Shell rock is a porous, not very hard stone that 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 of rectangular parallelepipeds. 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 building material is 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/m2, 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 15%. The size of the shell rock is usually 380 x 180 x 180 mm, and the average weight is 15 - 25 kg.
Due to the fact that this material is sold in the form of rectangular blocks, it is very convenient to use inmasonry walls.
Shell rock stamps
Depending on the characteristics, the stone is divided into the following grades:
- Mark M15. The stone is light, has high porosity and low density. The dimensions of the shell rock are 380 x 180 x 180 mm, it weighs 15 kgf/cm2, the color is light yellow. Used to build 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/cm2, the color is light.
- Grade 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/cm2, the color is yellow-white. In addition to building walls, it is also used for the construction of basements and foundations.
Shell rock in house construction
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. Pros include:
- Shell rock is a 100% pure material. During its formation, it was soaked through with iodine and sea s alt, which will have a positive effect on the he alth 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".
- Material is easy to process.
- Excellent noise absorption.
- The shell house is non-flammable and does not support combustion.
- Material serves as a filter against harmful substances. Its porous structure absorbs harmful substances from outside.
- Frost resistance. The blocks can withstand temperatures down to -60 degrees.
- The material is light in weight.
- Speed in construction due to the overall dimensions of the stone.
- Fungus and mold do not grow on shell rock walls.
- Attractive appearance. Blocks of stone can be laid without seams or under jointing. The walls look natural and ultra-modern.
Cons:
- Relatively low 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 secure fastener retention. This applies only to blocks of the M15 brand, others in this sense are quite reliable and calmly withstand kitchen cabinets with their contents. This problem can also be easily solved using modern fasteners.
- Missing accurate block geometry. When extracting stone in quarries, exact overall dimensions are not always obtained. There may be deviations of 1-2 centimeters. But this rarely happens, and if the bricklayer has experience inmasonry, 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 of the facade. If this is not done, then in winter, residents will have tangible costs for heating the house and feel damp in the room.
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 shell rock.
Some construction companies 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 more.
