Home Building Supply Alternative

[@jmpersic]

This is the most brilliant building product I've ever seen.

[@andrewstoner3649]

Have our home plans in the works to use this product. I've spoken with Denny and he is very helpful and knowledgeable. Really glad to have taken Keith's course and learned about this alternative. We're in SE Nebraska and I'm literally sitting here with Tornado Warning notifications coming over my phone while I sit in my stupid stick frame home, listening to the walls creaking from the wind. Kindof ironic I'm watching this video at the moment! Can't wait to be in the new one for the efficiency, safety, and cost savings both long and short term. Keep it up guys!

[@dennymiller6002]

Andrew, It has been a pleasure working with you regarding your new home plans. It will be a wonderful home for sure.

[@Joez86]

Just came across this - I can tell you horror stories about my current home in CA regarding many issues because of the lumber framing (from termite damage to rotting, and warping sections etc..) - I mean everything from animals (insects, mice, even woodpeckers!! and so-forth) damaging my framing throughout the years to mother-nature herself causing moisture or baking my wooden structure... Ugh. That's why I'm excited about having my final retirement home designed with this product. My appreciation to Keith and Denny for making this happen. Finally builders who think out of the box using reason, logic and science for maximum home efficiency.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

thank you for the nice comments. We will keep it up.

[@dennymiller6002]

Looking to help you through the process.

[@sebastiantevel898]

Great presentation and very likeble gentleman. Thank you for sharing. The fire profing is obviously superior to regular ICF. With these bloks I would be comfortable doing a ventilated facade, which would be a big no if using ICF with EPS directly exposed to the air gap which will feed oxygen to the fire and would keep igniting the EPS spreading the flame quickly and extensively. Also the fact that you can put stucco directly without using the wire web is a plus. Great adantage also on not requiring drywalls. Those who have grown up in Europe are more familiar with electric conduits through bricks, most houses are still being built with brick walls and put mud over it, they have been doing it for centuries.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Great points

[@compactc9]

I was one of those that asked about the ICF. Was pretty sold on it, but this keeps all of the advantages of that plus thermal mass (if upstairs can feel like a cool basement on a hot day…) and, what really convinced me is the lack of having to do more expensive finishing on both sides of the wall. Am still working on and saving up so I can buy land for this, but I am planning on using, probably the Omni-Brick above grade and the block for the basement/foundation walls.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Contact Denny at Omni Block and he will be happy to help.

[@80milekyle70]

Thank you Keith! What an incredible discussion of the product. Sharing the detailed specifics and lessons was immensley helpful and appreciated!

[@GenuineOptimist]

Glad it helped. This is Keith posting from my other channel.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

these (& "Perfect Block" variations too [they are very different, to be clear] ) have some great properties & uses, but lookin at all angles, ICF still comes out ahead for most builds. both are LEAPS ahead of stick tho, & i'm glad to see Keith showcase Omni on his platform. ...the reason ICF does so well, is in large part due to the complete elimination of thermal bridging & monolithic prevention of air penetration in both directions by the EPS (especially wind-driven). with insulation on either side, the core is far less affected by rapid temp delta swings, and that steadiness is felt as comfort. this can be calculated, & most ICFs offer EPS inserts & different core thicknesses to dial-in the correct levels. in the comparatively limited uses for exposed thermal mass, there are ICF forms/products for that too. a good example of exposed thermal mass working against comfort, is hydronically heated flooring & cold snaps/heat waves: the slab temp is slow to react (large mass), so if temps plunge rapidly, the floor takes time to catch up. once the snap breaks, or if you're hit with a short heat wave, the home can be overly hot for days. i get that Danny has a biz to run, but misleading statements on ICF help him far less than just saying what Omni does well (no drywall needed, outer shell puncture strength, fires, etc). might even hurt him, judging by only the comments of others made here specifically.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Omni Block does have a thermal bridge built into the design. Not sure about the sudden temp changes and thermal mass no adjusting fast enough. I think that is what we want, a wall system that can bank energy for all seasons. As a builder, ICF does not have a ridged facia and this makes it very difficult to fix siding and interior products to it. This is the biggest issue I see with ICF, but certain love your feedback. I think higher lumber costs are going to see a bid serge in new technology adoption.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome ...right-on. as for affixing; drywall goes on as normal, attached to the flat part of the internal web. outside can take stucco. or furring strips attached to the web, then any finishing system on them, which allows the siding materials to dry out. for cabinets, it's nice to hide a wide strip of plywood & give yourself more room for adjustment. the pull-out strength on webs is 4x or more than wood, but screws work best.

