Cinder blocks, also called concrete blocks or breeze blocks, offer broad range of benefits for home construction. Compared to filled-in blocks, they are lightweight, easy to install, and cost-effective.
They provide excellent insulation, block noise, and are durable and low-maintenance.
What are Cinder Blocks?
Cinder blocks are among the two main systems used to build concrete walls. The other is called “insulated concrete forms,” or “ICFs.”
Cinder blocks themselves have other names as well. Sometimes they are just called “concrete blocks.” Other names include “concrete masonry units,” or “CMUs,” or “breeze blocks.”
Technically, there are distinctions between each of these types of masonry blocks. But the terms frequently are used interchangeably.
At some point, you have probably lived in a building that had cinder block walls. You also likely have at some point handled a cinder block. It is a masonry block that is bigger than a regular brick.
Cinder blocks are hollow. As such, they are relatively lightweight (for what they are).
Looking for inspiration for your own cinder block house? In this guide, we will share four of our favorite cinder block building designs with you.
1. The Sawmill House By Olson Kundig
https://olsonkundig.com/projects/sawmill-canyon-retreat/
Off the grid in the California high desert, you will find the Sawmill House by Olson Kundig, which won the AIA National COTE Top Ten Award and AIA National Small Project Award in 2018.
The inspiration for this cinderblock house, which also contains elements of steel and glass, was the concept of tents surrounding a desert campfire. At the center of the dwelling is a hearth, while the three wings around it are like the “tents.”
Kundig is known for creating structures that residents can transform to suit their needs in response to weather and lifestyle. The Sawmill House is no exception. A wheel in the living room allows the occupant to turn a wheel, retracting or extending a 12’ x 26’ window. When the window is retracted, the living room is open wide to the beautiful desert landscape beyond the concrete patio. A wide awning ensures that the patio receives shade from the bright sun.
The fireplace also has a glass frame that can be pulled completely aside. When the frame is closed, it surrounds it on three sides.
Did we mention this is a net zero home that is environmentally friendly and keeps power requirements to a minimum?
The AIA COTE Top Ten Jury does a great job summarizing the appeal of the design, stating, “The house, through its breathtaking simplicity, provides a calm but very smart connection with this profound and sometimes hostile place.”
Olson Kundig has a number of other stunning concrete home designs that do a wonderful job connecting interior and exterior. Be sure to check out the full portfolio.
2. Melon House by Sin Título Arquitectura
https://www.archdaily.com/939877/melon-house-sin-titulo-arquitectura
First in our selection of modern cinder block homes is the Melon House by Sin Título Arquitectura. The house measures 160 m², and was completed in 2019 in Morelia, Mexico.
The residence was constructed with cinder blocks, glass, wood and steel, and is described by the architects as a “living machine.” The multi-level structure integrates well with the surrounding neighborhood with a floor plan designed to offer just the right blend of privacy and connection.
The architects write, “The program was developed according to the needs and hobbies of the couple, as well as the relationship of the project with their environment. Outside, the project is isolated on the ground floor to give privacy to the living spaces, while on the upper level, a large window allows the entrance of daylight in the studio, which is opened to the outside and dialogues with its urban context -where small windows predominate-. Inside, an interior patio protects the private spaces, creating an interesting play of light and shadows through checkered windows and blacksmiths.”
The materials of the home are largely left raw and exposed. Nonetheless, the cozy, intimate layout suffuses the residence with a sense of warmth. The effect is one that is at once stark, yet inviting.
3. The Full Montara by Michael Maltzan
https://www.dwell.com/article/the-full-montara-5c272eb7
The home in which product designer Thomas Meyerhoffer and his wife, graphic designer Mary Kate, live in, looks quite different from the original cinder block house they resided in.
After moving from San Francisco to the small town of Montara, they purchased a cinder block home that they worked on themselves. But they had less and less time to renovate, but also less and less time to get it down. Within six years, they had a son, and they needed to get serious about changes.
