When sourcing suppliers for your custom and self build, getting the right knowledge about products and services is vital to empower you to make the right decision for your project. All NaCSBA members sign up to its Code of Practice, meaning there’s a level of trust you can relying on when it comes to specifying. We asked Ali Riza, Technical Manager at H+H, manufacturer of Celcon Blocks, about aircrete – one of the most popular building blocks for a variety of builds.
He shares ten reasons why aircrete could be the ideal product for your home, from on-site practicalities and thermal performance to the comfort and safety of your finished project.
“Masonry has been the go-to building method in the UK for decades,” says Ali. “Robust, resilient and high-performing, masonry homes are a fantastic option for self-builders.
“Aircrete is a lightweight masonry building material made from cement, lime, water and Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA). It has long been a popular choice for its combination of strength, durability and thermal efficiency and the ease of use that comes with a lighter material.
“So, what benefits does aircrete bring self-builders and why should they choose it for their homes?”
1 Exceptional thermal performance
Should you choose to build your house with aircrete, you will get a solid house that meets every aspect of the building standards within the UK. Aircrete has excellent thermal insulation properties to help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer, leading to lower energy bills and a more comfortable living space.
Celcon Blocks are also perfect to accompany energy saving technologies, like underfloor heating and air source heat pumps, that many self-builders are now factoring into their home’s design.
2 Achieve a quicker build
For self-builders, delays to construction can be particularly costly, so speeding up your build by using aircrete makes sense. A report by market research consultants, Emergen Research found that aircrete blocks help reduce construction time by about 20% versus other forms of dense masonry.
3 Enhanced acoustic comfort
Aircrete offers fantastic acoustic insulation, reducing the transfer of sound from room-to-room and helping block out unwanted noises that might come from outside a home.
4 Eliminate risk of damp, mould and pests
Unsightly and unhealthy, damp and mould are the last things you should see in a modern home. Aircrete is resistant to moisture and sulfates, and the effects of freeze/thaw cycles. It will not rot or warp and cannot be attacked by pests such as termites, insects, or vermin.
5 Better fire performance
Compared to market alternatives, aircrete offers superior fire resistance. Celcon Blocks provide excellent fire protection and are classified as A1, non-combustible in accordance with BS EN 771-4. H+H aircrete block walls built using our 100mm blocks offer up to four hours fire resistance.
6 Aircrete blocks are incredibly versatile
Unlike many other masonry blocks, Celcon Blocks can be cut on site with a hand saw. This makes it easy to achieve the detailing needed for elements like spandrels and gable ends. It also means site wastage can be kept to a minimum because special shapes and infill pieces can be easily cut.
7 Build to Passivhaus standards
Building walls with H+H aircrete can reduce heat loss in a home and achieve impressive airtightness. Aircrete walls can have extraordinarily low U-Values and are able to meet and even exceed Passivhaus requirements.
8 Celcon Blocks have multiple applications
Aircrete is an extremely versatile building material. It can provide cost effective solutions for wall, floor and below ground construction, including aircrete foundations.
In fact, Part L of the building regulations recommends using aircrete foundation blocks where aircrete is being used in the construction of external walls. This is to ensure continuity of insulation levels within the building fabric.
9 A sustainable solution
H+H aircrete is manufactured using Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA), a by-product from coal-powered fire stations. Celcon Blocks are made from up to 80% of this recycled material, while waste aircrete generated from the manufacturing process is recycled as an aggregate back into the process.
10 Built to last
When you’re building your forever home, you want it to be built to last. H+H aircrete has a lifespan of over 100 years providing a resilient home for you and for generations to come.
For stockist of Celcon Blocks and to discover more about building with aircrete, visit lifetimehouse.co.uk.
