Help identifying and sourcing

[Lsr]

Hello,

Long time lurker. I'm in process of buying and restoring and old auto repair shop. I'm in need of 15-20 replacement cement blocks. Please see the pictures. Any thoughts on where I could source some replacements? Thanks in advance.

 

[nadogail]

I would check my local Yellow Pages. Somebody local to you must sell Bricks and Blocks.

 

[ZRX61]

Ya can't leave us hanging, let's see the rest of the shop

 

[Firebrick43]

My guess is built in the late 20's. Good luck finding a company selling those. Probably have better luck making your own mold out of wood and making your own blocks.

Link below is a digital copy of an old book. Its available as a reprint on amazon although its low page count means it could be printed at home.

Practical Concrete block making


There are plenty of videos on youtube as well.

 

[Uncle murph]

My guess is built in the late 20's. Good luck finding a company selling those. Probably have better luck making your own mold out of wood and making your own blocks.

Link below is a digital copy of an old book. Its available as a reprint on amazon although its low page count means it could be printed at home.

Practical Concrete block making


There are plenty of videos on youtube as well.

This.Make you own or keep your eye out for a demolition.

 

[Stuart in MN]

They are pretty unusual. I agree that finding new ones is unlikely, and you may have to look for someone tearing down another building. I wonder if that style block was a regional thing - have you seen any other old buildings in your area that are similar?

 

[Bert_]

It a type of decorative concrete block. Was common around the 1920's. I agree that you will not find new block like it unless you have someone making their own.

 

[BrandonV]

Looks like a panel faced concrete block. Video of an old machine used to make them.

Might check these folks out.

Block Specs

Classic Rock Face Block

classicrockfaceblock.com

 

[kbeefy]

OK long time lurker... you should know better than to only post a couple pictures. Lets see the rest!!!

 

[Lsr]

All. Thanks for your thoughts. I have my eyes peeled for old tear downs. I hadn’t thought about making them. Interesting. Yes, built in late 20s I believe. She needs some love but I’m up for it.

 

[Bert_]

Love all that glass!

Always nice to see an old building that hasn't had windows filled in, or replaced and shrunk.

 

[ZRX61]

How's the inside look?

 

[kbeefy]

more pictures....

 

[Uncle murph]

All. Thanks for your thoughts. I have my eyes peeled for old tear downs. I hadn’t thought about making them. Interesting. Yes, built in late 20s I believe. She needs some love but I’m up for it.

Very cool,unmolested old garage.

 

[Sumboodie]

I would check my local Yellow Pages. Somebody local to you must sell Bricks and Blocks.

Yellow pages? Is that even a thing anymore?
Contact them with a telegraph?

 

[nadogail]

My local telephone directory has classified listings in the rear of the book printed on Yellow Paper. I still let my fingers do the walking when I am not doing a Google search.

 

[txvwnut]

Hit up the local architectural salvage businesses in the area. They might have some or know someone who might have some salvaged blocks.

 

[CN Spots]

That place is in remarkably good condition for its age. Has the roof been redone?

 

[Lsr]

Looks like a panel faced concrete block. Video of an old machine used to make them.

Might check these folks out.

Block Specs

Classic Rock Face Block

classicrockfaceblock.com

Sir, thank you for the lead. I called them today and I think they have a perfect match.

I don’t have any good interior pictures. I’ll post when it gets cleaned out. There is a pretty cool trolley hoist in there. More pics when I get settled. Built in the 20s so lots to do. Yes, the roof is probably 15 years old or so.

 

[dfiler2]

Great looking building!

 

[maxpower_hd]

That is an awesome looking building. Making the blocks yourself might work if you only need a few but if you need many the juice might not be worth the squeeze. Are there any interior walls, like an office, that you could steel the blocks from? Or maybe any plans of adding a door or another garage door to the outside walls? My last thought would be to remove and replace some out of the rear wall where you wouldn't notice so much.

 

[chase237]

Not sure if back side or street side but you could demo the stepped façade and frame in a gable like the other end. Probably a last resort plan.

 

[rktinc]

Wow, That is fantastic. I am putting the finishing touches on my old shop turned personal garage. You may find that you can be creative and camouflage missing or damaged portions of your exterior with signage, airvents, new doors and window openings ect. Sometimes just going with the hole and using it for something useful is better than trying to match a rich patina.

I look forward to your project. Congrats!

 

[rktinc]

I could not resist sending you this link. Your shop reminds me of this new build that was listed for sale a while back. Not sure if you plan on going full crazy man cave or just use your building for storage, but if you are looking to match vintage exterior block then you might just be as crazy and OCD as some of us here on the GJ.

Take a look a this shop:

Priorities: Vintage-Style $1.45M House Has 5-Car Garage, 1 Bedroom

This house in Natick, Massachusetts, has 1,000 square feet of living space and room for five cars and a lift, all in one retro package.

www.thedrive.com

 

[kbs2244]

do I see a basement entrance?

 

[Zeke]

My local telephone directory has classified listings in the rear of the book printed on Yellow Paper. I still let my fingers do the walking when I am not doing a Google search.

I haven't seen a yellow page book in years.

Good thing it appears not much block needed. You can even make a veneer. It doesn't have to be concrete either. In Europe they use some material called Jesmonite. It was available in the U.S. under another name and I have some. But I have lost touch with the distributor making me think they have gone away.

Exterior Jesmonite Cornice | Cornice London

For over 15 x years we've been using Jesmonite AC730 a cement based product with glass fibre reinforcement which allow for large lightweight casting and the ability to incorporate fixing which makes it idle for exterior Facades.

www.cornicelondon.co.uk

 

[wssix99]

I haven't seen a yellow page book in years.

lol Aren't they on the shelf right under the pay phone?

 

[wssix99]

Please see the pictures. Any thoughts on where I could source some replacements?

I just ran this by someone with a degree in Historic Preservation and their response was "Holy ****." (...usually this person can find any type of old brick you might ever want)

Consensus at the table is that even if you could find a match at a salvage yard, the salvage process would probably not be kind to these blocks and most would not survive the process.

The best idea we have is to find someone local who makes concrete countertops. (and is good at it) A good countertop maker should be able to take a good shot at the form, texture, and color for you.

 

[vavet]

Making the blocks yourself might work if you only need a few but if you need many the juice might not be worth the squeeze.

I love that expression but I just never think of it when it’s appropriate.