Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

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sammyg
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Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » March 14, 2009, 8:35 pm

Hi Guys I have been searching for the larger concrete cinder blocks (in coolthaihouse.com)they are called heavy cement blocks 13 kilograms as opposed to the lighter 5 kilograms blocks that you can find at most building stores in Udon Thani.I helped build several buildings with these rather cheap blocks in U.S. and they stayed very cool in the summer months(granted this was in the cooler Seattle area!).At any rate am thinking of building walls for our house with these type blocks if I can find as opposed to (2) thinner cinder block walls with air gap in the middle or filled with burnt rice husks as I have read capped with cement top of wall.My thinking is that this would be a lot less expensive than Q-Con or Superblock construction as the builder(father in law) has never built with them and to keep peace in the family and he really is a nice trust worthy man of good charcter and I don't want to offend the entire family PERIOD! Besides I think it would be cheaper? Has anyone had any experience with double wall cinder block or had opportunity to use the larger blocks and where could I get them as we are to build in Udon Thani right near Ring Road?I plan to use Air Conditioning because I'm older,thicker and don't like to sweat so much anymore and need to save my strength for a Younger Woman than I'm use to in America so also need some advice on the roof? Whatever I use I intend to use the foil back insulation(shiny side down)under the ceiling and probably also some type insulation on top of the ceiling (guess it doesn't really matter about the shiny side as when it gets dust on it that part becomes useless?).I like the looks of the cement tiles roofs or (Old Clay Tile roofs of California fame ) but have heard that light colored metal roofs are cooler and that some composite roof materials don't absorb heat like the concrete tiles?Any and all information you could provide would be very helpful and Yes I have looked through previous discussions on the website but am just as confused the more I read it seems? Idon't have much building experience but try to understand enough to make kind of wise(or Wise Ass)decisions though!Thanks,SammyG



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Aardvark
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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by Aardvark » March 15, 2009, 8:39 am

It seems nobody know's much about these Cinder Blocks, or have'nt had the chance to answere yet. Many may not agree with me but I have had a Zinc Alum roof on my house here in Oz for the past sixteen years and I swear by them. Fifteen minutes after the Sun goes down it's as cool as you could hope for, and vertually maintenance free. I have read from other posters here that you can get good quality Zinc Alum in Udon, but I'm afraid I dont know where. Good luck in your search.

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » March 15, 2009, 10:57 pm

Well my wife found an old school teacher friend in NongbuaLamphu who reminded her of a factory (how big I don't know) there that manufactures a brick they call "Cool Blocks" that are larger than the small red brick maybe 12 times as big(as far as I know now!) that were made years ago for a Christian Scool there for their buildings.My wife said yes that the buildings were very cool inside and remembers now hearing about the bricks.The friend also told her that there is a big factory somewhere around Bangkok that also makes them.The friend supposedly knows the person that owns the factory in NongbuaLamphu and is supose to get more info. on them.Will keep all informed if there is any interest in these bricks and their price.Still looking for the larger cinder blocks until I find something cheaper and better.Thanks Aardvark for the info. on the metal roof and your good fortune with it.I believe though that it must be either Galvanized steel roof or Aluminum as I don't believe they have both in one.If it is galvanized zinc it will have a shiny(well in the beginning but later dull look metal look)to it and most likely not painted with anyother color?It it is aluminum it may well likely be painted with a certain color.What color is your roof if it is painted?I have seen old galvanized steel roofs in Montana that are very heavy steel and thick galvanizing that were built in the early 1920's they say and they still look very good shape.Not pretty asthetically but in good physical shape.Thanks for your post reply,SammyG

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » March 19, 2009, 11:01 pm

Hello Aardvark You are correct in saying your roof is a Zinc Alum one as I found a site for Colorbond roofs that is located in Udon.I am a former corrosion specialist for a pipeline co. for 34 years and no quite a bit of galvanic series and corrosion.I had heard of galvanized Steel Roofs for years and some better than others and of Aluminum Roofs soft and light in weight but had never heard or knew that the 2 could be mixed at all.They say that the commericial brand is strong enough to walk all over the roof without damaging it.They also say that if you have foil insulation under it it is somewhat quiet.Do you have such on yours and is yours really loud on rainy days?I really don't mind the sound on my metal roof here in the rain and rather enjoy it but have probably 6" of insulation in my attic .Is it comparable in price to a concrete tile roof and why did you decide to go with it over tile?Still no luck on larger cinder blocks only the single look like 4" wide but long concrete blocks but am stil looking into the so called "cool blocks" in NongbuaLamphu.SammyG

