Concrete Blocks

High-Quality Concrete Blocks from Wright Minimix

Concrete blocks are among the most versatile building products available and are used for a range of different purposes across a number of projects and industries, from the construction of our homes and schools to hospitals and office blocks.

At Wright Minimix Ltd, we are leading manufacturers and suppliers of quality concrete products in Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Avonmouth and the surrounding areas, supplying high-strength 100mm 7.3N dense concrete blocks for use in cavity and solid walls, load-bearing and solid partitions, columns and block and beam flooring.

For a free, no-obligation quote on our concrete building blocks, please call our team today on 0117 958 2090 or fill in the quick contact form on this page. Our concrete blocks come in packs of 88 and are available for both delivery and collection from our concrete plant in Avonmouth, where they are manufactured.

Concrete Block Specifications

Our solid concrete blocks have a tolerance of D1, a mean compressive strength of 3.6 - 30N/mm2 (Unit Strength) and a shear bond strength of 0.15N/mm2 (tabulated Value).

To protect the safety and integrity of your project, all our concrete blocks are fire-resistant, boasting a fire safety grade of A1, the very highest rating available. What is more, our concrete blocks provide excellent sound insulation and water resistance. Their thermal resistance is 1.11 W/(mK) 10, dry mat / 1960kg/m3 (Density).

Wright MiniMix - Concrete Blocks Supplier

Wright MiniMix - Concrete Blocks Specialists

Get bagged aggregates as part of your order

In addition to our concrete blocks, we also supply a wide range of bagged sand and aggregates to assist you with your DIY and building project. Our bagged aggregate products are very competitively priced and include:

Building Sand
Zig Zag Fine Sand
10mm - Pea Gravel
20mm - Red-rounded Gravel
20mm - Single Size Limestone
40mm - Pink Limestone

Sharp Sand (yellow)
10mm - Golden Gravel
20mm - Golden Gravel
40mm - Plum Slate
40mm - Blue Slate
40mm - Green Slate

20mm - All in Ballast (yellow)
20mm - All in Ballast (red)
MOT Type 1 (hardcore)
Grano Dust
Sharp Sand (red)
Cement waterproof bags

Wright MiniMix - Leading Concrete Blocks Suppliers

Why use concrete blocks?

Manufactured from cement, sand and aggregates, dense concrete blocks are well known throughout the construction industry for their exceptional durability and strength, which makes them perfect for a number of uses, including building load-bearing walls. A cost-effective solution, concrete blocks also allow for rapid construction on any project, saving you valuable time and money.

Concrete blocks also have a high thermal mass which means they are extremely effective at absorbing and storing heat. When a building is designed and constructed well, concrete blocks help keep it cool during the summer months and warm in the winter. This allows the building to achieve the highest levels of long-term energy efficiency possible and contributes to the building’s overall sustainability and low running costs.

As well as our dense concrete blocks, at Wright Minimix we also offer bulk bags of sand and aggregate and cement waterproof bags. To find out more or to place an order, contact us today on 0117 958 2090.

Concrete Block FAQs

Can I collect my order of concrete blocks?

Yes, you may collect your order of concrete blocks directly from our Avonmouth plant. You can talk to our team to arrange a suitable time and date for you to come and collect.

Do you deliver your concrete blocks?

Yes, we operate a concrete block delivery service for your convenience. To make sure that we are able to deliver to you, please call our team on 0117 958 2090.

What are your concrete blocks made from?

Our dense concrete blocks are manufactured using cement, sand and specially selected aggregates to ensure the best possible end product.

How strong are your concrete blocks?

Our dense concrete blocks have a tolerance of D1, which means that they have a compressive strength of 3.6 – 30N/mm2 and a shear bond strength of 0.15N/mm2. To find out any further details regarding our concrete blocks, contact our team.

What sizes of concrete block can you provide?

Our standard width of concrete block is 100mm, however, we can offer concrete blocks in a range of dimensions to suit your requirements. For more information, contact our team 0117 958 2090.

How fire resistant are your concrete blocks?

The concrete blocks we manufacture have a fire safety rating of A1. This is the highest possible rating available.

Should concrete blocks get wet?

No – wet concrete blocks expand, then shrink when they dry out. If the weather threatens to rain, we’d advise covering up and protecting your blocks.

Are concrete blocks waterproof?

No, and as concrete blocks are permeable to water, we recommend sheltering your blocks against any rainfall.

Are concrete blocks porous?

Yes – concrete is a porous material, and water flows through concrete blocks very easily. We strongly suggest shielding your blocks indoors and away from adverse weather conditions like rain or snow.