Thankfully, architect Michael Maltzan happened to be Mary Kate’s brother. Three years and three contractors later, they were able to move into a gorgeous renovated home.
While the changes to the home were extensive, the new home has the same foundation as the original. Maltzan’s renovated structure also includes some of the original cinder blocks.
Maltzan said, “I think the design responds to two things, the way Mary Kate and Thomas live, and the bigger, more general aspects of the context—where the ocean is, where the views are, and how tight the site is. I think especially the way that they live and the site are so intertwined that those two issues of context and lifestyle are in some ways the same.”
With its seaside location, Maltzan needed to find ways to make the most of the picturesque scenery while still protecting the home from the cold, foggy weather that can roll in from the ocean.
To make this happen, Maltzan put in three fireplaces along with radiant heating. But there are also huge doors and windows throughout the home along with ample deck space for when the weather is fair.
Aesthetically, the home stands out both from the openness of its design and its distinctive “Escher-like” angles. The design is every bit as beautiful as it is practical.
4. The Double Residences by Ibarra Rosano Design Architects
http://www.ibarrarosano.com/the-double-residences/
The Double Residence is a cinderblock home completed in 2003 in Tuscon, AZ, designed by Ibarra Rosano Design Architects.
The design of the Double Residences started by considering the site, which is in Barrio Blue Moon, a somewhat derelict part of the city. The architects write, “The project’s use of lots left vacant in the heart of the city was a conscious effort to bring vitality to urban areas and act as a countermeasure to the thoughtless sprawl into the desert so often seen in the housing developments of our time and region.”
Simplicity was emphasized in the materials and the layouts of the Double Residences, which feature open floor plans and “extensive private gardens.”
The entrance to each residence features windows upstairs and down, providing a welcome glimpse of the warm, inviting interiors between cinderblock walls. The lower floor of each residence includes the main living spaces as well as the master bedroom and bathroom. Additional bedrooms are located upstairs along with a second bathroom.
Among the most innovative features in the residences is the inclusion of custom shade screens. These cover the glass doors that face east. These were necessitated by the climate. Without them, the sun could be quite intense in the mornings, but with them, the interiors receive “balanced light.”
The completed residences won the Home of the Year Honor Award by AIA Southern Arizona as well as the Merit Award by AIA Southern Arizona in 2009. Summing up their accomplishments, the architects write, “The result of resourcefulness combined with smart planning is a space that responds to its place, time, and circumstance.”
Cinder Block House Construction Benefits
Here are some advantages of cinder block homes:
1. Simpler, easier, less expensive construction.
Laying cinder blocks is not as laborious as laying similar-sized filled-in blocks. They are also easier to transport to the site and from one part of the site to another. As such, transportation and construction costs are reasonable.
2. Insulation
There is insulation built right into cinder blocks in the form of the hollow parts of the blocks. But you can enhance this by putting actual insulation into the cavities during construction.
If desired, one can also pour grout into the hollow spaces in the cinder blocks.
4. Cinder block systems are cost-effective.
Building a home out of cinder blocks isn’t cheap, but it is cost-efficient. This is particularly true when you consider that your long-term costs may be significantly less than they would if you went with wood framing.
5. The strength of cinder blocks makes for a sturdy, low-maintenance structure.
Cinder blocks are much stronger than wood! That means they are far less susceptible to damage. Indeed, you will probably not have to do much to maintain your home if it is made of concrete. You can spend your time and energy focusing on other things, like the upkeep of your yard.
6. Cinder block buildings can stand up to the weather.
One of the main reasons why many people choose cinder block construction is because they live in areas that are subject to harsh weather.
Concrete structures are able to stand strong in the face of heavy wind. Precipitation does not damage them the way it would wood.
So, if you are building in a region that is subject to hurricanes, typhoons, or similar weather conditions, cinder block is a smart and safe choice.
7. Pests will not be interested in concrete.
Rodents can chew through wood, as can termites. Either may compromise the structural integrity of a wood building over time.
