what can you make out of concrete blocks

How To Repurpose Concrete Blocks – Awesome DIY Projects To Try

Full Answer

What can you make with cheap concrete blocks?

7 Really Cool Things You Can Make With Cheap Concrete Blocks 1. Make your own TV stand 2. Nightstand 3. Fire pit 4. Planter wall 5. Outdoor furniture 6. Wine cellar 7. Indoor lighted table

What are concrete blocks used for?

Concrete, cement, and cinder blocks are large rectangular bricks commonly used in constructions. They are also inexpensive and reliable materials for many home and garden DIY projects.

Can You Make your own concrete bricks and blocks?

Making your own concrete bricks and blocks can save you money if you are looking to build a small structure at home. You can even start your own small business producing these cost-effective building materials. These building blocks can be solid or hollow – it just depends on the builder’s preference.

What can you do with leftover concrete blocks?

Reuse or repurpose old materials such as concrete blocks and leftover wood to build this gorgeous outdoor kitchen. (photo credit: Better Homes and Gardens) 10. DIY Cinder Block Bench

What can you do with concrete block walls?

Concrete. The simplest way to cover a cinder block wall is by using surface bonding cement to create a concrete finish. Concrete helps insulate the building and keep moisture out. It creates a smooth, finished surface you can leave as is or paint.

What is the difference between a cinder block and a concrete block?

Cinder blocks are hollow rectangle-shaped structures usually made of concrete and coal cinders which find use in construction sites. Concrete blocks often, on the other hand, are flattened constructs made of steel, wood or cement.

What are hollow concrete blocks used for?

Hollow blocks can be used in the construction of commercial and residential buildings, internal partition walls, and boundary walls, for architectural decoration, and on the rooftop for heat protection.

Can you reuse old cement blocks?

Cinder blocks are great materials for many projects, so instead of throwing them away, check out these easy DIY tutorials to turn them into awesome objects. Some projects we've discovered are planters, outdoor benches, bed frames and lots more.

How much weight can concrete blocks hold?

How Much Weight Can Cinder Blocks Withstand? Concrete cinder blocks are engineered to withstand over 1,700 pounds (771 kilograms) of weight per square inch.

How do you keep concrete blocks from sinking?

How can I prevent my concrete from sinking?Seal all open cracks and joints with a polyurethane or silicone caulk. ... Make sure downspouts are discharging at least five feet away from any concrete slab – the farther the better.More items...•

How strong are concrete blocks?

All concrete blocks are required to have a compressive strength of about 1900 pounds per square inch. However, many dense blocks are stronger than this. This is because the average concrete block can withstand 3500psi and the average brick should withstand about 3000psi.

How do you waterproof concrete blocks?

11 Tips for Concrete Block WaterproofingApply a Coating Directly On the Bare Wall. ... Use a Breathable / Permeable Barrier. ... Use a Weather-Resistant Elastomeric Layer. ... Use “The Pink Stuff” ... Repair Cracks and Fill Voids First. ... Install an Air and Moisture Barrier.More items...•

Why do concrete blocks have holes?

The openings are called “cells” and one reason they are there is because they make the blocks lighter and easier for a mason to handle. But the primary purpose of the cells is that they align from top to bottom of the wall when laid, and enable a builder to fill some cells with grout/concrete to strengthen the wall.

How do you repurpose concrete?

0:412:30How To Repurpose Concrete For DIY Landscaping - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now it's up to me to be adaptive. And to reuse it in a creative. Way. I ended up using myMoreAnd now it's up to me to be adaptive. And to reuse it in a creative. Way. I ended up using my salvaged concrete blocks to make a low retaining wall in my backyard.

Can you bury cinder blocks?

You are only likely to get permission to bury concrete if it does not contain steel, paint or metal. In addition, if the concrete came from an industrial source, you might not be allowed to bury it. Each county and city generally has different rules.

Can I use broken concrete as fill?

Broken Concrete and Clean Fill Projects Whether using asphalt or any other type of cement to pave your new driveway, pieces of broken concrete can be implemented as a solid filler while saving you some time, trouble, and money as well.

Are hollow concrete blocks load-bearing?

These blocks are heavy in weight and provide excellent stability to the structure and used for large masonry work. It is used in load-bearing and non-load bearing walls. It is available in various sizes compared to other conventional bricks.

Which is better hollow blocks or solid blocks?

Hollow blocks are light in weight thus dead load on structure is less thus consumption of steel per sq. ft will be lower to when solid blocks are used in masonry walls. The cost of production of hollow block per unit is low as the raw materials consumed for a same sized block will be less as compared to a solid block.

What is the disadvantage of hollow concrete block masonry?