[@dennymiller6002]

Obviously we are on opposites sides of the thermal mass topic. You are clearly in the ICF camp. There is nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe. There is a significant marketshare that will be in the ICF camp. ICF's do eliminate the thermal bridging in their multitude of wall systems (at the last World of Concrete 7 different brands were on exhibit, which leads me to think that there are several more available). But thankfully there is a lot more to consider than thermal bridging. I have never met anyone that had or remotely heard of a "too slow to react" thermal mass issue, especially in typical residential applications. If Omni Block did not significantly delay the thermal lag due to the extended path of the offset cross webs and the introduction of a middle lineal wall, the product would not work and the thermal mass would actually work against the building's energy efficiency capability. Standard block has direct thermal bridges, so the solar heat that hits the exterior wall moves through the block and becomes radiant heat on the interior side. This heat is very powerful. Fortunately Omni Block's unique design easily delays the solar heat gain (remember the sun moves off the wall as the day progresses) so it never reaches the interior except (full disclosure) the fine line of area at a corner jamb only in the late summer. "This small area is really insignificant to the whole wall thermal performance," per the Arizona Department of Energy. Heat chases cool. The heat that typically enters a building is via windows, doors, and ceilings. Block has a natural temperature of 56°F. The above mentioned heat in an Omni Block home passively moves to the cooler block without an occupant's knowledge. This heat movement to a cooler temperature allows the occupant to stay in his/her comfort zone without supplemental forced cool air. This is thermal mass. In an ICF building that actually has a slightly higher R-value the same heat enters the building and builds to where the thermostat registers the hear gain and kicks on the air conditioner. There is nothing passive about an ICF building. The above discussion centers around the summer months, what about the winter? The block absorbs a thin layer of heat from the building's heat source. If the room were to cool, since heat chases cool, the heat from the wall would move to the cooler ambient air. The thermal mass greatly assists in reducing drafts and cooler spots in a building again keeping the occupant in their comfort zone. Omni Block also offers multiple integral finishes and colors that would be very difficult for any other membrane system (ICF, wood frame, steel frame, straw bale, wood chip block, rubber tires, etc.) to economically achieve. What better way to be sustainable and eco-friendly than to use less materials. Jim Hoffman, VP of Life Cycle Analysis, Dow Chemical built his two-story home over 17 years ago (just before Hurricane Rita hit Houston, TX) in Lake Jackson, TX. He and his family and many neighbors hunkered down as Lake Jackson took Rita's direct hit. I called Jim after the storm and passed and he said that he would never evacuate his Omni Block home. He lost some shingles and some trees, but the Omni Block home was unscathed. From my own personal experiences, I have visited ICF construction sites before and during the ICF blocks grouting process. This is a very nervous time for most ICF installation crews. I invite anyone to visit any Omni Block building site (I can arrange for that to happen) and also visit an ICF construction site. You can also perform an internet search "ICF construction issues" and see what comes up. To be fair, do the same with Omni Block. I will this at that.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

@@dennymiller6002 ...bit much to fully respond to, so will hopefully suffice to say: i don't have a dog in the race (not a distributor or contractor). i don't believe there's a single product/method of building that is perfect in every way, esp for every location. but after painstakingly comparing over years, latest ICF products just have the largest Pro column, & Cons are minimal/can be addressed easily.

[@gg-gn3re]

​@@dennymiller6002 I know what he's talking about with "too slow to react" these are in floor heating systems that have the pipe ran a few inches in the concrete. It was very common 20+ years ago with copper pipe embedded in the concrete slab.. this is a terrible "fast heating" method so obviously people complain. It's also extremely easy to combat by having a much smarter in floor system that runs water at the temp 72F or whatever your thermostat is at, you're going to keep the mass of the floor at your comfortable temp instead of waiting for it to cool down and then kicking it on. It really comes down to how stupid the people are that are controlling it. Modern in floor systems are above this level, and usually pex too which has poor heat transfer, but putting it directly under your floor combats that.. Still in floor heating is never going to be as fast as turning on a blow torch and moving air over it. Lots of people agree with the omniblock's fundamentals though. There's a reason why the ONLY year around green houses that use no heating, have tons of barrels of water for thermal mass.. It works.

