For purposes of the study a 24 by 40 foot basement complete with footings waterproofing and including all material and labor was examined from the standpoint of poured concrete full 8 inch block and modular 7 5 8 inch high block for both frame and veneered.
Poured wall vs concrete block cost.
Reinforcing steel can be used to strengthen either material.
Extras can drive up the cost of both a concrete foundation and concrete block.
Block and concrete are strong in compression but weak in tension.
For instance an exposed poured concrete foundation may be colored or faux finished to look like stone.
Costs vary from region to region but in this area poured stem wall foundations cost about 20 less than block foundations of the same height.
Each type has its advantages and drawbacks.
Leaks may occur if the foundation drops settles or sinks due to the soil below the foundation collapsing.
Poured wall basements require a larger expenditure for labor as most homeowners must hire a professional to measure mix and pour the concrete into the basement area.
I ve built buildings using both materials.
The basic components are small gravel cement mix and sand.
They differ in the size of gravel used and that concrete blocks are hollow while poured concrete is solid.
In my most recent experience an 8x16 cmu foundation went for about 6 25 per square foot of wall compared with about 5 per square foot for 10 inch thick poured walls.
Block walls can be as strong or stronger than poured walls.
A concrete block foundation can be stronger than a poured concrete foundation.
Poured concrete and concrete block are the two foundation types that dominate the residential construction industry in the united states.
Poured concrete wall foundations are arguably stronger than cinder blocks.
The cost of the raw materials is roughly the same for poured wall and block basements.
Poured concrete walls can leak moisture through non structural cracks in the wall where the floor and wall meet at the top of the foundation wall or through the porous concrete.
Reinforcing steel needs to be in block walls both vertical and horizontal.
Poured concrete vs block wall tips just below.
Block cores must be filled with pea gravel concrete.
Concrete block wall costs zip code sq.
According to a survey by the portland cement association 72 of new homes with full basements are built with poured concrete wall systems while concrete block walls hold 25 of the national market.
Concrete block wall material prices.