Arbolite laying: features, specialist assistance. Pros and Cons of Arbolite How to Cut Arbolite Blocks
The pros and cons of wood concrete is an important issue when considering this material for building a house. Arbolit successfully passes the test of time. Houses built from wood concrete have been maintaining quality and durability for over 50 years. But this material is still not massively used, despite the pros and cons of arbolite, as well as its unique properties that allow you to build houses in the southern and northern regions.
Arbolit is a lightweight concrete with a natural organic filler, it belongs to wall materials and is made in the form of blocks, slabs and panels. It is possible to use arbolit in the form of a solution, this allows you to create a monolithic surface. Not so long ago, arbolite appeared, having a colorful textured facing surface.
Types of arbolite blocks
Arbolite blocks are produced in two main types
- hollow, used for thermal insulation of non-bearing partitions and internal walls
- solid, for load-bearing walls
Arbolite Composition
Arbolite consists of:
- astringent. Portland cement M400 and M500; sulfate-resistant cement is also used to increase the chemical resistance of blocks
- filler - this is shredded, cleaned and processed according to a special technique wood waste. Wood chips, veneer, wood bark, sawdust, flax bonfire, cotton stalks, rice straw in the amount of up to 90% of the finished product give arbolite many valuable and unique qualities, one of the main ones is high heat-shielding properties.
- additives. Plasticizers and hardening accelerators. Antiseptics and herbicides. Lime - as a bactericidal agent. Aluminum sulfate and sodium silicate - for the breakdown of sugars contained in wood and reduce hydrophilicity. Potash and sodium liquid glass - to harden and prevent fermentation reactions. Corrosion inhibitors if metal reinforcement is intended. And that's not all.
There are many chemicals and various additives introduced into the arbolite mixture, in various combinations. And there are also many recipes, to create blocks with a certain compressive strength, the selection of the composition with the exact amount of cement is calculated.
And with certain nuances - first of all, they neutralize the sugars contained in the tree, and then they add additives that close the pores so that the wood does not absorb water.
It is necessary to neutralize sugar, this is required by the chemistry of concrete. The binder does not react well to hydration, adhesion slows down, the cement stone forms too slowly and is not strong enough if the processes are in the presence of “sweet” molecules. Sugar is present only in fresh chips, if it is kept for up to six months in the open air, this sugar will decompose spontaneously, but wait six months ... it is not always possible.
The advantages of wood concrete
The advantages of arbolit are as follows:
- - high heat-insulating properties, as a result - increased energy efficiency of the building
- - excellent sound insulation
- - strength, excellent compression and bending, high crack resistance. Arbolite does not chip in all directions, the material is completely isotropic
- - very light, the building does not need a powerful foundation. This is with significant strength indicators of arbolite for compression and flexibility. For single-storey, light-weight structures, masonry walls made of wood concrete are made without inter-row reinforcement.
- - ease of processing. Blocks can be drilled, sawed, cut and ditched. And also to make holes for utilities without any problems
- - resistant to erosion, corrosion, do not rot, do not form mold and plaque on the surface, especially during the preliminary processing of wood aggregates
- - high speed of masonry, compared with brick. Installation work is simplified due to light weight, which saves labor and construction time
- - durability. Operated for over 50 years.
- - fireproof
- - environmentally friendly. The house made of wood concrete "breathes", it has a good microclimate, and the production of blocks does not harm the environment. Chemical additives introduced into the batch are safe.
Cons of arbolit
We list the main disadvantages of wood concrete:
- when buying, it’s difficult to check and select quality blocks. The market is awash with handicrafts. Some manufacturers do not focus on quality, but on PR and marketing tricks, unfortunately, this is our reality. And the arbolite block is very difficult to evaluate purely visually, without laboratory tests. It is necessary to check certificates from suppliers, personally measure the geometry of the blocks, and avoid fakes. The popularity, ease and benefit of production, as well as the rare qualities of wood concrete ... give such a minus.
- arbolite in its natural form does not look very presentable ... it looks like an adobe hut. And needs a beautiful lining. In addition, arbolite needs protection from the environment - rain and humidity. Not so long ago, blocks appeared with a spectacular and colorful finish, but their cost is still high.
