Lignacrete Paint Grade Concrete Block

Lignacrete Paint Grade concrete blocks are BSI Kitemarked and certified to BS EN 771-3. They are also Category 1 masonry units manufactured under a BSI certified Quality Management System, which is BS EN 9001 compliant.

Lignacrete Paint Grade are medium grey to buff in colour. These blocks are not fair-faced and thus colour consistency is not guaranteed.

For use in walls where a direct decoration finish is required e.g., emulsion paint. Walls of 210-215mm thickness are recommended to be constructed using two leaves of 100mm blocks laid back-to-back and suitably tied. This construction is known as a collar-jointed wall.

Typical locations include:

• The inner leaves of external cavity walls
• Internal walls, including fire break walls
• Separating walls

Table Note:
(1) Airtightness results for painted walls are based on the use of Paint Grade blocks and standard emulsion paint.

The thermal resistance values (m² K/W) for Lignacrete Paint Grade blocks are shown in Table 4. For solid blocks, the values are calculated by dividing the block thickness by its thermal conductivity (W/mK).

Table 4 – Thermal Resistance Values

Presented in the tables are the U-values for a range of wall constructions based on 100mm Lignacrete blocks with full and partial cavity insulation. The outer leaf is facing brick, but a rendered block outer leaf will usually achieve at least the same U-value. No finish, other than paint, is assumed to the blockwork.

Full Cavity Fill and 100mm Lignacrete Blocks

Partial Cavity Fill and 100mm Lignacrete Blocks

Our manufacturing plants operate to a BSI certified Environmental Management System (EMS), which complies with ISO 14001.

Lignacite Ltd also meets the requirements of BES 6001 – Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products (Certificate No: BES 580823). This independently awarded Responsible Sourcing Certification confirms that we procure products responsibly and sustainably. This will allow credits to be gained under environment assessment schemes such as BREEAM.

A BSI certified energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001(Certificate No. ENMS 751020) is used to help manage energy use and includes the following outputs. 

• A policy for more efficient use of energy
• Fix targets and objectives to meet the policy
• Use data to better understand and make decisions about energy use
• Measure the results
• Review how well the policy works, and
• Continually improve energy management

Key environmental performance data (in accordance with EN 15804+A2 and ISO 14025/ ISO 1930) can be found in the EPD for Lignacrete blocks.

Environmental Data Summary

Source – This data was taken from the EPD for the 7.3N Lignacrete block. Click here for all EPDs.

The declared unit is based on 1m² of 100mm thickness blocks.

The Life Cycle Stage (A1-A3) refers to the extraction, processing, transportation and manufacture of materials and products up to the point where they leave the factory gate to be taken to site.

The notation ‘e’ is an abbreviation for tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The design of walls using Lignacrete Paint Grade blocks should be in accordance with relevant design standards, including BS 8103: Part 2 and BS EN 1996-1-1 and the requirements of the Building Regulations.

Vertical movement joints should be considered in accordance with masonry design codes and the recommendations of Published Document PD 6697, at 6.0 - 8.0 metre spacings. In areas of raised stress, such as above and below openings in external walls, the blockwork may need to be reinforced to restrain movement.

When properly constructed, the durability of walls built using Lignacrete Paint Grade products will match that of walls of traditional masonry and will fulfil their intended function for the life of the building in which they have been installed (typically 100 years).

The blocks themselves will require no maintenance. Maintenance for walls will normally include the replacement of sealant in movement joints and at junctions / openings. Repointing for walls that are exposed to the elements may be necessary towards the end of its service life.

Under normal conditions, wall ties should be embedded 50mm into the mortar on each leaf, staggered in alternate courses and spaced in accordance with the following.

Table 5 – Wall Tie Spacings

Direct Painting

A mist coat followed by at least two coats of emulsion will provide a good finish. The actual coverage will depend on the quality of the paint and how it is applied e.g., brush, roller or by spray. Always ensure that each coat of paint has fully dried before any further layers are added.

For detailed advice, refer to Lignacite’s Sitework Guide and the Material Safety Data sheet.

• Block packs may be stacked on firm and level surfaces to a maximum height of 2 packs. Consideration of handling equipment's suitability for site terrain and safety limits should also be given. Hand-operated pallet trucks may not be suitable unless pallets specific for this purpose are used and loads do not exceed the limits of the pallet truck or its operator(s). Care should be taken when opening packs that are wrapped or banded to ensure that items do not fall or otherwise endanger persons handling the blocks or those nearby.

• Handling of blocks should be undertaken in accordance with HSE Construction Sheet No. CIS77 ‘Preventing injury from handling heavy blocks’ (Construction Industry Advisory Committee) and in accordance with the Manual Handling Regulations 1992 (as amended). This concludes that there is a high risk of injury to individuals who repetitively manually handle blocks in excess of 20kg. Where practical, mechanical handling equipment should be used to transport block packs to the area of work.

• Blocks should not be installed if the temperature is at or below 3°C and falling.

• Blocks should always be laid on a full bed of mortar and vertical joints solidly filled.
• For walls built fair, sample panels are recommended and should be built prior to commencing block laying. This will serve as a benchmark for defining and specifying the quality of work required.

• Please note that for Paint Grade products, colour consistency is not guaranteed. It is advisable to view sample panels at a distance of approximately 3m from the wall in good natural light.