Getting ready to order concrete blocks. Need block advice....

[scarpozzi]

I'm about to lay block for my 30x30 attached garage. My house has a block foundation with 12" long decorative brick (like silo brick) on the top 2-3 courses. It's going to be tough to find around here, so I'm trying to decide how to proceed.

I'm going to build a 2 foot stem wall above grade so I can have 10 foot ceilings. My choices are:
1.> Order regular 8" block below grade and decorative concrete block above grade to be painted a dark neutral color.
2.> Order regular 8" block all around and cap it with a brick veneer or just brick it with a standard brick.

Which should I go for? I considered doing a stone veneer, but my house is vinyl and I'm not sure if I want that whole stone/vinyl look. Trying to decide best option.

 

[readhead]

If you decide on the veneer start with 12" block up to grade and then go to 8" so you have a ledge to support the veneer. Another way is to use 8" for everything then lay up 4" outside to form the brick ledge.

 

[scarpozzi]

I didn't realize the veneers were 4" thick. That may answer my question. I based my footers on 8" block. My batter boards and footers are set for 8" to be dead center.

I'm still workiong on my block calculations, but I'll probably just stick with decorative block, paint it, and seal all the stuff underground.

 

[readhead]

The veneer may not be 4" thick. You don't have to use all the ledge.

 

[kbs2244]

Look for some "Rock Face" block.
It is normal sized block with the rough surface.
It is what they use on WalMarts and other big box buildings/

 

[uhcrandy]

That split-face block is HEAVY. It will cost more, but I do like the looks of it!

 

[hybred355]

Okay,8 in block foundation 2x4 walls 3/8 or 1/2 inch obs on out side Some type off rap on the obs leaves you about 4 inches for the brick. 2x6 walls and you will need 10 inch block.I would not recomend split face block ,they will let water penatrate them. Larry

 

[scarpozzi]

Okay,8 in block foundation 2x4 walls 3/8 or 1/2 inch obs on out side Some type off rap on the obs leaves you about 4 inches for the brick. 2x6 walls and you will need 10 inch block.I would not recomend split face block ,they will let water penatrate them. Larry

I was planning on painting them to seal them and am doing standard block below grade to seal them with tar.... I'm sure I could hit the split face block with an oil-based waterproofer paint and seal them good enought... I'll have 3 courses going around the garage space on 3 sides and 1 course on the outside of a living room above grade at 20 feet long.

 

[RedBKM]

If you like the look of the split-face block try to find a product called "Dry-Block". I built my whole 30x60x12 out of it. It has built-in waterproofer and it works great. I can get a soaking driving rain and while it looks wet it dries in minutes. Another benefit I didn't realize... all the mud splashed around the edge cleans off with a broom.

I used regular 8" below grade and filled them with concrete. As a previous person said these blocks are much more substantial. I think they weigh about 40% more than a standard 8". They also have more contact surface between them for mortar.

Heres my split-face shop.

 

[wjappe]

I have a similar problem. I would like to order some 8x8x16" cement blocks from HomeDepot (using the credit I have), money's a bit tight but all they have is one kind of block that is grooved on one end and smooth on the other, don't know if this kind of block can be used on runs between the corners. I was wondering if someone could advise please. It's more expensive for me to go to a regular mason supply place.

 

[brownbagg]

i can buy reqular block at home depot for $1.65 a block. the block yard sells to me at $1.05. home depot buys from the block yard too

 

[BFBOB]

To match your house foundation (which sounds pretty cool) you could apply tile over the bottom course or two of block. Should be a lot easier to find tile that would harmonize, if not exactly match. To avoid having it look "stuck on" you'd need to have the upper courses overhang the lower by the thickness of tile plus grout. Don't know what that might do structurally- you might have to fill those lower courses plus one with concrete.

 

[BlindViper]

How about a picture of the house?