Shell rock thermal conductivity comparison. The use of shell rock in the cladding of the facade of a modern house. Myths and facts about the shell rock

Natural stone shell rock modern construction is a reasonable alternative to other natural materials for the construction of load-bearing and bearing walls, as well as their facings.

Its use as facing material it is advisable with a modest budget, however, although its cost is very low, many people like the decorative properties of shell stone.

It is worth noting its environmental friendliness and even a beneficial effect on humans: the material consists of the shells of marine molluscs, which are rich in salt, calcium and iodine. In this, the shell rock surpasses most others. natural stones, even expensive semi-precious rocks.

Types of shell rock brands, the choice of the optimal one for facade cladding

It is very important to have an idea about the brands of shell rock, because in different quarries there are no stones of the same composition and strength. Accordingly, the durability and cost of the material is dictated by its brands; for masonry and wall cladding, grades from M10 to M35 are used (quality class referred to as "elite").

Brand	strength		water absorption	thermal conductivity	frost resistance (number of cycles)
M10	10,0	12,5 — 15,3	17-20	0,23	at least 15 in fact from 50 to 70
M15	15,0	15,4 — 18,5		0,28
M20	20,0	18,6 — 23,2		0,45
M25	25,0	23,3 — 27,6		0,6
M35	35,0	29,3 — 35,1		0,85

A couple of myths about shell rock - the material is fragile and short-lived. Today, many are skeptical about the use of this stone in construction, especially for facade cladding. Of course, the material has its own specifics and is not intended for construction in regions with harsh climatic conditions. In addition, it is not suitable for the construction of houses higher than two floors (maximum + attic).

It is also believed that the construction and decoration with shell rock should be made only from its high grades, but houses that have been standing for centuries and have been preserved in good condition are still often found.

But in those days it was not possible to get a high-strength stone, they were mined manually from raw materials corresponding to modern M4-M7.

Of course, in the case of modern ones, which weigh ten times more than wooden ones, you need to take the M35, but otherwise you can get by with shell rock of lower brands. But this applies only to the construction of walls, and not to facing them with stone.

Thermal conductivity of shell rock , as can be seen from the table, the smaller, the smaller its brand. This is due to its high porosity (up to 60% for M15), that is, there are shells in the block with air, which is a heat insulator.

However, it is important to mention that the thermal conductivity increases significantly when the material gets wet, and high porosity contributes to the saturation and long-term storage of moisture in the pores.

Also strength properties and the durability of the stone when it gets wet, especially when freezing / heating, is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is worth taking the material of the shell rock grades M25-M35, the porosity of which does not exceed 30%. But at the same time there should be no spillage of sandy material from the block.

The best option is low-porous M25-M35, which have a large admixture of sand. This is IMPORTANT so that later, after facing it, its smooth, low-porosity surface can be easily opened with modern facade varnishes that will prevent moisture absorption.

Preparing the surface for facing with shell rock

Produced in the same way as for other stones. Here it is important not only the base of the wall, but also the type of stone processing, more precisely, its dimensions. If we are talking about cladding with shell rock blocks 180x180x380 (masonry, for building walls), then the preparation is carried out as for cladding brickwork. In the case of facade cladding with shell rock tiles, preparation is carried out accordingly.

Preparation for block cladding shell rock (shell rock) 180x180x380, ideally, it should begin even with the laying of a bearing wall: in height, in increments of about 40-60 cm, embedded parts should be laid in horizontal seams - reinforcing pins with curved edges.

One end is in the masonry, the second - protrudes from it. The protruding reinforcement will later be in the seams of the blocks facing masonry.

In the manufacture of such reinforcing fasteners, it is important to take into account the distance from the main wall to the cladding, because they often make a gap into which insulation is then poured. The device of reinforcing releases is a necessary measure by which dressing is achieved, fastening of the facing masonry to the main wall.

There is another option, when the main wall, before laying the facing blocks, is insulated with foam or mineral wool slabs.

In this case, the facade is finished with shell rock on reinforcing pins, which are hammered into dowels with “umbrellas” - mounts with a wide cap (unlike simple mounting dowels).

They ("umbrellas") press the plates against the wall after they are laid on a layer of glue.

