Block & Masonry 

Block are all 16 inches long and 8 inches high, 1.125 block per square foot of wall. The depth of the wall varies with the size of the block, which come in 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12”. The most common by far is 8 inch.

Block also come in limestone and lightweight; the lightweight are preferred because they are easier to lay but they are more expensive.

To calculate how many block you need, figure how many square feet of wall you have and multiply by 1.125. You also need to figure how many corner block you need. Count the number of corners you have , and figure the number of block courses you need. The height of the wall in feet times 1.5 gives the number of courses. Multiply number of courses times number of corners to get the number of corner blocks required, you can subtract that from the total required.

Rules of Thumb

2-1/2 Bags mortar per 100 block; 40 block per bag
800 lbs. sand per 100 block
1.125 block per square foot of wall
height of wall in feet x 1.5 = Number of Courses
1 ton sand for 250 block
0.93 cy grout to fill 100 8” block
1.64 cy to fill 100 12” block

Mix 1 part mortar to 2 or 2-1/2 parts sand
Type N Mortar is 69-1/2 lb per bag
Type S mortar is 75 lb per bag, has more cement

7 Bags mortar per 1000 brick; 143 brick per bag
1 ton sand per 1000 brick
7 brick per square foot
4.625 courses brick per foot of wall height