Five Different Types Of Hollow Concrete Blocks

Shelter is one of the three basic needs of man along with food and clothing. The ancient people lived in caves, and later, they began constructing walls from mud. In due course of time, many techniques for masonry were developed and it became a structural part of the shelter. In the early days, burnt brick masonry and stone masonry were popular.  

With a growing demand for construction, cheaper and faster techniques and materials are the need of the hour. Hollow concrete blocks are one such construction material that helps in achieving cheaper as well as faster construction than conventional bricks.


What are Concrete Blocks?

The concrete blocks are rectangular concrete masonry units either, solid (other than units used for bonding, such as a half-block) or hollow (open or closed cavity). Concrete blocks come in modular sizes and vary according to various factors.

What are hollow concrete blocks?

Concrete blocks are composed of Portland cement and aggregate, the high density blocks may use sand and gravel while low density blocks use industrial waste instead of aggregate. Concrete Masonry Units or CMU are the other names for these concrete blocks, concrete bricks or concrete masonry. The blocks are made using aerated concrete. These blocks are manufactured, hardened and cured before reaching the site and are very durable and strong.

These blocks are more commonly used in masonry construction. It accelerates the construction process, saves cement and steel and reduces the work expenses at the construction site. These blocks lower the natural weight of masonry constructions and improve the physical properties of walls, such as noise and thermal insulation.

What are the 5 different types of hollow concrete blocks?

Mentioned below are the 5 major types of concrete blocks of hollow type. 

  • Lintel blocks

Lintel blocks are also called channeled blocks or beam blocks; they are U-shaped concrete masonry units. These blocks have a deep groove along the length of the block. After placing the blocks, these grooves are filled with concrete along with reinforcement. Lintel blocks are used for the provision of the beam or lintel beam. A lintel beam is generally provided on the top of the portion of doors and windows, which transfers the load coming from the top.

  • Pillar blocks

As the name implies, pillar blocks are most often used to build pillars or piers. They are also called double corner blocks and are designed so that both ends could be left visible. Pillar blocks are the kind of blocks many people think of when they think of concrete blocks, and they are often available in large quantities at building supply stores.

  • Splitface blocks

Splitface blocks look like pillar blocks, except one edge has a very rough, almost jagged texture that exposes the block’s inner aggregates. These blocks are very porous and therefore vulnerable to water damage, however, it also has a lower risk of termite infestation and is less susceptible to fire.

  • Concrete Corner blocks

Concrete corner blocks are used at the corners of the masonry or at the end of windows or at the door opening. One corner of the block is plain while the other is stretcher design. These blocks are arranged in such a manner that the plane end of the block is exposed to the outside and another end is locked with the stretcher block. 

  • Bullnose blocks

Bullnose blocks are the same as corner blocks in their use and structure, except that they have rounded edges (which is the reason for their name). A single bullnose block might come in a 6-by-8-by-16-inch size. A block with a double bullnose at one end is available in the same size. 

The bottom line

Hollow concrete blocks or hollow concrete masonry units are more beneficial building materials than conventional bricks. They speed up the construction practice and reduce the overall construction time. The hollow blocks are also cheaper and are available in various sizes and shapes. With all these benefits, they are durable as well. Thus, they have become the preferred material for today’s buildings. Explore the website to know more.

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