Strong, flexible, and ideal for a speedy build. Opting to use aircrete blocks for an extension project is a no-brainer.
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked ‘a race for space’. People spending more time at home realised they wanted larger houses, so the demand for extensions grew exponentially.
Latest planning statistics show that the number of Planning Applications granted in England still remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, with more decisions granted in the first quarter of 2022 than in the first quarter of 2019.
One of the requirements of current planning permission is that an extension should match the aesthetic of the building to which it is added. Often, this will be a brick or rendered façade.
This makes the choice of a cavity wall construction using brick and block or twin block walls for an extension, an obvious one. Building these walls with H+H Celcon Blocks is ideal due to their strength, adaptability, and ease of use.
Will Clark, Director of Westminster Building Company, used High and Super strength H+H Celcon Blocks on this kitchen extension to ensure the structure was suitable should the homeowners want to extend further.
He said: “Technically speaking the job required some forethought, as the homeowner wanted the extension to be futureproofed for building up a storey. This meant that we built a 300mm wall with two layers of 100mm Blocks with a 100mm cavity wall insulation using 7 newtons thermal Celcon Blocks on the inner skin.”
Aircrete walls are also ideal for extensions where load-bearing cabinets or appliances need to be fixed to the wall, such as a kitchen.
While they’re used to build strong walls, aircrete blocks are popular on building sites due to their lightweight structure. It makes them easy to lift and walls can be erected quickly, reducing build time. Furthermore, the blocks can be easily cut with a handsaw to accommodate any required detailing.
Using H+H Celcon Blocks enables the walls of an extension to be very airtight and benefit from the inherent thermal efficiency of aircrete.
Owners of this Victorian terraced home said their extension using Standard Grade 440 x 215mm H+H Celcon Blocks made the house noticeably warmer. They remarked: “The weather has been unseasonably cold recently, but we’ve stayed nice and warm in our new extension.”
Architects on that project opted for our Standard Grade blocks. However, if you’re looking to maximise energy efficiency in an extension, H+H offer Solar Grade Celcon Blocks. These are designed to deliver enhanced thermal performance and are sufficiently load bearing up to two storeys.
If a robust, thermally efficient, quick to construct extension is what you’re after, it’s hard to go wrong with aircrete.
For more information about our using our Celcon Blocks for an extension or home renovation project, visit: hhcelcon.co.uk/solutions/by-application/rmi-extensions-and-renovations.