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#1
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing
wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. -- Roland Perry |
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#2
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 08/09/18 19:27, Roland Perry wrote:
I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Think my parents house was buoilt with something like that in the 50s. Coal cinder block. But the later foamy sort are more 1970s IIRC -- €œIt is hard to imagine a more stupid decision or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.€ Thomas Sowell |
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#3
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On Saturday, 8 September 2018 19:30:48 UTC+1, Roland Perry wrote:
I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. -- Roland Perry Aerated and breeze blocks are two different things. What are you talking about? |
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#4
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 08/09/18 19:27, Roland Perry wrote: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Think my parents house was buoilt with something like that in the 50s. Coal cinder block. But the later foamy sort are more 1970s IIRC I'd go for 70's too. My place built 1925 used 3" coal cinder blocks on the inner skin and partition walls. They did not realise then how opaque they would be to wifi signals! |
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#5
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On Saturday, 8 September 2018 20:01:16 UTC+1, Bob Minchin wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote: On 08/09/18 19:27, Roland Perry wrote: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Think my parents house was buoilt with something like that in the 50s. Coal cinder block. But the later foamy sort are more 1970s IIRC I'd go for 70's too. My place built 1925 used 3" coal cinder blocks on the inner skin and partition walls. They did not realise then how opaque they would be to wifi signals! but they were thoughtful enough to fit twisted pair wiring. NT |
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#6
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 08/09/2018 20:27, Roland Perry wrote:
I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated concrete and ash blocks have been around since the 1950s, a house I lived in built in the 50s had them. There are other types, which may be later/earlier. Of course, assuming they are the 1950s type, the work could be much later. I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. -- Smile for the camera ;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxyL2_38EsQ Remarkable Coincidences: The Stock Market Crashes of 1929 and 2008 happened on the same date in October. In Oct 1907, a run on the Knickerbocker Trust Company led to the Great Depression. |
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#7
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 08/09/2018 19:27, Roland Perry wrote:
I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. The patents for aerated concrete blocks were taken out in Sweden in 1924. Production started, again in Sweden, in 1929. -- -- Colin Bignell |
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#8
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 08/09/2018 22:14, Brian Reay wrote:
On 08/09/2018 20:27, Roland Perry wrote: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated concrete and ash blocks have been around since the 1950s, a house I lived in built in the 50s had them. There are other types, which may be later/earlier. Of course, assuming theyÂ* are the 1950s type, the work could be much later. I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. I have certainly seen them in 50s buildings. -- Adam |
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#9
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On Sunday, 9 September 2018 10:12:06 UTC+1, ARW wrote:
On 08/09/2018 22:14, Brian Reay wrote: On 08/09/2018 20:27, Roland Perry wrote: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated concrete and ash blocks have been around since the 1950s, a house I lived in built in the 50s had them. There are other types, which may be later/earlier. Of course, assuming theyÂ* are the 1950s type, the work could be much later. I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. I have certainly seen them in 50s buildings. There are still loads of terraced houses with no dividing wall in the loft. It's a fire & security issue being addressed very slowly. NT |
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#10
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
In message , at 23:14:11 on Sat, 8 Sep 2018,
Brian Reay remarked: I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. Yes, whole terraces of houses were built with one contiguous attic space. The introduction of dividing walls is more about fire precautions than stopping your neighbours paying a visit I think. -- Roland Perry |
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#11
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
In message , at
11:57:34 on Sat, 8 Sep 2018, harry remarked: It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated and breeze blocks are two different things. What are you talking about? The ones at that url. -- Roland Perry |
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#12
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 09/09/18 10:57, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 23:14:11 on Sat, 8 Sep 2018, Brian Reay remarked: I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. Yes, whole terraces of houses were built with one contiguous attic space. The introduction of dividing walls is more about fire precautions And noise/privacy these days. than stopping your neighbours paying a visit I think. -- Canada is all right really, though not for the whole weekend. "Saki" |
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#13
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 09/09/18 10:59, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 11:57:34 on Sat, 8 Sep 2018, harry remarked: It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated and breeze blocks are two different things. What are you talking about? The ones at that url. I've seen those used in 70s buildings for sure. Wiki sez this: The history of foam concrete dates back to the early 1920s and the production of autoclaved aerated concrete, which was used mainly as insulation. A detailed study concerning the composition, physical properties and production of foamed concrete was first carried out in the 1950s and 60s. Following this research, new admixtures were developed in the late 1970s and early 80s, which led to the commercial use of foamed concrete in construction projects. Initially, it was used in the Netherlands for filling voids and for ground stabilisation. Further research carried out in the Netherlands helped bring about the more widespread use of foam concrete as a building material. So I reckon that what that is is not the 1920s stuff, but the late 70s/80s onwards stuff. -- Canada is all right really, though not for the whole weekend. "Saki" |
