Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Concrete Blocks: Everything You Need To Know
Concrete Blocks: Everything You Need To Know
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT ADBRI MASONRY 19 This comprehensive guide includes everything you need to know about
Architectural Concrete Blocks to build your home or for use in home
landscaping projects.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
®
WHAT IS A BESSER BLOCK?
A Besser® Block is a common name used to describe a concrete building block. The word Besser® is a registered
trademark of Adbri Masonry. These can also be referred to as concrete blocks and cinder blocks. The most
common / traditional Besser® Block is the 20.01 full length block pictured below.
190mm
190mm
390mm
There are 12.5 of these standard Besser Blocks per 1 square metre of wall.
Generally, ‘Besser® Block’ is the name used to describe standard grey building blocks. These blocks are fit for
purpose and hard wearing but because they are often covered with paint, render or framed around, the blocks
are produced in a natural colour. That’s why Adbri have developed a range of coloured concrete blocks.
The architectural ‘Besser® Block’ range is coloured with oxide meaning a wide range of colours are available.
There's lots of block sizes including half height blocks available in modern colours. Adbri also provide the
option of applying a designer ‘texture’ to the face of the block. Treating the face of the block is a great point
of difference and with Smooth, Traditional ‘Split’ face rock texture, Shot Blast and the Honed (polished) finish
available, your project can achieve a truly architectural look.
The project type is the biggest consideration in Adbri Masonry produces a comprehensive range
determining the right products to use. While coloured of natural grey Besser® Blocks, all of which are
concrete Besser® Blocks are great to build your home Australian made and most of which are stock items
with, they are equally good choices for building garden and readily available for use in your project.
beds and building retaining walls. The type of project
In addition to the full range of grey Besser® Blocks,
you are completing will determine what series (sizes)
Adbri also produce a select range of coloured
and types of Besser® Blocks you will need.
concrete blocks. These are the ‘Designer Masonry’
The “series” when referring to block products refers range of blocks which are available on a made to
to the width of a range of blocks, for example, order basis ensuring consistent colour throughout
the 100mm series refers to a range of blocks which your job. The coloured block range and availability
are 90mm wide, the 150mm series refers to a range varies from region to region.
of blocks that are 140mm wide and so on.
Note: Most architectural masonry products are Made
Adbri produces a range of full blocks and fraction
to Order. Minimum quantities and lead times apply.
components in the following series:
• 100mm series (90mm wide blocks) View the range of coloured concrete
• 150mm series (140mm wide blocks) blocks in your area
• 200mm series (190mm wide blocks)
• 300mm series (290mm wide blocks)
It's important to note: As concrete blocks, both
• Brick series (110mm wide bricks)
traditional grey and the coloured varieties are
manufactured using natural raw materials like sands
View the full range of Besser® Blocks,
and aggregates, that minor colour variation can
fractions and components
occur from product to product and batch to batch.
available in your state
This is natural and is not considered a defect.
The trend toward creating unique, designer homes using coloured concrete blocks continues to grow and
architects are capturing the impressive visual appeal that masonry blocks bring to both the external facades
and the internal walls of a home.
Availability of the Desiger Masonry range varies from state to state. Please check the available range in your area
before ordering to avoid dissapointment.
Shambles Brewery
110mm
76mm
230mm
In Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania, Adbri offer a range of designer Architectural
Bricks. These bricks are a traditional brick size and are available in a smooth, honed or shotblast texture.
This brick range offers a contemporary palette of colours and finishing options which are often hard to achieve
with other brick products and because they are concrete, they are durable and hard wearing.
Ebony
Steel
Fossil
Ivory
Oatmeal
Sunstone
Honed Shotblast
Adbri bricks can be textured to provide a Shotblast or
designer polished look in the Honed finish, both premium
options expose the bricks inner aggregate.
While concrete Besser® Blocks are great for a wide range of building applications around the home, for many
projects, it is best to engage a professional contractor to help with your project. While you can create simple
block projects yourself, they can be challenging as DIY projects due to the importance of working with a level
base and the need to mortar blocks together on all 4 sides. Blocklaying, like bricklaying, is a trade qualification
and installers make laying blocks look easy. In many instances, concrete block walls will be reinforced with steel
and corefilled with grout (concrete) either as one mass or using bond beams. Trade qualified blocklayers can
help with every step.
When you engage a professional, the blocklayer will also provide and mix the materials required for a mortar
at the right strength, organise and install the base as well as any steel reinforcing bars that are required with the
engineer’s design.
If you do want to install blocks yourself, the best tip is to do your research! There are some great visual guides
on YouTube that can help in your DIY project. Be sure to take your time, follow any plans or instruction from
council and always follow the guidelines on batching your mortar to the right strength.
Besser® Blocks are an excellent choice if you are considering a durable, sturdy and proven product to construct
your home. In many instances, block homes are constructed using traditional grey blocks which are then
rendered and painted.
In some areas such as tropical North Queensland, the Building Code of Australia requires homes to be
constructed using block to mitigate the risk of damage caused by cyclones. Besser® Blocks a tried and tested
material that can increase peace of mind.
