AAC Blocks Vs Red Bricks: How to Make the Right Choice!

• AAC Blocks are lightweight building materials cut into masonry blocks or formed as larger planks and panels.
• AAC Block is relatively uniform in size and does not contain coarse aggregate phase.

• Red brick is a small block, made up of clay ceramic material used in masonry construction.
• Bricks are less uniform in size and texture as compared to AAC blocks.

Also Read: Adhesive or Mortar: What is Cost Effective to joint the AAC Block?

• AAC blocks are manufactured from the mixture of fly ash, cement, lime, gypsum and an aeration agent.

• Conventional red bricks are made from a mixture of clay (alumina), sand, Lime, iron oxide and Magnesia.
• Natural soil is used for production of Bricks. Hence, ultimately it will vary depending upon the quality of local soil, i.e. Top soil of Earth’s Crust.

• AAC Block can be used to build both internal and external walls.
• According to ‘IS 2185(Part3)-1984’ (Specification for Concrete Masonry Units), Autoclaved Aerated Concrete blocks can be used for

– Load bearing and non-load bearing internal walls,
– Partition and panel walls,
– Inner leaf of cavity walls or as backing to brick masonry
– For external load-bearing walls
– Panel walls in steel or reinforced concrete frame structure, if protected from weather by rendering or by some other adequate treatment.

As a Structural Unit

• Red bricks are strong, hard and durable; therefore, they are used as a construction material in creating different structures such as
• Buildings
• Bridges
• Foundations
• Arches and cornices
• Pavements

As an Aesthetic and finish surface

• Bricks are used as per its different colours, sizes and orientations to get different surface designs. As an aesthetic material bricks can be used
• As Facing Bricks
• Architectural Purposes
• Exposed practice work

• AAC blocks are very easy to handle and ordinary tools can be used for cutting.
• AAC blocks are available in large sizes and hence less no. of joints. This ultimately results in faster construction on site and less consumption of either cement-mortar or chemical and also increasing the strength of wall.
• Earthquake forces are proportional to the weight of building. Due to light weight of AAC blocks, there will be reduction in dead load of the building. Hence AAC blocks are preferred in high seismic zones. Furthermore, less steel will be required in case of RCC structure.
• AAC blocks are made from an inorganic material which helps to avoid termites, damages or losses.
• Use of AAC blocks in the multi-storey building can reduce the consumption of steel and concrete. This reduces the dead load on the structure and increase the carpet area.
• Reduction in dead load on the structure can greatly reduce the size of structural elements which means that it will increase the floor/carpet area.
• Easy to transport to upper floors.
• Use of AAC blocks can significantly reduce the construction time of the project. Time-saving is possible due to the large size of blocks and less curing required before plaster.
• According to ‘Magicrete’ (India’s frontline manufacturer of Lightweight concrete (AAC) blocks), AAC blocks have a very high thermal insulation index which means that the ambient temperature within these structures doesn’t change rapidly with the external temperature. Hence the building will remain relatively cooler in summers and warmer in winters.
• AAC blocks reduce interior temperature variation maintaining pleasant and healthy temperature for habitant.
• AAC blocks reduce the energy cost of air-conditioning to a greater extent due to its thermal property. According to ‘Radhika Shukla’ (2014) (Published in: Burnt Clay Bricks Versus Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks – International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology), there will be approximately 25% reduction in air conditioner load and 25 -30% less electricity consumption on HVAC.
• One AAC block of size (600 x 200 x 100 mm) is equivalent to 6 bricks. Hence it reduces 50% of joints resulting in saving of mortar up to 48%. In case of 150 mm or thicker block masonry, the mortar saving is even more due to the avoidance of vertical joint.
• Minimal wastage of AAC blocks.
• It is environment-friendly and also saves water as less curing is required. Hence it is popularly used as a green product.
• The initial production cost of AAC blocks may be more; however, as discussed above, it can reduce the consumption of Steel, Cement, Concrete and labour. Therefore, the whole project cost gets decreased.

• Red bricks are easy to handle and work with.
• Raw material is easily and abundantly available. So, it is economical. Red Bricks are low maintenance, permanent, hard and durable building materials.
• Compressive strength of brick is good enough for ordinary construction requirements.
• Different orientations and sizes give different surface textures.
• Demolishing of brick structures is very easy and less time consuming.
• It is reusable and recyclable.