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#14
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 08/09/2018 22:14, Brian Reay wrote:
On 08/09/2018 20:27, Roland Perry wrote: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated concrete and ash blocks have been around since the 1950s, a house I lived in built in the 50s had them. There are other types, which may be later/earlier. Of course, assuming theyÂ* are the 1950s type, the work could be much later. I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. The true "lightweight" blocks are made from PFA. or pulverated fuel ash as produced by "modern" coal fired stations where coal is "milled" into a very fine powder in large ball or roller mills before being blown into the boilers using something not unlike an oil or gas burner. IIRC it was normally ignited by oil burners. Kingston upon Thames, opened in 1948, must have been one of the last "chain grate" stations in the UK. As the name suggests, "bulk" coal is burned on a moving grate. I think Croyden B, from about the same period, used Pulverised Fuel. PFA is collected from the electrostatic precipitators and washed into lagoons where it settles. It would first have been available in large quantities from the 1950's but I think it started being exploited more seriously in the 1960's. Amazingly, according to Wikipedia, the US trialed PF burning in 1918. |
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#15
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
In article ,
Roland Perry writes: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. You're not looking at the same Facebook post I've been commenting on, are you? 1920's house where inner skin of gable wall is modern thermal blocks, and still has added timber framework which held up the roof when the gable wall wasn't there. Reason gable wall was rebuilt is unknown. -- Andrew Gabriel [email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup] |
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#16
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
In message , at 11:54:31 on Sun, 9 Sep 2018,
Andrew Gabriel remarked: In article , Roland Perry writes: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. You're not looking at the same Facebook post I've been commenting on, are you? No. 1920's house where inner skin of gable wall is modern thermal blocks, and still has added timber framework which held up the roof when the gable wall wasn't there. Reason gable wall was rebuilt is unknown. -- Roland Perry |
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#17
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 09/09/2018 11:42, newshound wrote:
On 08/09/2018 22:14, Brian Reay wrote: On 08/09/2018 20:27, Roland Perry wrote: I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated concrete and ash blocks have been around since the 1950s, a house I lived in built in the 50s had them. There are other types, which may be later/earlier. Of course, assuming theyÂ* are the 1950s type, the work could be much later. I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. The true "lightweight" blocks are made from PFA. or pulverated fuel ash as produced by "modern" coal fired stations where coal is "milled" into a very fine powder in large ball or roller mills before being blown into the boilers using something not unlike an oil or gas burner. IIRC it was normally ignited by oil burners. Kingston upon Thames, opened in 1948, must have been one of the last "chain grate" stations in the UK. As the name suggests, "bulk" coal is burned on a moving grate. I think Croyden B, from about the same period, used Pulverised Fuel. PFA is collected from the electrostatic precipitators and washed into lagoons where it settles. It would first have been available in large quantities from the 1950's but I think it started being exploited more seriously in the 1960's. Amazingly, according to Wikipedia, the US trialed PF burning in 1918. The dash for gas, solar and wind is going to muck up the building industry at some point then. Maybe the luddite UK building trades will drag themselves kicking and screaming into the modern era and use SIPP panels with cladding like they do in many other countries. |
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#18
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 09/09/2018 10:59, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 11:57:34 on Sat, 8 Sep 2018, harry remarked: It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. Aerated and breeze blocks are two different things. What are you talking about? The ones at that url. A bit bleeding obvious IMHO. -- Adam |
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#19
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 08/09/2018 19:27, Roland Perry wrote:
I'm trying to date some work on a house (c1920), specifically a dividing wall in the attic space between two semis. It's been made of quite new-looking aerated blocks - the ones with the zig-zag scribe marks on the side. https://www.buildingmaterials.co.uk/...HCelconSolarAe ratedblock.jpg What's the oldest that they could possibly be? To the nearest decade, perhaps. I would have said 1950's at the very earliest, but didn't become common until 1960's, They are made from PFA, pulverised fuel ash from coal fired power stations. We were still building chain grate stations post-WW2 (Kinsgston upon Thames), but I think Croyden B (similar age) may have burned pulverised coal. |
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#20
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
Andrew wrote:
The dash for gas, solar and wind is going to muck up the building industry at some point then. About the last five years ... |
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#21
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
Our first house built in the early seventies had breeze blocks for some internal walls however a neighbour got hold of some concrete blocks that appeared to be constructed with wood chips mixed in which as soon as they got wet just seem to disintegrate of course the fool built a garden wall then wondered why it fell down. I have never seen anything like them since.
