Concrete Pavers Guide

There are many different uses for concrete blocks. Some use them to build retaining walls. Others use them to build curbs or foundations for steps. Others use them for concrete walls for foundations and for footers. These block are very versatile and, fortunately, quite cheap. They can be even more inexpensive, however, if you make them on your own. To do this, you will need concrete block molds of the appropriate size. There are two major ways to get these molds: by them or make them. Here is what you need to know:

Buying Concrete Block Molds

There are many places to buy these molds if you have a specific shape in mind. Since these block can be used for many projects, there are accordingly many block molds availabe. Check your local home improvement store, mason supply yard, or other concrete supplier for the cement block molds available.

The general block size is 8″ x 8″ x 16″, though the actual block is smaller to allow you to apply mortar to it without affecting the final dimensions. In addition, you can by either two-core or three-core blocks – this refers to the number of ‘holes’ that are in the block when looked at from the side.

There are also different types of block depending where they are in the structure and what kind of project is being built. The block used for foundation walls are not necessarily the same as those used for retaining walls, Standard blocks slightly extend past the corners, while corner and end blocks do not in order to provide smooth corners and edges. Other types of blocks are sash block for windows and jamb blocks for doors. There are also ‘capping blocks’ which are used to seal the top of the structure. Thus, the type of block you need depend on the project – the more complex, the more of these types you’ll have to obtain. If you are hiring a contractor, he or she will obtain the materials for you, so don’t worry if you are not doing it alone.

There are also different colors and textures you can get depending on how you want the structure to look and feel.

Making Concrete Block Molds

Some of these molds are easy enough to make on your own. If you need blocks of a peculiar shape, it will probably not be possible to make them without specialized materials and tools. However, a simple block can be easily made as long as you know how to make concrete block molds. Here are the basic methods:

-1- First, get wood of the appropriate width to make your blocks. You will need to determine the size of the block you want first before buying the wood.

-2- Next, cut the wood into the lengths and widths you need to make the block. So, if you want to make a block that is 6x9x9, cut 6 inch width wood into 9 to 10 inch slabs.

-3- Connect these planks of wood with double headed nails so that the internal dimensions of the wood are a little larger than 6x9x9″.

-4- Put down plastic or some other material to make sure the concrete doesn’t stick. This is why you need to leave a little breathing room in the dimensions of the mold.

-5- Pour your concrete, let it set for 24-48 hours and your brick are ready to go.

-6- You may not be able to reuse the wood, but make every effort to recover the wood so that you don’t have to go through many raw materials. The more you can mass produce this process, the better.

-7- Note that this process creates molds that will produce solid concrete block. If you want hollow concrete block, you are better off going with two other options: buying the concrete block itself from a supplier, or buying molds that are premade to make these block.

Finally, don’t make your own block if the structure needs to be robust, such as if it is for a foundation or for a retaining wall. You want to make sure that the project will hold together, and you may have problems if the block are made by hand and are thus not consistent in their craftsmanship, despite your best efforts of course.