAC block bearing non-combustible properties.

Lightweight

Who isn’t aware of the excellent quality of AAC being three to four times lighter than the traditional red bricks? Just think; the lightweight will save you transportation time or expenses by five times than red bricks. The overall dead load of the building also reduces, proving to be the most suitable and eligible mode of construction if you are into high-rise buildings. With a reduction in dead load on the structure, there will be an increase in carpet area.

Thermal Insulation

As AAC comprises fly ash, it has very low thermal conductivity when compared to natural clay. The cellular structure of the AAC block makes it eight times more insulant than red clay bricks and maintains a healthy temperature for the habitant. And voila! Now you needn’t worry about huge bills of air conditioning.

Eco-Friendly

AAC is a green product, while red clay bricks reduce the fertility of top fertile soil cover. In addition, AAC Blocks help in utilizing a waste product. The fly ash used in the manufacturing of AAC makes it a recyclable, non-polluting, and sustainable construction material leaving behind steam as the only byproduct which is non-toxic with a decrease of 50% in greenhouse gas emission.

Minimal Wastage

The use of AAC over poor quality red bricks has become more attractive in the construction industry as it has trivial breakage of less than 5%, which means almost 100% utilization is possible.

Acoustic Characteristics

Why wouldn’t you want privacy and peace of mind of your own? Serving for the same purpose, the air pockets in AAC blocks doesn’t permit the noise to travel through the walls; thus, being the perfect choice for enhanced sound absorption with an STC rating of 44.

Water Barrier

AAC Blocks don’t allow for capillary action making it impervious to water.

Earthquake-proof

AAC excels in high seismic zones as we already discussed the lightweight benefits of AAC Blocks over red bricks. The reason is that earthquake forces are proportionate to the weight of the building. In addition, with lesser dead load and less steel requirement, the steadiness of AAC blocks in the buildings is more reliable, making it seismic resistant.

Faster construction with cost efficiency

It may seem that the initial cost of AAC blocks is more, but trust the process; with all the parameters stated above (reduction in consumption of steel, concrete, cement, and labor), it will reduce the project cost by a considerable amount. Also, due to the large size accompanied by fewer joints and less curing, AAC blocks will expedite the construction process.

Termite Pest Control

As not comprised of clay but an inorganic material, AAC Blocks prevent termite growth, thus protecting our building against severe structural damages and losses.

What are the disadvantages of AAC Block?

The main disadvantage of the AAC block is its brittle nature. If not handled with care, the AAC block can show breakages while transporting or loading-unloading procedure. In addition, due to high water absorption content, the AAC blocks develop cracks. The reason is their expansion upon absorbing moisture and contraction upon losing water. Also, the AAC block is a non-load bearing unit, and its use can only be helpful in wall partitions.

FAQs

Is AAC block waterproof?

Opted for AAC block construction? If yes, you can enjoy the rains without the worry of that disturbing water seepage through your walls. AAC blocks don’t allow for capillary action making it impervious to water. In addition, these blocks don’t let the water penetrate through them. It is due to the evenly distributed macropores and silicon-based additives within the AAC blocks. Therefore, if you use AAC blocks, you get better moisture protection, unlike the red bricks.

What causes cracks in AAC block walls?

The showing of cracks in your AAC block walls may be an outcome of the following reasons:

  1. If you are using a poor-quality block, cracks develop due to shrinkage.
  2. If you don’t carry out the curing properly.
  3. Very few workers are acquainted with AAC wall construction. Poor workmanship can lead to cracks.
  4. Excessive plaster thickness.
  5. If you are applying putty immediately just after curing.
  6. If you are subjecting your block to continuous vibrations, such as using a hammer to hit a nail.
  7. Humid location.
  8. The increased water-cement ratio in mortar.
  9. The cement content isn’t appropriate as specified in the design mix.
  10. If you are using very fine, ungraded sand to make mortar.
  11. If you are using a higher grade of cement while making the mortar.

Is AAC block suitable for construction?

The use of AAC blocks is leading in the construction industry right now. AAC is the best choice for high-rise buildings. It regulates the high-temperature variations. It is good to use because of its lower density and lightweight property. AAC construction demands less steel and concrete for structural members. The lower number of joints also reduces the need for mortar for laying AAC blocks. Furthermore, being aesthetically pleasing, easy to install, and energy-efficient, it cuts back the labor cost to a vast extent. Above all, the AAC block is less toxic to nature; a healthy environment means a healthy you.

Which is better, fly ash brick or AAC block?

Without giving any second thought, go for the AAC block. They are way better than fly ash bricks in terms of weight and compressive strength. These are super light in weight as compared to fly ash bricks. Also, AAC blocks are more robust than fly ash bricks. The high density, thermal conductivity, and water absorption properties of fly ash bricks make it a wrong choice for construction work. The byproducts of fly ash bricks are also bio-hazardous. Instead, being eco-friendly, AAC blocks are also suitable for thermal insulation, sound insulation, and fire resistance.

Is AAC block cheaper than bricks?

AAC blocks are a more intelligent and cheaper modification to red clay bricks. You can reduce overall structural cost by saving up to 15% in steel and 7% in concrete. Also, due to the lightweight property of the AAC block, the load on the foundation reduces considerably. Also, due to the skyrocketing prices of kiln fuel, red clay bricks are no more budget-friendly.

How strong is AAC block?

AAC blocks have low density and are 80% air by volume. They have the strength to carry loads of up to 8000 kPa, which is nearly 50% of the compressive strength of a regular concrete mass. These blocks are 25% stronger than any other building product with the same density. AAC block remains superior in terms of strength in the crowd of various lightweight blocks. On average, they have a compressive strength of 3-4.5 N/mmå_.

How many AAC blocks are 1 må_?

There are about 42 AAC blocks present in 1 cubic meter bearing size 600mm x 200mm x 200mm in terms of length x height x width.

Is curing required for AAC blocks?

You need zero curing when using AAC blocks. These are cured in the factory itself. There is no requirement for curing AAC blocks. The mortar used in the AAC block construction dries up quickly within 4-5 hours. The mortar then provides an excellent bond. So the only work you need to do after the masonry work is wait until the mortar sets. And voila, no need to cure, unlike the brick masonry.

Can we nail in AAC blocks?

No, you can’t just put a nail in the AAC block due to their brittle nature. AAC blocks are a modified invention. And with new creations, you need new-age tools. Use a drill machine and a Rawal plug to drive the screws in your AAC block wall in spaces where you need to fix furniture. By doing so, you ensure that you prevent any cracks after installation.

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