Why Interlocking Bricks?
After decades of building with normal or conventional cement blocks, one would wonder why the awareness of Interlocking Bricks is now growing, and its spectacular benefits are now being increasingly researched and reviewed.
This article highlights a few of the peculiarities of this technology, drawing thoughts and knowledge from experiential knowledge and a wide reservoir of knowledge with credit to earlier works by creditable units and individuals.
History of Interlocking Bricks
Interlocking Bricks are not a new phenomenon; it has been around since ancient times. New types of interlocking bricks more efficient and cost-effective were developed in the 1970s and 80s with advancements in technology and design. Improved interlocking designs, as well as new materials, were tried out in manufacturing, which made them even more durable and environmentally friendly www.toughie.in
The Making of Interlocking Bricks
Unlike conventional bricks which are made by baking, Interlocking Bricks are manufactured by mixing and compressing sand, soil and some cement in an Interlocking Brick Press. The machine could be an automatic c, hydraulic, semi-automatic or manual interlocking brick-making machine.
Below, we shall be looking at some of the advantages of Interlocking Bricks technology.
Advantages of Interlocking Bricks Technology
The advantages of Interlocking Bricks technology are quite numerous but we are going to be highlighting a few. This is not to say that it does not have its disadvantages, but the disadvantages are quite negligible and surmountable when viewed vis-à-vis its advantages.
Aesthetic Value of Interlocking Bricks
Interlocking Bricks do not require cement plastering, nor do they require painting. This is because it has its inherent beauty. It remains aesthetically pleasant and beautiful for life! As seen in the last paragraph this is a quality of Interlocking Bricks that makes it much more preferable to conventional blocks or cement bricks, as it remains beautiful and appealing, coupled with the fact that it is less expensive and economically efficient, and, very importantly, cheap and easy to maintain as it does not require painting and re-painting from time-to-time, as is the case with conventional blocks which are plastered with cement to give it some aesthetic value.
Cost and Time Efficiency of Interlocking Bricks
With Interlocking Bricks, there is no need for the normal construction process that conventional bricks and blocks require. This will remarkably reduce the cost of production and cost of construction, as the expenditure on buying cement, sand, stone dust, and mortar will be greatly reduced. In addition, it also reduces the cost of labour and transportation cost.
Over and above that, making use of these bricks can greatly minimize the length of time the construction will take. It is highly time efficient. Conventional bricks/blocks will usually require twenty-one days for curing*. However, in the case of Interlocking Bricks, curing takes place over seven days. As it does not require plastering work, it saves money and time.
Additionally, Interlocking Bricks do not require any plastering work; neither does it require any painting given its inherent and conspicuous beauty, fine finish and high aesthetics. These values, apart from those mentioned above, make this technology even more efficient in saving cost (financial expenses) and time (duration of brick production and construction).
Easily Recoverable
Peradventure the structure is to be dismantled later, recovering the bricks without damaging them is quite easy. This is not the case with conventional bricks as they are bound by mortar, and mostly plastered.
Economic Efficiency of Interlocking Bricks
Interlocking Bricks are economical and Energy Efficient. The Bricks can be produced with very little, or without the addition of cement.
It is quite affordable, compared with the other conventional bricks and blocks. It is cheaper and easier to maintain, as it requires very little cement thus affording huge amounts of financial savings from the costs of cement and paint.
In some cases, 3% – 4% – 5% cement addition may be required for external walls that will require no plastering as they remain aesthetically pleasant and beautiful for life. This attribute doubles as economic advantage and aesthetic value, making it by far a better alternative than the conventional cement blocks which do not even exhibit half the strength of the Interlocking Bricks!
Environmental Friendliness of Interlocking Bricks
Interlocking Bricks are environmentally friendly. It serves as a good tool for environmental preservation. Apart from requiring less concrete and mortar, buildings constructed using these bricks will have cooler interiors, minimizing the need for air-conditioning. This has a great impact on the environment.
Heat and Fire Resistance
Interlocking Bricks offers some degree of safety as they are reliable in terms of eventualities. They are heat and fire-resistant and quite environmentally friendly.
Less Complicated and Fewer Labour Requirements
A high number of highly skilled labourers are required to construct walls with conventional bricks and blocks. This is because quite a high level of skills is required in checking the water level, spirit level, and other skilled works that accompany construction with conventional blocks and bricks and their attendant production processes. This is a major reason unskilled labourers are not efficient and competent in construction works making use of conventional bricks and blocks.
Having said that, it is worthy of note that the requirements for the production and the construction using Interlocking Bricks are by far less complicated and demanding, although, this is not to say that it does not require skill or competence. It is important to note that with the knowledge of the correct procedure and with personal intelligence and competence, with good calculative cognisance, persons, who might be referred to as unskilled labourers can easily learn to produce and work with interlocking bricks. Also, constructions with these bricks require a smaller number of labourers. Fewer labourers imply lower a cost of labour. This minimizes project expenditure, and it is of great advantage to property owners and entrepreneurs.
Low maintenance Requirements
Interlocking Bricks are strong and durable, hence, there is very little maintenance required.
Houses and structures built with Interlocking Bricks require less maintenance than those built with conventional blocks or bricks. This is due to the durability of the bricks. They also have a fine and smooth finish, which eliminates the need for plastering and painting.
Interlocking Landscaping, on its part, also provides low-maintenance solutions. It has polymeric sand between the bricks which makes it very difficult for it very difficult for weed to force their way through. There is also little or no chance for water to go through and cause damage.
Interlocking stones are more flexible than asphalt and concrete pavements so they can hold up against expansion and contraction of the ground, thereby preventing cracking or flaking. This makes it easier to repair, as one does not worry about replacement. Only the damaged area may be replaced. The stones can last for many years depending on quality and how they are correctly used, so once-in-a-while maintenance is all that is needed.
Strength and Durability of Interlocking Bricks
Whether for fortification or beauty, Interlocking Bricks remain the preferred choice at all times.
One of the highly significant benefits of this technology is that the bricks are highly resistant to earthquakes and another disastrous occurrences. Various stresses may impact a structure due to earthquakes and other gravitational phenomena but these bricks have been proven to be resistant to stress due to their structure, a quality that conventional bricks or blocks are not able to bear as they are not fortified enough to transfer such seismic load across their structures equivalently. ( www.constructionnews.co.in )
Temperature Regulation (Cooler Interior)
For structures built with conventional bricks and/or blocks, their walls usually produce warmer interiors. This is because the conventional blocks/bricks are highly compacted, making them have higher density than interlocking bricks and this causes them to resist the free flow of air. The resultant effect of this is warmer interiors.
Interlocking Bricks on the other hand are lower in density than conventional blocks/bricks. This makes them able to allow good air flow allowing more free flow of air compared with the conventional blocks/bricks. This translates into a cooler interior as these walls will not produce heat or warmth as in the case of conventional bricks/blocks. This also, directly or indirectly, translates into saving costs and energy as it alleviates the need for air-conditioners, thereby minimizing the consumption of household energy, thereby availing the huge savings on costs of living in households.
*NOTE:
*Curing is the process by which bricks gain and retain strength after they have been manufactured. It is done by watering the bricks so that they will retain enough moisture. This is done over seven days (water is sprinkled or sprayed all over the bricks every day (preferably morning) for seven days). The bricks are covered with cellophane for protection against rain and sunlight. Curing is affected by the moisture content and the heat from the sun. After seven days, the bricks are uncovered and ready for use in construction.