Such a device is unreliable, because the umbrella dowel is not able to withstand strong tensile forces from the weight of the thick block facade cladding. Also, in the device of the wall "pie", according to new technologies, there should be a rolled waterproof film - a vapor barrier or a hydro barrier, however, that is another topic.

Preparation for tiling shell rock on the facade of the house, an insulation device was previously made from foam plastic / mineral wool boards.

When the work comes to fixing the plates with umbrellas, it is superimposed (or even better - masonry). They fix it with the same umbrellas, thereby simultaneously pressing and fixing the insulation layer.

However, there are cases when the installation of an insulating layer is not performed, then the lining with shell rock in slabs, its preparation is slightly different. In any case, the mesh is stuffed, but before that the surface is treated: it is cleaned of dust, defects, primed, potholes and cracks are repaired. It is important to identify and remove efflorescence, as well as to solve the problem of excessive absorption of the surface with a primer in 1-2 layers.

Preparation of shell stone for facing

Today, many mistakes are made in the work of facing stone with shell rock, because, unlike many modern ones, it needs additional processing.

Firstly, blocks intended for laying walls have only a rough finish, do not have a smooth surface, and the geometry is also broken.

Secondly, they have pores that become clogged with sand, which reduces the adhesion of the masonry layer. So, in the worst case, if the shell rock blocks are made of very low quality raw materials and poorly processed, they will have to be prepared by all three processes:

calibration;
grinding;
cleaning.

This does not apply to facing blocks (this is a shell rock with dimensions 350x150x150), which have an ideal calibration and polishing. However, the cost of such a processed shell rock is ten times higher, so people who build a house with their own hands will save a lot of money by preparing a masonry block for facing.

is the process of giving them the same overall dimensions. This process can be done with a cutter.

Of course, we are not talking about expensive industrial equipment, but about a simple, home-made frame with a circular saw with stone disc. You can also purchase an inexpensive ready-made machine.

But first, you need to sort the blocks by size, since the dimensions of 380x180x180 are purely conditional, they can vary up or down by 10, in the worst case - 20 mm. If a solid part of the blocks has a size, for example, 370x170x170, then it makes sense to set up the machine to cut all the blocks to this size.

Sanding shell rock blocks for cladding the facade with them, it is almost always necessary, because they remain washed down - traces that an industrial cutter leaves when forming blocks from a rock layer.

The grinding process in this case is easy, because the shell stone soft material and easy to process.

It is worth processing only the surface of the front face, which will be “pleasing to the eye”, and you can also slightly process the ends. You can even grind shell rock blocks manually, using a painting sanding block, but the best option for processing low grades of material, a vibratory surface grinder will be used.

An angle grinder with an appropriate surface grinding nozzle is especially useful in cases where blocks are processed from durable grades. Also, the grinder can remove a solid layer of irregularities in a quick period of time.

Cleaning of shell blocks produced in any layout, preferably before laying it.

To begin with, the block is carefully processed with a broom, sand and dust residues are selected from its pores after processing by the methods described above.

Before installation, it is wet cleaning end faces (those on which they are laid) with a hose, or the block is completely dipped into a container of water.

This ensures that residual sand and dust are washed out of the pores, and the shell rock material also collects water. It is MANDATORY to wet the stone before laying, if this is not done, it will instantly draw water out of the layer masonry mortar turning it into sand.

If the stone is damaged, used or of unsatisfactory quality initially, you can try to restore it with the help of deep penetration strengthening impregnations. It is better not to build from such a stone, and impregnations will not cost much less than buying new material.

Stone cladding with shell rock facade

According to the execution technology, facing masonry differs significantly from wall masonry, since for the latter the aesthetic appearance is not important, the main thing is the level, straightness and even angle.

Much more requirements arise when the house is finished with shell rock, in addition to the above, this is also the thickness of the seams, the plane of the wall, symmetry and the selection of blocks of stone of the same color.

Dealing with this is not easy, but properly prepared blocks and correctly made markup make the job much easier.

Laying the first row of blocks shell rock does not begin with the formation of corners, but with the determination of the axis of symmetry so that they are symmetrically located at both corners of the wall.

To do this, a row is laid out on a dry one, then the necessary adjustment is made. The first row is laid on the foundation, it happens that you have to top up if there is not enough width.

