Brick and Block Building
Thermal Insulation
Aircrete blocks also provide good thermal insulation requiring less additional insulation material than aggregate concrete blocks. The downside of aircrete is the blocks poorer sound insulation and a lower maximum load-bearing capacity than lightweight and dense aggregate blocks.
Panablok is another innovation - a double-skinned cement particleboard
walling with a polyurethane foam core providing a thermally efficient
alternative to conventional brick and blockwork. Build speed is
increased, especially in adverse weather conditions, when Panablok
can still be constructed. The panels are cut on site to suit the
project requirements.
Polarwall, used extensively in the US, is beginning to be used in the UK market. A sandwich of polystyrene panels with concrete in between, Polarwall offers design flexibility and high levels of both thermal and acoustic insulation, structural strength, fire resistance and fast construction. Five metres of wall can be installed per hour.
Brick and Block Materials
It would be wrong to dismiss tradition playing no part in the choice in using brick and block build. Brick and blocks are tried and tested against the comparatively new timber frame house. It isn't just with self builders that the stigma lies - it is the nation - where resale is concerned brick built property is easier to sell in the future.
Brick and block is also more flexible - if a measurement is slightly out or the floor is not perfectly true the timber frame has to go back to the manufacturer to be adjusted. An extra line of bricks in a traditional build can easily be added and the problem is solved.
Concrete floors offer improved sound insulation and reduce squeaks or bounce as found with wooden floors. It is factors such as these that have prompted an increase in their use. A concrete floor can be utilised to support upper floors on the first-floor slab. This allows internal walls to be completely removed for open plan flexibility.
Innovation in brick and block building is moving forward - thin joint mortar allows the depth of the mortar to be reduced from l0mm to just 2mm increases the speed of construction. Thin-joint system improves thermal insulation and air tightness of construction and increases ease of installation - thin joint mortar can be laid twice as fast as traditional mortar.
Aircrete blocks in the inner leaf of external walls increases the speed of construction. Weighing around half of lightweight aggregate blocks they are easy to work with and can be easily cut with ordinary hand tools.
Conclusion
The brick and block market is evolving to challenge the growing trend of timber frame construction. Brick and block is certainly not as 'green' as timber frames but self-builders can benefit from the latest insulation innovations and flexible designs.
Useful Links
Traditional Housing Bureau
http://www.housebuilder.org.uk/
