Resources

ORCO’s Resources page has an extensive library of all product safety data sheets, organized by product family. Additionally, each individual product page has a corresponding data sheet available for download.  

If you are completing a project submittal and need assistance, use our Professional Request Contact Form to reach our sales team, and we will be happy to assist you with finding the documentation you need for your project submittal. 

You can also find ORCO’s annual quality assurance tests within the Resources page, which verifies our manufacturing equipment is running as expected. Note that these test documents refer to the machinery only, and not to the products being produced on them. 

A concrete block’s “Configuration” refers to the block’s shape. A standard configuration is easy to identify: A rectangular block with two closed cells (holes) and a center dividing wall between the cells. Other configurations vary in terms of open or closed cells, number of cells, and cell sizes. 

ORCO’s Resources page includes documentation for CMU Configurations organized by block height.  

Concrete block cells matter for several reasons: hollow cells make concrete block easier to transport and lay than solid block. Additionally, the size and placement of cells is important to know for aligning block when building walls, and projects using rebar for reinforcement will need to know where and how large a concrete block’s cells are. 

A concrete block’s cell size will vary depending on several factors:  

First, the block’s cell size depends on the finish used. Smooth finishes such as Precision and Burnish tend to have larger cells than textured finishes such as Split Face and Shot Blast.  

Second, the cell size is also dependent on configuration. Open-end units, for example, are shaped differently within the cell area than a standard block. 

Check the configuration documents found on our Resources page for quick measurement references for all block configurations. 

Two primary factors affect the weight of our concrete blocks: the mix design (also known as the “block weight”) and the configuration (i.e. the “shape” of the block). 

ORCO produces blocks in three mix designs: in order from heaviest to lightest, they are Normal Weight, Medium Weight, and Light Weight. In general, lighter block comes at additional cost. 

Configurations such as open-ended units affect the weight of the block due to having less material than a standard concrete block. 

Your quantity of concrete block per pallet containing your order will vary depending on the configuration and block height. 

Various configurations may stack differently on a pallet than others, resulting in slight variation on the number of blocks per pallet.  

In general, the shorter the block height, the more blocks can be added to a single pallet. 

Refer to the table below for a general guide demonstrating these differences for several configurations. Be sure to refer to ORCO’s concrete block price list for specific counts of all configurations and block heights, available from your ORCO sales representative.

• All weights are approximations based on ORCO Riverside production, and are subject to variation. 
• Wet block takes on considerable weight, and moisture retention can affect actual weight. 
• All weights listed are estimated, to be used as a guideline only. 

Disclaimer: ORCO BLOCK & HARDSCAPE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITIES ON EITHER THE BLOCK WEIGHT OR PALLET WEIGHT, NOR DOES ORCO BLOCK & HARDSCAPE ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR TRUCK LOAD WEIGHTS. IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS, ALL LOAD WEIGHTS SHOULD BE RECHECKED BY THE TRUCKING COMPANY OR PURCHASING COMPANY. ORCO BLOCK & HARDSCAPE ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING OVERLOADED VEHICLES.

The number of CMU needed per square foot of wall depends on two factors: the height and length of the block, and the square footage of the wall project. 

As a general guideline, for 8’’ inch high units, divide the square footage of your project by .0889 and round up. For 4” inch high units, instead divide the wall area by 0.444 and round up.  

Many online resources exist to apply these calculations for your convenience. No matter what resource you use to estimate your total block needs, you may want to consider adding 5-10% additional total unit quantity as a precaution. Having some additional units above the exact estimate can cover units lost due to breakage, units used for cuts, and potential layout adjustments during a project. 

We do not offer a specific 12” pilaster cap. For 16” unit, we recommend using our 19x4x19’’ Bevel Cap to complement our block the best.  

Yes – please click this link to view our CMU Product Data Sheet, or visit our Resources page. 

ORCO sells only to licensed contractors and retailers. If you are a homeowner, we’re happy to help you find the best local ORCO dealer in your area – simply fill out our Dealer Request Contact Form, and we’ll respond promptly with recommended local retail locations to supply your project. 

For professionals, please complete our Sales Contact Form with as many project details as possible, and our sales team will follow up promptly to support your order. 