Be sure to lay waterproofing, play it safe and put in two layers will not be superfluous if the budget allows.

First of all, corner blocks are laid out and with the help of a water / laser level, and even better - a level, they are adjusted so that their upper faces are at the same level horizontally. Next, a “mooring” is stretched between them - a thread along the outer upper corner of the block. The first row is laid out along it, which should have an ideal level and straightness.

Laying the second and subsequent rows also produced along the pier, but there are ways in which the facing of the house with shell rock is easier and faster, while the seams are obtained with ideally the same thickness.

To do this, you can take a metal square or a corner as thick as a seam, lay it on the first row right next to the outer corner. It is especially convenient if it is long, as it can be used instead of a mooring. In addition, when laying the solution, it serves as a guide along which a perfectly even and uniform layer comes out.

It is best to work in pairs: the first one applies the solution along the rail to an area equal to 2 blocks, moving it to the next section of the wall and continuing the working operation. The second worker lays the blocks and moves to the next section, where the first has finished applying the solution. IMPORTANT: on the side face of the block, before laying, a mortar is applied under the rail, so as not to stain the block and achieve uniform application for the same thickness of vertical joints.

Masonry seam processing from shell rock is made to improve the aesthetic appearance, as well as to prevent moisture from entering deep into the stone.

The work is carried out with a high-strength elastic mortar, based on white cement with an admixture of lime, and plasticizers, possibly with the addition of a dye.

If the facade is made of shell rock, the solution is applied to the seam using a confectionery syringe so as not to stain the front surface. To level the solution and give the seam of one form or another, use a tool - jointing.

This process can be carried out during masonry, which, in general, is better, given the adhesion of the fresh masonry layer to the decorative grout. In addition, many find attractive a recessed seam, in which the masonry layer is visible, neatly made under the lath during masonry (that is, the seams of the facing masonry of the shell rock are not processed at all).

Processing of the clad facade shell stone in a temperate and subtropical climate is necessary to prevent its destruction by moisture and temperature extremes.

At a minimum, a special impregnation is used - a water repellent, which creates an invisible, moisture-tight film on the surface.

But the best option to protect the shell stone is facade varnish. Manufacturers give a different warranty, but as a rule, at least 10 years; when using high-quality materials - up to 50 years.

Whether it is a water-repellent impregnation or varnish, the work of applying it to the surface of the shell rock should be done using a paint sprayer. This perfect tool for applying coatings ( paintwork materials) on porous surfaces. When using a low-porous stone, you can use a brush-brush.

If you do not spare money for the treatment with varnish in two layers, then the facade cladding with shell rock will last for many years. In the video, you can see how spectacular the correctly executed facade masonry with shell rock, which the owner of the house himself made with his own hands.

You may be interested in the article "", which describes the properties of other stones, in addition to shell rock.

Shell rock is a porous, not very hard stone, which has a light brown or reddish-yellow color. Formed from the shells of mollusks and other organisms living in the sea. Used in the construction of houses. For these purposes, blocks are cut in the form cuboid. Despite their light weight, the blocks are strong enough, so they can be used for the construction of load-bearing walls up to 3 floors high. Due to its porous structure, the shell rock retains heat well and has high sound insulation.

Characteristics of shell rock

This natural construction material Quite dense and light. Its characteristics are higher than those of building materials that were created artificially. The thermal conductivity of shell rock is 0.3-0.8 W/m 2 , which is lower than that of foam concrete, frost resistance is 25 cycles, the average density of the material is 2,100 kg/m 3 , water absorption is 15%. The size of the shell rock, as a rule, is 380 x 180 x 180 mm, and average weight 15 - 25 kg.

Due to the fact that this material is sold in the form of rectangular blocks, it is very convenient to use it in masonry walls.

Shell rock stamps

Depending on the characteristics, the stone is divided into the following grades:

Mark M15. The stone is light, has a high porosity and a low density index. The dimensions of the shell rock are 380 x 180 x 180 mm, it weighs 15 kgf / cm 2, the color is light yellow. It is used for the construction of houses no higher than 2 floors.
Mark M25. It has a slightly higher density than the previous one. If it falls, it does not break into pieces. The dimensions of the shell rock are 380 x 180 x 180 mm, the weight is 25 kgf/cm 2 , the color is light.
Mark 35. This brand of stone has the highest strength. It contains almost no sand. The dimensions of the shell rock are the same as in the previous brands, the weight is 35 kgf/cm 2 , the color is yellow-white. In addition to building walls, it is also used for building ground floors and foundation.

