Concrete block, more formally known in the US industry as concrete masonry unit (CMU), concrete block, cement block, foundation block or by the layman as cinder block is a large rectangular brick used in building construction.

A concrete block is manufactured from cast concrete using Portland cement and aggregate usually sand and fine gravel for high density blocks. Lower density blocks often use industry wastes as aggregate including fly ash and are called cinder blocks.

They are produced for a variety of building uses including the construction of homes, buildings, institutions, retention walls or patios in a variety of sizes, specialty shapes and textures including splitface, chimney block, patio block, brick, smooth face terra wall, and many more depending on the job need.

Concrete masonry framed homes are residential concrete homes framed out using concrete blocks. There are many structural, environmental and economic benefits to using CMU’s for building. Concrete homes are healthier homes and their sustainability attributes are attractive to homebuyers and for its resell value. Building green is easily achieved when using CMU’s and many homeowners looking for green homes will want to purchase a concrete masonry framed home over other building systems.

More homes are being built with CMU’s especially in higher risk weather zones such as Texas, California, Florida, North and South Carolina and along the coasts.

See our Why build a CMU Home section