5 Things About Concrete Blocks
(That you may not have known.)
It can seem like there’s only so much to know about something like concrete blocks. Their name is pretty self-explanatory, and it’s not too hard to dream up a few possible uses for them. But did you know that they contribute to Ozinga’s mission to stay environmentally friendly? Or that concrete bumper stops are made almost exactly the same way? Read about these things and more and learn five things you didn’t know you needed to know about concrete blocks!
1: Concrete blocks are sustainable and economical.
At Ozinga, we take every opportunity to keep our operations sustainable and environmentally friendly. Concrete blocks are a major part of this initiative, as they are made from 100% recycled concrete. It is not unusual for a ready mix truck to come back from a job with some concrete left in its drum; when this happens, rather than disposing of the remaining product, we pour it into block molds to be formed into our signature concrete blocks. These blocks retain the strength and durability of the concrete, and we make sure that they maintain a 3,000 – 4,000 psi rating.
Beyond allowing us to make the most out of every batch of concrete, making blocks in this way means that we charge less than providers who mix fresh concrete for every batch of blocks. However, it also means that we never know exactly how many blocks will be poured each day at our various locations. Stock of different block sizes also varies; as such, it is a good idea to reach out to our sales team when planning your project to make sure we have the resources you need!
2: Here, there, and everywhere—concrete blocks can be used in a myriad of ways.
Chances are that you see concrete blocks way more often than you realize; this is because they’re versatile enough to be used in a variety of situations!
Ever wondered how landscaping companies build those giant bins to contain materials like mulch, sand, and gravel? Those weatherproof walls are actually concrete blocks stacked together and sturdied by their T-lock design, allowing them to hold just about any material and protect it from the elements.
This ability to stack together also makes them perfect for security barriers and barricades, which are great for controlling crowds at special events and job sites. The size and weight of concrete blocks means that even multi-ton vehicles won’t be able to easily get past them, and thus they make for excellent traffic control as well, on both commercial and private properties.
But being a barricade or wall isn’t their only function. Concrete blocks are also an excellent option when you need a tent tie-down, especially since we’re able to offer them in many different sizes to suit any situation.
While concrete blocks are generally unassuming and plain, this doesn’t have to be a limitation to your solution. Ozinga is proud to offer many different designs on our decorative blocks to serve any aesthetic needs you or your business may have – and this doesn’t even compromise their strength or durability! That’s right: our decorative blocks have the same 3,000 – 4,000 psi rating as our plain blocks, meaning you can achieve the design of your dreams while being confident in the quality of our product.
3: Gravity and concrete blocks go hand in hand to create formidable retaining walls.
Retaining walls are an important safety tool, used to hold earth and water in place, especially along roadsides or in landscaping. This is one of the most popular uses for concrete blocks, as their size, weight, and interlocking capabilities combine to make them into strong and durable walls.
One type of retaining wall that concrete blocks are especially useful for is a gravity wall, which generally eliminates the need for backfill by relying on the weight of its blocks to keep it sturdy. Because of the sheer size of our large concrete blocks, they provide an excellent solution to anyone looking to build a gravity wall they can count on for years to come.
4: Concrete bumper stops: the alter ego of concrete blocks.
That’s right: the process used to create concrete blocks is the same one we use to make our parking stops. We pour excess concrete into another mold and it ends up the same color as a standard concrete block.
At Ozinga, quality is key, and we are dedicated to making sure we have the right solution for you. Our bumper stops are no exception: like our concrete blocks, they maintain the strength of the recycled concrete while taking on a different form to provide you with parking solutions. They’re durable, weather-proof, and sustainable, making them the best choice for any parking lot project.
5: To buy, or not to buy? Why not try renting concrete blocks instead?
Concrete blocks are an excellent solution for many projects, but they aren’t always a permanent one. Some situations call for something more short-term, and many businesses – especially restaurants like Cooper’s Hawk, who need them for temporary outdoor seating – are left wondering what they will do with their concrete blocks once they are done using them, especially since they’re very heavy and require special machinery to be moved.
This doesn’t have to be a sticking point for your solution, however; Ozinga offers concrete block rental so that you can use them for what you need and have them off your hands as soon as you’re done. You don’t even have to worry about transporting the blocks yourself, as Ozinga is happy to provide delivery services to anyone unequipped to handle these extremely heavy blocks. To learn more about our concrete blocks and how you can get them, please contact our sales team.