Shell rock in the construction of houses

To make a shell rock house stronger, it should be protected from moisture, walls should be built on a solid foundation and monolithic belts should be used.

Such a structure has both positive and negative sides. The advantages include:

Shell rock is a 100% pure material. During its formation, it was soaked through with iodine and sea salt, which will have a positive effect on the health of the residents of the house. Thanks to iodine, it also protects against radiation and rodents will not live in it.
Has low thermal conductivity. This house is warm in winter and cool in summer.
High vapor permeability. This means that the walls in the shell house will "breathe".
The material is easy to process.
Excellent noise absorption.
The shell house does not ignite and does not support combustion.
The material serves as a filter against harmful substances. Its porous structure absorbs harmful substances that come from outside.
Frost resistance. The blocks can withstand temperatures down to -60 degrees.
The material is light weight.
Speed in construction due to the overall dimensions of the stone.
On the walls of the shell rock, fungus and mold do not start.
Attractive appearance. Blocks of stone can be laid without seams or under jointing. The walls look natural and ultra-modern.

Relatively low load bearing capacity. But it depends on the brand of shell rock. When building a house above one floor, you need to use blocks of the M25 and M35 brands. If you correctly calculate concrete and reinforcement, then a shell rock house can stand for 100 years or more.
Not very reliable retention of fasteners. This applies only to blocks of the M15 brand, others in this sense are quite reliable and calmly withstand kitchen cabinets with their content. This problem can also be easily solved using modern fasteners.
There is no exact block geometry. When extracting stone in quarries, accurate measurements are not always obtained. dimensions. There may be deviations of 1-2 centimeters. But this rarely happens and if the bricklayer has experience in masonry, he will easily fix this problem.
Water absorption. You can get rid of this minus if you properly protect the walls from the outside - plaster, treat with special solutions that repel moisture, and insulate. Before proceeding with the interior decoration, it is necessary to make insulation and complete finishing facade. If this is not done, then in winter the tenants will have tangible costs for heating the house and feel dampness in the room.

The cost of a shell house

Many people are planning to build mansions. They are interested in the question of how much it costs to build a house from a shell rock.

Some construction firms promise to build such a house at a price of 7,500 rubles per square meter. Others say that this is a very low price. If you believe the first, then a box of this natural stone will cost about $25,000 - $37,500 (1,550,000 - 2,300,000 rubles).

It is clear that this amount does not include decoration, roof, communications, electricity, windows, doors and much more.

We are starting a series of articles about materials for masonry walls. By by and large, we will consider the facts from the advanced construction and operation, most of the practical reasoning will be concentrated on the nuances of each material, which should be taken into account to obtain the expected quality result. Beautiful marketing articles are the lot of those interested in selling, but we have the whole wrong side for a better understanding of the material.

Now let's talk about shell rock (shell rock, limestone).
Rakushnyak is a rock that belongs to pure limestone.

Absolutely natural and environmentally friendly material, which, in fact, won the preference of many. I myself am very respectful of this material, nature, after all.

For the construction of a private house, shell rock has a number of positive properties - the previously mentioned environmental friendliness, vapor transmission capacity, excellent sound insulation, high thermal inertia, a high degree of adhesion with masonry and plaster mortars.

natural radioactivity quality shell rock different sources is at the level of 13 microR/hour (on the sales sites it is clearly underestimated to 6-9 microR/hour), for comparison, the radiation background in Kiev as of the beginning of 2015 is 15.4 microR/h.

what sellers are talking about

On the websites of companies specializing in the sale of shell rock, such advantages as high thermal insulation qualities, masonry efficiency up to 50% compared to brick, faster masonry work are also indicated. These advantages in practice construction site and later during operation they do not show themselves, which means that they are stretched to increase the purchasing attractiveness, no more.

In addition, the features of the material, which are usually hushed up, include a high degree of water absorption, depending on the density, a high percentage of open porosity or increased “perforation”, often heterogeneous structure of the stone, variation in density, low predictability of the quality of the material delivered from the quarry, inaccurate geometry.

