Concrete Pavers Guide

Concrete blocks are one of the most common materials used in construction projects of all kind. These blocks are also called CMUs (concrete masonry units), cement blocks, and foundation blocks, among others. These blocks are made from cement and aggregate – lighter blocks are usually made from industrial wastes. Normal precast concrete blocks can be made lightweight through aeration. These aerated blocks maintain good strength at a fraction of the weight and density.

Cinder blocks (breeze blocks in the UK) are a related material, except these are made from cinder or ash instead of stone aggregate. These are usually lighter duty than concrete blocks and have beneficial thermal (insulation) properties.

Uses for Concrete Block

Concrete block is a very versatile material. They can be used in both horizontal and vertical projects. The most common application for this material is in walls. They are used for both external retaining walls and for foundations, often in concert with other concrete and steel structures. (More information on poured concrete walls can be found here.) They can also be used for steps, patios, and walkways, as well as for other makeshift applications.

Concrete block have many advantages that make them ideal as a construction material. They are durable and strong, so they will last for a long time. They are resistant to fire and can be used for all aspects of a building. They are relatively low maintenance and can be attractive to look at in certain circumstances. This may be surprising, as we are used to the standard plain block, but decorative concrete blocks can be used for certain projects. Uhey are also relatively easy to install, as they are layed in running bond patterns (staggered overlapping) and only require some mortar to cement it all together.

There are some disadvantages to know about, though. Because laying concrete blocks must be done by hand, one by one, labor costs can be quite high if you hire a contractor to install this material. Building with concrete blocks can also be quite cumbersome, especially if you use the heavy and dense concrete blocks, as they need to be carted around and put in the proper places as needed. In addition, the block, like all concrete, is vulnerable to moisture, so those who don’t know how to lay concrete block will need to take care in installing the material correctly. Finally, because they are modular (come in a set shape), there is relatively little room for customizing the look of the block or often even cutting concrete blocks at all.

Shapes, Sizes, and Types of Concrete Block

This material comes in many shapes and sizes. The most common size in the United States is 8 x 8 x 16, though the size may be a bit smaller to allow for room for mortar. Sizes in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and elsewhere may vary.

In addition, many of these block are hollowed out. These hollows lower the weight and density of the material while also improving its insulation properties. Some images of the various kinds of concrete paving blocks can be found here and here.

The types of concrete blocks you should use will depend on many factors, including the strength and durability requirements, type of project, function of the block, dimensions of the project, and more.

The Best Places to Find Concrete Blocks

One of the easiest places to find concrete blocks for sale is the home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe’s. You can also check mason and landscape supply yards if you know your way around those joints. You can often get a better deal at these places, especially if you have a larger order. If a contractor is installing the material for you, he will probably order the material for you, often securing you a good price. Even still, it may pay to shop around a bit before you let the contractor do the purchasing for you.

If you are looking for cheap concrete blocks, the best place to look is to other homeowners – they often have extra material to spare that they want to get rid of, such as material that they have lying around from old projects or old installations. Thus, you may be able to get it from them for a very reduced price – often free! To find these deals, periodically check Craigslist. Usually the only requirement is that you have to go to the person’s house and remove and/or pickup the material.

One word of warning: be careful when using this old or recycled material, as it may be broken down and thus structurally weak. You wouldn’t want to necessarily trust it for a retaining wall, for instance, if the material doesn’t look sturdy. You could use it for other projects that have less rigorous structural requirements, however.

It also may be possible to make your own concrete blocks. As long as you have skill and experience working with concrete, and have the proper molds to do the work, you may be in luck. However, note that this block should not be used for any precise or critical building, such as for foundation walls, as the material may not come out precisely, leading to weaknesses throughout the structure. More information on concrete block molds and how to make concrete blocks can be found at the link.

Concrete Block Prices

The cost of concrete blocks will vary, as does the cost of any paving or construction material. The size, shape, and special properties of the block you use will all affect the final cost. In general, you’ll pay around $1 to $3 per block, usually on the lower side for the most basic kind of this material. Regardless of what you pay, the price will surely be lower than if you used concrete pavers, brick, or other interlocking materials to do the work.

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.