The disadvantages of Hollow blocks are as follows: Maintenance cost is high. Concrete blocks have a low bearing capacity as the average mass of wall decoration materials is reduced, and the load-bearing capacity is usually decreased. It is very risky to hang huge things on walls.

What are the disadvantages of hollow blocks?

Disadvantages of Hollow Block: Hollow blocks have a poor bearing capacity as the average mass of wall decoration materials is decreased, and the load-bearing capacity is often reduced. It is really risky to hang large things on walls like this.

What are concrete blocks used for?

Greetings from i Creative Ideas! Concrete, cement, and cinder blocks are large rectangular bricks commonly used in constructions. They are also inexpensive and reliable materials for many home and garden DIY projects. With some creativity and time, you can repurpose these smart blocks into practical furniture or decorative pieces at home or in your garden. Here at i Creative Ideas, we have come up with a rounded up more than 20 creative uses of concrete blocks or cinder blocks in our home and garden. Some of them are actual DIY projects and come with full tutorials. Others are just ideas for you. From indoor furniture, outdoor furniture to garden planters, we hope they will be inspirational to you and get you started on your next concrete block project. Let’s check out all these creative ideas!

How to make a bookshelf out of concrete blocks?

Stack the concrete blocks and two wood planks and you’ll have a nice bookshelf. (photo credit: New Zealand Design Blog)

What to do with cinder blocks on patio?

Paint the cinder blocks in plaid stencils and transform them into beautiful vases for your patio. (tutorial: Design Improvised)

How much does it cost to build a concrete block bench?

1. Concrete Block Garden Bench. This is a very affordable outdoor bench that costs only $30 to build. What a creative idea to make extra seating in the garden! (photo credit: Better Home and Gardens) 2. A sofa bed made with 42 white concrete blocks.

Is cinder block good for raised beds?

If you are thinking about adding a raised bed to your garden, using cinder blocks is a good choice because they are quick and easy to install, and less expensive. (photo credit: I Save A to Z , Savvy Gardening, Vintage Kids Modern World)

Can you build a fire pit from concrete blocks?

You can build an easy, affordable and functional fire pit from concrete blocks. Isn’t that cool? (tutorial: Must Add Fabric Softener)

Can you use cinder blocks as planters?

This is an easy and affordable way to create nice centerpieces using cinder blocks as the planters . (tutorial: Design Sponge)

How to make a nice entryway table?

If you want a really neat entryway table, try making one with concrete blocks. Then put tealight candles in each of the openings . This will make your hallway, entryway or room glow. It looks very cozy and inviting!

Can you make a fire pit with concrete blocks?

If you want a fire pit, don’t buy one, make one! You can use concrete blocks to easily make a really neat fire pit. It will also be very effective in keeping the fire inside the blocks and help people not get hurt.

Why do you make concrete blocks?

Make Your Own Concrete Blocks. You can make your own concrete blocks to save money and bring out the builder in you. Making concrete blocks is a smart, money-saving alternative. Use these easy-to-follow diagrams to build your concrete blocks.

Who said he filled all the concrete blocks with more concrete?

I really felt sorry for Jim DeKorne when he described how he filled all those concrete blocks with more concrete. I've had to do the same thing . . . never could lay a course straight. There is another alternative, though. What with paying 50¢ each for blocks, and then having to buy the cement to tamp into them, I figure it would be a little cheaper to cast one's own concrete building units in place.

How big of a footer should I use for a block wall?

Most block construction calls for an 8" X 16" footer. I'd suggest building forms for the wall's base from 2" X 8" boards, and then using the same lumber for the block forms after the footer is done. Several molds will make the concrete work go a lot faster.

How long to wait to put concrete in a hole?

A note on making the holes: Set the pipes in place, pour the concrete, wait about an hour and rotate the lengths of plastic a few times so they won't freeze in position.

How to control height of block?

The height of the block can be controlled by the form's end plates (see Fig. 2). If you goof on your measurements, just make the necessary correction by raising or lowering those pieces. Also, leveling can be adjusted by means of small wedges under the same panels.

Can you cast concrete in position?

Casting your own concrete units in position has several advantages. For one thing, if you're a weekend builder of a place in the country, you won't have to worry about someone ripping off your blocks in your absence. Or, if you're building and gardening too, you can just fill as many forms as you have time for and then go back to the bean patch. You'll be surprised how much concrete work you can get done using small forms . . . and it's interesting to see what other do-it-yourself ideas you can figure out.

What type of cement is used to make concrete?

