A total of 175 new homes comprising of two, three, four and five bedrooms will be delivered as part of the Sweetlake Meadow development at Longden Road, Shrewsbury, supported by H+H Foundation Blocks. As sustainability was so important on this project, SJ Roberts chose to specify H+H Ltd Celcon Foundation Blocks.
Buyer Oliver Heighway said: “The sustainability of H+H’s Aircrete Blocks speak for themselves and aligns well with our Timber Frame Construction and the inherent ecological benefits this provides, from sourcing of materials through to whole lifetime costs to the end user with reduced energy running costs.
“We’ve worked closely with H+H UK for many years and have established a good working relationship. Communication has always been a key part of this relationship, especially given previous supply issues with Aircrete products.
“Specifying H+H Ltd Celcon Foundation Blocks was therefore an easy decision, with guaranteed allocation from the manufacturer and stock locally, H+H can fulfil supply requirements through a number of avenues, which is imperative given time constraints of any given development.”
Calfordseaden, an independent construction and property consultancy firm, conducted a Foundation Cost Comparison Study, which identified that constructing foundations using aircrete blocks is more cost effective than dense aggregate alternatives. The study, which used a typical three-bedroom semi-detached UK home, showed that changing the foundations to aircrete alone could reduce total build costs by almost 25%. This is achieved through aircrete’s naturally quicker build speed which leads to reduced labour costs and the solid construction means that fewer materials are needed.
Aircrete blocks are often overlooked for use as foundation materials, however the underestimation of their load-bearing capabilities means dense aggregate blocks are needlessly specified, adding to the total cost of the build. Weighing only a third of the equivalent dense aggregate block, aircrete blocks are easier to transport, manipulate and lay on site. They also offer enhanced freeze/thaw durability and protection against sulphate attack, making them an ideal solution for foundations in Britain’s cold and wet winter months.
Aircrete is already commonly used throughout Europe and now more and more UK firms are realising the benefits of making the switch away from dense aggregate blocks. As the UK’s largest manufacturer of aircrete, H+H are able to provide technical information for contractors thinking of using aircrete for their next project. The H+H Technical team can be contacted on 01732 880580 or by email: technical.services@hhcelcon.co.uk.