Concrete blocks for the fence: their types and advantages
The fence is the first thing your guests see, and sometimes the only thing that people passing by can see. Therefore, it must be attractive enough to create a favorable impression of the host.
But also I don’t want to come back to his repair often, which is why he should also be quite reliable. The best way to cope with these tasks is decorative concrete blocks, which will be discussed in this article.
General provisions
Concrete fencing blocks are made by casting using high-grade cement and various fillers, which gives it many advantages.
Virtues
- Attractive appearance with a variety of design solutions and colors.
- High strength properties due to the composition of concrete:
| Ingredient | Purpose |
| Cement | Binds all components and petrifies |
| Sand | Fills the pores and thereby reduces the moisture-absorbing properties |
| Large aggregate (gravel, crushed stone for concrete, expanded clay or some other) | Increases resistance to mechanical damage. It is because of him that only diamond drilling of holes in concrete and no other is possible. |
- The accessibility of the installation work with their own hands. Of course, everything is not as simple as when assembling a picket fence, but not as time consuming as when building a brick fence. In addition, the presence of blocks of various shapes and sizes helps.
- Lack of tendency to processes of corrosion and rotting.
- Resistance to low temperatures, precipitation, weathering and ultraviolet radiation. All natural impacts will not be able to cause serious damage to the structure and appearance of the fence units.
- Огнеупорность. In their composition there is nothing that would be prone to fire.
- Solidity. The finished design does not have prominent joints and through gaps. It looks more like a wall of a mansion than a fence of its plot.
- Capital and durability. This is not just a fence from the street, but a solid construction with all the ensuing consequences. Such a project is carried out for many years. And only cutting reinforced concrete with diamond circles can help in its dismantling if the need arises.
disadvantages
There are some complications associated with the installation of a concrete fence, which should be known in advance:
- The need for a reliable foundation. Remember the mention of the fact that it is a building? So any self-respecting building needs a quality foundation. From this directly depends on its service life.
Tip: if you install a fence on inclined terrain, it is recommended to use not a tape, but a columnar foundation. It is better suited for such a surface and, moreover, will allow to save a little.
- High enough price. But it is fully justified and corresponds to the quality provided.
Varieties of blocks
The considered products differ among themselves in some parameters about which it will be useful to have a general idea.
Filler type
The blocks themselves differ primarily in the fillers used, in which the following materials can be used:
| Title | Special features |
| Gravel | Small size, excellent grip due to sharp edges |
| Rubble | Larger than gravel, decorative effect due to rounded edges |
| Granite screening | Small selected gravel, possible red tint |
| Concrete battle | Low cost, rough appearance |
| Керемзит | Lightweight, decorative effect due to the porous shape |
The presence or absence of voids
- Full bodied. Represent a monolithic concrete product with increased strength and heavy weight.
- Hollow Depending on the model, they have from 30% of the empty space inside, which makes them much easier and more mobile.
Tip: for fences it is recommended to use exactly those products that have a hollow structure inside. After all, increased strength is not needed, since the constructions in question are not carriers, but the cost of hollow blocks is much lower, and operation is easier.
Appearance
There is a place to roam. The manufacturing instruction assumes possible casting of practically any form. Of course, a cube or parallelepiped are ideal figures for constructing fences, but on the other hand, the front side can already have the most intricate designs.
Conclusion
The fence from concrete blocks is a reliable and beautiful construction for many years. Its strength qualities will allow to withstand any weather inclement, and the appearance will raise the credibility of your site among its neighbors. So, if you are tired of repairing a wooden picket fence every season and there is no time and opportunity to build a brick wall, then the concrete structure will be the best choice for you.
The video in this article will provide you with the opportunity to familiarize yourself with some additional materials directly related to the topic presented. Good luck with the construction of the fence!