Eco-friendly insulation blocks can benefit a building in many ways. Whether you are building or renovating your own home or are a developer or builder looking for the most sustainable and cost-saving materials, using thermal insulation blocks is well worth considering.
Here we explore why choosing thermal insulation blocks is a smart choice for any construction project.
What are thermal insulation building blocks made from?
Most thermal blocks are crafted from aircrete, which is pulverised fuel ash (PFA), combined with sand, cement, aluminium, and water. PFA is a by-product of coal-fired power stations. Usually, PFA is considered a waste product and would be sent directly to landfill. However, its unique properties make it ideal for thermal insulation blocks, so it is recycled to produce them.
The majority of aircrete is made in the UK, and the high percentage of recycled content in this material means the resulting blocks are kinder to the environment. They are made at factories where waste minimisation schemes are strictly adhered to during the manufacturing process and afterward.
Should you choose thermal insulation blocks? Here are the pros of doing so!
Thermal building blocks are manufactured using around 80% recycled materials. They offer a wealth of benefits for the building, are easy to work with and make any property's sustainable credentials more impressive. Because the blocks increase thermal insulation and thermal mass and do well at keeping draughts out of a building, they are exceptionally efficient and keep heat within the property, therefore lowering the cost of keeping it warm.
Aircrete is an incredibly robust building material while remaining lightweight and easy to manage. Another key feature is its longevity and its low maintenance. The blocks' lifespan is considerably more than the Green Guide to Housing Specifications, which requires a 60-year building life. It is an excellent alternative to timber-framed buildings that are susceptible to dampness and decay and is also extremely versatile. Aircrete is a durable material that can be used in most building projects and in party walls.
Another appealing fact about aircrete is that it does not release harmful substances into the surrounding atmosphere, nor is it necessary to add preservatives to maintain performance.
This robust material will not rot; it is not susceptible to dampness and is also very fire-resistant making it a safe choice to use in all manner of building types. Aircrete blocks are also unaffected by sulfates and stand up well against freeze/thaw cycles.
Aircrete is an extremely popular choice for builders wishing to ensure that their property meets the requirements for any, or indeed every level of Code for Sustainable Homes. What's even more impressive about it is that after it has served its purpose and reached the end of its lifespan, the material can continue to be recycled when a building is at the end of its life. It can be crushed alongside other masonry materials and then reused in other applications.
At About Roofing Supplies we stock and supply Mannok Thermal Building Blocks. If the brand Mannok is not familiar to you, as of November 2020, Mannok has become the new brand name for Quinn products.
The Mannok Aircrete building block range (which was the Quinn Lite range) is non combustible and has a Class 0 fire rating and category A1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1, meaning its resistance to surface spread of flame is second to none.
For more information of the Aircrete blocks and other materials visit Mannok here.
A comprehensive list of aircrete's unique, sustainable benefits
- 'A+' rated in the BRE Green Guide
- BES 6001:2008 certified
- Can assist with meeting any level of the Code for Sustainable Homes
- 80% recycled content
- Made with UK sourced materials
- A long lifespan (at least 60 years)
- Exceptional thermal insulation leading to low heating bills and heat pollution
- Contributes to thermal mass
- Extremely low maintenance
- Extremely fire-resistant
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Durable and robust
- Can be recycled at the end of the life of the property
Shop Our Mannok Aircrete Blocks
Pricing & availability:
To discuss pricing and the availability of Mannok Aircrete Building Blocks please call us on 01737 763008 or email us here.
Where can I find Mannok Aircrete blocks near me?
You can view and order Mannok Aircrete blocks, as well as our wide range of clay roof tiles and concrete roof tiles in any of our branches listed below or we can deliver nationwide: