Are light blocks hard to get?

SillyMonkey

Looking to put light blocks (don't know if thats the correct term) on the first floor which are going on concrete slabs. Don't want to use studding.

Have asked the local quarry and a few others local but they don't do them. Just wondering in general do many quarries do them and does anyone know one that does (south east area pref).

Thanks.

sinnerboy

Presume you mean glass blocks . Roadstone sell them . NB - you need specifically experienced blockies for these .They can look dire if not expertly built

Jimbo

Light as in lightweight maybe?
There not that hard to get but you may be waiting a while.
Quinnlite are the most common.
Check with you floor manufacturer first that its designed for it.

muffler

sinnerboy wrote: »

Presume you mean glass blocks . Roadstone sell them . NB - you need specifically experienced blockies for these .They can look dire if not expertly built

Im assuming that it is lightweight blocks. If so shop around for suppliers and prices.

Sorry, not aware of any suppliers in your area.

Sparky78

Why cant you use 4inch standard blocks?
I assume there cheaper.

Mellor

Sparky78 wrote: »

Why cant you use 4inch standard blocks?
I assume there cheaper.

Because they are heavier.


OP, these are available everywhere. Quarrys sell stone not blocks.
What you are looking for is autoclave/aerated concrete blocks.

Slates

SillyMonkey wrote: »

Looking to put light blocks (don't know if thats the correct term) on the first floor which are going on concrete slabs. Don't want to use studding.

Have asked the local quarry and a few others local but they don't do them. Just wondering in general do many quarries do them and does anyone know one that does (south east area pref).

Thanks.

Are you sure you need Lite blocks? most floor slabs will take a standard 100mm block for the walls on the first floor

RKQ

Aercrete blocks are light weight with great thermal qualities.
They may become the norm as an inner leaf, to comply with Document L.

They are more expensive to buy, per block.
They should be cheaper to lay, as they are so much lighter and easier to cut than concrete blocks. Easier for Blocklayer! Also easier for Electrician - chase out cable ducts and sockets with blade or saw.

They are manufactured in the North and stockpiled in the Midlands.
Conc mixed with waste ash and some aluminium - bubbles created by chemical reaction as they are baked.

I suppose they have some eco credit as they are made from waste ash and less conc. is good for the envirnoment.

They are easy to get... give the Mighty Quinn a call.
I did PM details to SillyMonkey.
(Sorry Mods but don't want to mention brand name... even if there is only one manufacturer on this Island):)

Jimbo

Apparently they are difficult to plaster for some reason

sinnerboy

.... looks like I missed the quinntessential nature of the OP query

Sparky78

Slates wrote: »

Are you sure you need Lite blocks? most floor slabs will take a standard 100mm block for the walls on the first floor

Thats what I thought.
I hope so anyway cause thats what I'm planning on doing.Lets hope the engineer agrees.

sydthebeat

Sparky78 wrote: »

Thats what I thought.
I hope so anyway cause thats what I'm planning on doing.Lets hope the engineer agrees.

if the slabs have been designed to take high density blocks, good... they may not have been.

Supertech

jimbo78 wrote: »

Apparently they are difficult to plaster for some reason

The porous nature of the aerated block draws the moisture from the wet plaster and causes it to dry out too quickly .... or so I've been told.

muffler

sinnerboy wrote: »

.... looks like I missed the quinntessential nature of the OP query

Next time you see someone drinking Bud Light - dont laugh

davidoco

SillyMonkey wrote: »

does anyone know one that does (south east area pref).

Thanks.

Dan Morrisey Carlow do one but it is lightweight - not thermal lightweight.

RKQ

Aercrete blocks have great thermal qualities, so it makes great sense to use them. Better U-values.
PVA bond will prevent drying out too quickly - good Plasterer will solve problem.
They are used extensively in UK, no problems there.