Concrete blocks prices are important to know before starting any new wall or walkway. Pavers and blocks vary in price according to their size, purpose and style. It’s not difficult to determine how much it will cost to purchase the blocks.
First you’ll need to learn the formula for determining the number of blocks needed for the whole area. This is simple, but you’ll want to have a calculator, a measuring tape and a pencil and paper on hand. Then, it’s just a simple trip out to the local hardware store.
How to Determine the Number of Concrete Blocks You Need
When looking at concrete block prices, you’ll want to determine the number of blocks you’ll be buying for a project. This is a simple process and it helps a lot in determining not only the cost of blocks but also retaining walls prices and other projects costs.
Start by measuring the length or perimeter of the area where the concrete blocks will be used. Then, find the length of the concrete blocks you’ll be using. Most concrete blocks are a standard length of 16 inches.
Divide the length of the wall by the length of the concrete block. This will reveal the number of blocks is needed for the length of the wall. However, you’ll still need to determine the number of blocks is needed for the height of the wall.
Measure how tall you want the wall to be and then find the height of your concrete block. Most concrete blocks are about 8 inches high. Divide the wall height by the height of the block. This reveals how many concrete blocks high the wall will be when finished. Now the two numbers are times to get the final number of concrete blocks.
For example, an 8 foot long wall made up of 16 inch long blocks will use 6 concrete blocks per row. This same wall is 10 feet tall and the blocks used are 8 inches tall. This means that the wall is 15 concrete blocks tall or has fifteen rows of concrete blocks. To yield the final number of blocks for the wall, you’ll multiply 6 by 15 to get 90 concrete blocks. To complete the 8 foot long and 10 foot high wall you’ll need to purchase at least 90 concrete blocks. It’s a good idea to buy a few extras in case of breakage or in case you miscalculated.
Checking the Concrete Block and Cinder Block Prices
Once you know how many blocks you need, you can check out the cinder block prices for your project. Home Depot prices are comparable to Lowes prices for these blocks. However, each store may offer different styles and types of blocks for your needs. Be sure to compare all of the stores in your area to find the right kind of concrete blocks for that new project.
A simple concrete wall can actually contain several different types of concrete blocks from standard 8x8x16 inch stretchers to small window sill blocks intended to form the support for a window frame to be added to the wall.
Stretcher blocks at Home Depot run about $1.41 a block. So, concrete masonry blocks for a 90 block wall would cost about $126.90 for just the blocks. You’ll still need to calculate the labor costs and costs for other equipment and materials.
Half weight blocks at Home Depot that measure 8x4x16 run about $1.09 per block. So, they aren’t much cheaper even though they are half the size.
Lowes prices for concrete blocks and cinder blocks are similar. Lowes offers blocks made by different companies compared to Home Depot. Customers can choose between Quikrete, Basalite and standard concrete. Quikrete is located in Georgia and has 94 manufacturing facilities in the United States that produce concrete and concrete products. Basalite is one of the largest producers of concrete masonry blocks in the United States.
Concrete Pavers Prices for that New Walkway
Figuring out the number of pavers required for that walkway is important to finding out the concrete pavers prices that you’ll have to pay to get enough pavers to complete a job. Finding the number of pavers needed uses the exact same formula as is used for finding out the number of blocks are required for the concrete wall. You’ll just need to think in terms of walking on the concrete instead.
Concrete pavers vary dramatically in size and shape. Typically, home owners will want to use all pavers that are all the same size and shape for a job. So, this makes it easier to determine the number of pavers needed.
Many companies like, Oldcastle, produce pavers that come in standard rectangular shapes and sizes, which makes it easier for you to layout and construct the walkway. These pavers are square shaped but have indentations and different patterns laid into them to look like different types of stones. These pavers can be filled in with paver sand and the pavers look dramatically different when finished.
Concrete pavers prices vary a lot. A 9×6 inch paver from OldCastle costs .96 cents, while an 16×16 inch paver stone from the same company costs $4.67. Much of the price variance depends on the materials used in the blocks and the styles used. The more expensive paver is laid out with four indention lines so that it looks like four different smaller stones arranged in a unique pattern. The cheaper stone only looks like one paver stone.
Of course, you’ll need to calculate the additional costs for laying out the paver stones, including the paver sand, tools and the labor costs.
Concrete blocks and concrete masonry blocks are strong, low cost and long lasting. These blocks and pavers make the perfect product for home renovation projects. They are easy to work with and involve minimal maintenance. The important thing to remember is which kind of blocks you’ll be using, their size and how big an area you’ll be working with for the walls and walkways. This information will allow you to work out how many pavers and blocks total you’ll be using and the bulk of the walkways and retaining walls prices.