The cement used to make concrete bricks must be strength class 42,5N or higher, as the concrete needs to cure as fast as possible. Sand and stones will form the aggregates for the concrete bricks. You can use pit or fine river sand, coarse sand (up to 5mm in size) or stones that are no bigger than 10mm for hollow bricks or 13mm for solid bricks. Usually, you can make concrete bricks with just coarse sand, but a combination of aggregates can also be used.

How to make a concrete sand and cement mix?

Spread the cement over the sand and add aggregates. Use a shovel to mix the sand and cement until a uniform colour is achieved. Sprinkle water over the surface of the mixture. Continue to mix until the correct consistency of concrete is reached.

How thick should concrete be to mix bricks?

To mix the concrete you should spread the sand out on a concrete slab or a steel plate. The sand must be 5cm to 10cm thick. Spread the cement over the sand and add aggregates.

How to store cement and aggregate?

Keep aggregates and cement dry and separate until you need to mix them. Ideally, bags of cement should be stored in a dry room. You’ll need space to produce and store the concrete bricks and blocks. A flat concrete slab will be perfect. You will be able to store 1000 bricks or 200 blocks for curing and drying on a space of about 50 square metres.

How to test if concrete is strong?

For each ratio or combination, mix a batch of concrete with water and use the brick moulding machine to make some test bricks. This way, you can find the perfect mixture for your needs. The heavier the freshly moulded brick, the better. Knock the dried bricks together to test their strength. If you hear a hollow thud, it means the bricks may be weak. If you hear a ringing sound, it means that your bricks are strong.

How many bricks can you make with cement and aggregate?

If you use an aggregate to cement ratio of 8:1 with three-and-a-half bags of cement and a cubic metre of aggregates, you will produce enough concrete mixture to make about 400 bricks. This number can vary depending on the size of the bricks and whether the bricks are hollow or solid.

How long does it take for concrete to cure?

This will ensure that the brick is properly formed. Carefully take the moulded brick out of the machine and set them somewhere to cure for seven days. Protect the bricks from rain and direct sunlight while they are curing.

What finish do concrete blocks come in?

Different Finishes. Concrete block typically comes in a smooth finish, but can also be found in a more decorative, split finish that many people find more attractive. Concrete blocks accept any color or type of stucco very well.

Is a concrete block fire resistant?

Fire-resistant. If the home is subjected to a fire, there is much less chance of extensive damage in a fire as well. Few concrete block homes collapse after fires.

Is a concrete block soundproof?

A well-built, concrete block home is virtually soundproof, as long as doors and windows are well insulated. They also insulate against cold and heat and help a home use less energy to maintain comfortable temperatures.

Does concrete block repel termites?

For example, termites are virtually unknown when you construct with concrete.

Can concrete block homes withstand hurricanes?

With proper construction, including steel rods and a cement/sand/pebble mixture in the blocks’ voids, concrete block homes are able to withstand vicious hurricane winds. They are able to handle tornadoes without a problem and most earthquakes as well.

Is concrete a good material for building?

Concrete blocks have been a popular building material for centuries. There are many good reasons to utilize it, but this material has its disadvantages as well. Learn about the pros and cons of building with concrete blocks so you always know the best situations in which to use them.

Can concrete blocks cause water seepage?

Water Seepage. If you live in an area with a high water table, then using concrete blocks for your basement can lead to seepage and water damage. This will need to be countered with quality waterproofing material and paint.

Step 1

Measure the distance from the ground straight up to your door threshold or porch opening. This measurement will help you determine the necessary height for your steps, and calculate the outward length of the stairs.

Step 2

Calculate the number of individual steps you will need to span the gap between the threshold and the ground. Multiply the height from the previous step by the intended height of each step. If you are working with blocks that measure 8-by-8-by-16 inches, divide the height by 8 inches.

Step 3

Multiply the number of steps you need by 16 inches to determine the length of the stairs and how far out from the threshold you must excavate for the steps. Determine the width of the stairs based on how wide you need the steps so you feel comfortable and safe when you use them.

Step 4

Check the grade of the land with a level before you start excavating. Remove sod from all over the area, then remove additional soil from the high points inside the base of the steps. Check the level before you start digging so you can save time by removing high points as you remove the sod.

Step 5

Tamp the soil down inside the excavated site using a hand-held soil tamper. Check the level of the ground again, remove high points and tamp the ground again until you have a firm, perfectly level step site.

Step 6

Set the first course of block down next to the threshold or porch entrance. Lay the blocks so that the length extends straight out from the threshold. Set the blocks side-by-side the full width of the steps to create a single row of blocks with solid sides facing up.

Step 7

Set another course of blocks over the first layer. This time turn the block to set width-wise in front of the threshold or porch opening; staggering the blocks in this way strengthens the concrete block staircase.