[@lindacgrace2973]

🤣 I had CC on and it called Omni Block "'vomit block". Sorry - I just had to share that. Intriguing design. I have it bookmarked for my own home. Great content - keep up the good work!

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Thanks for sharing!

[@EM-qz8wj]

Very interesting product. So what do you use for interior walls, regular 2 x 4s? Do you attach 2 x 4s to the kitchen walls so you can hang the cabinets? Do you need a special type of anchor to hang other things on the walls? Thanks.

[@kevinhornbuckle]

I see great potential in this wall system.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

I agree. I live in an Omni Block Home

[@oldporkchops]

What would interior walls that divide the interior of the house be made of? Should they also be constructed from OmniBlock or would it be more practical to use traditional wood/metal studs?

[@Arthur-Silva]

That’s what I’ll probably use in Orlando.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Good call.

[@dennymiller6002]

Great to hear!

[@michaelmcclurg9698]

As a 40 plus experienced brick Mason I have never worked on a commercial job that used ICF Block. Built many 14” walls. 4” brick outside 2” styrofoam then 8” block laid 1/2 bond, plus grouted cores w rebar every 3-4’ These OMNI BLOCK are laid stack bond instead of 1/2 bond making the wall lateral strength much weaker

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

The grouted rebar can easily be reduced to 3' OC if needed for greater lateral strength. This is what I did on my home addition where I used Omni Block.

[@lightning9279]

Looks to me like this product is at home in hot zones and ICF is great for cold and even hot. Nice product.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

livin in Phx, where nighttime temps don't drop enough to reach equilibrium in the block's mass, i'm not so sure. it'd be like wrappin the home in an elec blanket that gets cranked to 11 in the sun, & then only having the relatively small insulation panels inside to slow the cooking a bit.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

I have built Omni Block in colder climates and it does very well.

[@dennymiller6002]

Please see my comment above. Thermal mass works both in the heat and the colder climates.

[@dennymiller6002]

Replying to your 12" slab strategy. I hate to see people waste their money. Typical slabs will absorb direct sunlight hitting the floor, but heat that enters the room will generally never get to the lower floor. Heat rises and only when it cools does it start to sink. It might be better to design and use that additional concrete in a trombe wall(s) within the structure. You would be far better served. The thought of having a graduate student do a thesis on an ICF's ability to hold heat (cold doesn't want to move so there is no holding cold) is a great idea. My belief is that if you believe the R-value (keeping heat away from the mass in the first place) an ICF should not have any or only very minimal heat in the mass.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

@@dennymiller6002 ...Trombe walls can be amazing! currently workin out a way to combine one with the concepts behind outdoor solar boxes, horizontal-slinky geothermal loops for cooling, & feed an ERV to have directed airflow.

[@nerdygeek679]

Very interesting Product for sure, I wonder if Omni Block is used for exterior walls only or can be used for interior as well instead of stick walls or chase walls? @Denny miller

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Exterior only unless you want a safe room for inside.

[@markstipulkoski1389]

I am skeptical about using this in cold climates. In places where the temperatures stay below freezing and you don't see the sun for weeks, those blocks will suck the heat out of your house and you will wish you had 2.5 inches of EPS foam on your interior walls like ICF. Your "exposed" thermal mass hurts you in that case. I'd like to see those Omni bock houses he said were built fsrther north. I bet they had additional insulation. Seems like a fine product for their climate, though.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

i live in an Omni Block home and we can have several days of freezing even in my high desert environment and the comfort level is always nice. The front of my home is adobe, a straight thermal mass with no thermal break and you can feel the cold. Love your comment.

[@wiertara1337]

​@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome I think this technology will work really well for several days of freezing - I agree with that. But how about couple of months? In such case, the thermal bridge might be a total deal breaker.

[@dennymiller6002]

@@wiertara1337 Reasonable concern but heat is what has energy. It could be freezing cold for years and the cold would not move. It is the heat that needs to move. Ambient air temperatures inside buildings do not have enough energy to begin to move through insulated walls, no matter what they are construction. The airtightness of the building would be paramount in that situation. Understanding the logic behind heat energy will greatly help you wrestle with this concern. Hope this helps.

