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Brick Versus Block: Which Is Better?
Here are the facts and recommendations of one experienced mason's research with other masons across the industry.
Masonry
August 28, 2024
2 Min Read
Bill Emrich / Alamy Stock Photo
Bricks and concrete masonry unitsare two commonly used materials in masonry. As a mason, it is important to understand the similarities, differences, pros and cons of both materials, as well as the variations in layout and measurement techniques, mortar spreading techniques, required tools, daily production differences, and the physical wear and tear on the body.
To write this article, Donnie C. Williams, a licensed and bonded masonry contractor working for DRP Masonry, wrote the intro and sent it out to many of his friends in the business for their outlook on the matter. Several of them stated that they swapped out to a smaller trowel. The way we spread mortar is completely different. The direction in which the trowel flows, the way we get the mortar off the board, and the way we turn our bodies to spread mortar are different.
Here are some of the details of his research with other masons across the masonry world. Let's deep dive into each aspect in detail.
The Similarities
Both brick and CMU are masonry materials used for construction purposes.
Both materials provide structural strength and durability to the building.
Both require mortar for bonding and stability.
The Differences
Composition: Bricks are typically made of clay or shale, while CMUs are made of concrete or cinder.
Size and shape: Bricks are smaller in size and come in different shapes, such as modular, queen, king, Roman, and utility. CMUs are larger and have a more standardized shape, typically 16" long, 8" tall with different widths such as 4 inches, 6 inches, 8 incheds, 10 inches and 12 inches.
Weight: CMUs are generally heavier than bricks due to their concrete composition. The weight of CMU is usually between 28 pounds and 50 pounds while bricks average between 3 pounds and 5 pounds.
Cost: Brick is often more expensive than CMU per square foot.
Installation: CMUs are faster to install per square foot compared to bricks due to their larger size.
To read the rest of this story from Masonry magazine click here.
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