Homeowners constantly search for innovative ideas and creative suggestions to improve the landscape around their property. Concrete blocks emerge as a convenient solution for various landscaping and building projects in residential and commercial properties. Grey concrete blocks are particularly popular, as they are readily available and can be purchased in different shapes and sizes. Grey concrete blocks are of various types, and you will surely get confused when purchasing when you have specific needs. However, you need not worry as we have developed this guide to help you choose the right concrete blocks for your home's landscaping or building requirements.

WHAT ARE GREY CONCRETE BLOCKS?

Grey concrete blocks are also known as concrete blocks, masonry concrete blocks, or centre blocks. The most traditional form is the 20.01 full-length blocks. However, the standard concrete block is 12.5 for every square metre of walls.

HOW ARE BLOCKS AND BRICKS DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER?

Blocks and bricks are categorised as masonry materials and stacked on top of each other with the help of mortar to create solid walls. However, they are entirely different and can be easily identified. The significant difference between concrete blocks and bricks is the size, as the blocks are available in various sizes and shapes, but the bricks have a standard shape and size. Moreover, in most cases, blocks are made from concrete, but bricks can be made from different materials, including clay or concrete. Since blocks are made from various materials, the colours can also differ. Blocks and bricks made from concrete can be found in several colours and hues due to oxidation. On the other hand, clay bricks are available in limited shades and colours.

WHAT FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHILE CHOOSING CONCRETE BLOCKS FOR YOUR PROJECT?

Before deciding to use grey concrete blocks in your project, you must consider some common factors discussed below.

DETERMINE THE PROJECT TYPE

The first and most crucial factor to consider is the project type you have chosen for home improvement. For example, if you plan to enhance your garden's functionality and aesthetics, you can add garden beds or build a retaining wall or boundary fencing. In all these situations, these grey concrete blocks or besser blocks for sale offered by concrete blocks suppliers will be beneficial. The size of these concrete blocks will also rely entirely on the kind of construction you have chosen for your garden renovation. In most cases, the concrete blocks offered by concrete blocks suppliers are available in the sizes of 90 mm, 140 mm, 190 mm, and 290 mm, and the bricks are available in 110 millimetre width.

AVAILABILITY AND COLOURS

Another important point to consider when purchasing concrete blocks is their availability and whether the colour you want is available. For example, when you need a wider range besser blocks, they should be readily available at concrete blocks suppliers. There should also be a range of colours of concrete blocks available based on your project's requirements. This is important to ensure that the structure has a consistent shade or colour throughout.

CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION PROCESS AS WELL

When purchasing grey concrete blocks, you should also consider the installation process that your builder will use. However, if you are attempting DIY, it's better to research the process and understand whether it is possible for you or not. Installing grey concrete blocks or besser blocks for sale requires technical expertise, as these blocks have to be reinforced with steel or a core filled with grout. In this situation, experienced home builders can be instrumental, as they have in-depth ideas of what materials to mix in what quantity and what tools must be used. They will also have complete information about the mortar that will provide the ideal strength to the structure. They will have the skills and knowledge to structurally organise and install the base precisely.

INSTALLING GREY CONCRETE BLOCKS

As mentioned above, installing concrete blocks can be done by filling the core with grout, as this will make the blocks lighter to handle. Stabilising these grey concrete blocks is vital for their durability and long life, and this can be done by filling buckets of grout. Here are the details of general standards related to core fill grout.

  • The concrete must have a minimum characteristic compressive strength of 12 MPA; however, the preferred value is 20 MPA.
  • The content of the cement should not weigh less than 300 kg/m2.
  • The concrete aggregate should be a minimum of 10mm.
  • The cores of the blocks should be filled.