In our time it became possible to build a house of foam blocks with your own hands, which is very, very profitable for understandable reasons.
The work is carried out quickly and relatively easily, and housing at the same time turns out to be very high-quality and in no way inferior to standard turn-key constructions.
Many, especially those who face construction for the first time, confuse the foam block with a gas block. But these materials have cardinal differences.
First, the structure of the foam block is much softer, and secondly, it tolerates moisture better, and, finally, at a price much more profitable.
Foam blocks are small bars of equal size, foam concrete( cement, special foam, water and sand) are used as a material.
The bars are gray and so light in weight that they do not even sink in the water( this saves a lot of money when building a foundation).
The photo shows the appearance of blocks of foam concrete.
In this regard, the construction of a similar country house is much more profitable than similar brick or wooden summer houses on a turn-key basis, and if the installation is carried out also on its own, the difference increases many times.
The house can be one-storey, two-storey( house with an attic) and can even have additional extensions. The photo shows examples of such houses.
Photo:
- Photo:
- Fees of foam blocks
- Foundation installation
- Installation of foam blocks and brick lining
- Overlappings of the building
- Roof unit
- Attached to the house
- Useful information
Benefits of foam blocks
The foam blocks have a number of undisputable advantages due to which they are very popular:
- Masonry, made of foam concrete, "breathes", so that it does not accumulate condensate( similar to wooden structures);
- The blocks have a porous structure, due to which in winter it is warm inside this country house, and in the summer it is cool;
- High sound insulation gives a sense of comfort;
- Long service life( minimum 50 years);
- The material is environmentally friendly, which is extremely important if the family has small children or allergies;
- As the foam blocks keep the heat well, this reduces heating costs;
- The possibility of reducing labor costs due to a decent amount of blocks( it is much more difficult and longer to assemble a house in a small brick);
- Foamed concrete is characterized by low flammability, as well as its ability to withstand sudden temperature changes;
- Unlike other materials, the masonry made of foam concrete becomes stronger only with time, which significantly increases its service life;
- Ability to install a house on a difficult ground;
- Blocks have extremely small weight( 2 times lighter than bricks);
- Due to its light weight, the foundation for construction can be made lightweight;
- A simple and simple construction technology allows the installation of similar summer houses in the shortest possible time.
Therefore, no wonder that many companies offer to make a house of foam blocks under the key.
Let us with you also try to implement a similar summer project, examining in detail all the stages of building a house from foam blocks.
Installing the foundation
To begin with, as for any other structure, it is necessary to erect a foundation.
We mark out the suburban area and swarm a shallow foundation pit for the foundation( due to the light weight of the material used, regardless of whether it is a single-storey house or a two-storey one, it is not necessary to put an extra strong foundation).
At the bottom of the masonry made of sand about 20 cm thick. After pouring the sand on top of a small amount of water and carefully its ramming.
We install the formwork, attaching the roofing material to the surface of the underfill and the walls of the excavation. We fix the fastening steel belt from rods.
We prepare a concrete mortar: cement( 1 part), sand( 3 parts), rubble( 5 parts).Thoroughly mix to form a homogeneous mass.
Fill the mortar, increasing the formwork as the foundation is raised( it is necessary to seal the poured mortar every 50 cm).
Leave concrete to harden, periodically wetting its surface with water to avoid the formation of cracks.
After it is necessary to cover the foundation with a moisture-proof tape, and on its outer side to make a blind( to drain sediments on the ground floor of the house).
The blind is fragmented to prevent tears and seasonal deformation.
We advise you to watch the video, which shows in detail how to properly fill the foundation.
Video:
Installation of foam blocks and brick lining
Foamed concrete is better than a brick to isolate sound and maintain heat, but due to large mortar cuttings these qualities are reduced, and even worse, thermal holes are formed.
In this regard, when laying the blocks, it is necessary to strictly observe all building codes, as well as to produce reinforcement of the zones of lintels and window openings using fiberglass mesh.
Special attention should be given to the first row of foam blocks, constantly checking it horizontally and vertically.
Facing summer cottages in this case, as a rule, made of bricks, then the country house has a presentable appearance.
There may be a variety of options for such a country house with a brick facade.
