Thermal insulation
Combined with their high thermal inertia, the insulating characteristics of insulating blocks manufactured from expanded clay make them ideal for use in both cold and warm climates, giving the advantages of indoor thermal comfort and increased building thermal efficiency with reduced heating and cooling costs.
Acoustic insulation
The high degree of porosity of Laterlite Expanded Clay, in combination with the concrete mix design and the specific design of the block, gives excellent acoustic performance terms of airborne sound insulation as of sound absorption even on walls of reduced thickness.
Fire resistance
Laterlite Expanded Clay is a naturally non-combustible, insulating, refractory product suitable to manufacture blocks with high fire resistance. These are ideal for constructing fire-break walls and parts of buildings that are to be used at high temperatures or will be in direct contact with fire.
Mechanical strength
The strength of blocks based on expanded clay is comparable to that of best-quality concrete blocks based on conventional aggregates. They can therefore be used to construct loadbearing masonry, including in earthquake zones.
Weight reduction
Expanded clay blocks significantly reduce structural loading as compared to traditional products and are ideal both for renovation or reconstruction work and for new construction. This enables the design of loadbearing structures to be simplified.
Ease of installation and transport
Expanded clay blocks are used in the same way as traditional blocks but thanks to their lower density they are much easier to handle and transport. More blocks or prefabricated elements can be transported with the same transported weight, also reducing the carbon footprint.
High durability
Expanded clay blocks are made from a 100% mineral non-degradable product that cannot be attacked by parasites (fungus, rodents, insects, etc.) and is resistant to aggressive environments and freeze-thaw cycles.
It is possible to manufacture several types of lightweight concrete blocks and concrete masonry units based on Laterlite Expanded Clay Aggregates to meet different technical requirements
Thermal blocks for the external building envelope
Thanks to the insulation and thermal mass (attenuation and phase shift) of blocks based on expanded clay, winter and summer comfort is guaranteed. Composite blocks with incorporated insulation, blocks optimised for cavity wall, external thermal insulation systems (ETICS -EWI) etc. can also be manufactured for constructing energy-efficient buildings in cold climates.
To reduce thermal bridges in the envelope due to chaining, lintels, columns, and slabs, see also the dedicated page.
Acoustic blocks for sound-insulating walls
Excellent soundproofing performance against airborne noise (up to 57 dB) for the creation of acoustic partitions even without additional insulation.
Lightweight blocks for partition walls
A single, solid, thin, equippable blocks layer gives excellent acoustic insulation and fire resistance without excessively loading floor slabs.
Blocks for loadbearing masonry, including in earthquake zones
High-strength blocks and construction systems can be used to construct all parts of buildings, including those that are designed to comply with the most recent anti-seismic criteria
Fire-break blocks
Blocks based on expanded clay can be used to construct thin walls that have excellent REI or EI fire ratings, for civil use (in multi-storey or underground car parks, boiler rooms, stair, and lift wells, etc.) and industrial situations (warehouses, etc.)
Laterlite expanded clay can be used in all types of production of small, prefabricated elements, and is compatible with any binder. For large, prefabricated elements see the specific page.
Suspended floor slab components, lintels, beams, concrete staircases.
Laterlite Expanded Clay can also be used to reduce the weight of concrete slabs on beam and block floors and roof slabs, used either in precast beams (steel reinforced concrete joists) and in infill blocks, of precast lintels, staircases, etc.
Panels for partition and external walls
Full-height panels for partitions or facades that incorporate Laterlite Expanded Clay reduce weight, give better thermal, acoustic, and fire resistance performance, and are easier to manoeuvre and install.
Sound-absorbent panels
These are available in a range of formats and designs. The porosity of the expanded clay reduces noise propagation when the panels are used in the vicinity of urban transport infrastructure or industry. Read more about this product.
Refractory elements
Laterlite Expanded Clay associated with refractory binders is widely used in the manufacture of various elements where high temperatures or contact with fire are expected such as chimney flues, fireplaces, barbecues, precast ovens. It is also used to produce ready mixed refractory concrete and mortars and refractory insulation.
Reconstituted stone – cultured and veneer stone
The use of expanded clay reduces the weight of reconstituted stone mixes but does not reduce their strength and makes them easier to apply.
Fibre cement and fibre gypsum boards
Can be used to lighten high performance fibre cement and fibre gypsum boards, for interior and exterior use, even in facades, with a significant reduction in the weight of the walls and linings, and simplification of the support structure.
Light mineral filler for resin parts
Laterlite Plus dry and hydrophobic Expanded Clay granulate, is ideal to lighten industrially manufactured resin-based elements as a lightweight mineral filler.
