Imperia Bros., Inc. is now a distributor Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.
A.A.C.
offers A.I.A. continuing educational credits.
For more information please call (914)738-0900 or vist Aercon.
A.A.C Specifications: CSI 03440, & CSI 04240 or click here for a .pdf.
To see samples of a job construction site with AAC block and finished projects click the links.
What is Autoclaved Aerated Concrete and why build with it?
- Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (A.A.C.) is a building material which consists of a number of sized elements that form a complete building system. In most cases, every portion of the structural and insulation requirements of a building are satisfied with the one material. Low energy required in production, low raw material consumption, ease of use in construction, high energy efficiency, better indoor air quality, and recyclables add up to make A.A.C. a very environmentally friendly building material and system.
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Autoclaved Aerated Concrete consists of basic materials that are widely available. These include sand, cement, lime, gypsum, water, and an expansion agent. Silica sand, the raw material used in the greatest volume in A.A.C., is one of the world's most abundant natural resources. The finished product is up to five times the volume of the raw materials used, with an air content of between 70% to 80% (depending on the required strength and density). Due to this large increase in volume, A.A.C. is very resource efficient. The following chart demonstrates the volumes obtainable from one cubic meter of raw materials for A.A.C. and various other common building materials.
- The ingredients of A.A.C. are mixed to form a slurry that is transferred
into large metal molds. The reaction between the expansion agent and
other components used in A.A.C. causes the slurry to expand (rise) in
the mold and form a "cake." After several hours, the mold
is stripped away and the "cake" is wire-cut into aerated concrete
elements of high dimensional accuracy. These elements are then put into
an autoclave (a vessel in which they are steam cured under pressure).
After autoclaving, A.A.C. can be shipped and used immediately.
- The production process emits no pollutants and creates no toxic waste products. All waste produced during manufacturing is reused. Production of A.A.C. requires relatively little energy for the volume of material produced. The following chart compares production energy consumption for A.A.C. to some other common building materials.
- Ease of use of a building material is important in many ways. Construction
time, manpower, waste, and energy consumed by equipment used during
construction are affected. Large, precisely dimensioned elements of
A.A.C. allow rapid construction. Their greater dimensional accuracy
requires less on-site adjustment. The combination of large size and
dimensional accuracy allows greatly increased productivity. Due to the
light weight of A.A.C., reduced equipment demands are realized. This
allows a reduction of pollutants by emissions and power usage of equipment
during construction. As an example, the structure of a recently constructed
seven story hotel in Atlanta was completed with much less equipment,
manpower, and waste.
- Construction waste continues to be a serious problem for builders. Before completion of a building project, waste is either burned, buried, recycled, or shipped to a landfill. Many areas do not allow burying or burning due to the environmental problems created. A very small amount of recycling is currently possible due to the lack of infrastructure to support it. Landfills are becoming the more common method of disposal, which presents other environmental problems. Two features of A.A.C. help to greatly reduce waste. First, since it is both a structural and an insulation material, it simplifies construction, eliminating a number of different materials and their associated waste. Second, due to the ease of workability, and dimensional accuracy, very little waste occurs during construction. The woodworking properties of A.A.C. allow even cut pieces to typically be reused.
- In the U.S., it is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of an average person's
time is spent indoors; at home, work and in other buildings. A number
of issues must be addressed concerning these buildings and their environmental
friendliness. Indoor air quality, safety, comfort, energy consumption
and waste, noise, and in general how "healthy" a building
is, are some of the more important issues.
- A.A.C. is an inorganic material that contains no toxic substances.
It does not slowly decompose and off-gas. Since A.A.C. is both a structural
and insulation material, it allows the elimination of other materials
that can contribute to poor indoor air quality. With the mineral based
plaster coatings commonly used on the interior of A.A.C., complete elimination
of toxic materials from the walls is possible.
- A danger of many conventional materials is that of toxic fumes produced
when they burn. A.A.C. is an inorganic material that does not burn.