[@markstipulkoski1389]

@@dennymiller6002 With your logic, it sounds like I could double dog dare you into touching the tip of your tongue to a frozen metal pole!

[@indrapalvansia4965]

​@@dennymiller6002uhAwww2

[@organogold8]

This is very interesting....

[@MissBabalu102]

Could I use rough stone, or split stone? but also have some arched windows? Can they be cut to make an arch easily enough? I always like French style, I saw pretty houses in Louisiana, but I'm in California. Mediterranean. I've been trying to imagine for days now.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

I would check with Omni Block. Most likely they can do all you ask

[@mattthomas4024]

Looks like your recommended exterior finishes are largely paint and stucco. That’s not going to fly with my wife, who wants cement board siding and rock. How much would it affect the performance of the entire system if we attached furring strips and siding over the exterior face?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

That would not be a problem at all. Go ahead and attached strips and then attach the siding you want.

[@dennymiller6002]

Matt, anything you do to the exterior will not affect the thermal performance of the block system or the efficiency of your home. A stone veneer is typically thin set directly to the block block. This is an advantage and a stronger long term solution. There are also integral finishes and colors available for something much different that stucco and paint.

[@johns6119]

I like this solution, it’s harder with the remodel

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

True, unless the remodel is an addition.

[@normwarren1937]

Would there be more strength if omniblock(s) were put together staggered?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Not necessarily. The bond beams rebar and concrete inside secure the real strength of the block.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

Most ICF is structurally very strong to withstand tornadoes and hurricanes and certified to 200+ mph (up to 240 mph) winds. Is omniblock have certification to withstand 200+ mph winds?

[@stevenshim5425]

I am interested to hear the answer to this question as well as I am considering for east coast of FL

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

@@stevenshim5425 I don’t think it’s certified for tornado or hurricane. Nothing on their website about this.

[@LogansRun314]

It's built just like a regular CMU wall. CMU is pretty much the standard in Miami-Dade and much of the rest here in Florida. Of course you can build it to withstand the harshest wind speeds, all else being equal.

[@dc-wp8oc]

If the subcontractor is unfamiliar with this product, the bid will double in price. Also, adding electrical devices after the masonry walls are complete is often impossible and always expensive. They often talk about thermal mass but seldom discuss air moisture or humidity movement into and through the wall components.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Best to hire a structural mason and get that on board first. No drywall is needed to apply to the outside walls, humidity is allowed through the walls with no build up on a cold condensing surface, like you see with stick builds in some climates.

[@dc-wp8oc]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome Not familiar with the term "structural mason". Isn't residential building today overflowing with "professionals" and "experts"? (How did our forefathers ever do it?) Around these parts, (the southeast) you would be fortunate just to find a mason who knows the basics of the craft and works to a high standard. If you do find one, be prepared to open your checkbook to these Primadonna types, as most in the trades nowadays want to make their quick fortune, not just an honest living. Wanted to like this product but really thought it was just another marketing gimmick which is disappointing as masonry has an appeal that a wood frame does not. Just slightly changing the CMU webbing on this proprietary product and stuffing polystyrene into the cavities, automatically makes this block more expensive. In addition to paying for and transporting/storing all those polystyrene parts is also expensive and space consuming. Most folks will not appreciate looking at uncovered block walls, no matter what pretty color they are so that is an area left to ponder. Yes, I suppose a hand applied stucco, clay or similar product could be applied to the inside walls. But again, labor is not cheap and the expertise to do this kind of work, diminishes by the day. And if you have to fur out the interior walls to accept another finish system, well then you might as well frame it from the beginning. "How to Build Your Own Home" is a worthy goal, yet it appeals to the minority of the DIY camp. Most home dwellers will never touch a trowel or a hammer. Still, more people should be involved in the house building process and perhaps would be, if there were inexpensive, basic, generic systems that provided the means to have a total well-designed solution to the entire structure building process.

[@michaelmcclurg9698]

Wonder if the cores are able to be grouted or would the insulation be in the way?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Insulation is not in the way. Denny showed that in the video. For the regular bond beam or grid requirement for rebar and concrete, the insulation is not put in.

[@cmdv42]

Awesome!🙌

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@tylersierra25]

I’m a novice but the iCF roofs can add a large amount of safety to the home…can these have a concrete roof added to this property

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Possibly, but that would call for more engineering.

