*Based on standard 8”x8”x16” concrete blocks. Cinder block walls reinforced with concrete and steel provide a higher load-bearing capacity.Ĭoncrete block fill calculator Number of blocks How much weight can a cinder block support?Ī concrete cinder block supports 1,900 to 3,000 pounds of weight per square inch (PSI), as per the ASTM International 2018 standards.

Concrete blocks have different weight-bearing ratings depending on their content. All concrete blocks contain cement, sand, gravel, and other materials like ash or coal cinders. Today, there is no difference between concrete blocks and cinder blocks. What’s the difference between concrete and cinder blocks? Concrete prices depend on the type, load size, and delivery distance. Poured concrete is stronger and easier to waterproof, but it requires more site preparation and formwork. Concrete block walls are better for remote and hard-to-access locations. Unsealed concrete-block walls will crack, get wall and insulation rot, mold, and suffer structural failures.Ĭoncrete block wall finishing cost Finishing typeĬinder block wall FAQs Is a poured concrete wall or a block wall cheaper?Ī concrete block wall is cheaper at a total cost of $15 to $30 per square foot on average, and a poured concrete wall costs $15 to $35 per square foot installed.Ĭinder blocks require skilled labor for effective installation. Sealing cinder-block walls is vital since they absorb water easily. Most cinder-block wall finishing options cost $1.50 to $10.00 per square foot. Other common cinder block sizes range from 4” to 12” in depth and are typically 8” tall. Standard cement cinder block dimensions are 8”x8”x16”. Actual block measurements are smaller to allow for a mortar layer 3/8” thick between the block joints. Block wall foundations need to be 1’ to 3’ deep on average, or deeper for tall fences.ĭrainage – Installing a French drain costs 10 to $35 per linear foot to prevent flooding around the wall.Įquipment allowance – Cutting and grinding blocks onsite is labor-intensive work with various fees depending on the wall design and project size. Trenching – Foundation trenching costs $5 to $12+ per linear foot or more for rocky soil. Insulation – Filling the concrete blocks with core-filling injection foam costs $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.Įxcavation – Machine excavation costs $1 to $5 per square foot, depending on the dirt type, depth, and number of obstructions.

Building codes state reinforcements are necessary for almost all block walls, except for non-load-bearing walls shorter than 2’ tall in some cities. Reinforcements – Filling the wall with cement and rebar costs $1.00 to $5.25+ per square foot. Removing an old concrete fence or block wall – Demolishing concrete walls costs $5 to $16 per linear foot, depending on the size and reinforcements inside. Site access – Extra charges for traveling apply according to the distance from building material suppliers to the project site. Openings for gates, windows, & doors – Framing openings and adding supportive beams costs extra for additional reinforcements, mortar joints, and labor.ĭifficult terrain or climate – Installations on sloped or rugged terrain increase labor time because of more digging and foundation work.

Walls 3’ to 4’ tall or larger typically require permits, and contractors should pull permits.įoundation – Large or load-bearing walls cost more for deeper footings.Ĭomplexity – Wall designs with curves and multiple corners take more time. The following factors affect the total cinder block wall construction cost:īuilding permits – A permit costs $50 to $450 on average, depending on the wall type, length, and location. Installation costs depend on the size, location, and project type.

Concrete block wall construction