Get to Know the Sizes and Types of Concrete Blocks, Take Notes!

Building attractive houses and buildings does not depend only on good design, but also on a solid and cost-efficient foundation. One material that needs to be considered in the construction of houses and building foundations is concrete blocks.

Concrete blocks come in a variety of sizes, with their use depending on the specific construction needs of each project. Therefore, if you plan to build a house or a building, it is essential to understand this matter. Read on to learn more about the different sizes of concrete block, as well as their types, advantages, and disadvantages.

What Is the Ideal Size for Concrete Blocks?

The standard or ideal size for concrete blocks used in various building constructions is 30 cm long, 10 cm wide or thick, and 15 cm high. This size is the most commonly used, both in large building construction projects and in individual house construction.

Concrete blocks are a type of construction material made from a mixture of coarse sand, gravel, lime, cement, and water. All these construction materials are compacted to form blocks. Concrete blocks are also available in various sizes to suit construction needs.

The most common type of concrete block you may encounter is a rectangular block with 2–3 holes in the middle. This type of concrete block is commonly known as a pressed concrete block, made from a mixture of cement, sand, water, and other materials.

However, aside from the sizes mentioned above, there are other brick sizes designed to meet a variety of construction needs, including larger bricks made for specific structural purposes.

Types of Concrete Blocks and Their Sizes

Apart from having standard sizes, concrete blocks also come in various types, each with different dimensions and specific functions. The following are the types of concrete blocks you should know:

Types of Concrete Blocks Commonly Used in Indonesia

Based on their application in Indonesia, concrete blocks are generally classified into three types, as follows:

1. Concrete Blocks

The first type commonly used in Indonesia is the concrete block. This block is made from a mixture of cement aggregate, gravel, water, sand, and other construction materials.

The manufacturing process for these blocks uses special molds that differ from those used for other types of concrete blocks. These molds have hollow cavities in the center, which are designed to accommodate steel reinforcements such as columns, electrical conduits, or piping systems. 

Unlike concrete blocks standardized by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI), these blocks typically have dimensions of 30 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm. They are commonly used in the construction of residential buildings, commercial properties, and various infrastructure projects.

2. Pressed Concrete Blocks

These concrete blocks, often referred to as cement concrete blocks, are made from a mixture of sand, crushed stone, and cement. They are called pressed concrete blocks because they are produced using a press machine, which results in higher density and strength compared to other types of concrete blocks.

Although these blocks can also be produced manually, manual production typically results in lower density and reduced structural performance.

The standard size for pressed concrete blocks ranges from approximately 36–40 cm x 8–10 cm x 18–20 cm. This size differs significantly from both SNI-standard concrete blocks and conventional concrete blocks.

3. Tras Concrete Blocks

The final type of concrete block commonly used in Indonesia is the tras concrete block. This is a white concrete block made from a mixture of water, trass, and limestone.

Trass is a natural material that contains silica and alumina, and it is often found in or extracted from volcanic materials.

Tras concrete blocks are generally smaller than other commonly used concrete blocks in Indonesia, with typical dimensions ranging from 20–30 cm x 10–15 cm x 8–10 cm.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Blocks

There are advantages and disadvantages to using concrete blocks as a building material. It is important to understand both of these aspects when deciding whether to choose concrete blocks as your building material.

Advantages of Concrete Blocks

Concrete blocks are a popular building material used in various types of construction. This is because concrete blocks have numerous advantages. Here are some advantages of concrete blocks:

• Concrete blocks are larger in size but lighter in weight, making the construction process easier.  
• They offer soundproof and waterproof properties, helping to reduce noise and prevent rainwater seepage into the building walls.
• Concrete blocks are relatively affordable.  
• They are widely produced in Indonesia, making them easy to find and purchase in the market.  
• Concrete blocks are available in a variety of types and sizes to meet different construction needs. In certain situations, they can also be cut to fit specific building requirements.

Drawbacks of Concrete Blocks

Despite their many benefits, concrete blocks also have some drawbacks that should be considered. Here are some of the drawbacks of concrete blocks.

• Concrete blocks do not absorb heat well, so rooms built using concrete blocks tend to feel hotter.
• Concrete blocks are more prone to cracking or breaking if not installed by an experienced contractor.  
• The use of concrete blocks requires additional finishing to cover their relatively large pores.  
• Concrete blocks are also often considered less aesthetically pleasing.

What Are the Most Commonly Used Sizes for Wall Concrete Blocks?

The most commonly used sizes for wall concrete blocks are 40 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm for exterior walls and 40 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm for interior walls or as fillers.

Exterior wall concrete blocks are commonly used to build exterior walls, while filler blocks are a type of concrete block with holes in the middle to serve as fasteners.  

To enhance wall strength, it is recommended to use filler concrete blocks on interior walls. These blocks have cavities or holes in the middle, which provide better support and reinforcement for the wall structure.

Filler concrete blocks are essentially the same type as standard concrete blocks, but they differ in terms of the required size.

In principle, all sizes of concrete blocks can be used for wall construction. However, contractors typically use specific sizes that are best suited to the construction projects they are working on.

Read also: How Building Contractors Work and The Scope of Their Field

How to Calculate Concrete Block Requirements

After understanding the various types and sizes of concrete blocks, it is equally important to learn how to calculate the number of blocks needed. This step helps you manage the cost of your home renovation or construction project more efficiently and prevents budget overruns.

You can use the following formula to calculate concrete block requirements:

1 m2 : (length x width) (length x width)  

For example, if the length of the concrete block is 30 cm, the width is 10 cm, and the height is 15 cm, the calculation is as follows:  

1 m² : (30 cm x 10 cm) = 33.3 pieces  

Therefore, the concrete block requirement is 33.3 pieces, which can be rounded up to 34 pieces.

That concludes the information on the various sizes and types of concrete blocks, as well as how to calculate the number of blocks needed. Understanding this matter is essential, as concrete blocks are a vital component in building construction and play a key role in creating strong and durable structures.

After learning about the various sizes and types of concrete blocks, do not forget that the quality of a building is not only determined by the concrete blocks themselves, but also by the other materials, such as cement.

For maximum and long-lasting results, you can use Semen Merah Putih Watershield, a premium multi-purpose cement equipped with triple protection technology against water seepage from the outside, inside, and ground or capillary water, making it ideal for applications on concrete slabs, foundations, castings, and plastering, and offering many advantages over ordinary cement.

In addition to Semen Merah Putih Watershield, Semen Merah Putih also offers a range of other premium products. Contact us for more information about our premium products and to receive reliable advice, as well as some recommendations for your construction projects!

Read also: What Is the Use of Cement In A Construction Project?