[@jaxjaxson]

Some good discussion on this video. In 1 of your other videos you show leaving a basement unexcavated garage wall bare and not dry walling for thermal mass benefits I am assuming? Is there really a gain as this is a garage basement wall and will see no sun at all as its completely buried? I am trying to understand this better. Thanks

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

I believe Omni block asks not to install drywall but only mud. It's a moisture issue to stop buildup between the drywall and the block. Straight mud is preferred.

[@jaxjaxson]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome I'm sorry i sort of jumped around your videos. I'm pretty sure it was a poured concrete wall for a basement you finished in a tract development for a client. I should have commented on that video.

[@dennymiller6002]

I would not recommend Omni Block anywhere in the world actually below the local "freeze/thaw" line. The earth is 56° year round and does not warrant insulation of any kind. You might have have actually seen an area that was a transition between standard uninsulated block and Omni Block. That said, some clients do what they want to do and insulate sometimes where it does not make sense.

[@jaxjaxson]

@@dennymiller6002 if going below the freeze line with the dig do you recommend basic CMU's to start and then above the frost line start the omni blocks for cost savings?

[@michaelmcclurg9698]

The price per unit of an OMNI block is most likely double or triple the cost of a stand CMU

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Not really. A regular CMU does not have a built-in thermal break or insulation, so the savings in utility costs and installation has some serious advantages.

[@sebastiantevel898]

You will still need to add insulation to standard block to meet energy codes.

[@michaelmcclurg9698]

@@sebastiantevel898 Commercial buildings like schools use 2” styrofoam between brick & block w no block fill insulation in the cores

[@michaelmcclurg9698]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome You have to use 2” styrofoam on the outside behind the brick veneer. Commercial buildings have & are built this way. In addition 1.5-2” styrofoam could be added to the inside between the vertical furring

[@sebastiantevel898]

@@michaelmcclurg9698 Interesting. This is a method that was widely used in Europe since the early 80ies and likely used today although with more than 2 inches of EPS. With only 2" of EPS how do they meet R18, which is the code minimum for most states? With 2 inches you get max at R9, I get there is the thermal mass of the block sitting inside behind the EPS but it seems a long way to go to reach R18 and forget about R25. But my point was that you need to add extra work and material (5 inches of EPS). Which will take you closer of the cost of the perfect block.

[@richardheinen1126]

Cool product!

[@dennymiller6002]

Thank you!

[@luisrivera4966]

I designed my house with omniblock and I asked builders to build my house with omniblock and all of them were over 100k more for a 2000 sf house than the regular stick house. I had to redesing my plans and spent couple thousands dollar fixing that. I think omniblock is great but Way higher in price.

[@Krazie-Ivan]

ya, labor on these is intensive

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

The higher price is the result of not knowing the install process and so the builder is shooting high due to poor information. We need more builders to learn more skills. I can understand your frustration, though.

[@dennymiller6002]

Maybe you were talking to the wrong builders and with all due respect Luis, I have never spoken to you. I researched my database and you do not exist, so you didn't get a price from Omni Block, nor did you reach out to determine why the builders were quoting you $50.00 a square foot more for Omni Block. What's more, An Omni Block bid for materials for a typical 2000 sq ft house would have been around $15,000 on the absolute high side. How you got to $100,000 is beyond me or quite frankly... logic. I challenge you to send me your "designed omniblock house" plans. I think this is all hogwash Luis.

[@dennymiller6002]

@@Krazie-Ivan Labor is not intensive, certainly not more than an ICF construction process.

[@michaelbohn4743]

Ice is better in a yeti

[@Mirror576]

How is it better than Bautex Block Wall System?

[@dennymiller6002]

Bautex is an Insulated Concrete Form (they call it Insulated Concrete Block ICB because it is more rigid that EPS foam block) with poured concrete within the block. Running electrical and plumbing within the wall is rare. The rigid block require drywall to be applied or most generally furred out and then drywalled. The exterior does not require chicken wire but most buildings have chicken wire before the required stucco is applied. Omni Block is considerably less money that Bautex, more energy efficient, more comfortable, easier to install, and readily available. Bautex does not have much more than a regional manufacturing presence. Omni Block is also not totally national, but there are 46 block plants around the US that will and have manufacture it.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Denny, read the post above this one and respond, if you can.

