Today go round Bangalore and you will find that the buildings are being constructed in a different way. Be it small house in Kanakapura road or commercial complex in Hebbal or a villa project in Whitefield, it is becoming highly popular with one building material of solid blocks of concrete.
So, what’s the big deal? Why are increasingly more architects, engineers and even small builders moving away to solid concrete blocks? We will simplify it down, such as the way we could describe it to a friend over chai.
Better and tougher than normal bricks.
Concrete solid blocks have one of the greatest benefits in strength. These blocks are formed with cement, aggregates and good curing techniques which make it much stronger than clay bricks.
Constructors favor them due to the fact that they are able to support higher weight and have a greater lifespan particularly in multi-storey buildings. Solid blocks are not a bad idea as long as you are constructing a house which is to last 40-50 years.
I recall the conversation with one of the contractors of RR Nagar who told me that we used burnt bricks in almost all our projects earlier. At the moment, however, the clients desire buildings which will require less repair during the course of time, that is why we changed to solid blocks.
More Construction Less Labour Cost.
The concrete blocks are significantly bigger than traditional red bricks. That is, this shows that less blocks are required to construct a wall and this automatically decreases:
Time taken for construction
Labour costs
Cement and mortar quantity.
This is a big difference to the overall project budget of the builders in Bangalore where labour cost is gradually rising. One Sarjapur-based project manager has even mentioned that the construction of walls using solid blocks saved nearly 20% of the costs.
Improved Sound Insulation and Heat.
Being frank, Bangalore weather is not so cool as it was before. The summers are becoming hot and no one would like to stay in an oven-like house.
Solid blocks made of concrete are also useful in ensuring that the temperature in the interior of a building is more even since they minimize heat conduction. Homeowners have reported that their houses are cooler since they do not need to use AC on a full time basis.
Outside noise is also reduced with the use of these blocks in high density places such as Electronic City, Yeshwanthpur or along the highways. That is one of the main reasons why now solid blocks are applied in schools, hospitals, hotels and apartment buildings.
Green and Environmentally friendly.
Concrete solid blocks are produced without harming the environment unlike red bricks that involve firing of clay in the kiln. This is because there is no cutting of the soil and therefore there is no agricultural land loss which is a major problem in rural Karnataka.
Most Bangalore developers are now advertising their constructions to be eco-friendly and solid blocks can be used to justify that argument.
Other factories go as far as to use fly ash and recycled aggregates in the manufacture of blocks, which are less industrial waste. This is a win-win option so when you want to make a home that is eco-friendly.
Accuracy and Standardized Size = Improved Quality Walls.
Classical bricks are not even and require additional plastering. However, concrete solid blocks are produced with the use of machines and thus the size is precise and the surface is smooth.
Benefits of this:
Straight and uniform walls
Less plastering work
When after painting, it is better finished.
Fewer cracks in the long run
This material is simply logical in case of modern architecture when clean edges and smooth walls are of concern.
Long-term Cost-Effective.
Although certain individuals believe that solid blocks are more expensive than red bricks, the net savings amount is achieved by:
Reduced plastering work
Lower labour charges
Less maintenance in future
Higher durability
The majority of construction companies in Bangalore have already learnt that the first cost is not so crucial as the lifetime cost. It is the reason why commercial, residential and even government works are changing to solid block construction.
Ready to Find with the Local manufacturers in Bangalore.
The other key factor that has facilitated the popularity of concrete blocks is the local availability. A large number of manufacturers and suppliers in Bangalore have come up producing high-quality blocks in large quantity.
That means:
No big transport cost
Quick delivery to site of construction.
Blocks that have been made recently (not taken months to manufacture and kept in stores).
Developers prefer to deal with local suppliers as in case of an urgent block supply, they can be received within a day.
Applicable to any kind of Project.
Concrete solid blocks can be applied anywhere whether it is a particular house, apartment building, school, or warehouse.
They work well for:
Load-bearing walls
Partition walls
Compound walls
High-rise construction
Smart city projects
Owing to their flexibility, most architects have been recommending them default now.
Therefore, Is Concrete Solid Blocks the Right Choice in Your Next Construction?
When it comes to having a strong, energy-efficient, durable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective building, then yes, concrete solid blocks would be the right one to consider.
This change has already begun in Bangalore. It is not the question whether we should switch. but “How soon should we switch?”
Final Thoughts
Construction business is evolving rapidly and Bangalore is on the forefront of this change. As a builder, an architect, a homeowner, or a mere individual with a concern in real estate developments, it is quite obvious that concrete solid blocks are the new order in the contemporary construction.
and, frankly, it is nice to see something that is strong, sustainable, and cost effective, which is what our increasingly populated city certainly requires.
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