Richard |
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#22
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On Sunday, 9 September 2018 11:42:32 UTC+1, newshound wrote:
the boilers using something not unlike an oil or gas burner. IIRC it was normally ignited by oil burners. Kingston upon Thames, opened in 1948, must have been one of the last "chain grate" stations in the UK. As the name suggests, "bulk" coal is burned on a moving grate. I once visited the Kingston power station and saw the chain grate in operation. The coal was broken up into small pieces, probably about the size of an OXO cube, spread in a surprisingly thin layer on the moving grate. John |
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#23
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On Sunday, 9 September 2018 22:15:40 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Our first house built in the early seventies had breeze blocks for some internal walls however a neighbour got hold of some concrete blocks that appeared to be constructed with wood chips mixed in which as soon as they got wet just seem to disintegrate of course the fool built a garden wall then wondered why it fell down. I have never seen anything like them since. Richard Presumably if the woodchips are soaked before casting the blocks would then survive wetting. NT |
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#24
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 09/09/2018 22:15, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Our first house built in the early seventies had breeze blocks for some internal walls however a neighbour got hold of some concrete blocks that appeared to be constructed with wood chips mixed in which as soon as they got wet just seem to disintegrate of course the fool built a garden wall then wondered why it fell down. I have never seen anything like them since. Richard ISTR there was a sort of insulation block that looked like this: same sort of size as a concrete block and a bit like sterling board but with a very open structure. You were not meant to get them wet! |
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#25
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
In message , at 23:14:11 on Sat, 8 Sep 2018,
Brian Reay remarked: I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. Yes, whole terraces of houses were built with one contiguous attic space. The introduction of dividing walls is more about fire precautions than stopping your neighbours paying a visit I think. It was a storyline in Coronation St 30+ years ago. Hilda Ogden referred to it as the cockloft, I don't know if that was strictly accurate. -- Graham. %Profound_observation% |
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#26
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
newshound wrote:
ISTR there was a sort of insulation block that looked like this: same sort of size as a concrete block and a bit like sterling board but with a very open structure. You were not meant to get them wet! These https://www.durisoluk.com ? Have seen them at various housebuilding shows, I think also a video on youtube where someone showed they survived being kept underwater |
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#27
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 09/09/2018 22:15, Tricky Dicky wrote:
Our first house built in the early seventies had breeze blocks for some internal walls however a neighbour got hold of some concrete blocks that appeared to be constructed with wood chips mixed in which as soon as they got wet just seem to disintegrate of course the fool built a garden wall then wondered why it fell down. I have never seen anything like them since. Richard My 1976 semi has a party wall made of heavy concrete 'breeze' blocks, while the inner skin of the outside walls are 4 inch blocks with vertical oblong-shaped holes right though them. Whereever these were chased for wiring they have broken into the hole leaving just a quarter of the width of the original block providing support. All the inner partition walls are 3 inch blocks made of concrete with what looks like straw mixed in with the concrete mix. They have appalling accoustic properties, acting more like microphones and amplifying any impact knocks. |
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#28
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
On 08/09/18 22:14, Brian Reay wrote:
I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. Quite likely in anything built before 1920s. -- djc (–€Ì¿Ä¹Ì¯–€Ì¿ Ì¿) No low-hanging fruit, just a lot of small berries up a tall tree. |
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#29
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When were aerated breeze blocks first used?
In message , at 20:19:24 on Mon, 10 Sep
2018, DJC remarked: I believe, at one time, it wasn't unknown for there to be no dividing walls in some roof spaces, or for them to be incomplete. Quite likely in anything built before 1920s. And I think first mandated in London. I was just looking at when such a retro-fitted dividing wall might have been built, in the provinces, and it seems "anything from maybe the 50's onwards". -- Roland Perry |
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