[@jamesdiyhomestead8263]

How can you say that ICF doesn't have any thermal mass? My ICF house that I am building has 6inches of concrete (thermal mass) I also don't understand how you can say that ICF does not have thermal mass because there is insulation on both sides. Thermal mass does not stop being thermal mass just because it has insulation on both sides. That is just ridiculous. The only thing I think you can say about ICF if that there is no EXPOSED thermal mass.

[@Mirror576]

Can you share cost info? Thanks

[@lightning9279]

Exactly. ICF will store energy. It just takes longer for that mass to bank up.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

ICF insulates its thermal mass and this keeps it from storing or banking heat or cool temps when needed. Styrofoam is not a dense enough material to store energy. I am beginning to see the difference between thermal density and insulation. A thicker winter coat helps hold warmth in. Omni Block is thus a thick coat at the membrane level most needed, the outside.

[@lightning9279]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome I see people in the USA are now using a 12 inch plus thick concrete slab to store energy. Companies in Canada are producing Styrofoam slab kits that form up the foundation/footer. Europe has been doing it for ages. Here in the US we are 20 years behind the curve. Upstate New York has some concrete companies calling in the closed spray foam guys to spray 3 or 4 inches of closed cell foam. Then on top of the foam the rebar is placed along with tubing for radiant heat if it is being used. I think we are so far behind Europe's materials/techniques because our local gov which sets the building codes does not like or want to understand new practices.

[@jamesdiyhomestead8263]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome but that's the thing. The foam doesn't need to store energy, It blocks energy. What do you think they make commercial walk-in freezers out of? Foam. The foam blocks/reduces the ability for heat or cold to transfer. With the foam on both sides, the core of the wall will stay at a constant temp. If Omni blocks are so good, why not just build a regular block wall and fill it with foam or foam pellet's for way cheaper. I lived in Michigan for many years and would never use omni blocks there. You can go weeks with out sufficient sunlight to warm the blocks. Even with the minimal thermal bridging there would be massive heat loss in the winter.

[@RyanBetker]

What else can be added for sound proofing of external noises?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

No need with this wall system. It already does the job.

[@VenturaIT]

EPS can off-gas toxics.

[@micahmartin4762]

Some structural engineers I’ve talked to are not crazy about the reduced and offset cross web design of omniblock in leu of standard masonry blocks. Any thoughts about that?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Those engineers are not familiar with Omni Block. Omni Block installs just like any regular CMU block. They should contact Omni Block directly and getting some better information.

[@dennymiller6002]

I don't know of anything that engineers get "crazy" about, especially if they have not engineered with it before. We have numerous independent engineers (6 live in Omni Block homes) that can engineer or consult with your engineer. I hope this helps.

[@micahmartin4762]

@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome I don’t think it’s about installation. The concern is reduced structural integrity.

[@michaelmcclurg9698]

Yes, and I wonder about lateral & load bearing strength compared to standard CMU w grout & rebar?

[@wilsonfineart]

Great product

[@dennymiller6002]

Thank you!

[@mytriton54]

Are these blocks available in split face?

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

I am not sure. See omniblock.com.

[@dennymiller6002]

Yes they are.

[@mytriton54]

@@dennymiller6002 Thanks!

[@dustwaterwindfire]

@@mytriton54 what's a split face?

[@mytriton54]

@@dustwaterwindfire Hard to describe. The face of the block is not smooth. Walmart uses a lot of these on the front of their Supercenters. You might want to Google some images of "split face cinder blocks" to get a better idea.

[@michaelbohn4743]

Never say never

[@michaelbohn4743]

DIY not happening.

[@dustwaterwindfire]

Wow, what an amazing product. Thank you @HowToBuildYourOwnHome for the in depth video.. its hard to believe this product is out there. I have been researching for months different building methods for our home build and this is the first time I’ve heard of this product. I really love the modern finish and simplicity of build. @dennymiller6002 I’m in georgia and wondering how available this product might be? Thinking a honed version for both sides for my build? are those harder to get here in the south? Also are they a lot more expensive than the regular grey rough block? It looks like based on your site the closest distributor of those special finishes and color is Connecticut. thanks for any help! congrats on such a great product.

[@HowToBuildYourOwnHome]

Reach out to Omni Block and they can answer your questions.