Pro positive sides a lot of material has been written, but remember its main advantage - its natural ecology. But this is only an advantage if interior decoration rooms are made with eco-friendly materials. Finishing with shop plasters or drywall (these materials contain a large number of compounds harmful to humans) largely neutralizes the environmental friendliness of shell rock for residents of the house.

high water absorption!

Water absorption of shell rock. Being, in fact, limestone, shell rock is very greedy for water - its water absorption is on average 3-4 times higher compared to red brick, i.e. the amount of condensed moisture balanced in the material during operation will be 3-4 times greater under the same conditions. Steam, after condensation and transition to the state of water in the material, replaces air, displacing it from micropores, which leads to an increase in the thermal conductivity of shell rock walls.

Worth knowing:
That is why the shell rock cannot be used in rooms with high humidity, below the zero mark and for laying the basement.
That is why the shell rock must be thermally insulated during construction, it is especially correct to do this with such a layer of thermal insulation that will bring the dew point out of load-bearing structures from the shell rock into the plane of the insulation. More on this will be a separate topic.
That is why it is necessary to insulate heat exclusively with vapor-permeable heaters, which will not prevent moisture from escaping from the structure of the outer walls. These include basalt, light adobe, reeds, perlite, vermiculite, light sawdust concrete. In no case should the heaters of the shell rock be foam glass and expanded polystyrene, both ordinary and extruded.

porosity and perforation of shell rock

High percentage of open porosity and "perforation" negatively affect the thermal insulation qualities of shell rock. A number of stones show through holes in the light. Heat passes through such stones not only due to thermal conductivity, but also due to air infiltration, in fact micro-draughts, which carry heat away from the house with a bang.

There are a lot of pores (both open and closed) in a stone of lower density and, accordingly, a brand, as a rule, M10-15. It cannot be used for structural masonry, only for insulation, decorative works or in broken form as filler in screeds.

In denser shell rock stones, which are more compressed, there are fewer pores. The layers are knocked together into a denser layer - limestone takes the place of the pores - the density increases - the number of micropores important for thermal insulation decreases - the grade of stone increases - the bearing capacity increases - the thermal insulation capacity decreases. Such stones, as a rule, belong to the density M25.
Large evenly distributed holes, similar to holes in cheese, in such stones there are no longer pores, but voids through which heat transfer occurs due to convection, and not heat transfer, as in the case of pores. During convection, heat transfer is faster.

There are also through cracks (not pores) in stones of various densities. These are stones of uneven structure, they clearly show the difference in density in the form of different layers. The transition zone is always very weak, usually in the form of a gap with rare bridges, the bearing capacity of the entire stone (at the weakest link) is low. Air through such cracks can penetrate to the warm surfaces of the wall due to infiltration.

Open pores, holes and cracks significantly reduce the thermal insulation qualities of the shell rock. We talked about discomfort from cold walls earlier in this article.

wall plastering

Worth knowing:
That is why it is impossible to finish the shell inside with wood, drywall without preliminary rough plastering of the walls.
That is why, for the same reason, it is also worthwhile to carry out rough plastering before external insulation.
That is why in shell houses, sockets are often siphoned with cold air if the socket sockets are not pre-plastered.
That is why before installing windows and doors internal slopes openings, including the mounting plane, should be plastered.
Plastering in all the above cases will block all cracks and holes, reduce Negative influence infiltration, will additionally create an additional heat-inertial layer on the warm side.
That is why, in most cases, the coefficient of thermal conductivity, which is announced on specialized sites, is very underestimated. The material is exhibited with the best side, according to the ideal stone. In reality, the thermal conductivity of shell rock masonry and solid brick practically the same. If you have the opportunity, talk to the owners of uninsulated houses. Even better, look at the readings of the gas meter yourself, because in most cases the owners try to embellish the merits of their home and keep silent about the shortcomings. This is the psychology of ownership.

Relatively high heat retention . Regarding wood, foamed concrete and frame system- higher, relative to brick or adobe - the same or slightly lower, but in general, shell rock can be confidently attributed to materials with high thermal inertia. Whether this is good or not depends on the format of use at home.

home for permanent residence

For a house intended for permanent residence, this characteristic is definitely good. The thermal inertia of the shell rock creates the effect of a heat accumulator and a radiant heat emitter during the heating season and coolness on hot summer days.
For country house without constant maintenance temperature regime this quality, on the contrary, is disadvantageous. Arriving in winter in cold and moisture-filled shell rock walls, warming them up will be a costly and long-term event, and staying in such a house is extremely uncomfortable and a real test of tempering the whole family.

