Find out the cement and cinder blocks basics before you set foot in a home store or buy cinder blocks or concrete blocks online. You want to familiarize yourself with your intended use, with your space needs, your insulation requirements and worker weight load restrictions before placing your purchase as well as looking at your concrete and cinder block prices.

Cement blocks and cinder blocks can be used for both decorative and functional elements of homes and businesses. From foundation walls to retaining walls and more, these concrete building blocks play a vital role in the construction industry.

To make the most of cement and cinder blocks basics:

1. Learn how cinder blocks differ from solid concrete blocks.

2. Discover the differences in concrete block walls and concrete blocks.

3. Find out how to lay your own cement blocks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at the differences in cement and cinder blocks

Discover the differences in cement and cinder blocks, and weigh how those differences affect your price, your time and your final product. Do you save time by laying a lighter block, or do you lose insulation properties by choosing one over the other?

I recommend: Find out why cinder blocks can be more useful than solid concrete blocks from wiseGEEK. Find out more about cinder blocks, the terminology surrounding them and topics surrounding them from AbsoluteAstronomy.com. Confer with a company like Cinder & Concrete Block, who can help you make a decision on which to use. Not only that, but they also offer insulated masonry units, which may be of interest for your project. U.S. Concrete also gives a comprehensive look at the differences between the two types of block, and they can assist you in your purchasing decision.

Compare differences in concrete blocks

Look at differences in cement blocks, their sizes, their colors and their properties. Different sizes are applicable for different applications, and different colors may appeal to you for your particular project.

I recommend: Look at the variety of differences in concrete block types displayed on the Central Concrete site. From color differences to size differences, you have a lot to choose from. SweetHaven Publishing Services also offers a comprehensive look at the differences in concrete blocks. Their graphics are helpful, and their descriptions are thorough.

Discover how to lay your own cement blocks

Laying your own concrete blocks is a project that can easily be tackled with the right instructions. Make sure that you choose a site that offers step by step instructions, and one that has photographs or diagrams are often the most helpful as well.

I recommend: Find out how to lay concrete blocks yourself from DoItYourself.com. Kight Home Center offers step by step tips to laying your own concrete blocks. From block selection to pouring the wall, to estimating mortar and more, this site is helpful and instructive.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you plan to lay your own concrete blocks, practice spreading mortar before you do it on the real thing. Spreading mortar is a skill that takes practice, but once learned can be easily mastered.

All aspects of the construction business are competitive, perhaps none more so than those companies that want to provide materials to the contractor. With concrete blocks used in foundations and basements of many homes, developing a relationship with building contractors is an important method to generate sales.

To become the "go-to" choice for the construction trade in your area, all aspects of your business must be running efficiently.

1. Have a system in place for inventory control. Inventory control not only prevents unnecessary loss, but also allows you to see which products sell and which do not.

2. Keep adequate in-stock inventory. Construction is often a case of hurry up and wait. If you do not have the products that the contractor needs the first time they call, you may not receive another call.

3. Cinder block prices are important, but price is not the only factor. Often the company that can deliver the cement blocks the same day, even within a few hours of ordering, is the one who gets repeat business.

Action Steps
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Set yourself apart from the competition in cement block sales

For someone involved in the sale of concrete blocks, your competition is not only other concrete block dealers, but companies that pour concrete walls. As poured concrete walls become more widespread, you will increasingly have to sell the benefits of concrete block.

I recommend: Use a concrete calculator to show the real cost of a poured concrete foundation. The cost savings of using cement blocks is substantial. To really drive the point home, prepare a complete cost estimate for a typical project in your area, taking into account basement or slab foundation and the average size of new construction. Use the same specs for both a concrete block foundation and a poured concrete one.

Add value to your cement and cinder block products to gain sales

To even out cash flow and increase business, encourage those other than your core customers to buy cinder blocks. You can do this by stocking decorative concrete block, offering weekend classes on building patios or retaining walls with concrete blocks, or brainstorming other ways to bring in retail customers. Also, rent space at construction trade shows in your area. Make contacts with designers and architects. They are the ones who draw up the plans used by the construction crew.

I recommend: Look up the dates of construction trade shows in your area, and come prepared with samples of your blocks, information the contractor will need if interested in buying cinder blocks, and enlarged and nicely displayed photographs of completed projects.

To increase your retail sales, plan your workshop well in advance, advertise in the local newspaper, and offer it free to the public. In addition to the workshop that you teach, have a variety of decorative cinder blocks available for the customers to view as well as a variety of photographs of completed projects.

Use technology to track inventory of concrete blocks

Construction losses count for millions each year. The only way to minimize losses is to know exactly what you have and how much of it you have. Often, the inventory process in a yard that sells concrete blocks can amount to eyeballing what you have through the window.

I recommend: SyntegraTech and Microvision both offer portable, hand held inventory tracking systems. These products allow you to manage inventory in the field, generate reports and create invoices as well as sync the information to your office computers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cement and cinder blocks are a core part of the construction process, but require marketing efforts just like any other product.
• •  To be the go-to company for cinder blocks keep a large variety of blocks in stock, regularly ask your customers what products they like and dislike and keep your cinder block prices reasonable.
• •  Concrete block is used for many smaller projects. Set up your inventory so that you can easily sell to the home do-it-yourselfer or the large contractor.

