What are the benefits of using concrete blocks over poured concrete for foundation walls?
The benefits are as follows: • Masonry block walls traditionally take less time to complete, especially when the time taken for curing poured concrete is factored in. • The top surface of a block basement is smooth, while poured concrete walls tend to settle within their forms causing an uneven top surface finish. It is important to have a smooth top as this is what the frame, brick, stone or other veneers that form the exterior cladding are built on. • Block basements add flexibility and ease because they can be fitted around any shape of door and window without having to create elaborate forms, and can come in any colour or with any texture desired. • With concrete masonry units, you are not limited to the size of forms, as in poured concrete walls. • With block walls, the quality of concrete masonry units is controlled by the manufacturer. With poured walls, quality can be influenced by the contractor increasing the amount of water (thus decreasing the concrete strength) and by a nu
