Brick – one of the most popular types of building materials, which is widely used throughout the world. It is reliable, durable, easy to manufacture and install, and also relatively inexpensive. There are many types of bricks, but it is silica brick that has been the most popular lately. The size of a silicate brick and its other characteristics are of great importance, therefore, we consider them in detail below.
What is silicate brick used for, the size of silicate brick
Any brick is 90% composed of quartz sand, and the rest of the mass is lime and various additives. All this is pressed by the dry method, fired, as a result, briquettes of regular geometric shape are obtained. The dimensions of the silicate block, like any other, are universal and make up 250X120X65 mm. There is also a so-called sesquicle brick, whose thickness is 88 mm.
Silicate brick differs from other types in that it is manufactured using a special technology, which involves autoclaving with hot steam under high pressure. The temperature of the steam can be up to 200 degrees, and the pressure – 12 atmospheres. As a result of this treatment, the molecules of lime and sand adhere firmly to each other, because of which the silicate brick is characterized by increased strength characteristics.
The size of a one-and-a-half silicate brick, as well as the usual one, allows using it for a wide range of tasks. So, it is used in the construction of low-rise buildings, facades, the construction of interior partitions. But for the construction of high-rise buildings silicate brick is not suitable.
Helpful advice! You should not use silicate brick for the construction of structures that are planned to be exposed to high temperatures, such as fireplaces and stoves. Under the influence of temperatures above 200 degrees, a brick may burst or explode.
The performance characteristics of silicate bricks make it an excellent material for cladding facades. It can be white or painted in almost any color, which opens up a wide scope for designer imagination.
Each brand of silicate brick differs from the other in strength. But, besides this, any brick has the following advantages:
- Easy installation – to lay a wall or another structure made of this material is as easy as any other type of brick; you do not need to have specialized engineering skills or tools. The only difference is that the weight of the silicate bricks is 250X120X88 compared to other one-and-a-half bricks;
- increased strength of the material – compared with ceramic, the strength characteristics of silica brick is one and a half times higher. This has a positive effect on the quality and reliability of the erected structure;
- high sound insulation performance – silicate brick is an excellent sound insulation material and reliably protects the room from external noise. This makes it a good choice for building partitions in apartment buildings;
- democratic price – if you ask yourself how much silicate bricks cost, then the answer will please even the most skeptical buyer. The price is usually lower than that of ceramic by 20-30%. This is due to the fact that its production requires a much smaller amount of time and energy;
- presentable appearance – colored silicate bricks are perfect for exterior decorating. In addition, they can boast a smooth surface and a smooth shape, so the facade of silicate brick does not need additional processing, for example, plastering;
- environmental safety – according to GOST, silicate brick is made of environmentally friendly materials, and no mold or fungus forms on its surface.
Thus, it is clear that silicate brick is a very good choice for your construction. Photos of silicate brick demonstrate its presentable appearance, and reviews of experts confirm the excellent performance characteristics. This material has been used on construction sites all over the world for more than a year, and its popularity is constantly growing, which indicates high quality and reliability.
Helpful advice! The answer to the question, how many silicate bricks in 1 m? Depends on whether it’s a half or a half. Therefore, asking such a question to the seller, be sure to check the dimensions of the product.
Silicate brick is a building material, not without flaws. He also has a number of weaknesses that are important to know:
- low rates of frost resistance – if you are building a house of silicate brick, then note that it will have to be further insulated. Whatever size of silicate brick you choose, its structure is very susceptible to low temperatures, and may also suffer during the cold season due to moisture absorption;
- relatively low thermal insulation – with sound insulation silicate bricks copes well, but the heat retains no matter. Therefore, regardless of how many silicate bricks in 1 m? masonry, you still have to additionally insulate the walls of the house from this material;
- a large weight is both a plus and a minus of the material at the same time The weight of one-and-a-half silicate bricks, as well as ordinary ones, has a positive effect on the strength characteristics of the structure, but creates a number of inconveniences during the transportation and laying of the material;
- unsuitability for the construction of certain types of structures – it is not recommended to build high-rise buildings from silicate bricks, as well as stoves, fireplaces and chimneys, that is, structures that may be exposed to high temperatures.
