Construction of fences from foam block. Concrete blocks for fence posts: pros and cons, varieties, installation steps
Any happy owner of his private house sooner or later raises the question of erecting a fence. I want it to be not only reliable and solid, but beautiful. Today, gas blocks are one of the most suitable options; it meets all quality and aesthetic requirements.
Why aerated concrete
There are many variations in the construction of a good fence, the main range of materials that are presented to the buyer is corrugated board, brick, metal structures, cellular concrete blocks various types and species, rarely tree.
The first thing that attracts with its solidity and solidity is, of course, a brick. At all times, high-quality structures were built from it, but there is a small “but” - this is an almost exorbitant price not only for the material itself, but also for labor, and the weight of such a fence will be rather big. Again, you will have to spend money on a more solid foundation.
Wood
Thanks to modern technologies and various machines can build from wood not only a good, but a truly masterpiece fence. However, the owner of such a fence needs to know that a tree, even treated with various special solutions, will require repair in a couple of years.
Metal structures
A metal fence is a reliable and impenetrable armor, but it is quite grammatical and not neat. If you stop your preference for the forged version, then you will need to put up with prying eyes.
Decking
Cheap and cheerful - this is a statement just about a fence from a profiled sheet. The level of security of such a fence is at its best, but the aesthetics leave much to be desired.
Lightweight concrete products
For the construction of fences, the choice of the buyer is offered 2 types of cellular blocks: foam concrete and aerated concrete, one can talk about their advantages and remarkable characteristics for a long time. The best option it is for fencing that gas silicate products are presented, from which the fence will turn out to be more durable than from foamed products. Aerated concrete is more susceptible to the destructive effects of moisture than its cellular relative, however, with the installation of high-quality waterproofing, this problem is completely solvable.
As for durability, having acquired high-quality aerated concrete, you can fully count on its service for more than a decade. The cost of such blocks will be significantly reduced not only due to their low cost, but also due to their impressive size, with the help of which a beautiful and reliable fence will literally grow before our eyes.
Construction stages
- Any construction begins with the choice of material, for a fence a more acceptable option would be blocks that have dimensions of 50 * 60 * 17.5 cm.
- The foundation for such an aerated concrete structure is quite suitable for a pile, fastened with a grillage; for vertical reinforcement, you can use an ordinary pipe with a diameter of 4 mm, which is mounted in the grillage every 2 meters. For horizontal reinforcement, a conventional wire rod d = 8 mm is suitable, which is laid through each row.
- Having laid the foundation, it must be carefully waterproofed, after which you can begin the main masonry. The first row of blocks, for a more thorough fixation, are laid on a regular solution, all subsequent ones on. Be sure to follow the rules of ligation of blocks.
- Having completed the construction to the required height, a seismic belt is laid on the top of the fence, its device is no different from mounting a conventional armored belt on aerated concrete masonry.
- The gate columns were embedded in the base.
After these works, you can proceed to the waterproofing of the walls of the fence, it is carried out by priming in several layers with a special liquid solution suitable for these purposes. After the waterproofing has completely dried, a chain-link mesh is glued onto the walls for subsequent finishing, and plaster is already laid on it. After that, the surface is treated with a hydrophobic primer.
Installation of corrugated fencing, video
Conclusion
Having opted for gas silicate products for construction, do not forget to arrange its waterproofing with high quality, otherwise all this reliable construction will not please you with its beauty and reliability for long.
Foam concrete is one of the relatively inexpensive and affordable varieties of cellular concrete. That is why the foam block fence is in great demand, both among residents of private houses and owners of summer cottages. In terms of strength, foam concrete is significantly inferior to such material as brick, but do not forget about the degree of environmental friendliness, which can only be compared with wooden fences.
The site begins with a fence
The fence made of foam blocks has unique characteristics, such as excellent mechanical strength and high insulation performance. The foam block is a porous stone. It is made by mechanical mixing of cement, water, sand and synthetic foaming agents, which contribute to the creation of closed pores, which significantly improves its waterproofing properties.
For the hardening of foam blocks, there is no need to create certain atmospheric conditions. This process happens naturally. As for financial costs, a cinder block fence will come out a little more expensive.
Options for finishing a foam block fence are very diverse.
