7 Reasons for Choosing Concrete Blocks for your Home project

Strength and durability:

Concrete blocks are strong, and they can bear heavy loads for a longer period.  According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Cement Sustainability Initiate, concrete gets stronger over time and does not loose its strength because of moisture, pests or mold.

Durable and Maintenance Free:

Color and brilliance of concrete blocks will withstand most outdoor elements. 

Better sound absorption:

Being hallow in nature, concrete building blocks act as excellent sound proofing

Locally Manufactured:

In most cases, concrete blocks can be sourced locally due to the high costs associated with transporting heavy materials. Blues Bricks and Paving produces a wide variety of these blocks for builders in Lesotho.

Faster Construction:

The concrete blocks are easy to work with, requiring minimal masonry skill levels and they cover comparatively larger wall areas because of their size.

Insulating Properties:

Concrete blocks are also renowned for their insulating properties. The air in the hollow of the block does not allow outside heat or cold into the house.  It keeps the house cool in the summer and warm in winter often resulting in lower energy costs.   Hollow concrete blocks can be filled with insulation during construction if desired. The insulating properties vary by manufacturer and depends on the block's density.  Compare Blues Bricks and Paving Blocks. 

Affordability and Environmentally friendly:

Oftentimes, environmentally friendly choices come with a hefty price tag.  Concrete blocks remain affordable, and are increasingly being embraced as an environmentally friendly choice.  The raw materials used to produce concrete blocks are sustainable and recyclable.  The CO2 emissions associated with concrete blocks productions are relatively low compare to those of similar building materials.  

These are but a few of the many advantages of concrete building blocks. They are a strong versatile, affordable, and sustainable choice.  Contact us to learn more.

OK then, what size then....?

Popular sizes

Contractors and many home owners in Lesotho prefer sizes 6" and 9".  Hence why, except in very rare instances, or by special order, most brickyards would carry only these two sizes.

Contractor's Views....

"The bottom line is the load.  What load would your wall be carrying?"  Says Mr. Masienyane J and experienced manager of a thriving construction outfit.  

 If you are building a two roomed structure, the load of the roofing cannot compare with a sprawling 6 roomed structure, thus for a 6 roomed structure you may want to select a larger stronger size 9" for your walls.  You see, the determining bottom line is the load.  The roof for a two roomed structure can easily be carried by a size 6" concrete block.

However be warned that there are other considerations to be made even in the case of a two roomed structure.  How stable is the ground onto which this structure is being put?  For advise on this matters you will need to speak to your surveyor, architect or other concrete block experts.

Architect's views....

We also spoke to Mr. Mosese a seasoned Architecture instructor at the Lerotholi Polytechnic in Maseru.  He knows that architect specification would state either sizes 9" or 6" or any other size based on the anticipated "load" or weight the structure is expected to carry.

"Most room division walls would specify a lower strength size 6" since the load of the roof would not be carried by these walls, the outer walls would bear the weight of the roof."  This is why external walling would specify size 9" concrete blocks.

Therefore consideration largely depends on the load, there are other instances that may warrant stronger and larger concrete block sizes in cases where size "6 would normally be specified. It is recommended that home buyers talk to a professional architect if they are in doubt.

Homeowner's views....

Ntate Mofolo is a veteran at home improvement.  He has had to build, break, restructure, reshape, improve and extend many buildings in his lifetime.  His take is that most home improvement projects are very cash sensitive.  "Many people, new home owners or Do-It-Yourself home improvement enthusiasts approach their projects with a strict eye on the expenses, thus, make purchasing choices based on the cost."

  

Whilst this approach is rational and understandable, a quick inquiry from professional builders or architects would save you a lot of money in the long run.

The cost of using the wrong size of concrete block for a wrong project can be marginally higher than the cost of paying for professional advice.

So what size.....

Is it going to be a 9 inches or 6 inches? The verdict is that your project requirements would determine the right size of block. Luckily we at Blues Brick and Paving have in-house expertise to advice you on your project. Give us a shout anytime of day for free advice on what size of block to choose.  #+266 2831 1001

Choosing Your Concrete Blocks

What size.....?

Blues Bricks &  Paving BrickYard, Masowe 2.

Concrete blocks come in different sizes.  Innovations in the manufacturing processes have added greatly to a rich variety of dimensions, aspect ratios, textures and colours of bricks. 

Spoilt for choice?  This is common in many facets of our lives of late.  We the final consumers often find ourselves buried and confused by the wares vendors hang out for us to choose from.

What to look for in concrete blocks.

Any satisfactory walling system must meet certain minimum performance criteria. If you are building a home, or fencing around your home, special consideration may be given to any one or a combination of the following criteria:

 • structural strength and stability

• durability

• accommodation of movement

• weatherproofness

• acoustic insulation

• thermal properties

• fire resistance.

What standards.....

Many vendors may not find it important to lab test own product since regulation in this regard is lax or pretty much non-existent in this parts of our woods.  We at Blues Brick and Paving have subjected all our products to such lab tests, both here in Lesotho and in South Africa.  

We have consistently scored above industry standards in areas of physical standards of dimensions, strengths, and such properties as tolerances, surface texture and appearance.

So what size of block to buy?

The most commonly used sizes of concrete blocks are 4.5", 6" and 9". (more about the imperial measurement system later!)

Contractors and many home owners in Lesotho prefer sizes 6" and 9".  Hence why, except in very rare instances, or by special order, most brickyards would carry only these two sizes.

In our next blog we shall explore the different sizes and outline their "customary" usage and preferred specifications by many home owners and architects.

4.5" Concrete Block.

6" Concrete Block.

9" Concrete Block.