By Mark J. Donovan
Pros of Concrete Block Foundation Walls
- Concrete blocks are large and thus construction of foundation walls can occur quicker than one might initially think.
- Homeowners can frequently build their own foundation walls when using concrete blocks.
- Concrete block foundation walls have high insulation factors if filled with concrete, as they should be.
Cons of Concrete Block Foundation Walls
- Concrete block walls can look ugly.
- The outside surface of concrete block foundation walls need to be parged to improve the outside appearance.
- Concrete blocks are heavy, so some muscle is required if planning to construct your own concrete block foundation walls.
- Concrete block walls should be filled with concrete and rebar for structural strength and insulation reasons.
Pros of Poured Concrete Foundation Walls
- Poured foundation walls can be completed quickly, in as little as just a couple of days.
- Labor costs are typically lower than hiring a team of labors to assemble concrete blocks.
- Poured concrete foundations can frequently be stronger than concrete block walls due to the ability to specify the foundation wall thickness.
- Poured foundation walls are typically drier as there are no seams for water to leak through.
Cons of Poured Concrete Foundation Walls
- Poured foundation walls usually can not be performed by a homeowners.
To learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of see: Concrete blocks versus Poured concrete foundation walls.
