Why AAC (Aerated Autoclaved Concrete)

The air bubbles trapped in LiteStone AAC blocks provide thermal insulation much greater than conventional concrete and clay bricks. The thermal conductivity (K) of a dry LiteStone AAC block is about (0.11-0.14) w/m K, which provides ten times more insulation power than dense concrete. This results in considerable savings in relation to necessary air conditioning and cooling and accordingly also in electricity consumption. This reduction can be between 50 and 70%. The superior thermal insulation results in a comfortable and constant indoor environment.

The AAC LiteStone block has an average compression strength of (28-35) kg/cm² which is superior to most types of light weight blocks and is 25% stronger than other products of the same density.

Construction time is substantially reduced when AAC LiteStone blocks are used. This is due to the fact that these blocks are larger and lighter than conventional blocks and hence can be installed at a quicker rate. Blocks are laid flush utilising thin joint mortar thus reducing mortar and plastering cost and eliminating thermal bridging.

AAC LiteStone can be sawed, nailed and drilled easier than wood, using the appropriate and suitable tools available for this purpose. It results in less wastage and keeps the site clean.

A 10 cm thick AAC LiteStone block provides a fire resistance value of 4 hours and a 15 cm block provides a 6 hours resistance, double that provided by normal concrete. Therefore, AAC LiteStone is particularly suited for fire walls and fire protection of structural steel.

The cellular structure of AAC LiteStone blocks provide superior sound absorption and insulation, both of which depend on the density and porosity of the material. The air porosity of the material used will also have significant effect on the performance of the wall. The aerated structure of LiteStone consists of millions of very small non-interconnected air cells giving very low air porosity. This gives a high resistance to the passage of air borne sound relative to density.

The lack of toxic substances, less consumption of fuel and electricity and the significant reduction of waste during production, result in the substantial saving of electricity – all of these advantages reduce pollution and restrict damage to the environment, wherever AAC LiteStone is used.

AAC products have been in use for nearly 80 years. The production and use of AAC products has since spread to most parts of the world, including Europe, America, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. AAC products have and continue to prove its durability under extremely different climatic and chemical conditions. The linear expansion coefficient of AAC LiteStone is approximately 0.02%.

Notwithstanding all of the above advantages, purely on a commercial basis, AAC LiteStone is significantly cheaper per square meter of completed wall than clay bricks or concrete. This, combined with the fact that it is faster to build using AAC LiteStone, together with the advantages set out above result in AAC LiteStone being the perfect solution to a cost effective sustainable housing solution.