- the cost of wood concrete is still higher than other lightweight concrete - gas and foam concrete. Although arbolite filler is natural and inexpensive, but its processing requires investment of time and money.
Arbolite masonry technology
Some simple nuances and tricks of arbolite masonry technology:
- exterior and load-bearing walls are laid out in one or one and a half blocks. Block sizes allow this. Self-supporting walls and partitions are usually made of blocks of 20 * 25 * 50 cm, and the outer walls are 25 * 30 * 50 cm. The solution is ordinary cement-sand, as for brickwork, lime can be added. The thickness of the seams should not be more than 15 mm.
- dressing and fitting is performed according to the type of masonry, with the displacement of the rows, in order to avoid a decrease in strength and the appearance of cracks in the masonry. Also, as with any masonry, the horizon must be checked using a building level or a laser level.
- begin to masonry the walls from the corners, the solution is applied to both the horizontal surface and the end face of the block. Hydroprotection under the first row is mandatory.
- arbolit material is light, so you have to take breaks to dry the masonry. After about 3-4 rows, erected in one shift. This, of course, is the loss of working time. The problem of time is partially solved by the addition of a hardening accelerator to the solution. You need to know that not all setting accelerators favorably affect the strength of the solution.
- about reinforcing masonry. Small light buildings do not reinforce at all, since the compressive strength and bending of the arbolite are sufficient with a margin. But if the house is on two floors, then reinforcing the masonry with longitudinal rods is necessary, at least in every fourth row. The diameter of the rods and the row are determined by calculation.
- the installation of armored belts under the Mauerlat, as well as interfloor and basement (if the foundation is not a slab, which is unrealistic) for arbolite masonry is an urgent need. Same as for all lightweight concrete. Although the strength of wood concrete makes it possible to arrange a roof of any kind and type of coating, without restrictions. Only an arm belt is needed to compensate for point stresses from the rafter system.
- cladding and protection from rain and direct sun is necessary for the long service of wood concrete without reducing its quality. In addition, the roof overhang should be at least 35-50 cm.
- cutoff from capillary moisture, or in other words, horizontal waterproofing of the foundation surface under the first arbolite row is strictly mandatory. Bitumens and bitumen mastics are used.
- arbolite has a very low thermal conductivity, and thermal breaks from the joints are partially compensated, but the seams still give cold “bridges”. Stowing dried wood slats or polystyrene strips in the inner void will prevent heat loss.
- and another plus. Arbolite practically does not sit down, experts call the figure 0.4% of linear shrinkage, which is very small. It is possible to conduct interior and exterior decoration with cladding immediately after masonry.
All building materials have drawbacks, and arbolite is no exception, and he is still far from the final test of the time for safe operation. And this material is not so cheap and easy to use. But its special, unique properties have already attracted the attention of builders, and the massive use of building materials on natural raw materials is only a matter of time.
The earlier a mistake is made in the construction process, the more serious its consequences. In a sense, this is the so-called “butterfly effect” from the chaos theory: a small action in the past is devastating in the future.
Therefore, small oversights during design and masonry turn into such big problems. Let's look at an example of a house made of wood concrete, what mistakes can be made and (this interests us much more) how to avoid them. But first, a quick reference.
Arbolit - lightweight concrete based on softwood chips and high-strength cement. At "Correct", GOST state arbolite There are all the characteristics of a good wall material.
- It does not rot, does not allow mold and fungus to spread, does not light up within 1.5 - 3 hours.
- It is environmentally friendly and vapor permeable - it “breathes” like a tree and regulates the humidity in the room.
- It has excellent thermal insulation properties: only wood can boast of such.
- Fits quickly and saves mortar: one block replaces from 15 to 19 bricks.
- It is easily processed: it can be sawn, driven into it with nails and twisted screws.
- It has impressive bending and impact strength.
Features of the construction of arbolitovy blocks
The laying process in its principle does not differ from that which is familiar to us in working with bricks or other wall materials: the same scheme, the same dressing. In this case, a couple of special points worth highlighting.
- In particularly humid regions or lowlands, a special approach is required to the arbolite: raising the foundation, reinforced waterproofing, installing a basement and / or blind area - only an expert can tell the best solution.