Cement and cinder blocks can be the staple to any construction or architectural project. They can be both functional and decorative depending on the size, type or style that you choose, and you can compare concrete and cinder block prices and other properties to make a decision on which type is best for your next project. The trick is to familiarize yourself with your options before jumping into a selection. You can also take classes or study online instructions before tackling a project of your own.

When you buy cinder blocks and concrete blocks, you need to ask yourself if you are looking for form and function or aesthetics. Are you looking to hold something up? to insulate? or to decorate and make an area more pleasing to the eye.

For help in making the most of cement and cinder blocks:

1. Compare basic types of cement blocks. Look at solid blocks versus cinder blocks.

2. Next, delve into the different colors, sizes and styles of each of those two categories. Decide how each would influence your project.

3. Next consider a decorative concrete block or decorative cinder blocks. Think about special finishes or how your exterior wall faces your public.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at basic cement and cinder blocks differences

Decide if you are going for solid and heavy cement blocks, or if you are looking for easier to move, more insulated and less expensive cinder blocks. If you are doing the project yourself and not hiring out, going with the less expensive and not as heavy cinder blocks may be your best option.

I recommend: Take advantage of the Sources of Masonry Products link. There you can find manufacturers of various building products, equipment and supplies including concrete blocks. Learn about concrete block wall advantages from AFTEC.

Check out what various vendors have to offer in concrete blocks products

Compare concrete and cinder block prices, look at different styles and compare delivery and installation costs of various concrete block providers. If you are planning on dong the project yourself, see what steps are available to emphasize the factors that are important to you be they form, function, aesthetics, environmental impact or more.

I recommend: See what styles are available through Kelley Blocks. Check out the many styles of concrete products available through New Holland Concrete. Check out the concrete block products from Gagne and Son. See how concrete blocks can assist you in going green with help from BuildingGreen.

Consider specialty cement and cinder blocks

You might think about vendors who offer specialty cement and cinder blocks. From highly decorative, to special locking properties, these concrete block walls may cost a premium price, but may pay off in the long run in improved aesthetics or greater ease of installation.

I recommend: Anchor Block offers a wide variety of standard or finished products. Check out the Enviro-Block block styles offered from Inter-Block. You might also consider the VOBB dry stack concrete blocks. Look at the decorative concrete block products from Redi-Rock.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember when deciding between cement and cinder blocks, that cinder blocks can be filled with concrete after they have been laid. Cinder blocks are often less expensive than solid concrete blocks because of their hollow nature, and they are also easier to initially carry and lay. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when choosing a concrete block for your project.
• •  Consult your local home store to see if they offer classes on laying concrete blocks or creating concrete block retaining walls. Some people are more inclined to pickup how to do it by watching someone else as opposed to reading about it in an instruction manual.

Cement blocks and cinder blocks are used both for construction and decorative purposes. In building construction, cement blocks often are used for the foundation of buildings and for load-bearing purposes, while cinder blocks tend to be used for wall construction. Both come in standard sizes and shapes, but can be manufactured to fit into particular construction needs. Special shapes include a corner block for sharp corners at window and door frames, or a bull-nose block for a rounded corner in those spaces.

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Cement block, concrete block

The terms cement block, or concrete block, are often used interchangeably. Cement blocks are created from a mixture of cement, water and small stones or gravel. To lighten the weight, companies manufacture concrete blocks with two or three holes, which are called two- or three-core blocks.

I recommend: For more information on concrete blocks, along with illustrations of many different shapes of block, visit U.S. Concrete.

Cinder block

Cinder blocks, as their name implies, contain cinders, the leftovers from burned coal. Companies combine Portland cement, water and cinders to create the blocks for masonry use. One difference between cinder blocks and concrete blocks is the weight; cinder blocks are lighter. In addition, the exterior of cinder blocks tends to have a rougher texture than that of a smoothed concrete block.

I recommend: wiseGEEK reviews the differences between cinder blocks and concrete blocks.

Stretcher block

Stretcher block is the term for the standard size of cement block. They are called 8-inch blocks, but the 8x8x16-inch shape actually runs 7 5/8 inches on the sides and 15 5/8 inches in length. Mortar in the joints brings the measurement up to 8 inches and 16 inches.

I recommend: Kight Home Center discusses stretcher blocks and shows illustrations of two- and three-core blocks.

Jamb block

A jamb block is used around window frames. The block has a recessed area at one end that provides space for the window casing to be inserted.

I recommend: Scroll down to Figure 2-1 for an illustration of a jamb block at Sweethaven Publishing Services. Below the illustration is a discussion of jamb block use.

LEED compliant

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a ratings system of the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council that covers energy efficiency, materials and resources, sustainable site development, water savings, indoor environmental quality and design innovation. Some concrete block manufacturers are voluntarily producing materials that help with LEED projects.

I recommend: The U.S. Green Building Council provides more details about LEED and going green with construction projects. New Holland Concrete discusses details that make concrete blocks LEED compliant.

National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)

The National Concrete Masonry Association sets the standards for masonry construction in the United States.

I recommend: Learn about the mission and programs offered by the NCMA.