PW vs. Block

Poured Concrete Walls vs. Block Walls

At a Glance: 

Is the difference really important? Yes! While both poured-in-place and block construction methods can provide you with

a foundation, poured-in-place walls hold an advantage over block in the follow areas:

• Block walls have joints and seams that can allow water infiltration, drafts, mold, and insects inside the home

• Block walls are more prone to bowing, leaking, and structural damage

• Block walls take more time to erect, increasing labor expense, project costs, and overall construction time

• Block walls require specialized crews and other subcontractors that may not be readily available when you need them. They simply are not turn-key.

• Block walls are hollow, not solid, and may still require the concrete pour for added strength or code compliant

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Below are two charts comparing 8 inch and 10 inch unreinforced solid concrete walls and 10 inch and 12 inch unreinforced hollow core concrete block walls, courtesy of the Concrete Foundations Association . It is clear that these concrete block walls for residential construction do not measure up to the standards of accepted engineering practices, even at greater wall thickness than solid poured concrete walls.

Flexural Strength Test Results

Flexural Strength Test Results
Results based on elemental testing
Normal Size	Type	Load (lbs.)	Gross Strength (PSI)
8″ x 16″ x 24″	Poured Concrete	21,750	765
8″ x 16″ x 24″	Concrete Block	690	25
10″ x 16″ x 24″	Poured Concrete	34,600	770
10″ x 16″ x 24″	Concrete Block	2,060	45
12″ x 16″ x 24″	Poured Concrete	50,600	775
12″ x 16″ x 24″	Concrete Block	1,150	20

Compressive Strength Test Results

Compressive Strength Test Results
Results based on elemental testing
Normal Size	Type	Load (lbs.)	Gross Strength (PSI)
8″ x 16″ x 24″	Poured Concrete	593,000	4900
8″ x 16″ x 24″	Concrete Block	143,070	1210
10″ x 16″ x 24″	Poured Concrete	711,000	4670
10″ x 16″ x 24″	Concrete Block	164,500	1580
12″ x 16″ x 24″	Poured Concrete	877,000	4780
12″ x 16″ x 24″	Concrete Block	243,000	1330

Eleven reasons why poured concrete wall construction is the best:

• Water tightness is important to homeowners. Solid concrete walls keep water out better than other types of construction

• Greater fire resistance due to the increased density and joint free construction of poured concrete walls…offers twice the fire resistance than hollow core block walls.

• Resistance to rot and decay – Solid concrete walls provide long years of service life. Neither home builders nor home owners must be concerned that concrete will be vulnerable to rot or decay that can occur in wood construction.

• Home builders have fewer warranty problems. Water tightness means fewer call backs for the builder or housing developer, which leads to cost savings.

• Efficient modern construction methods make poured concrete walls cost competitive with block walls, which is important to both home builders and home buyers.

• Performance testing for strength – Testing the compressive strengths of concrete assures the builder and homeowner of specified strengths in the concrete.

• When you consider a poured concrete wall has forty percent more concrete at competitive prices, the choice leads to poured concrete walls.

• Quality aggregates are essential for quality concrete. Aggregates that are washed and graded, state and federally inspected.

• Multi-family dwelling developers appreciate faster construction times, meaning a quicker return for the owner in rental or sales.

• Homeowners know about the water tightness of poured concrete walls. When they combine the benefits of a stronger, more durable wall…it adds up to more value and thus a better re-sale on the property.

• Ready Mixed Concrete can also adapt to cold weather construction which offers builders an extended construction season.

(Courtesy of Concrete Foundations Association)