Intro - The EnerBlock Concrete Masonry System

As is often the case in good industrial design, the EnerBlock insulating barrier shape looks quite simple, but is actually quite sophisticated. It is a universal unit. The same insulating barrier can be used for 8, 10 and 12 inch blocks. It fits both the block core and the cavity between adjoining blocks.

EnerBlock insulating barriers are molded rigid polystyrene. They will not hold or transmit any significant amount of moisture, a known problem with loose fill insulation. The rigid barriers stay in the block and thus avoid problems of settling, or loss when remodelling. EnerBlock insulation does not shrink. (Shrinkage cracks in foamed-in-place insulation create many heat flow paths.)

The block producer supplies EnerBlock insulating barriers along with the concrete block. The insulating barriers are inserted easily as each block course is laid, placing one in each core and one into each cavity between blocks.

The EnerBlock Insulated Concrete Masonry System* creates a concrete block wall with a virtually continuous insulating barrier in its core area. It looks effective, and it is effective.

* U.S. Patents 4,269,013 and 4,833,852, Canadian Patent 1,312,737

The EnerBlock Insulated Concrete Masonry System provides all the known advantages of concrete masonry exterior walls -- strength, fire resistance, appearance, sound privacy and economy -- along with assured insulation values.

Unlike webs in regular-shape block, the scallop shape EnerBlock webs allow conduit to be installed horizontally within walls, above the webs, in most cases.

Masonry contractors appreciate how easy it is to install EnerBlock concrete masonry units. Standard practice is followed, applying mortar to face shells and using standard 3/8 inch mortar joints.

Units weigh less than standard shaped units which reduces material and labor costs.

Sizes, densities, surfaces: these unique concrete masonry units are available in 8, 10 and 12 inch widths, in lightweight, medium weight or heavyweight densities, and in any of the decorative faces offered by a local authorized producer.



The oil embargo of the 1970's created higher energy costs and many shortages in the United States. One result was the evolution of energy conservation standards in building construction. New national, state and local building energy codes were conceived to achieve better conservation of all energy resources.
To meet these new energy codes, several alterations developed in concrete masonry wall construction: Cavity walls added rigid polystyrene insulation in the cavity with masonry on the interior and exterior; Composite walls added rigid insulation to the interior or exterior of the masonry covered with appropriate finishes; Single-wythe walls added integral insulation to the cores of concrete masonry -- vermiculite or perlite, loose fills, foam-in-place insulation, and rigid polystyrene inserts. By the early 1980's, several facts became obvious: Loose fills and foams in the cores of concrete masonry can result in moisture accumulation and wet walls; Rigid polystyrene inserts in the cores only of concrete masonry do not insulate the areas between block horizontally and vertically and result in very small improvement of the wall insulation value; Vermiculite and perlite reported r-values were fairly accurate, but foam-in-place and most polystyrene inserts were (and still are) reporting fraudulent r-values 100 to 300% above actual value.
West Materials, Inc., established in 1981 as a Minnesota corporation distributing structural lightweight aggregate for manufacturing energy-efficent concrete masonry and other building materials for construction, had a keen interest in these methods of insulating concrete masonry walls. With this as a background, Lloyd West, President of West Materials, Inc., proceeded to develop a rigid polystyrene insert which insulates all areas of the concrete masonry wall except the two structural webs, which are reduced in area. Moisture problems of loose fills and foam-in-place are eliminated. The result is the EnerBlock^TM Insulated Concrete Masonry Wall System. One insert is placed in the center core of the concrete masonry unit and one is placed between the units horizontally. Each insert has polystyrene crush-ribs extending above the concrete masonry unit to insulate the mortar joint area between units vertically.



As is often the case in good industrial design, the EnerBlock insulating barrier shape looks quite simple, but is actually quite sophisticated. It is a universal unit. The same insulating barrier can be used for 8, 10 and 12 inch blocks. It fits both the block core and the cavity between adjoining blocks.
					Crush ribs on the sides and ears of the barrier assure necessary contact with masonry surfaces despite normal dimension variations in the masonry units. Crush ribs on the top assure good vertical contact between barriers, while allowing for joint reinforcing. EnerBlock insulating barriers are molded rigid polystyrene. They will not hold or transmit any significant amount of moisture, a known problem with loose fill insulation. The rigid barriers stay in the block and thus avoid problems of settling, or loss when remodelling. EnerBlock insulation does not shrink. (Shrinkage cracks in foamed-in-place insulation create many heat flow paths.) The block producer supplies EnerBlock insulating barriers along with the concrete block. The insulating barriers are inserted easily as each block course is laid, placing one in each core and one into each cavity between blocks. The EnerBlock *Insulated Concrete Masonry System** creates a concrete block wall with a virtually continuous insulating barrier in its core area. It looks effective, and it is effective. * U.S. Patents 4,269,013 and 4,833,852, Canadian Patent 1,312,737

The EnerBlock system combines specially designed concrete masonry units with uniquely shaped insulating barriers of molded rigid polystyrene. The barriers insulate the cores of the masonry units and also between them, both horizontally and vertically. Moreover, the insulating value can be relied on in use. The rigid barriers stay in place. In contrast, you can't be sure of complete fill in cores when loose fill or foamed-in-place is used. Also, loose fill or foamed-in-place can easily become saturated and can transfer moisture to inside surfaces. The EnerBlock system is economical. The special concrete blocks and insulating barriers are available from nearby authorized concrete masonry producers. And, the EnerBlock system is easy to specify.



The EnerBlock Insulated Concrete Masonry System provides all the known advantages of concrete masonry exterior walls -- strength, fire resistance, appearance, sound privacy and economy -- along with assured insulation values.
Unlike webs in regular-shape block, the scallop shape EnerBlock webs allow conduit to be installed horizontally within walls, above the webs, in most cases. Masonry contractors appreciate how easy it is to install EnerBlock concrete masonry units. Standard practice is followed, applying mortar to face shells and using standard 3/8 inch mortar joints. Units weigh less than standard shaped units which reduces material and labor costs. Sizes, densities, surfaces: these unique concrete masonry units are available in 8, 10 and 12 inch widths, in lightweight, medium weight or heavyweight densities, and in any of the decorative faces offered by a local authorized producer.