Lightweight slabs: advantages, features of production and installation

Lightweight slabs are a very high-quality alternative to standard reinforced concrete structures. They are increasingly used, as a rule, in a single-story building. The fact is that they have a lot of advantages:

- light weight (the load of the overall design is reduced, so you can use the elements even if the building is built on a weak ground);

- the possibility of increasing the span (it can be made shorter or longer, in addition, the floor is slightly higher, because the thickness of the plate is reduced);

- precise dimensions (many types of elements are manufactured in production);

- Quick installation (it is enough only to hire a crane and an experienced specialist);

- Good quality and high productivity;

- excellent noise insulation (for this it is necessary to leave holes inside the plate empty or fill them with a mineral wool- type heater ) ;

- saving money, materials and human labor (fewer components are used in production).

Lightweight slabs can be used to build any type of buildings, regardless of the material used. They have a different size and thickness, so you can choose a suitable option for your building. In the production of the elements presented, high-quality heavy and lightweight concrete is used, which makes the construction both light and durable. In addition, during manufacture, the product is additionally reinforced with reinforcement. And it does not allow the construction to shift.

Lightweight slabs help to build a large building in a short time. In doing so, you use much less cement and other materials. They are much lower than standard reinforced concrete structures. Due to the fact that the presented elements have a small height, your ceiling will be higher by a few centimeters. However, one should take into account that it is necessary to store and move them very carefully.

Lightweight slabs should be carefully inspected during purchase, so that you do not get cracked products. During installation, you should also be careful and careful. To work you will need a special technique, because, despite the ease of the elements, you can not manually raise them. The products are fixed with concrete solution, therefore you have the opportunity to correct the position of the structure within 20 minutes.

Hollow core slabs should be well connected together. For this, they have special "locks" (semicircular notches), which should be clogged with a solution. Further, to ensure that the interior does not get cold and the plate does not freeze, you should always cover the joints. This is done with mineral wool and concrete.

Since the price for lightweight slabs is not very high, and it fluctuates around 100-600 dollars apiece (depending on the size), they are in demand in low-rise construction. The choice is yours!