Block Wall Cost vs. Concrete Wall Cost in a Basement

Building Basement Walls

• Basement walls must withstand a number of forces. The pressure of soil contraction and expansion, as well as water that accumulates in the ground seasonally, can produce tensions that can crack the wall materials, leading to the intrusion of water into the basement. Both poured concrete and concrete blocks are used to make basement walls. Either material can have advantages for the builder. As with other construction, the use of high-quality materials and recommended building practices provides a long-lasting wall that requires fewer repairs.

Block Wall Foundations

• Concrete block is often used in rural areas where concrete trucks are not available to provide concrete for pouring. In these cases, concrete block can make a good, readily available material for basement foundation walls. These blocks are stacked together much like brick masonry. Concrete blocks may contain reinforcing materials such as rebar, concrete fill or metal wire cloth, according to home improvement expert Tim Carter of the Ask The Builder website. These materials provide extra strength for unstable soil conditions.

Poured Concrete Wall Foundations

• Poured concrete is more resistant to the pressure of water in the soil, according to Tom Silva of the This Old House website. This advantage may be important in areas with heavy seasonal rainfall. Poured concrete can also contain reinforcing materials, such as steel bar. Poured concrete might be more expensive than concrete block for basement foundation walls because of the increase costs for presetting the forms, delivering materials to the job site and hiring experienced workers to pour and set the concrete.

Cost Comparisons

• Cost comparison between poured concrete basement walls and concrete blocks can be confusing because of the various factors involved. Though block may be initially less expensive for the area to be covered, other costs, such as reinforcement materials, mortar and skilled labor, can rival or even exceed the cost of poured materials. In addition, covering unsightly concrete joints with stucco can add more cost to block walls. Home builders should get several bids to compare the costs of concrete versus block walls for their basement foundation project. Do-it-yourselfers should research building codes, as well as the cost of materials in their area, to decide on which type of construction is best for their area.