Build Garage out of cinder blocks?

[SilverShark96]

Can you build a garage out of cinder blocks? Say you have a slab, and just use the cinder blocks for the walls, and wood for the ceiling. Would that work?? It seems the cheapest way, no?

 

[action fab]

A lot of shops were built that way back in the day. But I think that metal buildings are cheaper now. I have been researching this too because it would work really well for my application. But at 40'x80' with 20' walls it would not be very cost effective for me.

it will run you about $2.50 per block to when its all done... more if you want a textured block.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

I don't think you could do it on a slab. You need really good footings for block, and you need to fill a good number of the cores. Makes a nice building if done properly though.

 

[lilredex]

Definately cannot build that on a slab. Footings in the 36" (or deeper) range would be needed here.

Looking around about twenty years back I saw a crew building such a garage, and stoppped to talk. The guy in charge said he could build a 24 X 24 block garage with footings for $5G........the roof and floor were yours to do.

Regretted not going that route many times. A guy a few streets over from me built a similar garage with architectual blocks and has a "sort of" second storey that towers over adjacent homes. Don't know how he got away with that one..............must have put it up overnight. Looks really good.

 

[D.J.]

Make sure to use concrete and not cinder bolocks, yes I know I too picky, but true cinder blocks have no strength in my opinon. Yes I'm old enough to remember cinder blocks made out of slag from coal stoves. You young guys may not have a clue as to what I'm talking about. Also use a good strong deep footing for your build if you go this way. Please remember you won't be able to insulate unless you put it inside the blocks or fir out the interior walls and install it inside the area cutting down on the available space for working. Also unless you are very good mason this route is not for the DIYer at all.
________
DODGE POLARA HISTORY

 

[rsanter]

you will need a footing to support the weight.
either pour a footing around the exsisting slab or trim the slab to make room for the footing.

bob

 

[Nuts]

Is not the proper terminology pumice blocks?

Makes for a nice tight mostly fireproof building.

Do the Styrofoam concrete filled blocks need a footing as big as standard pumice blocks?

Here's a link that you might do some research on, to see if it will work on your application.
Foam wall blocks

Nuts

 

[Falcon67]

Also at a buck plus a block, I'd not think the build would be cheap.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Is not the proper terminology pumice blocks?

The correct term is CMU, or concrete masonry unit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete_masonry_unit

Those foam forms for concrete are called ICF, or insulating concrete forms. They're a pretty neat way to build (a friend of mine used them for the basement walls of his house) but will require footings as well.

 

[jklingel]

If you will be insulating, no way in hell can you compete w/ ICFs, unless you just enjoy block work and are good at it. However, are you set on having concrete? Wood framing is pretty cheap, easier on the body, and can be insulated and finished inside on next year's budget. Block is a PITA to wire, insulate, etc. Unless you need a bomb shelter, I'd avoid it, myself. Good luck. j

 

[sdowney717]

wood framed buildings fare better in quakes.

 

[spongerich]

wood framed buildings fare better in quakes.

I prefer straw.

 

[Red05GT]

If there is an existing footer and foundation that would support the block yes, a
simple floating slab no. As rsanter said, you could put in a footer and start up with
block if your slab a floater. The ICFs still require the same footer as block or concrete
due to the weight of the concrete fill. The other thing to consider is the need for a
concrete pumper to fill the ICFs or the bond beam on top of a CMU wall. Wood, grass-
hopper!

 

[darkbuddha]

I'm not sure why there would be any problem with using block; my father had a brand new 30x40 garage built late last year and it is block. Maybe it's a Florida thing, but block is considered much preferable to frame or metal buildings for durability and wind resistance (i.e. hurricanes and tropical storms) Block buildings are significantly cheaper to insure and not much costlier to build, and his garage was built to meet or exceed code for new home construction. Yes, I do know that you'd need proper footings done to support block walls, but couldn't you just lay the footings in around the existing slab to reduce costs?

 

[Red05GT]

Yes darkbuddha, you could dig a footer around the existing slab and start the blocks
from there. Then you have a slab fill in to do around the four sides between the existing
slab and the inside of the new block wall. When SilverShark96 says slab, maybe there
is a foundation. Much depends on region of country, and condition of the "slab". If the
slab is marginal to begin with, and not thickened on the edges, then even wood framing
would be questionable. Not enough info, need pictures.

 

[NDAWIND]

Must be a Florida thing, I did my 48 x 30 in block with stucco to match the house. Never would consider wood, but block is all im used to.

 

[nolatoolguy]

I prefer straw.

I prefer cotton, when those get wet they absorb the water well

 

[6768rogues]

Masonry sidewalls with a wooden roof is a more fire resistant type of construction and most building codes will allow a larger building area and less separation from other buildings with a higher (more fire resistant) type of construction.Also, building codes allow more fire resistant buildings to be taller and closer to property lines. This is not to be confused with zoning codes, which have their own setbacks.
I own all wooden buildings, metal covered wooden buildings and a block/wood roof building. They all work.

 

[JDMopar]

Mine is block walls and roof trusses. It's 40 X 40 with a 16 X 24 foot room on the back side. Here's a pic from the masons 3rd day working on it. I just realized I need to make some new pics since the dang thing has been done for over a year. It may not have been as cheap as framing it, but it's what I wanted and I'm very happy with it.