- To finish arbolit can be either plastering or sheathing with a variety of materials. At the same time, it is important to arrange the cladding so that it does not "kill" the breathing properties of the arbolite - otherwise the walls will freeze and wet spots will appear on them.
For the most part, all the nuances of working with wood concrete are only in the hands of the developer - they either facilitate the work or save money. But, again, the approach must be skillful.
What to do if you have never worked with other materials
If you and your team have never had to deal with wood concrete, but have experience with other materials, you can try to cope on your own (although the supervision of a specialist will not hurt here either). And if there is not much experience in construction, but you want everything to be completely under control, a technologist will be needed at the facility.
A good option is to contact a construction company. Even better - in the one that specializes in arbolite: it produces equipment for the production of blocks and the blocks themselves.
And what if we tell you that technologist departure service company "Russian Arbolit" provides for free? In this case, the exit will not be one, but two whole:
- at the beginning of construction the specialist will give recommendations on the choice of mortar, laying the block and mesh for reinforcement, and also answer all questions;
- after the construction of the ground floor box the technologist will check the correctness of the masonry, show how to lay the armo-belt and lintels / floor beams, advise on the best way to finish the house in these climatic conditions.
The service is free for anyone who orders a batch of blocks in Russian Arbolit sufficient to build a house. At the same time, the specialist travels in any direction, to any region and locality. Moreover - if the facility is located far from settlements, the technologist will come there too.
Russian Arbolit for good work: good blocks and good styling.
Building a house is one of the main responsibilities of a man (after that, plant a tree and give birth to a child). Everyone dreams of living in their own home. But, for this you will have to make a lot of efforts, spend a certain amount of money and time, especially if you perform construction work yourself. Another problem is the choice of material for construction. At the moment, there is so much raw material for work that you can break your head. You have to choose, analyzing the pros and cons of the material, the goals of building the building, the climate, the available funds, etc. As practice has shown, one of the best materials for building a residential building is arbolite. It is a practical, lightweight, durable, durable and environmentally friendly material, which is made on the basis of sawdust and Portland cement. Houses made of wood concrete blocks are distinguished by their energy intensity, because the heat conductivity of wood concrete is 0.07-0.16, depending on the density. Living in such a house is warm and comfortable.
In this article we will consider how the construction of a house from arbolitic blocks proceeds, the stages of doing the work with your own hands and some recommendations on the construction of the foundation and the laying of walls. The article contains supporting videos.
Work Tools
You cannot complete a house without suitable tools and materials. They must be prepared in advance and be in good condition. The list is as follows:
- shovel, stone-cutting saw.
- level, tape measure, plumb line;
- stakes and a long rope;
- reinforcing bars Ø14 mm;
- capacity for solution;
- trowel, gear spatula or trowel for laying blocks;
- rubber mallet;
- fishing line for leveling blocks.
Now you can begin to build a house from arbolitovy blocks.
1st stage of construction - design
Every developer knows that the construction of any building begins with the preparation of the project. However, this procedure is the first in any kind of work. Projects are needed for orientation, so that construction proceeds quickly and according to plan. Such a plan should be drawn up in advance and approved by the district administration. It should contain details of the entire construction of the house. You can say - this is a card on which you will know what to do.
The plan should include drawings of the house, its size, number of storeys, material, layout, communications, etc. House designs from arbolite sides can be obtained in several ways:
- Order a design specialist (the most expensive option).
- Buy a project on special sites.
- Free download.
As for the 3 points, then be careful, as free projects may not always be of high quality. And this, in turn, will affect the entire construction. A well-made plan can have the approximate cost of each material, its amount and the approximate cost of building a house.
When your project is ready, you can purchase all the necessary materials and begin construction!
Stage 2 of construction - foundation device
The foundation of any building is the foundation. It is he who guarantees the reliability and durability of the building. Due to the fact that the arbolite blocks are quite lightweight material, the construction of a reinforced foundation is not required. This saves you a little money. The type of foundation may be different:
- pile;
- tiled;
- tape shallow;
- columnar.
The most unprotected type of foundation for an arbolite house is a strip foundation, repeating the design of all walls.