Sometimes, the damage is even severe enough that the home needs to be demolished. But even if it isn’t, eradicating the pests and repairing the damage can be extremely expensive.
This is the type of problem you do not need to worry about if you have a cinder block home. Pests do not have any reason to attempt to chew through cinder blocks, and even if they did, they wouldn’t get very far.
8. Concrete bricks do not rot.
Even though it is possible for water to seep into concrete, the material is not going to rot the way that wood does in exposure to moisture.
That being said, mold can grow on concrete, so even though this is a rot-proof material, you do still need to prevent leaks and keep concrete surfaces clean. Otherwise, you will have to deal with mold when your concrete gets damp.
9. A cinder block home will not burn down.
Just as cinder blocks can stand up to harsh weather, they also can stand up to high temperatures.
Unlike wood, concrete is not a combustible material. It is still possible for fire to damage a concrete structure, but it is not likely to burn to the ground the way a wood-frame structure would.
10. Cinder block homes can stand up to tremors.
If you live in a region that is subject to tremors and earthquakes, a concrete home is a stronger choice then a wood home, and more likely to survive tectonic activity.
11. Cinder blocks offer excellent noise dampening.
If you don’t want to have to listen to your neighbors or traffic on the highway, it is hard to beat concrete as a building material.
Cinder blocks do an amazing job dampening noise, giving you an enhanced sense of peace and privacy in your home.
This is also true for cinder block interior walls. So, if you want to extend that same sense of privacy to the occupants of your home, consider building internal walls out of concrete as well. That way, each person can enjoy their activities in their own rooms without bothering others in the household.
12. A cinder block building is eco-friendly.
The excellent insulation provided by cinder block walls does a great job of retaining warmth inside your home during the winter and keeping your home cool during the summer.
That means that your concrete home is energy-efficient. You can produce a smaller carbon footprint living in the home, and save on your bills.
It is also worth considering that when you plan a concrete structure, you can manufacture a suitable amount of concrete for the project with little or no excess.
Furthermore, a concrete structure is likely to outlast one build out of wood. Its longevity is another feature that contributes to its eco-friendly nature.
13. You won’t pay as much to maintain a cinder block home.
Concrete is an excellent choice from a cost-saving standpoint when we are talking about the long term.
As just discussed, your energy bills could be lower living in a cinder block house then they would be living in a traditional wood-frame home.
Not only that, but you will probably end up paying a great deal less in terms of maintenance costs.
14. A cinder block house can last a long time.
Last but not least, the longevity of a cinder block house is a great benefit. It prevents waste and offers long-term value to its occupants.
Long after other structures around it need repair or replacement, a concrete house may still be in excellent condition.
If you have heirs, you can look forward to passing down your cinder block home to them. When they receive it, it should be in great shape.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
While there are numerous advantages to cinder blocks, there are some drawbacks as well.
Even though cinder blocks are not exorbitantly expensive, they do still cost more than wood framing.
Also, while cinder blocks themselves are easy to maintain, if you need to maintain a system behind them, accessing it could be challenging, and require temporary damage and repair to the wall.
Additionally, the porous nature of concrete means that while water may not damage concrete, it can get through it, so leaks are still possible.
Finally, not everyone likes the look of concrete. But many enjoy its aesthetics.
Cinder Block vs. ICF
Some of the disadvantages of concrete blocks can be mitigated with ICF construction. ICF wall systems are fast and easy to build, and offer high thermal resistance.
Indeed, on the whole, ICF is superior to cinder block construction, but cinder blocks do tend to be less expensive, at least on paper.
The higher strength of ICF walls and the faster construction can make up for a lot of the cost differences.
So, if you like the idea of cinder block homes, you should seriously consider ICF as well.
Conclusion
Now you know about the many advantages of cinder block construction. Even though the majority of homes these days are not made out of concrete, it remains one of the best choices if you want a strong, weather-res
Ready To Build Your Own Cinder Block House?
Inspired by the four cinder block houses we shared above? It may be time to start coming up with your own cinder block home design.