Can concrete blocks be used underground?

Yes – lightweight, standard, hollow or foundation concrete blocks are all suitable for building below damp-proof course, or below ground as a part of a foundation.

Do concrete blocks deteriorate?

Unless exposed to water directly, acid or constant abrasion, concrete blocks do not deteriorate on their own.

Can you insulate concrete block walls?

Yes, and levels of exposure around the concrete block wall will determine how best to insulate them. Insulating concrete block walls can be achieved by injection foam insulation, spray foam insulation, polystyrene beads, foam boards or loose-fill masonry insulation.

Concrete Volume Calculator

Width

Length

Depth

Submit

News

How to stop your screed from cracking or curling

30th May 2022

Screed flooring is used in countless commercial and industrial buildings worldwide (like schools, offices and warehouses) because of its versatility and its smooth, level surface finish. Screed flooring, however, can pose problems during installation, and failure to give the right care and attention can lead to issues like cracking and curling. But how do these issues occur, and how can these be prevented?

Wright Minimix are commercial concrete and screed flooring specialists with over 34 years’ experience supporting both trade and residential projects throughout the UK. As such, we believe we are best placed to explain to you all about screed cracking and curling, and how this can be prevented on your screed floor. Read on to learn more, along with how we can be trusted to design and install your screed floor.

Why does my screed crack?

Typically common over larger areas, cracks can occur in awkward positions on your screed floor due to shrinkage as it dries naturally.

These cracks can also occur if there is too much water in the screed, as over-saturated screed can lead to excessive shrinkage and more cracking.

Why does my screed curl?

Curling or “lipping” of the screed happens when water moisture evaporates from the top part of the surface, meaning it will shrink and dry faster than the lower parts of the screed. This results in an upward curling of the screed.

Ways to prevent your screed from cracking or curling

We advise on considering the following to stop your screed from cracking or curling:

Mix the right proportions – BRE Drop Hammer Test

Mixing the right amount of cement and water in a screed mix is fundamental to preventing cracking or curling. Too little cement or water can mean your screed may not develop the required strength, whilst screed mixed with too much cement or water is more liable to cracking or curling.

We advise performing a BRE Drop Hammer test (whereby you drop a hammer down into the screed and measure the resulting indentation) to determine if your screed is strong enough to withstand weight bearing loads and foot traffic.

Add steel mesh for stress relief

Unbonded or floating screed are found to have a higher risk of curling and cracking at the joints. To reduce the risk, we recommend designing stress relief by adding and reinforcing steel mesh at the mid-depth of the screed.

Adequate screed thickness

We also advise deciding on the thickest screed possible for your project. This is because curling is more likely to be found in thinner unbonded screeds than thicker ones, as the thicker screeds have more strength to resist the curling forces.

Consider curing

Curing is a method of retaining the water in the screed for a period of time (normally seven days) to stop the screed from drying out too quickly and prevent excess evaporation of moisture from the surface.

This can be achieved by applying a polythene layer, but due to environmental and health and safety issues of using such material, the practice of curing is rarely used nowadays.

Sufficient drying time

You should allow the remaining water from your screed to escape before the installation of your moisture sensitive floor is complete. Although this could take a long time, it’s important to refrain from forced drying as this is a major cause of excessive drying shrinkage that in turn will cause cracking and curling.

Should you be working on a time sensitive project, we recommend a modified fast drying screed which is designed to dry in a more controlled, quicker manner whilst preventing curling or cracking. These screeds also provide the added benefit of doing away with the process of polythene curing.

Wright Minimix are experts specialist concrete and floor screeding

Wright Minimix are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of high quality liquid screed flooring, concrete blocks and ready mixed concrete. Our expert team of experienced concrete contractors have a wealth of knowledge and pride themselves on giving great practical advice across our commercial and residential clients.

To learn how we can provide screed flooring for your property, or to learn more about our huge range of concrete services, contact our friendly team today on 01179 582090.

How to Clean a Screed Floor

26th May 2022

Screed flooring offers a smooth, level surface finish and is commonly found in commercial and industrial properties that encounter high foot traffic, such as a schools and warehouses. It can be left as a sub-floor or used as a floor finish.

If you’re preparing to lay tiles, carpets or floorboards over your screed floor, you will need to ready the screed by removing any dirt and stains left following construction. Even if you decide to leave your screed floor bare as the floor finish, it will still need to be well looked after. But how exactly do you go about readying or cleaning a screed floor?

