19/10/2024
BRICKS VS CONCRETE BLOCKS
In today's article I will like to discuss on two important materials used in buildings and civil engineering works, in relation to their production process and usage, these materials are :-
1. CONCRETE BLOCKS
2. BRICKS .
Infact their is no simple answer in knowing the best among the two, as this answer solely depends on the nature of the building to be constructed.
BRICKS
The word bricks is used to describe a small block of burned clay of such size that can be conveniently held in one hand . It is made of lime, sand and concrete .
A brick wall has very good fire resistance, and a moderately good insulator against transference of heat, it can deteriorate structurally and requires very little maintenance over a long period of time.
They vary in colour, weight, texture and densities.
However, bricks may be classified in accordance with their uses as :-
common bricks, facing bricks and engineering bricks or by their quality, ordinary quality or special quality.
CONCRETE BLOCKS
Concrete blocks as the name suggest, are larger in size than a brick block that can be handled by one man.
Concrete blocks are made of concrete and extremely used for both load bearing and non load bearing walls, externally and internal.
Similarly, concrete blocks have good insulating properties against transfer of heat
If sound insulation, fire resistance and thermal effeciency are priorities, then solid concrete blocks could be the right choice. Apart from all these qualities, concrete blocks can be painted easier than bricks.
The disadvantage of concrete blocks as a wall unit is that they suffer moisture movement which may cause cracking of applied finishes such as plaster.
It is now left to the user to decide which one is the best among the two.
