H+H UK are a leading manufacturer of aircrete products. Aircrete is the generic term for cellular concrete, often called Celcon. The millions of tiny air bubbles trapped within a Celcon block provide a wide range of benefits:

Excellent thermal insulation which reduces energy use in the building. When combined with other building materials such as brick and insulation products, extremely low U-Values can be achieved, easily meeting the requirements of the energy aspects of the UK’s Building Regulations (such as Part L in England).

The cellular nature of the Celcon aircrete block means that the material offers excellent – a significant factor in reducing energy use in heating buildings.

Using simple construction details, the BRE has shown that the use of aircrete can significantly reduce heat loss at thermal bridges within a building (such as at junctions of walls and floors).

The house pictured right used solid wall aircrete and the Thin joint system to achive excellent thermal and acoustic results.Click to read more..

Being of a relatively high mass (compared to lightweight framed structures) walls built with aircrete blocks can provide a high degree of thermal mass which helps create a comfortable internal environment in the building.

A high strength to weight ratio ensures that blocks can meet the requirements of the structural design of the building without the manual handling risks associated with heavy masonry materials. The lighter weight of aircrete blocks also means that the loading on a framed structure will be less thus reducing the strength requirement of the superstructure or foundations in certain conditions.

Constructions using Celcon aircrete achieve A ratings as declared by the Building Research Establishments (BRE’s) Green Guide to Specification.

Celcon aircrete blocks can be used in a wide range of applications around a building including:
o External walls (cavity and solid),
o Internal partitions
o Separating walls
o Flooring
o Foundations

Celcon aircrete blocks are significantly lighter than most other masonry products which means that we can get considerably more product on a vehicle which reduces the number of vehicle visits to sites.
· Celcon aircrete has a very long life expectancy (well in excess of the Green Guide to Housing Specifications 60 year building life).

Aircrete is a durable material that does not give off any harmful substances or require preservatives to maintain performance. It does not rot or burn. It is resistant to sulfates and the effects of freeze thaw cycles and it cannot be attacked by pests such as termites or vermin.

At the end of a buildings life the aircrete element of the construction can be recycled as aggregate for a variety of applications.

Whilst H+H UK are awaiting our specific environmental profile for Celcon branded products, it has already been confirmed that aircrete products generically have achieved a score of 1.15 Ecopoints per tonne under the BRE’s Environmental Profiles Methodology for Construction Products (a means of evaluating Life Cycle Analysis of construction materials).

The use of Celcon aircrete can provide a significant contribution towards achieving high ratings under the new Code for Sustainable Homes as well as the EcoHomes schemes (Wales and Scotland)