Ten Reasons Self-builders Should Build with Aircrete Thermal Blocks

Building with Aircrete blocks is on the rise in Ireland, and the outlook tells us demand will continue to grow both nationally and globally, with recently published research forecasting the continued surge of the autoclaved aerated concrete market: “Rising demand for sustainable building materials and eco-friendly nature of AAC material are key factors driving industry growth,” says Emergen Research.

The demand for sustainable solutions has become a key consideration for Irish self-builders, which has undoubtedly been an important driver towards building with Aircrete, but the blocks offer significantly more advantages, which makes the switch to Aircrete a very appealing option.

1. Superior Comfort

There is no substitute for a comfortable home, and with self-builders usually planning to build their forever home, comfort is top of the priorities list for many.

2. Reduced Energy Bills

Reduced energy usage means reduced energy bills – perfect for every self-builder! It’s all down to the unique properties of Aircrete and their superior thermal performance.

3. Superb Thermal Performance

Aircrete blocks offer superb thermal performance, insulating up to ten times better than dense concrete blocks. With the walls of the house traditionally the biggest source of heat loss, the blocks can significantly reduce this and easily achieve better U-Values whilst maintaining an optimal thermal mass. The blocks’ thermal performance is undoubtedly one of its most appealing properties for self-builders.

4. Eliminates damp & mould risk

It’s unsightly and unhealthy, and quite frankly, damp and mould should not be a problem in modern homes, but unless you deal effectively with the potential cold spots in your new build, it can still be a risk. With Aircrete, the risk is eliminated.

5. Far Superior Fire Performance

Aircrete blocks far outperform some of the other alternatives on the market when it comes to fire performance, with timber frame only providing 30 minutes fire resistance and Aircrete up to 4 hours for the 215mm block and 2 hours for the 100mm block.

6. Faster Heating Response

Aircrete walls respond quicker to the heating being turned on in the evenings, providing a solution which suits our modern-day lifestyles, ensuring the room heats to the desired temperature faster, so the heating is only turned on for a shorter time with less energy usage.

7. Sustainable Solution

Made from up to 80% recycled materials, an A+ Green Guide rating and one of the first construction products to have an Environmental Product Declaration published by the Irish Green Building Council. But it’s not just the block that’s more sustainable, it’s the home you build. Aircrete’s superior performance means self-builders can build a much more energy efficient home, with passive house or net zero standards much easier to achieve.

8. Reduces heat loss through thermal bridging by up to 80%.

Think of all the junctions in your new build – where floors and walls meet, roofs and walls, around all your windows and doors – they’re your cold bridges – the areas where there are breaks in the insulation fabric which are open pathways for heat to escape. This heat loss can account for up to 35% of the building’s total heat loss, so it’s important to address it correctly. Mannok Aircrete blocks are widely regraded as the best solution to combat this heat loss, achieving up to 80% reduction in heat loss at these key junctions.

9. International Best Practice

Aircrete is tried and tested as a strong and durable construction material. It’s been established for decades as the material of choice in wall construction in countries right across Europe and beyond, including Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Poland and the UK.

10. Cost Effective

Aircrete built is not only better built, but also a very cost-effective way to achieve a superior home. For example, the cost of upgrading from using Aircrete in all key junctions of a house to building the entire inner leaf with Aircrete is typically only a very small percentage of the overall build cost. This is then offset quickly by the resulting energy savings, and well worth it for the added performance benefits. In many cases the net result can be cost neutral.

Aircrete certainly ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to the most important considerations for Irish self-builders, and now Mannok are offering customised self-build packages for those using Aircrete in their wall construction, which includes product bundles and discounts, and premium technical support services.

Self-builders can discuss self-build packages or Aircrete as a solution for their self-build with their local Mannok Sales Manager or email selfbuild@mannokbuild.com to arrange a call back.

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