In the manufacture of foam blocks, various synthetic foam concentrates are used. The mass obtained as a result of mixing is poured into special forms, where the hardening (setting) process takes place. Thanks to this, each of the blocks has a clear shape and the complete absence of chips (at first). It is very convenient to apply subsequent layers of plaster.
Contains only five ingredients
The process of making blocks is quite simple.
For the manufacture of foam concrete, only organic components and minerals are used, which are considered to be environmentally friendly. It is also referred to as chemically neutral substances that are not capable of harming the human body.
finished product
Storage and transportation is carried out on pallets
What properties does the material used have?
- fire resistance;
- relatively small weight;
- low cost;
- simplicity and convenience in installation;
- excellent soundproofing properties (like cinder block);
- the possibility of combining with other finishing and building materials;
- low consumption of auxiliary materials (glue);
- primitive form;
- low thermal conductivity and density;
- resistance to possible temperature changes;
- high threshold of brittleness.
Material Advantages
Due to the low use of minerals, these fence blocks weigh almost nothing. This will save on the construction of the fence, erecting it with your own hands, without resorting to outside help and renting expensive equipment. The low density of the material affects the overall load and weight of the structure, and therefore eliminates the need for a solid foundation.
Foam block weight table depending on its size and brand of foam concrete
Preparation of the fence foundation for concreting
Thick-walled pipes are perfect for arranging gates or gates.
The use of cinder block is welcome, however, only to create more durable pillars. Upper layer the foundation of the fence also needs additional waterproofing treatment. So, its surface is coated with a primer and a layer of paint based on bitumen.
Ready foundation before coating waterproofing and subsequent block laying
Arrangement of fence posts and basement
After the completion of the masonry process, it is recommended to think about the arrangement reinforced belt a fence that would be resistant to various seismological activities. In order to build an armored belt, it is necessary to have wire, metal reinforcement with a ribbed surface, steel bars and a special hook for tying rods.
Do-it-yourself foam block laying
Finishing work
After the seismological belt has been completely manufactured, it is possible to start priming the working surface with special mixtures that help absorb moisture.
After the applied layer dries, it is recommended to paste over the surface with a fiberglass mesh, which is used in facade work.
After complete drying of all layers, you can start laying tiles and finishing plaster. The photo below shows a fence prepared for plastering.
Fence before plastering
To improve waterproofing, as well as to protect the foam concrete structure from aggressive environments and moisture, it is recommended to use Kalmatron as an auxiliary composition, as one of the best and most affordable hydrophobic mixtures. When using a cinder block, it is not necessary. You can use to decorate the fence. But it is worth starting only after the finishing work is completed.
Decorative blocks for fence posts are used in fences made of different materials- wood, profiled sheet, metal fence, forged and welded gratings. They, like facing bricks, are fixed around the pipe, but the installation technology itself differs from brickwork. They also build fences, in which not only pillars, but also spans are partially or completely mounted from decorative concrete blocks.
Blocks for fence posts "under the stone" Source besplatka.ua
What is it - a decorative block for a fence
If you look at the composition of the components from which the decorative block for the fence is made, then this is either ordinary concrete, or its lightweight version - cinder block. Differences between products from different manufacturers are the type of filler and execution technology.
In addition to sand and cement, the third main component, filler, can be:
gravel or crushed stone;
brick or concrete battle (secondary crushed stone);
expanded clay;
stone chips;
glass break.
Note! Broken glass, as a rule, serves as an "auxiliary", or additional filler, to give the surface a special decorative effect.
Just like ceramic bricks or cinder blocks, decorative fence blocks can be solid or hollow. Although only hollow fence blocks are widely used, the cost and weight are lower, the costs of the foundation and the entire fence are lower.
And blocks for fence posts are produced only hollow. Except for hyper-pressed facing brick, which has a similar production technology and can be used for laying a pillar.
Hollow and solid blocks for the fence Source kamtehnopark.ru
According to the manufacturing method, decorative concrete blocks for the fence are divided into two types:
Vibrocasting. The concrete mixture has a standard amount of water, which provides good plasticity and workability. Compaction occurs due to the effect of vibration on the casting in a mold mounted on a vibrating table.
Vibrocompression. The components are mixed with a lack of water - the technology of "semi-dry" concrete. And the compaction occurs due to the impact in two directions: horizontal, due to the impact of platform vibration, and vertical, due to the clamping force of the plunger.
