If you’re new to the construction world, Hebel might be unfamiliar to you. Hebel is one of our top-recommended products, and with good reason. It offers numerous benefits, including rapid installation, energy efficiency, and excellent performance. But before we dive into the details, let’s start with the basics of Hebel. You might be wondering: What exactly is Hebel? Why is it so popular? And most importantly, why could it be the ideal choice for your upcoming project?
These are important questions, and when planning a construction project, it’s crucial to explore all options to ensure the best outcome. Whether you’re looking into a commercial building, your first home, or a family residence, doing your homework is essential.
So, let’s not wait any longer—let’s help you discover the best building material for your project. Below, we’ve compiled all the information you need to compare Hebel with Brick, highlighting the key differences and benefits to guide your decision.
Before we get started, it’s important to understand what Hebel is. In short, Hebel is a strong, versatile, and high-performance building product that comes in panel or block form. Manufactured by CSR Hebel in Australia, Hebel is an autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC for short).
Who is CSR?: CSR Hebel is a leading Australian AAC manufacturer with over 30 years in the game and a trusted name in building products.
What is Hebel made from?: Hebel is made from natural raw materials like cement, sand, lime, gypsum, and a small amount of aluminum powder, combined with water and an expansion agent to produce a “slurry” mixture.
Where can I use Hebel?: These strong, versatile, and solid Hebel panels are fixed to your home’s frame, aiding in constructing the façade, sides, and rear external walls. Hebel is extremely robust, making it a fantastic option for attaching weight-bearing external add-ons like pergolas, shade areas, washing lines, or even a basketball hoop.
There’s a misconception that brick is a better option for external structural add-ons than Hebel, but both materials have similar impact resistance. In fact, Hebel’s strength and durability are fortified by anti-corrosion steel reinforcement, maintaining its solidity and reliability across a range of construction applications.
Hebel is an exceptional building material with a wide range of benefits that truly make it stand out. The 10 benefits of Hebel include (but aren’t limited to):
Strong and durable: Hebel’s Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) with anti-corrosion steel reinforcement ensures maximum strength, durability, and resilience.
Thermal efficiency: Hebel panels offer high energy efficiency, reducing energy usage and providing superior insulation, which can reduce utility bills and environmental impact. In fact, some experts claim Hebel provides up to six times more insulation than brick.
Soundproofing and acoustic insulation: Hebel also excels in reducing noise, making it versatile for various applications, including dual occupancy and double-storey homes.
Fire-resistant: With a high BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating, Hebel is ideal for bushfire-prone areas, being non-combustible, fire-resistant, and termite-resistant.
Environmentally friendly: Made from recyclable raw materials and more economical than traditional finishes, Hebel is an environmentally smart choice.
Fast construction: Hebel is lightweight, flexible, and easy to cut, making construction quicker and more efficient.
Design flexibility: A Hebel façade offers a modern, sleek finish with the flexibility to express personal style, adding visual impact and street appeal.
Affordability: Hebel is cost-effective in reducing build costs, utility bills, and maintenance, typically costing less than brick.
Low maintenance: Requiring minimal upkeep, Hebel needs only an annual low-pressure water blast and occasional repainting.
No weep holes: Unlike brick, Hebel has no weep holes where pests can enter, making it a low-maintenance option overall.
You might be familiar with bricks, but you might not know how they’re produced. Bricks are created from minerals extracted from shale and clay, which are then fired in industrial kilns to form rectangular, uniform blocks. These blocks are secured with mortar and come in a range of traditional, earthy hues for a timeless aesthetic. Bricks have been a staple in construction for thousands of years, contributing to some of the most enduring and iconic structures. They remain a popular choice for builders, used in both internal and external wall construction.
Durability and Resilience: Bricks are exceptionally durable, enduring harsh conditions and requiring minimal maintenance. They are ideal for cold climates, such as those found in England and Wales, and are suitable for areas prone to fires or cyclones. Bricks are also termite-resistant and long-lasting. However, it’s worth noting that their installation involves mortar and weep holes, which can be vulnerable to termites and moisture.
Low Maintenance: Bricks are pest-resistant and weatherproof, meaning they don’t need repainting or resealing and won’t rot, fade, or decay in humid conditions. Despite this, bricks are sometimes considered outdated, so many people opt to render them for a more modern look. Rendered bricks will require regular painting to maintain their appearance, though bricks themselves are excellent for traditional designs.
Classic Colors and Design Flexibility: Bricks come in a variety of earthy tones and classic colors, offering numerous textures, finishes, and detailing options. They are versatile for various home styles, including mid-century, traditional, or industrial chic. From smooth metallic finishes to rustic, hand-crafted appearances, bricks provide design flexibility and strong structural capabilities.
Fireproof: Like Hebel, bricks are non-combustible and fireproof due to their clay content, providing a robust foundation that resists structural damage from fires. While they don’t make a building entirely fireproof, they help prevent the spread of flames and protect combustible materials.
Noise Cancelling, Thermal Properties & Energy Efficiency: Bricks offer excellent sound insulation and thermal properties, helping to moderate internal temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat. They are energy-efficient, keeping homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter, thus reducing energy bills and environmental impact.
Natural: Made from natural materials like clay and shale, bricks are eco-friendly with minimal emissions during production. They contain no harsh chemicals or plastics and are recyclable.
The debate between Hebel and brick has gained significant attention in the construction industry.
While brick houses are a long-standing favourite among Australians, it’s important to consider that traditional choices may not always be the best option. Both Hebel and brick are durable and strong, each offering distinct advantages.
Hebel, however, matches the benefits of brick while being quicker and easier to install, reducing construction time and labor costs. Additionally, Hebel comes pre-rendered, eliminating the need and cost of post-construction rendering, and lacks weep holes, which helps prevent pests and moisture from entering the home. As an eco-friendly building material, Hebel provides energy efficiency, flexibility, and high performance, making it ideal for soundproofing and a cost-effective choice. While brick offers a classic aesthetic, Hebel provides a modern, clean look that aligns with contemporary market trends. This is why many experts are now favoring Hebel over traditional bricks.
Nevertheless, both materials remain staples in the construction industry, and each presents a strong option for consideration.
All contents published on this website or otherwise made available by TPG Property Group Pty Ltd to you is general information only and is intended to help you in understanding the products and services offered by TPG Property Group Pty Ltd. The information does not take into considerations of any particular investment objectives or financial situation of any potential reader. It does not constitute, and should not be relied on as, financial, investment, legal or any other professional advice or recommendations both expressed or implied. It should not be used as an invitation to take up any investments or investment services. You are advised to do your own due diligence when it comes to making financial and investment decisions and should use caution and seek the advice of qualified professionals such as accountant, lawyer, or other professional advisors before acting on this or any information. TPG Property Group Pty Ltd, its employees or contractors do not represent or guarantee that the information is accurate or free from errors or omissions and therefore provide no warranties or guarantees. You may not consider any examples, documents, or other content on the website or otherwise provided by us to be the equivalent of professional advice. Nothing contained on the website or in materials available for download on the website provides professional advice in any way. TPG Property Group Pty Ltd disclaims any and all duty of care and liability and assumes no responsibility for and you will indemnify TPG Property Group Pty Ltd against any losses or damages resulting from your use of any link, information, or opportunity contained within the website or any information within it.