Texmateria
Concrete Block / CMU
A hollow or solid block cast from concrete. It reads as practical and modular, with open cells, rough aggregate texture, thick joints, and a strong grid.
Common names
- CMU
- cinder block
- concrete masonry unit
- block wall
Search phrases
- gray block wall
- cinder block wall
- concrete masonry blocks
- utility block wall
Common uses
- Fences
- Utility walls
- Garages
- Basements
- Landscape retaining edges
Choosing points
- Best for walls, garages, utility buildings, and rough interiors where low-cost practical masonry is useful.
- The mortar joint pattern is the main scale cue.
- Unpainted block absorbs water and darkens near the ground.
- Painted block still shows the block grid and rough texture underneath.
How it ages
- Durable when reinforced and drained correctly, but poor caps, cracks, and trapped water lead to staining and damage.
What to avoid
- Do not leave concrete block exposed as a finished exterior wall without waterproofing, reinforcement, and cap details.