As commercial concrete and screed flooring specialists with over 34 years’ experience supporting both trade and residential projects throughout the UK, Wright Minimix are best placed to explain to you how to clean a screed floor. Read on to learn how to prepare for cleaning your screed floor, along with regular and deep cleaning techniques to keep your screed floor looking its best.

Preparation before cleaning a screed floor

Before beginning the regular or deep clean of your screed floor, we propose you take the following steps:

Vacuum large dirt

Prior to a wet clean, large amounts of dirt can be hoovered up using a vacuum cleaner or sweeper (depending on the size of unwanted debris).

Scrape off stubborn dirt

For any stubborn dirt remaining following construction (such as paint or tar), we recommend careful use of a spatula or blade to remove it.

Universal stain remover for adhesives and varnish

Should scraping prove too troublesome, we suggest applying a universal stain remover to a cloth to rub off any unwanted varnish, paint or adhesives. Do note that diluted self-gloss emulsions (e.g. polyethylene and paraffin waxes) should never be used as it will damage the screed floor’s coating.

Equipment for cleaning a screed floor

In general, we recommend utilising a scrubber dryer for cleaning your screed floor. Because of their multiple tempo settings, scrubber dryers can accommodate for lighter maintenance cleans as well as deep cleaning that requires higher roller brush speeds.

Regular maintenance cleaning techniques – for light soiling

Wet maintenance cleaning is conducted using a scrubber dryer on a reduced contact pressure and lower brush speed. We recommend using a suitable cleaning agent and utilising your scrubber dryer’s automatic cleaning function.

If wet cleaning is not required, we suggest carrying out maintenance cleaning using a vacuum cleaner or sweeper.

Deep cleaning techniques

If maintenance cleaning fails to successfully remove all the unwelcome residue, we advise on the following deep cleaning course of action.

For removing stubborn dirt

We propose setting your scrubber dryer onto a high or full contact pressure, conducting the clean at intervals to avoid the screed floor getting too wet.

For removing skid and tyre marks

For any skid marks or tyre tracks left by heavy machinery, we suggest applying a suitable, high-performance, multi-purpose cleaner. Then, apply the scrubber dryer without any added cleaning solution to remove the marks.

Wright Minimix is a specialist concrete and floor screeding company

Having built our reputation on excellence, Wright Minimix supply high quality liquid screed flooring, concrete blocks and ready mixed concrete across the South West of England and South Wales. Our team of experienced and skilled concrete contractors have a wealth of knowledge and pride themselves on giving expert advice across our commercial and residential clients.

For more information on how we can provide screed flooring for your property, or to learn more about our wide array of concrete services, contact our friendly team today on 01179 582090.

Concrete versus bricks

17th May 2022

From single residential builds to multi-storey offices and skyscrapers, concrete and brick are materials used in countless construction projects across the globe. Each have their own features and uses, meaning they are a better fit for certain aspects of construction building. However, is one material more suitable for construction projects than the other?

If you’re trying to work out which material will be more appropriate for your next construction project, then read on to learn the key differences between concrete and bricks, and how Wright Minimix can help.

What are the key differences between concrete and bricks?

The strength

Ultimately, concrete is comparatively stronger than brick, but do note the strength of either material is dependent of the quality of mortar that is used to hold them together in construction.

When measuring the strength in pound-force per square inch (psi), concrete can withstand 3,500 psi – 500 psi more than the brick’s maximum.

The weight

Bricks are the lighter of the two – weighing approximately 5lbs per unit, whereas concrete blocks are much heavier and can weigh up to 43lbs per slab. However, the installation benefits and the overall look of the finished concrete product justifies the awkward transportation requirements, which is made much easier thanks to the use of a concrete pump vehicle.

The Price

Concrete is typically cheaper than bricks, with the latter costing up to 20% more due to the higher labour costs. Concrete on the other hand doesn’t require too many raw materials which brings their cost down.

Their appearance

Contrary to popular belief, concrete comes in a variety of colours – not just grey – as well as hues, shades and patterns available. Bricks also have different colour variations, but are somewhat limited when compared to concrete.

Durability

Both materials are prone to durability issues; concrete is prone to surface erosion, whilst bricks can chip and crack.

Typically bricks last longer than concrete slabs, with the former lasting for generations. Concrete slabs usually need replacing after about 20 years, which is more than enough time when you factor in property renovations that tend to take place every decade or so.

Versatility

Both materials can be used across a number of aspects for your construction project. Concrete slabs are used across garden patios and driveways, and bricks tend to be used for garden paths. With the bonus of having lots of appearance options to choose from, combined with its lower price, we believe concrete is the more versatile choice.