Advantages and disadvantages are laid down at the technology level:
vibrocast blocks have a smoother surface and a greater variety of colors, but have less strength and frost resistance;
vibropressed concrete fence blocks are more durable and withstand a large number of freeze-thaw cycles, but are characterized by a rough surface and a small selection of shades.
Considering that the fence is not a sidewalk and not bearing wall, the difference in strength is not significant. And the rough surface is usually masked due to the popular intaking block of the decorative effect of the front part - “chipped stone”.
Source evro-stul.blogspot.com
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of building and designing fences and railings. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".
Advantages and disadvantages of concrete block fences
If we talk about decorative merits, then a fence made of concrete blocks could theoretically be inferior only to a fence made of processed natural stone. But they don’t do such things for fencing private houses, and its only competitors are fences made of rubble stone and facing brick. But they also lose to him in several ways:
Higher resistance to mechanical stress. Due to the smaller number of masonry joints and the pouring of hollow blocks with concrete mortar with vertical reinforcement of the column and spans, a monolithic structure is obtained.
High installation speed. One block in all three dimensions is superior to a single ceramic brick, and it is easier to lay. Not to mention the complex laying of a multi-format "wild" stone.
A wide variety of textures and colors to choose from. This allows for greater maneuverability for the harmonious arrangement of landscape design.
Optimal price-quality ratio, both in terms of the cost of materials and installation costs.
The market offers big choice block colors and shapes Source doka-metal.ru
Otherwise, the advantages of a block fence are the same as those of a brick and natural stone fence:
high service life;
good protection a site from dust and noise if a road passes nearby;
reliable protection the interior from prying eyes;
fire resistance and prevention of the spread of "grassroots" fire (according to the classification of natural fires).
The fence and the concrete fence posts themselves, which are made of blocks, also have disadvantages:
only professionals can perform high-quality work;
a lot of weight, which requires a solid strip foundation.
Zero cycle and laying the foundation
The installation of a fence of decorative blocks begins traditionally - with marking and planning the perimeter of the site.
Having marked the routes for passing the spans, the places for installing the pillars (including for gates and gates), proceed to earthworks.
The depth of laying the underground part of the pillars and its type is determined by the bearing capacity of the soil. Usually it is made below the freezing level of the soil by 20-30 cm, in order to exclude the effect of heaving of the soil on the fence support.
Ways to fix the base of the post in the ground Source dacha.help
For moist heaving soils, the depth of the trench under the span can be the same as for the post. In other cases, a shallow foundation is usually arranged, assuming that the weight of the span structure is sufficient to compensate for slight heaving - standard size is in the range of 40-60 cm.
The trench is made slightly wider than the corresponding block size for the post, so that the formwork for the monolithic strip foundation fits there.
Attention! The blocks for the pillars are larger than for the wall, but they dig a trench for the entire fence of the same width. And the foundation tape along the base has the same size for pillars and spans. Only the depth and method of reinforcement differ.
A pillow of sand and gravel is made along the bottom of the trench, formwork is installed and the foundation is reinforced, making reinforcement for installation bottom rows span concrete blocks.
Reinforcement of the column can take place in two ways - by installing profile pipe in the center or with outlets of the bar to the entire height of the fence.
Methods for reinforcing a fence post Source kamtehnopark.ru
Then the foundation is concreted. After the initial maturation of concrete, the formwork is removed, and after gaining design strength, they begin to install the pillar and span blocks.
Important! Waterproofing a monolithic foundation for a fence is carried out according to the same rules as for a house. But even when installing a fence on dry sandy soils, it is desirable to make a separating layer between the plinth and decorative blocks.
Fence installation
Work begins with the installation of concrete blocks for the pillars. They are literally “strung” on a pipe or the release of an armored belt from the foundation, but not immediately to the full height, but to 3-4 rows, leveling them in level and relative to the plane of the fence. Then concrete is poured into the cavity, the mixture is compacted, expelling air, and reinforced in the horizontal plane by laying masonry mesh or rod. Thus, the remaining rows are mounted to the entire height of the column.
The laying of spans from decorative blocks is usually carried out according to the same rules as for bricks - with a run-up of vertical seams by half the length of the block.