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Aardvark
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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by Aardvark » March 20, 2009, 6:44 am

Hi Sammy, when I was building the house I got into a conversation with another builder who told me the Zinc Alum only weighed about 300 kg compared to Tiles at about 1 ton over my roof area. Considering it was slightly cheaper and came with a 25 year unconditional guarantee I thought it was the better option. The Insulation I used was R3.5 fibreglass bats that do a good job of insulation and keep the noise down on really rainy days, but without detracting from the sound of the rain on the roof. I have never had to do any maintenance on the roof or the gutters, except to remove leaves etc. I think the weight factor alone would make it a consideration on it's own if your going to use the concrete blocks. Good luck with your search, Aardvark.

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » June 23, 2009, 5:50 am

Well guys I have finally found the large concrete blocks (like in the U.S. 14"x8"x8")I have been looking for ,by accident actually and even better they come with a texture finish if you choose and pre colored for 7 baht additional cost.There is no need to apply mortar to exterior as they look great and like a large brick home.They are also structurally sound I'm told so no need for pillar supports for roof.Although I will most likely put a center support wall in just to divide the house rooms up and additional support.I have tried to cut and paste photos from another website where I found them near Chiang Mai but they won't seem to show up on here but did easily on my email?If I can figure out to show them I will.They are very nice loooking and was hopeing to get some interaction form some of you as to how you feel they would be for cool house compared to Q-Con blocks as they have 2 large holes in them probably 4" square each for an air gap.I know they look nice and cost approximately 30-35 baht each I believe as haven't contacted manufacturer yet but plan to do so soon.They are very nice looking and strong but not sure if I'm on the right track for building a cool house cheaper or perhaps I'm not really saving by going this way.What do you think?SammyG :roll: :roll: #-o #-o :-s



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sammyg
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Finally Found Big Concrete Blocks for Building!

Post by sammyg » June 23, 2009, 6:01 am

Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?
by sammyg on June 22, 2009, 3:50 pm

Well guys I have finally found the large concrete blocks (like in the U.S. 14"x8"x8")I have been looking for ,by accident actually and even better they come with a texture finish if you choose and pre colored for 7 baht additional cost.There is no need to apply mortar to exterior as they look great and like a large brick home.They are also structurally sound I'm told so no need for pillar supports for roof.Although I will most likely put a center support wall in just to divide the house rooms up and additional support.I have tried to cut and paste photos from another website where I found them near Chiang Mai but they won't seem to show up on here but did easily on my email?If I can figure out to show them I will.They are very nice loooking and was hopeing to get some interaction form some of you as to how you feel they would be for cool house compared to Q-Con blocks as they have 2 large holes in them probably 4" square each for an air gap.I know they look nice and cost approximately 30-35 baht each I believe as haven't contacted manufacturer yet but plan to do so soon.They are very nice looking and strong but not sure if I'm on the right track for building a cool house cheaper or perhaps I'm not really saving by going this way.What do you think?SammyG



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fremmel
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Re: Finally Found Big Concrete Blocks for Building!

Post by fremmel » June 23, 2009, 7:32 am

Large concrete blocks, just like the thin ones, don't offer much in the way of insulation. This table lists thin blocks at R 0.8, large block at 1.11, and standard 3" Q block at 3.75. The double thin block with insulation in between that I talked about in one of your earlier posts has an R value of 9.3. I suspect that filling the voids in the large block might help a little with the insulation but not much since concrete is a pretty good thermal conductor so the thick webs in the block would carry a lot of heat inside.

