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Advice, Concrete blocks for outside walls???

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  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Intresting one. In our new build the architect specified brick and the buildr is now muttering that there is nothing wrong with block. The architect is adamant that brick is better and it's expansion properties mean you don't need expansion gaps etc as you would with block.

    We are having a site meeting in 20 minutes which will cover this and other points.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,346 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    interesting hintza, keep us up to date.
    Are your walls to be rendered or is it facing brick, and it the structure timber frame or block?
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • I would make them provide brick, especially as that's what you're paying for. They can still be pointed overhand (i.e. from the accessible inside face of the wall leaning over the top of the wall as it is built to point he outside). If you accept block, make sure you get a saving, but I wouldn't want block - ok for an outbuilding, but not for a habitable room IMHO.

    Expansion joints at 12m centres in brickwork, 6m centres in blockwork, is the norm.
  • Yes you can build outside walls with blocks as long as there are rendered or are a facing block which will have similar properties to a facing brick. Check the spec this will all have been worked out at the design stage.
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