The run-up of seams is not only practical, but also aesthetically pleasing Source supl.biz
But taking into account the filling of internal cavities with concrete with the laying of a steel bar in them, this is more of a decorative technique than necessary condition ensuring the strength of the masonry by bandaging the rows. Therefore, the installation of spans with continuous vertical seams is allowed.
The laying of "wall" blocks is carried out according to the following algorithm:
string the first 3-4 rows on the outlets of the reinforcement from the foundation;
align in level and in the span plane;
pour and compact the concrete solution;
tie the following vertical outlets fittings for the upper rows;
reinforced in a horizontal plane with mesh or wire;
after the initial hardening of concrete, they proceed to the installation of the next rows.
After the last block is laid, the fence and posts are covered with tops - decorative blocks that decorate the fence and protect the cavities filled with concrete from the effects of precipitation. The shape of these elements can be different - flat, pitched, semicircular. And for poles, some manufacturers produce special models of tops of complex configuration.
Video description
You can clearly see how a column of blocks is assembled in the following video:
Quite often, a cable is laid to the fences, which passes through the internal cavities and exits at the upper ends of the pillars. This is done to install street lights that illuminate the perimeter of the site with the surrounding area.
Conclusion
A fence for a house made of decorative blocks according to manufacturing technology is similar to a wall monolithic house with fixed formwork. It also contains the pouring of the strip foundation, reinforcement, installation at the level of hollow blocks, pouring concrete. And this should be done by specialists - an error in calculating the dimensions of the foundation or a poor-quality mortar will have a bad effect on the reliability and durability of the fence at home.
In the construction markets, it is increasingly possible to meet different type cellular concrete. This can save the user from many problems that will be associated with the construction processes, for example, multi-storey or low-rise building. Compared with aerated concrete and gas silicates, foam concrete materials have received wide use, because their price is the lowest. The foam block, in terms of its strength characteristics, will yield to brick, but in terms of the degree of ecology, it can only yield wooden structures. But still, the foam block has quite a few advantages in other characteristics.
Get a great deal on building materials
When it comes to the structure of this material, the structure can be equated to aerated chocolate. Such a material is produced by mixing cement-sand mixtures with a variety of foaming agents, or the foam can be pre-prepared. In this case, ideal porous structures will be formed. In order to make a cement mixture, water, cements and sands will be used. Since such foam block production will not require a large amount of money, then the price of finished products will be significantly reduced. With the help of a vibrating mixer, the manufacturer will reach the level when the cement mixture is distributed evenly over all volumes. But the complexity and some unpredictable processes of hardening of three-phase mixtures will always make it possible to obtain a foam concrete block with predictable packages. operating characteristics. Also, it should be noted that the dimensions will remain stable, and this is what will limit the use of foam blocks for the construction of a residential building.
When you create a fence from foam blocks, then you should first pay attention to the strength characteristic and the external beauty of the product. In order to build a fence, you will need to use a foam block according to the average density characteristics of the D_500 brand. In some cases, a larger brand coefficient is used, because it is believed that the denser the foam concrete blocks are, the better for the fence itself. That is, the durability of the entire structure and the strength of the fence will increase. But you must take into account the fact that structural foam concrete of medium density grade D_700 will continue to have high cost characteristics. But in addition to high prices, you need to build a plinth by type strip foundations. Then the price will be even higher for general construction work. That is why it is worth considering how profitable it is to install a foam block fence.
If you build a house in big city, you need to worry about the fact that the fence should create additional sound insulation and a fence from dust and pollution. In this case, it is simply impossible to find a better building material than foam concrete. After all, for example, such material will not heat up much in the summer, which is a big drawback in many other materials. Foam concrete will not retain heat, but very often this is not paid attention to during the construction of the fence. Your fence will be environmentally friendly, and if you expect children to play in the yard, then you should choose this type of fence. Foam concrete is not considered toxic and can only yield to wood in terms of its environmental characteristics.