The blocks sound sort of pricey too since thin blocks are less than 4 bt each and Q-con type less that 20. The 2" insulation I used added about 6.6 bt per block (83 bt per sqm). But, you won't need the outside columns with the large block so that will save some money though you probably will still need the inside ones, depending of your roof choice. Q-con also says their blocks don't require columns.

It seems like the large blocks don't really offer much except possibly a nice looking exterior finish.

laphanphon

Re: Finally Found Big Concrete Blocks for Building!

Post by laphanphon » June 23, 2009, 8:07 am

plan on living in CM or shipping them here :shock:

extended roofing to provide shade and roof insulation, light colored tiles seem to help more with cooling house. non shaded exposed walls, i used double thin walled blocks, worked excellent. very hot outside block, cool to the touch inside block, and inexpensive.

love he idea of the aluminum roof covering house from other thread. i found shading more important than material, unless in direct sunlight, obviously. if i built again, doubtful, it would be the same, lots of shading, more double walls and roof insulation, and lighter color roof. better positioning of house, glass exposure due north, was a bit off last time, but not by much. completely shaded house is the best choice, IMHO.

YANK, so ignorant to q block, but more expensive and only one layer of wall, though seems to work in houses that i know used it. 8)

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » June 23, 2009, 8:49 pm

Yes I thought of building with the thin large concrete blocks found all over Udon but doing double walls like you mentioned.But I found these and they are very good looking and when I used these big blocks at least 8" wide and 8" tall with 2 large holes for air gap insulation thoght they would be just as cool on the inside as the air gap is the key that does not condduct heat lie a solid brick or block does.You would not want to fill the holes in the block as that defeats the purpose of the air gap and insulating effect.Yes I have already strated building in Udon Thani so would have to have them shipped from Chiang Mai so depends on the cost of shipment also.Checked last night and that is the only place in thailand that they have plant so if I decide to go this way might be more expensive than Q-con but I don't believe so but will weight both sides first.I have heard on different posts that you almost need to use double wall construction with Q-con blocks also to be cool.The concession stands and buildings we built with this same saize blocks in the U.S.were very cool in the summer time albeit that was in Washington state where 95-100* F temps werent for that long but they always stayed cool inside including shade trees near them.Yes I thinkt he shade trees are very,very important also as well as good roof over hangs to shade walls.Thanks for you imput guys.SammyG :roll: :roll: \:D/

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by Aardvark » June 24, 2009, 4:17 pm

Go the old Australian tried and proven way of Double Brick Construction and Veranda's all round the House, it's not that expensive and gives you plenty of room to move around and enjoy life when the Heavens open, that's what I've been planning to do :D

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parrot
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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by parrot » June 24, 2009, 5:06 pm

I have one of those 'strangely built' homes....double walls on the west and north side (don't ask why) and single walls on the east and south. All walls are standard red brick. I've got a large porch/overhang on both the east and south side. With the exception of some early morning sun on the east (before the trees grew in), I had no sun hitting windows or walls. In my estimation, if the sun isn't going to hit your walls (large overhangs, trees, etc), a double wall just adds expense. You can put up all the double walls you want, but if the sun hits a window, you'll pay a heavy price in trying to keep the heat out. Better to spend the money with a large overhang or other design to keep the sun off the windows.

I'd also worry about having someone in Udon build with a new type of material.....large cinder blocks. I remember a Dutch guy who was one of the first to build with Qblocks. He had to import them from Bangkok. He used Udon labor to build the home. Lots of cracks in the walls resulted from the laborers not having a good understanding of how to work with the blocks at the time. That's changed now in Udon.....but don't know if you'd have the same problem with large cinder blocks.