Use either (a) testing per ASTM E119 or (b) calculation per ACI/TMS 216.1. Ratings depend on equivalent thickness, aggregate type (lightweight vs. normal weight), grouting). Standard 6–12-inch CMU assemblies commonly achieve 2–4 hr.

Detail the wall as a rainscreen where possible, specify integral water repellent (IWR) in units and mortar, include flashing/weep paths, and select a compatible sealer after construction cleaning. For existing efflorescence: dry brush and rinse first; escalate with manufacturer-recommended cleaners only if needed. 

Mass helps. STC for CMU walls is determined per TMS 0302 methods; values increase with thickness, density, grouting, and finishes (e.g., plaster/gypsum). For façades, consider OITC in addition to STC. Use TEK tables during DD and verify in specs. 

Yes—CMU is a mass wall. You can comply prescriptively (R-/U-tables for mass walls) or via U-factor/trade-off/modeling paths. TEK 06-02C lists R/U values for single-wythe, and TEK 06-16A provides heat-capacity (thermal mass) data; energy codes allow lower added insulation for mass walls versus framed walls.

Empirical rule of thumb from NCMA TEK 10-2: maximum spacing is the lesser of 25 ft or 1.5 × wall height, with joints at changes in height/thickness, re-entrant corners, and near large openings. Engineered alternatives (TEK 10-3) allow spacing to vary when sufficient horizontal reinforcement is provided.

No. Paint acts as a bond break which can cause VBM to not work to its fullest potential. Substrates should be clean and free of dust and other potential bond breakers. For concrete surfaces, sandblasting is recommended to ensure removal of all paint or other potential bond breakers. 

While our mortar sample channels are made in a controlled environment, the final color of any mortar product is affected by jobsite conditions such as weather, amount of water used in mixing, tooling, striking time, and the type of finish applied.   

Yes, a jobsite mockup is highly recommended. Jobsite mockups allow the owner and installer to make decisions prior to job start potentially mitigating jobsite problems. By producing a test sample of work in the conditions the project will be built in, it will more closely resemble the finished project, and provide a better example of how the project will ultimately look. 

VBMs are designed specifically for bonding stone veneer. It is not recommended to grout with VBM, as the polymers will tend to stain the stone veneer. Also, the color is affected by the additives in VBM, and it does not produce the same color as a standard mortar will produce.

No. MAC Plus Mortars are recommended for use as a pointing mortar and should not be used install CMU/Brick. 

No, this is not recommended by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscape Association. The sand should be screeded smooth before placing pavers. Compaction should only occur once the pavers are placed.  

There are two main factors that determine if a paver is able to support vehicular use when set with sand:  

1. A minimum aspect ration of 3:1 length to depth per paver.  
2. Pavers used for fire lanes require using an interlocking pattern.  

Available products include metal trays and pre-applied fiberglass mesh. The metal trays are available in specific formats. These trays are adhered to the back of the porcelain on site prior to placing the paver. This adds both cost in terms of time and materials. A popular option is the use of fiberglass mesh backing. This mesh backing is applied prior to shipment of material to the jobsite, reducing additional handling.  

Permeable pavers perform best in well-draining soils. In areas with poorly draining or clay soils, installation should follow the Concrete Masonry & Hardscape Association’s guidelines for low-permeability conditions. These applications typically require underdrains and geotextile fabric to ensure proper drainage and system performance. 

ORCO strongly recommends using either a wet set concrete edge or a bond beam to interface between hardscape and softscape surfaces. Additionally, plastic edgers can be utilized, but may require additional maintenance. 

No, this is not recommended by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscape Association. A concrete beam should separate the asphalt and pavers.  

Per the Concrete Masonry & Hardscape Association, rates can range from 100 to 1000 inches per hour, depending on aggregate gradation, joint width and maintenance. Based on studies, even with sediment accumulation, systems are able to drain 10 inches per hour, which exceeds most stormwater design requirements.  

Utilizing mortar to set pavers is an effective method if pavers either have a poor interlock pattern, or pavers are being used that do not meet the aspect ratio required for the specific job. ORCO recommends using our VBM Bonder product for mortar-setting pavers, thanks to its high bond strength and water repellent properties.