Due to its porosity, you can protect yourself from excessive noise and sounds. In this way, you can achieve the greatest degree of tranquility, and even create privacy on your site. Cost-effectiveness should be noted, because for many people the fence remains in the background after the construction of the house, and as a result, there is not always a large amount left for the construction of the fence. But after building a house, I want to create the most beautiful and expensive appearance fence. In this case, you can take the foam block as the basis. If you can beautifully decorate or sheathe the foam block with the same inexpensive material, then you can save a lot. In some cases, it is still better to use a mixture of building materials, but if you only use foam blocks in the case of building a house, veranda, garage, then it would be appropriate to use this construction material and in case of a fence.
Installing a foam block fence will guarantee you many years of service, because it is the fence that will bear all the burden and responsibility for keeping the yard and house clean and safe. The foam block is a fairly strong building material, so it will be difficult to spoil it with something. The load that is possible from the outside of the fence will in some cases be double, so you should use such material for exterior finish which is also resistant and durable.
Foam concrete blocks look like a cellular building material. From the outside, the cells are closed. This makes it more resistant to hygroscopicity, in comparison with the gas block. Despite the fact that the foam block is of artificial origin, its properties are similar to those of wood. The main difference is fire resistance, good thermal insulation, affordable price. In contact with fire, the foam blocks do not melt and do not emit harmful substances.
What is this article about
What do you need to build a foam block fence?
- Trowel;
- Level;
- Plumb;
- Mix for laying foam block;
- Stencil-corner for cutting;
- mallet;
- Saw (hacksaw);
- Mesh for reinforcement;
- Metal rods.
Types of foam concrete fences
- Solid. Fences of this type are made only of foam blocks;
- Combined. When laying, two or more types of building materials are used.
Types of materials for combined foam concrete fences:
- Metal fence;
- Decking;
- Wooden picket fence, timber;
- Brick;
- A natural stone;
- Polycarbonate.
With metal picket fence With wooden span With timber span
Solid
Construction of a foam concrete fence and a metal picket fence
Any construction begins with calculations. The calculation of the number of blocks is made taking into account the dimensions of the pillars, the base, the length of the picket fence. We divide the length of the fence by the length of the block, we get the number of blocks placed in a row.
We also divide the height of the future fence by the height of the block, as a result - the number of rows. We multiply the height by the number of pieces in a row, we get the total number. Additionally, consider the thickness of the seam. Do not forget to subtract the spans that will be from other material and openings.
Laying out and pouring the foundation
Most often, tape is used in the construction of the fence. We measure the length of the future fence, place marks in the corners. We mark the place for the gate and gate. According to the marking, we dig a trench up to 1 m deep. The width should correspond to the thickness of the future wall or a little wider. Laying poles for future columns. For reliability, the pillars are dug deeper. We install the formwork, knit a frame of metal rods to strengthen the foundation.
We prepare the mortar for the foundation: mix cement / sand / gravel in proportions of 1/2/4. The resulting mass is laid out in the prepared "form" and left for several days to solidify.
Mortar preparation and foam block masonry
For laying blocks, a ready-made adhesive mixture can be used, to which water is added and brought to the desired consistency. When using an adhesive mixture, the consumption of the solution is minimal. Also, foam blocks are placed on a solution prepared by hand. For masonry, a mixture with a large amount of cement is used. Cement/sand ratio as 1/3. For elasticity, lime is added to the solution.
Lay out the row without mortar, adjust the parts to size and after that we begin to put on the mortar. Fence laying starts from the corners. After laying the first pieces, a cord is pulled, which plays the role of a guide. Keep in mind that vertical seams should not match. Coincident seams increase the chance of collapse. For additional reinforcement, reinforcement is made every three rows.
If foam concrete blocks are used for laying columns, the lower part of the spans, consider the weight and dimensions of the materials that will be on top. Such fences are built in several stages to avoid excessive shrinkage.
When installing spans from a metal fence, preliminary fixing of mortgages is required. They are welded to metal poles even before the foam blocks are laid. In the future, ready-made spans from a metal fence are attached to them by welding. In another case, the frame of the future span is attached to the mortgages, and the details of the picket fence are already screwed to it with self-tapping screws.
Weather protection
The foam block is fragile and hygroscopic, therefore it requires finishing. Finishing options: painting, cladding, plastering, etc. Additional protection of the fence - a visor. For a fence from blocks, it is recommended to choose a concrete version, which is installed on an adhesive mixture.
If the metal fence does not have a protective layer, then painting is required. If there is a protective layer, then additional processing is not required.