Concrete or cinder block is an outdated term for structural blocks, usually manufactured from coal cinders. Commonly used at construction sites, cinder blocks are made from cement and concrete mixture. Almost weightless compared to other building blocks because of a lower proportion of ingredients and aggregates.

However, they are not suitable for all projects because of their high costs and lower strength. In addition, they are subject to buckling or bowing under heavy loads, thus limiting their uses. Therefore, cinder blocks for wall construction are installed with the necessary supervision, planning and reinforcement.

Though cinder and concrete blocks are made from the same raw material, cinder blocks have coal cinders mixed into the same. As a result, both have open cells that need extra concrete or metal reinforcing for higher strength. Cinder blocks are rectangular and hollow structures, which are manufactured from cinders and concrete blocks. Concrete blocks are two-dimensional structures manufactured from wood, cement and steel.

Coming to its properties, cinder blocks resemble the structure of coal cinders. As mentioned, they are far lighter than concrete blocks due to the lower composition of ingredients. They are not as more robust, which is why they aren’t used everywhere. They are often avoided as they’re prone to buckling and bowing, and repair costs are high. Though they are no longer factory-made and are old-fashioned, cinder blocks are requested explicitly in some other projects.

Cinder blocks are standard size, sash blocks, half-blacks, jamb joists, capstones, header and rounded corners. Though they come with their limitations, cinder blocks are affordable for building external wall panels, fix windows and doors, maintaining the concrete masonry unit (CMU) measurement, enhancing a building’s appearance, or decorating walls. Cinder blocks are available in different shapes and sizes due to varying constructional needs. Despite their limitations, they are versatile and extensively used in landscaping, event, storage or other construction work.

As they are commonly used in the construction industry, they are frequently manufactured and used in buildings. Most public buildings and schools are designed with CMU, where workers manufacture cinder blocks to smoothen the wall after the basic construction. Though much-less-talked-about, cinder blocks have their importance in the manufacturing and construction industries.

One must consider the importance of cinder blocks when building external wall panels. To know more about cinder block walls, contact Rise Products.