Also Read: Things to Keep in Mind while Buying Brick

• The production cost per unit for AAC Block is higher.
• Plaster sometimes does not stick properly because of its smooth surface. AAC block work needs care during production itself, so that surface does not become very smooth.
• AAC block also requires a protective finish since the material is porous and would deteriorate if left exposed.
• According to ‘R. Barry’ (Author of The Construction of Building), AAC blocks are usually dull light grey in colour and are not generally considered as attractive for exteriors for exposed facing.

• Time consuming construction
• Red Bricks cannot be used in high seismic zones for load bearing structures.
• A red brick absorbs water easily so Efflorescence may occur due to the presence of salt in water.
• Rough surfaces of bricks may cause moulds growth if it is not properly cleaned.
• Continuous use of Red bricks in construction will lead to extensive loss of fertile top soil and hence potential agricultural land.
• Red bricks are heavy in weight. Since the structure needs to withstand greater weight, more steel is required and hence construction cost is more.
• Big damage to environmental and loss of fertile land due to use of clay soil excavation for manufacturing of bricks.

Also Read: Various Types of Red Brick Based on Manufacturing Method

• Colour of AAC Block is Grey.
• AAC block comes in big size.

• Colour of clay brick is Red.
• Clay bricks are smaller than AAC blocks.

• 400-600×100-200×100-300mm. However, it may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.

Standard Modular Size of Red Bricks:

• 190x90x90mm
• 190x90x40mm

Standard Non Modular Size:

• 230x110x70
• 230x110x30

These sizes are more popular in India.

Also Read: Brick Test: How to Check the Quality of Bricks?

• According to ‘IS: 2185’ (Specification for Concrete Masonry Units Part 3 Autoclaved Cellular (Aerated) Concrete Blocks), the maximum permitted variation in the length of the AAC block units is ±5 mm and the maximum variation in the height and width of unit is ±3 mm.
• The AAC Blocks are accurate in size because it is produced by wire cut technology and is a factory product.

• The dimensions of bricks when tested accordance with ‘IS 1077: 1992’ shall be within the following limits per 20 bricks:

a) For Modular Size:

• Length: 38OO±80 mm
• Width: 1800±40 mm
• Height:

01. 1800±40 mm

(For 90 mm high bricks)

02. 800±40 mm

(For 40 mm high bricks)

b) For Non-Modular Size:

• Length: 46OO±80 mm
• Width: 2200±40 mm
• Height:

01. 1400±40 mm

(For 70 mm high bricks)

02. 600±40 mm

(For 30 mm high bricks)

• The size of Red Bricks is not standard and varies from region to region.

• Dry density of AAC block varies from 451 kg/m³ to 1000 kg/m³.
• The low dry density of AAC blocks reduce the load on the foundation and other structural components in a structure leading to 55% reduction in weight of walls. Because of reduction in self-weight, AAC block construction attracts less earthquake load.

• Dry density of red clay bricks varies from 1600 kg/m³ to 1920 kg/m³

Also Read: Your Mentor to Guide You to Buy Bricks

• Generally, the weight of AAC blocks varies from 3 to 4 kg.

• Generally, the weight of red bricks/clay bricks varies from 2.5 to 7.5 kg.

• The compressive strength of AAC blocks varies between 3 to 4.5 N/mm2

• The compressive strength of clay bricks varies between 2.5 to 3.5 N/mm2

Also Read: Tests to Check Compressive Strength of Brick

• Water Absorption of AAC block should not be more than 10% of its weight.

• Water absorption of brick should not be more than 20% of its weight.

If the brick or block absorb more water than the above specified limit, it causes adverse effects on the strength of brick or block as well as the durability of the structure.

• According to ‘Portland Cement Association’, Fire resistance of AAC block is excellent, with 8 -inch-thick AAC achieving a 4 -hour rating (actual performance exceeds that and resist fire up to up to eight hours).  Also, it is non-combustible material and will not burn or give off toxic fumes.

• 8-inch-thick wall can resist fire for up to 2 hours.

Also Read: 10+ Fire-Resistant Building Materials to Use during Construction of your Home!

• The thermal conductivity of AAC block varies from 0.21- 0.42 W/mk
• Thermal conductivity of block is lower and hence less heat transfer happens from block.
• AAC blocks are made up of fly ash and fly ash has a lower thermal conductivity compared to natural clay, which results in more thermal resistant blocks.

• 6- 1.0 W/mk
• The thermal conductivity of the brick is high, and hence heat transfer from brick is more than the AAC block.

Also Read: Can We Use AAC Blocks in Load Bearing Structures?

• Moisture resistance of AAC block is better than the Red Brick.
• AAC block consists of unconnected micro pores which prevent the capillary transport of moisture over a long distance.