Shell rock is a material for a house in which you will live permanently.
At the same time, in no case do not finish the walls with drywall, this is fundamentally wrong. In addition to worsening better dignity shell rock (environmental friendliness), you also lose heat inertia, move the dew point closer to the inner warm space, which means you increase moisture accumulation in the walls and create improved conditions for the vital activity of fungi and bacteria, and to top it off, you create ideal conditions for rodents to live right between the shell rock and drywall.
Shell rock finish - natural plaster based on clay, lime and sand with a small addition of fiber, gypsum / cement. We will definitely talk about natural plasters in detail separately.

This concludes the first part of the discussion of shell rock. The continuation of the article is already ready and is

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Crimean shell rock - a unique building material natural origin . This stone belongs to the limestone family. It is mined in quarries and sawn into blocks.

The shell rock is perfect both for the construction of individual houses and buildings, and for "laying" walls in high-rise buildings. Today it is the most demanded building material in the Crimea.

Characteristics of the Crimean shell rock

The shell stone is not very heavy and is characterized by a rather high density (depending on the brand of stone).

Thanks to its rectangular shape great for laying.

The main characteristics of the shell rock:

thermal conductivity is from 0.3 to 0.8 W / m * K;
density on average 2100 kg / cubic meter;
water absorption 17-20%;
frost resistance 25 cycles;
compressive strength 14.4-16.7 kg / cc;
softening factor 0.71;
bulk density 1508-1870 kg/cu.m.
radiation quality 1 class of use.

As can be seen from the above characteristics, shell stone is excellent for construction.

There are several brands of shell rock depending on its density:

brand M-10;
brand M-15;
brand M-20;
brand M-25;
brand M-30;
brand M-35.

Especially popular is the shell rock brand M-25, because its characteristics allow it to be used for almost any type of construction.

Dimensions of the Crimean shell rock

In quarries, stone is sawn into blocks standard sizes: 180mm*180mm*380mm. This size is provided by GOSTs of the Russian Federation.

“In practice”, the deviation of the stone along the length is allowed, but not more than 1 cm. Deviation of width and height is not allowed (standard 180mm.).

Where to buy Crimean shell rock

It is best to order stone in quarries. Thus, you can buy Crimean shell rock directly from the manufacturer with delivery to your facility.

Contact our company and we will bring you a stone to order. Minimal amount for delivery - 1000 blocks. Delivery takes 2-4 days after the order (depending on the workload of the quarry and the availability of free vehicles for transportation).

The construction industry today uses the widest range of materials, many of which have been made possible by advances in technology and chemical industry. At the same time, building materials that have been known to us for a long time and have been used for centuries are of no less interest. First of all, brick comes to mind, however, shell rock also falls into this category.

As the name suggests, this material is made from the shells of sea creatures. In ancient times, shells accumulated on the seabed, pressed together with sand and limestone. At the same time, those regions that were previously covered with water became land over time, exposing large deposits of this material for free mining. On the this moment such deposits in the post-Soviet space are located in the Crimea, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Dagestan and other regions.

Naturally obtained material is widely used in construction. As a rule, blocks and plates are used in this direction, which are cut from whole arrays shell rock, just as it happens with marble.

Types and brands of shell rock

The material has several types, determined by the etiology and composition, fastened together with lime. For example, oolitic shell rock resembles fish eggs - being tightly bonded to each other, spherical minerals. As for pisolite, in this case we are talking about fragments the size of a pea, also tightly combined with each other and having particles of mollusk shells in their centers. Finally, the material is travertine, which is formed by sedimentary calcite. In the case of a porous structure, such travertine is called calcareous tufa.

As for the brands, there are several of them: M15, M25, M35. As with concrete, the higher the number, the higher the strength of the material. And if M15 can only be used for construction internal partitions, then the M35 is quite suitable for building walls in private and even multi-storey structures. The strength of the latter allows it to be used even in the construction of foundation structures (basement and basement floors).

