How to build a concrete wall?

Question

I want to make a memorial for my grandmother. I want it to be 3feet high, and 5 feet wide. I want a base that is a little wider, and longer than the wall. Should i use concrete, or bricks or cinder blocks for the wall? If bricks or cinder blocks, then can i just use a concrete to bond them, or what will i need?

Answer 1

You had better consult Lowe's or Home Depot.  If you don't do it properly it will not last.  You might have to have a foundation.  That's quite a bit of concrete.  You could use cinder blocks, but you will need a bonding agent.  A memorial to a family member, especially a grandmother, is pretty thoughtful and special.  You want it to endure, so do it right!

Answer 2

I agree that you should get some competent advice. But I thought you might find the following useful.

Brick would be stronger than cinderblocks, but more work too.

If the ground ever freezes where you are, you definitely need a substantial concrete foundation, otherwise the movement of the ground as it freezes will eventually crack your memorial. If you do use brick or blocks, you usually use a mortar mix instead of concrete.

You can check out sand and lime mixes. They take a long time to fully cure, but once cured they have an elastic toughness that means that they will be able to give a little, and thus endure long after cement has crumbled.

You could also build a mold and have a truck fill it, but for that too,  I would do some research on the best mix to use. Concrete is not just one mix - whatever home depot might say - there are large variations in ballast and cement content, and even in the kind of sand you use,  that can have a huge effect on the strength of the material.

Also, if you are doing this in warm weather, you will want to keep the mass wet for a few days to allow the cement to fully cure.