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » June 24, 2009, 8:37 pm

Hey Parrot and guys I'm beginning to think you may be right.The father in law keeps saying the same thing also.I also found that the bricks I thought were larger ones like we used in U.S. are not that at all and only 14x14x29cm so they are not like our big blocks which are 8"x8"x17 1/2" and pretty darn strong so I won't be using these blocks although they are more the size of large bricks.I believe you need the larger air gap for cooling but you may be right with a large overhang you can keep the walls cooled.I like the idea of like a canopy also and had one on my house in Washington state just tokeep the rain off you while going out to truck in morning not to keep sun off house walls as it never got that hot there.I never liked the idea of the little red bricks at all but father in law says they are strong and cheap and easy to drill thru for pipes and electric.Yes I plan to have lots of shrubs and trees but those take awhile to get tall enough to do any good.You might well be on to something cheaper and just as effecient by having the very large overhang.I would think 2 meters should be plenty and would also keep rain off real near the house also.Thanks for the idea Parrot.SammyG :lol: :lol: \:D/ :wave:

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by fremmel » June 24, 2009, 9:03 pm

This has nothing to do with blocks but is about sunny windows and keeping cool. I stumbled on a way to really cut down on the heat gain from a sun lit window. We've been in our house for several months but haven't gotten around to putting up curtains in the bedroom which has a west facing 2 meter wide, 1 meter tall sliding glass window. To keep people from looking in I just strung some picture hanging cable over the top of the window opening and draped a sheet over the cable. Since the sheet lays flat against the wall it essentially traps the air next to the window. We've got 1 meter eaves but after about 3:00 or 3:30 the sun starts to hit the window and the air next to the window really heats up. But with the sheet trapping the air it doesn't seem to get out into the room. I've had thermal curtains in other houses I've lived in but this is much more effective. at least for the heat. Doesn't block much light. Now all I've got to do is figure out a way to get the same effect with a better looking curtain.

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by 747man » June 24, 2009, 9:09 pm

fremmel wrote:This has nothing to do with blocks but is about sunny windows and keeping cool. I stumbled on a way to really cut down on the heat gain from a sun lit window. We've been in our house for several months but haven't gotten around to putting up curtains in the bedroom which has a west facing 2 meter wide, 1 meter tall sliding glass window. To keep people from looking in I just strung some picture hanging cable over the top of the window opening and draped a sheet over the cable. Since the sheet lays flat against the wall it essentially traps the air next to the window. We've got 1 meter eaves but after about 3:00 or 3:30 the sun starts to hit the window and the air next to the window really heats up. But with the sheet trapping the air it doesn't seem to get out into the room. I've had thermal curtains in other houses I've lived in but this is much more effective. at least for the heat. Doesn't block much light. Now all I've got to do is figure out a way to get the same effect with a better looking curtain.
Why NOT make the Curtain from The SHEET ????

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » June 24, 2009, 11:27 pm

Great Idea Fremmel and since I am a rather large fellow I could use (2) pair of my boxer shorts which would double the effects and trap the heat better yet! I like the idea of drapping the sheets and why bother with curtains as they are just tacky anyway and you can just throw the sheets into the washing machine. If you put rubber bands around parts of the sheets and dip in bleach or different colo :shock: :shock: \:D/ :guitar: :guitar: red water you could tie die the sheets which really give a Groovvyyy Effect too!SammyG

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by fremmel » June 25, 2009, 7:24 am

I've thought about using this sort of thing as sort of an "under curtain" like some people use sheers and then have a normal curtain on top. But I haven't figured out a nice looking way to hold the cloth, from a sheet or whatever, flat against the wall and still be able be able to draw it open so I can look out the window. Maybe split the sheet to be able to draw it to both sides, sew a channel on top to fit over the wire, and have a longer wire that goes farther past the side of the window opening to be able to expose more of the window.

Tie dyed, eh? I've got to admit I haven't incorporated that in a decorating scheme in more years than I care to admit. But then, a lot of us revert to younger behavior patterns here! :lol:

Sorry, Sammyg, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by papaguido » June 25, 2009, 8:33 am

Hey guys, check out this thread....

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/p ... in#p134065

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Re: Want to find large cinder blocks like in USA?

Post by sammyg » June 25, 2009, 9:52 pm

:confused: :confused: \:D/ \:D/ \:D/ No problem Fremmel just having a little fun myself!Yes I remember the Tie-Dyed curtains well (when I had HAIR!).Wow those were some "Fuuunnnkkyyy Chicken Times Man!!!" Yes I have seen the curtain dealers at Bo Bay and thought now thats where to get nicer curtains than I've ever had at a very reasonable price!SammyG :shock: :shock:

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