Advice, Concrete blocks for outside walls???

sarah111_2

Please help!

We are having conservatory built 4,35 X 2.75, 3/4 high brick side walls, glass roof, 1/3 high brick to front then glass to roof.

I looked out yesterday and they were building the side walls out of concrete blocks NOT brick, I stopped them and asked them what and why they were doing and there answer was as you can not see them they would do this as they cant point the other side because of the gap.

My question is can you build outside walls out of concrete blocks as I don't think you can or all houses would be made from them. I am about to tell then to pull the Walls down and start again but before I did that I wanted others opinions.

any views or advise is very appreciated.

Many Thanks

Sarah.

SailorSam

I don't think there's anything wrong with building with blocks, it's faster; cheaper and if it's not going to be on view there shouldn't be a problem.
In the past we've had a porch and a garage mainly done with blocks then they were skimmed afterwards.

ormus

of course you can use concrete blocks or brick to build a wall. or a house.
whats in the specification? thats what matters.



ps
the romans used concrete. some of it is still standing.

A.Penny.Saved

sarah111 wrote: »

Please help!

We are having conservatory built 4,35 X 2.75, 3/4 high brick side walls, glass roof, 1/3 high brick to front then glass to roof.

I looked out yesterday and they were building the side walls out of concrete blocks NOT brick, I stopped them and asked them what and why they were doing and there answer was as you can not see them they would do this as they cant point the other side because of the gap.

My question is can you build outside walls out of concrete blocks as I don't think you can or all houses would be made from them.

But it wouldn't look very appealing though would it? Unless the whole house was rendered.

Paying for bricks which aren't going to be seen would significantly add to the cost and provide no real benefit.

I am about to tell then to pull the Walls down and start again but before I did that I wanted others opinions.

any views or advise is very appreciated.

Many Thanks

Sarah.

Perhaps you should get yourself a hand trowel and go and do it yourself. :rotfl:

I do think it is right to question things which don't seem correct as there are too many cowboys cutting corners and doing poor quality work, but I don't think that applies here.

Sambucus_Nigra

What does the design and the quote say?

sarah111_2

Thanks for getting Back to me:)

I was quoted brick and am paying for brick, the thing that most got to us was nothing what so ever was mentioned about the block the guy just told the builders to put it up with no word to us all plans and quotes all say brick. Think it was a bit cheeky not to even mention it.

A.Penny.Saved

If the quote specifies brick then I don't think you should accept it. Your paying for something that you are not getting.

So I would say to them that the quote says brick, that's what you are paying for so that is what you expect. So take it down and do it as quoted.

Will this be visible? Is it against any other wall making it impossible to see? If so then they shouldn't really of quoted using brick I don't think. But if it is visible then you would want it brick. Not really relevant if the quote specifies brick but might be foolish of them for specifying it in the first place.

oldandhappy

We have managed twice to hire really 'nice guys' that changed 'things' slightly and both jobs where below a decent standard and bordering on cowboys. Advice would be to put your foot down. Brick I would want too. Dianne

Tucker

How big is the gap?

You don't need much to lean out and point and if it's not on show the pointing doesn't need to be perfect.

It should be brick if that's what been quoted.

I don't know the actual properties, but it's very likely that un-rendered block will be more water absorbent than a quality brick. That in itself is good reason to expect it's done to the specification.

sarah111_2

Tucker wrote: »

How big is the gap?

You don't need much to lean out and point and if it's not on show the pointing doesn't need to be perfect.

It should be brick if that's what been quoted.

I don't know the actual properties, but it's very likely that un-rendered block will be more water absorbent than a quality brick. That in itself is good reason to expect it's done to the specification.

The gap is 8/10 inches, I stopped them so there is only 3 layers of block up the walls the rest is brick, but worrying it will course issues in the long term like damp, what do you think? it wont be rendered.

tony6403

I assume that the wall has a damp proof course.
The masonary may be constructed from solid medium density blocks (not known as concrete) and it is usual to apply a finish - this is often sand and cement render or there are now excellent acrylic renders which we used on our last job.
However , there are facing blocks which are self-finished and require no additional application ( e.g. some Lignacite products).
You need to establish the properties of the blocks which have been used.