Construction of concrete blocks

Concrete blocks are one of the most popular materials used to build the foundation walls in detached houses and other purposes of construction of small structures. Their main advantages are ease of use and relatively low price. Unfortunately, this solution has its disadvantages, among which the most serious of the limited strength of the structure. To a large extent it depends, however, from the raw material from which bricks were made. Another problem is the relatively poor thermal insulation. Despite the fact that blocks are devoid of holes, relatively easily dissipates heat. Thus, built from this material require additional wall insulation. On the market there are blocks of different sizes. The most commonly used dimensions are 14x24x38 cm. Somewhat less frequently used blocks, whose height is 12 cm. The difference in price between them are relatively small, "lower" but are generally characterized by greater strength. Traditionally, as a binder for the bricks used in cement mortar, a mixture of cement, lime and sand. They are durable and relatively inexpensive to prepare.