A controversial point is moisture absorption of the material. According to GOST, up to 6% moisture absorption is allowed. At the same time, the rate of moisture absorption in a silicate product is lower than that of a ceramic one. Therefore, how many silicate bricks in 1 m? masonry, it would be better to resist moisture than the same masonry of ceramic bricks.
With all these drawbacks, the positives, such as the price per piece of silica brick, outweigh them. That is why this material is so popular in many countries of the world.
Before building a structure from a material, it is worth deciding on its type. It has already been said that silicate brick can be standard or one-and-a-half. Its weight, accordingly, will be lower or higher. In addition, there are the following types:
- porous brick;
- brick with chipped texture;
- construction brick – is subject to mandatory lining;
- slag and ash;
- colored brick;
- face brick – combines the properties of construction and facing.
In addition, hollow and solid bricks are distinguished. The blocks of the first type, as the name implies, have voids. This reduces the weight of the unit and affects its parameters such as thermal conductivity and sound insulation. Solid brick weighs more, but also boasts greater strength.
Each of these types of material is designed for specific construction work. Regardless of how many bricks are in a pack of silicate bricks, each of the types has its own characteristics, so you should choose based on the specifics of your construction. The size of silicate bricks is also of great importance.
For example, if you are building a low-rise building, then for these purposes it is better to use a one-and-a-half or even a double block. This will reduce the financial costs of the material, while improving the appearance of the object. It is logical that it is better to veneer the facades with smooth and colored bricks. The latter is also well suited for the construction of exterior walls.
The size of white silicate brick, characteristics and features of laying. Types of bricks, performance. The nuances of the finish. Advantages and disadvantages of the material.
The external lining of the structure with smooth silicate bricks of various types is good in that you will not need additional finishing. This will help save not only construction time, but your finances.
As already mentioned, for laying bricks you will not need any special building skills or specialized tools. It will take only the usual construction level, a tape measure, a trowel, a plumb, a spatula for feeding the solution, a hammer for weighting and leveling the blocks, as well as a container for cement mortar.
Helpful advice! Before laying the silicate brick, it is desirable to soak it in water, so that later it does not absorb moisture from the solution.
First, it is necessary to determine how many silicate bricks in the pan. Then you need to start laying. It is best to do this from the corners of the building, between which you need to pull the cord. It is under this cord that the entire brick row will subsequently fit in, so this point should be given special attention. Longitudinal, transverse and vertical seams are necessarily tied with steel wire every 2-3 rows.
There are two basic methods for laying silicate bricks. The first is “tight”, that is, with the use of a hard mortar and completely filling it with all the seams. This method takes more time, but guarantees high durability and reliability of the building. The main thing with this – do not forget about the firmware seams.
The method of “butt” implies a partial filling of the seams using a plastic solution. This method is faster, but less quality, so the resulting structure is recommended to further strengthen the plaster. The seams must be treated to prevent cracks.
Laying silicate bricks is made fairly quickly, if you already have certain skills in this matter. Numerous videos and photo instructions on the Internet will help you get the necessary knowledge in an easy and accessible form. You can also find out how much silicate bricks of one type or another weigh, which one is better to use for specific works, which composition of the mortar is better for laying and other important information.
There are a number of common points that you need to know in order to effectively use a building material like silica brick:
- There can be no question of using the material for the construction of the foundation and the socle of the building. The main obstacle to this is increased absorption of moisture;
- the walls of the material, regardless of the size of the silicate brick standard or one and a half, will have to be further warmed. The alternative is to make thicker walls, but insulation is simpler and more economical;
- The best option for construction is a combination of ordinary and silicate bricks. In some moments it is quite possible to get by with cheaper types of building materials;
- best of all silicate brick is suitable for the construction of internal partitions and walls. The sizes of one-and-a-half silicate bricks are also not bad for exterior cladding of facades;
- you need to choose the color, size and type of silicate brick only after you have decided on exactly where the material will be used. If you are not well versed in the issue, it is better to seek help from an experienced specialist.
Helpful advice! Silicate brick is not much different from the usual when it comes to laying. Therefore, you can safely use the same tools and technology with the above material features.
As a result, we can say that the house of silicate brick is a very profitable and reasonable solution. However, you should not mindlessly use the material for the construction of absolutely all elements and structures, you should carefully weigh all the pros and forgive, learn the recommendations for choosing, working and styling. With a competent approach to construction, the house of silicate brick will stand for many years, and its repair and reconstruction will need very soon.
