Low-Cost Fencing Ideas Using Cinder Block

Honeycomb

• Staggering the cinder blocks to create a honeycomb effect can give you a budget-friendly wall with an interesting aesthetic. By staggering the cinder blocks, you use less blocks to cover the span of yard. This style matches well with mid-century modern homes. The spaces in the wall help the space look brighter as opposed to having a solid wall of concrete. Because of the openings, this wall works well for households with larger dogs and older children because they can't escape through the 10- to 12-inch open spaces.

Large Blocks

• Design the wall using the largest blocks that you can purchase. This will reduce the amount of bricks needed for the job. If you choose to hire someone to help install the fence, using bigger bricks will cut down on the hours of labor to stack them. The cost savings will depend on the availability and cost of the cinder blocks you procure. Check with your local dealer and compare the prices by calculating how many bricks in each size it would take to build your fence.

Dry Stack

• If you're using your fence to block noise from a busy street or a train track, you can dry stack your cinder blocks when creating your wall. This means that you won't use cement to join the blocks together and will save money on supplies. The wall must be in a space where it won't get climbed on or run into by animals or children. Dry stacking also takes less time to build and can save you money on labor costs.

Height

• By building a 4-foot wall instead of a 6-foot or an 8-foot wall, you can save money on cinder blocks. You will use two to four rows less cinder blocks around the perimeter of your fence by cutting down the height. Consider your needs of the fence when designing it. If there's no reason to go as high as 6 or 8 feet, then cut the height of the wall down to cut down on your spending.