Cinder blocks play a big role in our lives. In many cases, they literally are your cornerstone – the rock that holds everything together. Cinder blocks are used, along with concrete columns, tie beams, and rebar, to create what is known as “concrete block structure” (CBS) construction. This building method is extremely common and used in all types of low-rise buildings – both residential and commercial.
Fun Facts about Cinder Blocks
- Cinder Blocks throughout History: Concrete has been around since ancient times, but concrete blocks – cinder blocks – did not come about until the 1830s and widespread manufacturing did not begin until the early 1900s. One American manufacturer, however, the Frear Stone Manufacturing Co. of Chicago, began selling G.A. Frear’s patented concrete blocks in 1868, many of which survived the great Chicago Fire of 1871.
- Living in America: The first house in the United States built entirely of cinder blocks was constructed in 1837 on Staten Island, New York.
- How it’s Made Today: Cinder blocks are made from very dry, stiff cast concrete mixtures of Portland cement and aggregate. The mixture is placed into a mold, vibrated and compacted, demolded, and cured.
- Size Doesn’t Matter: Cinder blocks come in various different sizes and styles. The most common, however, features to holes and measures 8-by-8-by-16- inches.
- A Cinder Block By Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet: You may know them as cinder blocks, but these building blocks go by many different names, including concrete masonry units (CMU), breeze blocks (New Zealand), hollow blocks (Philippines), and besser blocks (Australia).
- It’s What Is (or isn’t) on the Inside That Counts: Well, you may be saying to yourself, “Hey! Cinder blocks are hollow.” You are 100% correct. But this is by design. Cinder blocks are created with two holes to reduce weight without compromising strength, and to improve insulation. A standard sized block has an R-value of 1.11. R-value is the capacity of a material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
Concrete Masonry in Maryland
While it may seem simple, cinder blocks need to be laid by professional, skilled masons, like those found at PTG Enterprises, a full service commercial concrete masonry contractor in Baltimore, Maryland. We’re experts at masonry jobs, whether it’s repairing retaining walls, architectural elements, dumpster corrals or storm drains, PTG Enterprises knows how to handle it.
We’re a paving company that knows how to hit the bricks!
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If you have any further questions about Cinder Blocks or Masonry Work, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