Environmental Impact

When manufactured, concrete emits less carbon dioxide than bricks making concrete the more environmentally friendly material of the two.

Which is better – concrete or bricks?

Whilst there are benefits to using both concrete and bricks, we believe concrete is the ideal material for your construction project. This is because it offers the best value for money, as well as its attractiveness and versatility options across your build.

Wright Minimix are top quality concrete suppliers in the UK

Wright Minimix have built our reputation on excellence, supplying high quality concrete blocks, ready mixed concrete and liquid screed across the South West of England and South Wales. Our highly experienced team of skilled concrete contractors have a wealth of knowledge and pride themselves on giving expert advice across both commercial and residential projects.

To learn how we can provide concrete to assist with your construction build, get in touch today via our website or give us a call on 01179 582090.

Concrete blocks versus poured concrete

10th May 2022

Concrete is one of the most popular materials used for construction, and it’s no surprise why – it’s commended for its flexibility, durability and its strength attributes, making it a sturdy and long-lasting solution for all types of commercial and residential buildings.

Concrete typically is available in two forms: concrete blocks and poured concrete. As specialist concrete contractors, we wanted to take this opportunity to explain to you the differences between concrete blocks and poured concrete, along with the advantages and setbacks of each.

Read on to learn more about these concrete types, and how Wright Minimix can assist with your construction build.

What is the difference between a concrete block and poured concrete?

Concrete blocks are solid concrete masonry units (CMUs) that are made of pure concrete, aggregated from crushed stone and sand. Nowadays, concrete blocks can contain steel, wood or mixed cement to improve its structural integrity. We recommend block construction as the preferred construction method when very little horizontal pressure will be applied to the CMUs.

Whilst containing similar materials to concrete blocks, poured concrete differs in that it’s a form of concrete that is poured, moulded and cured onsite. It’s best used for retaining wall or barrier installations.

Advantages of using concrete blocks vs poured concrete

Prebuilt

The main advantage of utilising concrete blocks (rather than poured concrete) for your build is that they are already prebuilt, meaning you don’t have to worry about bad weather for the concrete curing process. As the blocks don’t need to cure, you won’t have to worry about the loss of any strength resulting from the cold.

Compression Strength

Concrete blocks are renowned for their compression strength, and that determines how much weight the foundation can support.

Setbacks of using concrete blocks

Bowing and buckling

Concrete block foundations are also liable to crack, bow and buckle over time. This can lead to further costs repairing or even rebuilding the wall.

Minor water leaks

Whilst concrete blocks can be waterproofed, they are still prone to water leaks, and seeps comparatively more so than poured concrete due to the grout lines.

Advantages of using poured concrete vs concrete blocks

Material Strength

In comparison to concrete blocks that must be laid one at a time, poured concrete can be installed as a monolithic structure, meaning greater lateral strength.

Resistance to the elements

Poured concrete can withstand more pressure from nature like water and soil and is also known for its fire-resistance. Poured concrete is also easier to waterproof, as unlike concrete blocks it doesn’t consist of joints.

Versatility and efficiency

Poured concrete can fit into any design and can adapt to any last-minute adjustments. It also can be much faster and efficient to use, provided the cement plant is located nearby.

Setbacks of using poured concrete

Weather dependent

Poured concrete can take longer to form in the cold, as the chilly conditions can take the concrete longer to cure and develop its strength. What’s more, if it’s too cold, the concrete might not build its strength and may even collapse entirely.

Water leaks

This needs to be a key determinant when deciding your concrete structure as water leaks can arise due to a number of factors. For example, the foundation can drop or sink due to soil, leading to water seepage. Additionally, if the wall was poorly formed, the wall can crack, which not only causes leakage, but for it to be fixed the concrete needs to be dug up.

Which is better – concrete blocks or poured concrete?

There is no one clear answer in terms of which is better than the other – both forms of concrete can perform for your construction project. We strongly advise speaking to our team of specialists to best determine which is more suitable for your build.

Wright Minimix are top quality concrete suppliers in the UK

Wright Minimix have built our longstanding reputation on excellence, providing an unrivalled service in supplying top quality concrete blocks, ready mixed concrete and liquid screed across the South West of England and South Wales. Our highly experienced team of concrete contractors have a wealth of knowledge and pride themselves on giving expert guidance across both the commercial and residential sectors.

To learn how we can provide concrete to assist with your construction project, contact us today via our website or call our friendly team on 01179 582090.