Let's look at the sequence of work on its construction:
- Preparation and layout of the site. The site should be freed from all that is superfluous: garbage, old things, bushes, etc. Based on the project, marking is made on the ground with a rope and stakes and the upper fertile layer of soil is removed.
- Digging pit. Recommended trench width - 30 - 40 cm, depth - 60 cm (depending on the soil). These dimensions must be taken into account when marking and make it right.
- Alignment of the walls and bottom of the trench.
- The device of the sand cushion. Tamped with 5-10 soy sand and 5 cm layer of crushed stone.
- The construction of formwork. Its height can be 30 cm, but if you live in an area with a harsh climate, we recommend making a 50 cm base.
- At this stage, you can lay communications while the concrete is not poured.
- Reinforcing frame manufacturing. In order for the foundation to be strong, you need to make a reinforcing mesh (reinforcement Ø14 mm) and place it in the pit.
- Pouring concrete. There are 2 options for the development of events: prepare concrete yourself or order a ready-made mixture. The foundation pit is poured with concrete. Then the finished foundation is leveled with a trowel.
Now it takes time, as the concrete has to dry completely. It takes about a month. Formwork can be removed on the 10th day. The surface of the foundation must be protected from external factors. So that it does not collapse, cover it with polyethylene.
note! To prevent the foundation from cracking, periodically spray the surface with water, moistening it.
Now your foundation is ready. You can begin to erect the walls of the arbolite house. Blocks can be bought or made independently.
3 stage of construction - masonry walls
Before proceeding with the laying, it is required to provide waterproofing of the foundation. To do this, it is covered with bitumen mastic or 1-2 layers of roofing material spread on the surface. So the foundation and walls will be protected from the effects of destructive moisture, and construction will not be in vain.
Advice! To correctly calculate the number of arbolite blocks per masonry at home, use a special calculator.
All that is required is to make the block dimensions, wall thickness and height, the perimeter and thickness of the mortar when laying. Then you will find out the amount of material required.
Wall masonry is a responsible business. They must be perfectly smooth and durable. It will be easier for those who have already done the brickwork, or other material. Working with wood concrete is even easier. First you need to prepare a cement mortar. Everything is simple here: achieve a ratio of 1: 3 (cement, sand) and add water to bring everything to the desired consistency. Make sure to prepare as much mortar as you need for masonry. Having made a lot of solution, you may not have time to use it while it is liquid.
Note! For masonry, you can also use special glue for the gas block. It dries faster and is easier to work with.
The time has come for laying masonry blocks. The order of the work is as follows:
- Masonry starts from the corners of the building. Set the corner blocks on the mortar. They should be perfectly smooth, because the blocks in the corner are fundamental. Use the level. If the wall is long, install an additional block in the middle.
- Between the products pull the fishing line. It should slightly touch the top of the block and serve as a guide for even laying.
- Now do the laying of the remaining blocks, forming 1 row. Apply mortar or glue to the foundation and align blocks evenly. Please note that the seam between them should not exceed 10 mm. With a rubber mallet, tap on the block, pushing it to the fishing line.
- It is clear that the length of the wall will not always be equal to the exact number of blocks, so one of them will have to be cut. The question arises: how to cut arbolite blocks? You can use a stone-cutting saw. Arbolite is easy to process, so it is easy to saw. Use a metal corner to keep the unit level.
- When the first row of masonry around the perimeter is finished, you can proceed to the next. The procedure is exactly the same, only now you need to do a dressing.
- During the construction process, do not forget to make openings for windows and doors in the right places.
Watch the video, which clearly shows the laying of arbolite blocks.
This is all technology. It remains to build walls, make lintels over windows and doorways, perform overlapping and arrange the roof, according to the selected technology. The construction of the building’s box made of wood concrete blocks is completed. But, this is far from the end, because you still have a lot of work to do.
If this is your first time laying masonry blocks, these tips will help you do everything right.
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Keep in mind that arbolite blocks must be protected from external factors. Therefore, it is better to do interior and exterior decoration faster.
We suggest you familiarize yourself with the video, which describes in detail the construction of a house from arbolite blocks.