Many homes, particularly those architecturally designed will use coloured and textured Besser® Blocks for home
construction. If you’re looking to make a statement with your home, then coloured designer masonry blocks
should be at the top of your list. Check out this gallery featuring some beautiful homes built with long lasting
coloured concrete Besser® Blocks.
Besser® Blocks are popular for the construction of retaining walls as they are pure vertical meaning they do
not consume valuable space and they can also be engineered and reinforced to reach great heights. While the
potential to retain at considerable height is an advantage of using Besser® Blocks for large retaining walls, it’s
important to check with your local council about their requirements for engineering and certification before
building any retaining wall.
The key difference in building a Besser® Block retaining wall and a segmental concrete block wall is the need
for a concrete levelling pad and mortar. It is vital that Besser® Block retaining walls are installed onto a concrete
foundation pad which is properly formed and levelled.
In many applications, concrete block walls will be required to be corefilled with grout as per an engineer’s
design. In addition to making blocks lighter to handle, the large cores in concrete Besser® Blocks allow
for easy corefilling with buckets or for larger jobs, a concrete pump. Where required, concrete grout is an
essential element of the construction to ensure the solidarity of the wall.
There are general guidelines for corefill grout as indicated by the Concrete Masonry Association of Australia.
The below table can help determine how much core fill grout will be needed to fill your concrete block wall.
Volume of Concrete to Fill Volume of Concrete to Fill (Approx.) No.of Blocks Filled
Block Type
1m2 Wall Area (m2) 100 Block (m2) by 1 Cubic Metre (m2)
ARCHITECTURAL COLOURED
CONCRETE BLOCKS ON SITE
1
ON-SITE STORAGE AND UPKEEP
» Store masonry off the ground and loosely cover with a waterproof membrane during rain
» Cover unused pallets of blocks and tops of unfinished walls during rain to prevent water
penetration and excessive efflorescence
2
DUST HAZARD
3
COLOUR BLENDING
» Select blocks from down and across 3-4 pallets to ensure a natural variation across
the finished project
4
CLEANING
5
SEALING
» The use of sealants on Adbri Masonry’s concrete masonry range is not compulsory,
but is readily utilised to satisfy individual requirements. Sealer, whilst not recommended
for any structural purposes, can be used to protect your investment for years to come.
6
EFFLORESCENCE - A NATURALLY OCCURING SUBSTANCE
» Good laying practice and site procedures are necessary to mitigate efflorescence
» Efflorescence does not affect the structural integrity or strength of the product
» It may be removed with a stiff brush of the application of an efflorescence removal agent.
Read suppliers instructions before use
7
MORTAR
» An efflorescence inhibiting additive should be used in the mortar mix for coloured products
» The preferred finish for mortar joints in designer masonry is the ironed finish which makes
the mortar more dense. The mortar is pushed against the top and bottom faces of the blocks,
improving the bond between the mortar and the block.
8
COPING AND FLASHING
» Walls and parapets should have protection such as flashing or capping to the top of the
surface. A common source of staining and efflorescence of masonry is water entering walls
and cavities at this point via exposed horizontal surfaces.
» If this is not possible, the top of the block work must be sealed using Emer-clad
waterproofing membrane or equivalent before the capping is bedded to waterproof
the top surface.
Capping units are available to sit atop finished block walls. This serves both aesthetic and functional purposes
providing the wall with a neat finished look while also serving to ensure no debris can enter the wall.
External grey block walls can be finished in a number of ways and if you’re building with traditional Besser® blocks,
you may wish to utilise one of these options to help enhance the finished look of your home.
1. Painting - quick and easy with every colour 3. Applying a facade – many materials such as stone
imaginable at your disposal. and panels can be applied direct to the wall.
2. R
endering (and painting) the blockwork – 4. Texturing –There’s many coating products
premium finish that hides the block shape available that can finish your wall to a desired look.
Note: It is essential that external single skin masonry walls be finished with a weatherproofing product such as a sealant
or paint to prevent water penetration. Seek further advice when selecting a suitable product from your local supply store.
For large projects and all commercial projects, professional cleaners should be engaged. Given that may be
overkill for many residential projects around your home, the following table can help you identify what type
of cleaning would work best for exposed block walls. With all cleaning options, consider your safety eye wear
and skin safety such as gloves. Be sure to always follow the instructions of the manufacturer when using
cleaning agents and chemicals.
WHERE TO BUY?
Click the Request a Quote button for a quick and accurate price, Request a Quote
as well as details on your nearest Certified Partner store.
Adbri Masonry first produced concrete Besser® blocks in 1957 and has been committed to Australian
manufacturing and quality that is just as strong today.
In addition to supplying a full collection of quality concrete building and landscaping products, there are a range
of valuable benefits to working with Adbri Masonry including;
» Access to our Contracting Services Team (in-house » Our suite of helpful step by step DIY videos
design, supply, installation and certification team with landscaping expert Jason Hodges
for commercial projects). » Our network of trained and experienced Certified
» Samples of all products are tested for quality Retailers
in our N.A.T.A accredited laboratory » Service from dedicated and experienced consultants
» Our commitment to environmental sustainability » The benefit of dealing with knowledgeable local
and environmental building products. sales teams