In setting out your building, especially in Nigeria, we use concrete works and Sand Crete blocks.
For walls and space partitions, we use sandcrete blocks. Sand Crete blocks mean blocks made from a mixture of sand and cement.
Sand Crete blocks come in 4 inches, 6″, and 9″ blocks. Solid or hollow blocks.
Clay blocks come in various sizes depending on the manufacturer. Solid or hollow blocks.
During the day, the hollow blocks absorb heat from the outdoor environment, and it circulates within the hollowness of the wall.
In the daytime, the indoor air is cool and the outdoors is hot.
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At night-time, that hot air stored within the hollowness of your block wall moves into your interior and that’s why you feel warm in the evenings between 5-10pm.
To maintain indoor air quality, I suggest we go back to the use of clay bricks/blocks for our tropical environment.
Remember how clay drinking pots keep drinking water fresh and cool in the olden days, that’s what I’m talking about.
The Clay bricks maintain indoor air quality irrespective of outdoor air.
When comparing Sand Crete vs Clay blocks in other areas including strength and longevity:
Sand Crete blocks absorb water and expand causing the growth of algae, the surface finish on Clay blocks makes them water resistant.
Cement in the Sand Crete gives you 100 years maximum, and Clay gives you up to 1000 years.
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Sand Crete blocks can be plastered and painted on, but Clay blocks can’t be painted on because they secrete metallic salts that cause paint to peel off. You can use this mortar on the Clay bricks.
Clay blocks are resistant to fire when compared to Sand Crete blocks.
Finally, I suggest concrete for all structural elements (foundation, floors, columns) in your building and Clay blocks for walls and space partitions.
For bathroom areas, you can use Sand Crete blocks to enable the use of wall tiles for surface finish.
So Sandcrete vs Clay blocks: which do you prefer, which one are you using, or which one are you going to use?