Specifications

Standard block dimensions - 390x190x190 millimeters;
Block weight - 11-27 kilograms, depending on the brand;
The number of blocks in a pallet - 70;
The number of blocks per square meter of wall - 12.5;
The number of blocks in a cubic meter is 72;
Compressive strength - 14.4 - 16.7 kilograms per square centimeter;
Water absorption - 17.4 - 20.6%;
Frost resistance - 25-30 cycles;
Bulk weight - 1508 - 2100 kilograms per cubic meter, depending on the brand;
Thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.55;
Radiation quality - the material belongs to the 1st class of use. The radiation background of the material is 13 micrograms/hour, which can be considered neutral;
Porosity - 30-60%.

Shell rock benefits

This natural building material has no artificial analogues, its properties are unique;
The material is warmer than foam concrete and aerated concrete, which allows it to be used even in regions with a harsh climate;
Like cellular concrete, the shell rock is simply amenable to processing. Its blocks are quickly sawn with the help of improvised means, which makes it possible to build structures of complex shapes with their help;
The vapor permeability of the material is high. This quality excludes the formation of mold and fungus on the shell rock;
Inertia. The natural component allows the shell rock to successfully coexist with other materials and combine with them without reducing its operational characteristics;
Versatility. Shell rock with equal success can be used both for construction and for facing works, including in the adjacent area;
The material is heat resistant and does not reduce its characteristics when exposed to high temperatures;
Shell rock prices are quite comfortable for the vast majority of us;
Complete environmental friendliness. All components of natural origin, and do not pose a danger in any conditions.

Important! The shell rock is not only safe, but also good for health. In the premises built from it or lined with it, there is an increased concentration of useful iodine ions. The bactericidal qualities of the material are also known.

Material disadvantages

It is worth noting that most of the shortcomings of the shell rock are quite easy to bypass. So, insufficient compared with concrete strength during construction multi-storey structures solved by creating armoshov under floor slabs. However, here it should still be remembered that concrete (in its classic, and not lightweight version) still surpasses shell rock in bearing qualities, and therefore if this parameter is extremely important (as happens in the construction of the foundation of heavy houses), then it is better to give preference just to him.

Some write down the disadvantages that the material is difficult to transport and store, as it can easily crack. Be more careful and this will no longer be a problem.

The porous structure of the shell rock leads to the fact that the material absorbs a lot of moisture. And this really can be the number one problem. Therefore, it is not recommended to store it in humid places, as well as work in wet weather. Finally, to protect against moisture, the walls will need additional finishing. In this sense, this natural material very similar to lightweight concrete.

Important! Now, in order for the shell rock to acquire excellent hydrophobic qualities, it is enough to cover it with a special impregnation.

How to choose a shell rock

Important! One of the properties of the material is its great inhomogeneity. Depending on the quarry, the structure may be different, as well as the bearing properties. It is not excluded even the content of hidden voids in the materials, which significantly reduce the quality. Therefore, it is recommended to take shell rock from the same quarry and from the same batch.

Experts advise choosing a shell rock with a small number of pores and a fairly dense structure. At the same time, the weight of the block should not be less than 16 kilograms, since if this indicator is not achieved, this can serve as a sign of the presence of voids inside. You can also check the quality by hitting it on a hard surface. If the stone has the M35 mark, then it will not break at all. Well, in general - the smaller the number of pieces the shell rock fell apart, the denser and better you got a copy.

Areas of use

As mentioned above, shell rock can be used in a wide range of areas. It has been widely used in finishing works due to its unique and extremely effective texture with the presence of shells. The palette of the material is mainly represented by soft pastel shades, the number of which is very large, which reveals rich design possibilities in the use of stone.

As for the walls, during construction, their thickness is usually 40 centimeters. In the case of climatic conditions in many regions of Russia, additional insulation such walls are not required. But if your winters are still harsh and long, then covering the wall with insulation will help reduce heating costs. When creating a monolithic concrete seismic belt, a shell rock wall can withstand ceilings from any material.

The shell rock itself can also serve as a kind of “fur coat” for insulating walls made of other materials. But at the same time, the main walls must be strong, able to withstand such insulation, for example, brick.

Finally, designers will surely like the material when creating columns, as well as small architectural forms on a personal plot.