"A block costs several times as much as a brick" is the comparison that misleads most owners. The right comparison is one square foot of finished wall.
What Goes Into 100 sq ft of Wall
| Item | 8 inch AAC wall | 9 inch red brick wall |
|---|---|---|
| Units | ~77 blocks + 5% | ~1,000 – 1,100 bricks + wastage |
| Jointing | Thin-bed adhesive (per maker's coverage) | Cement-sand mortar, ~0.23 m³ wet per m³ of wall |
| Cement in jointing | Minimal | About 0.03 bag per sq ft in 1:6 |
| Sand | Minimal | Significant |
| Laying labour | Faster — fewer, larger units | Slower |
| Plaster | Thinner on flat AAC faces | Thicker to level brick faces |
| Wall weight | About a third | Full |
How to Price It Yourself
For 100 sq ft:
AAC: (81 blocks × block price) + adhesive bags × price + laying labour + plaster
Brick: (≈1,050 bricks × brick price) + cement and sand for mortar + laying labour + plaster
Use your actual quotes for blocks, bricks, cement and labour in your area. Add the structural effect separately: lighter AAC walls can let the engineer reduce beam, column and footing sizes, especially on upper floors.
Beyond the Wall
| Factor | AAC | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Heat in Hyderabad summers | Insulates well | Conducts more heat |
| Construction speed | Faster | Slower |
| Water absorption | Absorbs; protect during monsoon storage | Absorbs; soak before laying |
| Familiarity of masons | Growing | Universal |
The Short Version
Price a square foot of finished wall — units, jointing, labour, plaster — not a single unit. The materials often come out close; AAC's lighter structure, speed and insulation usually tip it.