The melting point of A.A.C. is over
2900~F (1600~C), more than twice the typical temperature in a building fire of 1200~F (650~C.) An 8" (20cm) A.A.C. exterior wall easily exceeds a four hour ASTM E-119 fire
rating, while a typical A.A.C. floor system or 4" (10cm) interior wall easily exceeds a two
hour rating.
- High energy efficiency in a building is desirable for many reasons.
By reducing heating and cooling requirements, lower operating costs
and equipment sizes are achieved. Better temperature and humidity control
will provide greater comfort for the building occupants.
The reduced energy requirement of a building also helps conserve natural resources such
as oil, coal, natural gas, etc., thereby reducing emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. Both the reduction in energy usage and pollutants should be considered over the total
useful life of the building.
Why build with Autoclaved Aerated Concrete?
- Cost Stable
- Breathable and Water Resistant
- Design Flexibility
- Energy Efficient
- Environmentally Friendly
- Fire Resistant
- Lightweight
- Low Construction Cost
- Low Maintenance
- Sound Absorbent
- Strong
- Workable
- The cost of raw materials will result in a building material that will provide the construction industry with a high degree of price stability when compared to other building materials.
Breathable and Water Resistant
- A.A.C. wall has the approved stucco and acrylic finishes that are breathable while still being water resistant. Interior and exterior finishes have been formulated as one-way moisture barriers allowing vapor to escape thus preventing condensation, mildew and potential structural damage.
- A.A.C. can be drilled, sawed, nailed, and/or chiseled. Unlike standard
concrete, A.A.C. yields readily without chipping or cracking. Creative
builders, architects, sculptors take note: A.A.C. succeeds whether you
want to design elaborate details, cut exacting angles, or render
artistic carvings. With A.A.C., you can be as creative or as traditional as you like.
- The manufacturing process creates millions of tiny air cells that provide excellent thermal resistance. This thermal resistance combined with the benefits of thermal mass inertia, whole wall coverage and low air infiltration will, in many jurisdictions, eliminate the need for additional insulation.
- The manufacturing process creates no by-products and uses only natural
raw materials
that are in abundant supply. Manufacturing waste is recycled into the raw material mixing process. A.A.C. is recyclable, inert, and nontoxic. A.A.C. is not a source of chemical off-gassing that can cause indoor air pollution and illnesses.
- The same properties that make A.A.C. thermally efficient also provide
exceptional fire resistance characteristics. This non-flammable material
provides 1/2 hour fire resistance
per inch. This greatly reduces the chance of a fire starting from faulty or damaged electrical.
- Weighing approximately 25 to 40 pounds per cubic foot as compared
to 130 pounds for standard solid masonry, A.A.C. provides significant
benefits where weight is a concern in building design. A.A.C. is ideal
for renovations. The product provides beneficial installer
safety and fatigue features.
- In addition to these outstanding product features, independent
studies have shown A.A.C.
to be a cost-effective alternative to existing building materials. The homeowner can get all
the benefits of A.A.C. without paying a high premium for the extra sound, fire and thermal insulation features.
- A.A.C. is an inorganic material impervious to rot, insects, and other
pests. Buildings constructed over sixty years ago in many different
climates have proven A.A.C. to be
one of the most durable building materials available. Recommended where termites
are a concern.
- Dimensional accuracy and compressive strength allow A.A.C. to be used
in many load
bearing applications. Installed using thin bed mortar, the resulting wall functions as a monolithic structure.
- A.A.C. can be easily cut and shaped using standard construction tools. Window trim and decorative features can easily be created on the job site.
Please contact for any additional information at (914) 738-0900 or 1-800-246-BLOX
- Craig Cheverier ext. 346
- Gerard Ferrotti ext. 353
- Abe Barnett ext. 304
Size: Block/Pallet:
4"x8"x24" 120pc
6"x8"x24" 80pc
8"x8"x24" 60pc*Floor and roof panels available...please call or email for info.
Started on January 7, 2004
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