• Moisture Resistance of Red Brick is Average.
• Moisture resistance depends up on water absorption of the brick and proportion of cement mortar.
• 100/115mm wall will not have adequate moisture resistance. If poor, it will make walls damp & wet.

Also Read: Various Shapes of Brick used in Construction

• The AAC block has good sound transmission property due to the presence of air voids.
• 40-45 db sound is reduced by 200 mm thick wall.
• That lightweight also gives a high sound reduction for privacy, both from outside noises and from other rooms when used as interior partition walls.
• As mentioned above, AAC blocks are light in weight and porous in nature they have very good acoustics properties. Thus, AAC blocks always have good sound insulation compared to clay or red bricks.

• The brick masonry wall has good sound insulation property due to its dense structure.
• 150 mm wall reduces the sound by 45db and 50 db by 230 mm wall.

Also Read: Adhesive or Mortar: What is Cost Effective to joint the AAC Block?

• AAC blocks are insect resistant, inorganic and solid wall construction material.
• AAC blocks do not allow spreading of termites and pests and hence increase the life of the wall.

• Red bricks are not termite resistant as they are made from clay which is an organic material.

Also Read: Make Your Home Termite Free with these Termite Prevention Tips!

• Less labours are required. The speed of work will be double than that of the clay brick work.

• More labours are required. The speed of red brick work will be slow as compared to the block work.

• Since AAC Blocks are thin, available carpet area will be more. This is very important where cost of houses is very high.

• Due to more thickness of bricks, available carpet area will be less. But not suitable for high rise and load bearing buildings.

Also Read: The Shocking Truth about Life of AAC Blocks vs Red Bricks!

• AAC Blocks are recommended for high-rise buildings because it substantially reduces total dead load of the building.

• Red bricks are used for both load-bearing and non-load bearing walls.

• Requires less mortar due to flat and even surface & less number of joints.

• Requires more mortar due to irregular surface & more number of joints.

Also Read: Various Shapes of Brick used in Construction

• Speedy construction of wall due to the bigger block size, light in weight and less number of joints.

• The speed of construction of the brick masonry wall is slower than the block construction.

• Block is cured by steam and block masonry requires less curing. Hence less water and less electricity are required.

• Requires more water for curing and hence high amount of electricity bill and labour cost.

Also Read: 50+ Types of Bricks in the Construction | Classification of Bricks

• Negligible breakage almost 100 % utilisation is possible.

• On an average, 10 to 12% breakage happens on construction site, so 100% utilisation is not possible. Even at some places, due to the poor quality of bricks, wastage goes up to 33%.

• Readily available at any time & in any season at a short notice, so no storage required.

• In monsoon, Stock at the site is compulsory which blocks large working area on the site. otherwise work will get stopped.

• Efflorescence may occur through mortar and water.

• Generally present.
• Efflorescence may occur due to presence of salt in water and sand.

Also Read: Tips to Get Rid of Efflorescence of Brickwork or Concrete!

• 1 cum block work cost is higher (around INR 3500/- in India).

• 1 cum brick work cost is lower. (around INR 2500/- in India).
• To see this comparison of cost, refer the article: Can We Use AAC Blocks in Load Bearing Structures?

• Steel saving up to 15% & Concrete saving up to 7%.
• AAC Blocks reduce the load on foundation due to its light self-weight and saves consumption of steel. Hence reduces the Structural Cost.

• No such saving is possible

Also Read: Why Steel is Used in RC (Reinforced Concrete)?

• AAC Blocks are made from a non-toxic material which does not harm the environment. Usage of fly ash helps in dumping of this-industrial waste. During the manufacturing process, Waste of the AAC Block is recycled and used again. This waste is made from the cutting process. Hence AAC Blocks are a Green product.

• Red Bricks are made from the clay which is naturally available material but it reduces the top fertile soil cover. Hence, it is not eco-friendly.

Also Read: Cracks in AAC Blocks Wall – Causes and Repair

• Earthquake forces are proportional to the weight of the building. Since AAC Blocks reduce the weight of building, the safety against earthquakes is more.

• Red bricks are not preferred in earthquake prone regions.

Also Read: How to Protect Yourself During an Earthquake?

• Tools used in manufacturing process of AAC blocks are block making machine, hand operated with and without vibrator and electrically operated with vibrator, block pallets, spades, mortar pans, measuring boxes, compacting rod, trowel, curing pipes etc.

• In the manufacturing of red bricks, brick moulds, cutting wire or strike, wooden plates called pallets, stock boards and other tools are used.

Also Read: 40+ Masonry Tools Used in Masonry Work of Your Home!