Before implementing the project and installing the valve, a small hole must be cut out on each block and filled with an adhesive solution.
After, on the upper blocks you need to perform reinforcing-reinforced mortar screed.
It is not difficult to create such a project:
- Laying the first row of blocks is done on cement mortar( it is necessary to start with a long wall);
- After coating the upper part of the laid bottom layer of foam concrete with special glue for foam blocks and we make a second row on top of it( it is desirable to make a base at least 40 cm);
- Then the outside should be insulated with extruded polystyrene foam or mineral wool( the second option is more desirable).The thickness of the layer must be at least 5 cm;
- Mineral wool is mounted on the outside with plastic anchors, a hydro-protective film is applied over the top.
Facade masonry made of bricks is made on a cement mix( with every 3-4 rows a bricklaying brick is made).
In order for the air to circulate well, the brick masonry is installed with a small gap from the main wall( about 5 cm).
After each 5-th row of bricks foam blocks are connected with the facade, using elastic fiberglass mesh and bending stainless anchors( if put the usual non-bending, this can cause the formation of microcracks).
The video below shows a detailed step-by-step process of installing foam blocks and installing a brick cladding.
Video:
Overlapping of the
construction. For the design of overlappings, it is necessary to have designs with ready-made calculations that give an idea of the cross-sections of beams and the pressure on them, the dimensions of the spans and possible fastening( some projects even assume the replacement of beams with conventional screws with bolts).
If such a project is already available, then you can proceed with the installation of overlaps.
At the ends of the beam bars sections are made at 60 degrees, then they are processed with an antiseptic and wrapped with a layer of bituminous cardboard( the slices themselves should be opened at the same time).
The installation of the beams is done with the necessary indents( from the chimney at 40 cm, from the walls 4-5 cm).
Overlapping is covered with a layer of vapor-impermeable film, and we place a heater on top.
Under the beam beams on the elastic holders we put the metal crate from the profiles( the gap is not more than 40 cm).From above we lay and fasten the fiberglass, then the mineral insulation.
Next, put the plywood and hold a punt of a hard basalt fiber layer, covering it with a chipboard rough floor.
The device of a roof
The house from foam blocks by own hands it is quite possible to make two-storeyed with an attic. The project itself with the attic is done quite easily.
Let's try to install a double-sloped roof slate on a similar house with an attic:
- To begin with, a rigid structure is set up, which includes truss rails and bar lathing;
- To the rafters at a right angle nailed boards, about every 20 cm;
- Further at the slate remove the corners to circumvent the nylon in the joints;
- After a certain distance from the edges, small holes are drilled through 50 cm;
- Then conduct the installation of roof slate with a mansard, attaching it with nails( while on nails should be large hats and waterproof washers);
- Facing the attic roof begin on the bottom row, overlapping one strip of slate the other horizontally on one wave.
Installation of the roof covering of the floor with the attic at the same time should be made at an angle of 20 degrees and above, so that it does not accumulate precipitation.
If you use water dispersion paint for slate roofing, the material will last you much longer.
Video:
The video below provides detailed instructions on how to install a roof for a house with a mansard of foam concrete.
As you can see, it is quite possible to build a house of foam blocks on its own. If you stage out all the works in stages, then you will have a capital house, which will last for more than a decade.
Extension to the house
If you built a house and eventually realized that you do not have enough space, as an option, you can build an extension from the same foam concrete.
Installation of an extension, like at home, is carried out in several stages. For the beginning erect the foundation of the extension( as a rule, belt).
On the finished foundation of the extension lay a layer of waterproofing( for example, a layer of roofing material).
An important point is the fastening of the walls of the extension with the walls of the house.
For a simple and reliable connection using reinforced brackets made of heavy-duty metal, thanks to which it is possible to conduct the elimination of gaps between the buildings.
The photo shows extensions to the house.
Photo:
Useful information
Foamed concrete is very easy to drill.
Small screws are screwed without problems, for large screws it is desirable to use special dowels-screws.
Blocks are easily cut into pieces with large teeth.
A team of 4 people can build a two-storey house in one season, and a one-story house is even faster, so if you decide to install a house of foam blocks at the end of the summer, then you can finish all the works before the onset of severe cold.
