When starting up a project in construction especially in residential or minor building construction, then it is common to question between the use of cement blocks that are 6-inch or 4-inch thick. Although they are both common and readily used in Sri Lanka, their characteristics can have a tremendous effect on the performance, cost, and lifespan of your project. This article is going to help you decide by breaking down the features, advantages and the best use cases of both 6-inch and 4-inch cement blocks.
Cement Blocks Overview
Cement blocks consist of a combination of cement, sand and water. They have many different sizes and 4 inch (100mm) and 6 inch (150mm) are some of the popular sizes used in Sri Lanka.
4-Inch Cement Blocks
Usage
- Divisions walls inside buildings
- Low rise buildings
- The use of walls in construction (temporary purposes)
Strengths
- Simple to fix and move around
- Affordable because of its reduced size
- Does not consume much mortar and time
Negatives
- Not suitable in structures that bear loads
- Less sound and thermal insulation
- Causes weak structures in cases of incorrect usage
6-Inch Cement Blocks
Usage
- Herzog external walls
- Load bearing internal walls
- Garage and boundary walls
Advantages
- It is more sturdy and long lasting
- It can be used in supportive structures
- It offers better insulating abilities
Cons
- Costs a bit more than 4-inch blocks
- More cumbersome and labour
- Intensive as far as installation is concerned.
Structural Integrity and Safety
This is crucial to structural safety when using the appropriate block size. As an example, loading support using 4-inch blocks may be dangerous and unacceptable according to the construction provisions. Conversely, 6-inch blocks can be used at any construction and are flexible.
Cost Implication
lthough 4-inch blocks are more economical, the blocks and mortar may not cover the same area and hence the price advantage will be lost. 6 inch blocks are more efficient in larger structures but are costly to obtain.