Articles
An introduction to fair faced blocks and their benefits
Posted by 
Take a look at our introductory guide to fair faced blocks, including their benefits and how they are finished - as well as an insight into Lignacite's own Fair Face block.
Not all blocks are made equal. This is because they are designed for different purposes and applications. Fair faced blocks, for instance, are carefully manufactured so that they can be used without any additional finishes.
But how is this achieved? Let’s dig a little deeper into what a fair face block is.
What is a fair faced block?
Fair faced blocks are concrete masonry products that are specifically designed to be used in places where they will be visible. This means they are often used in external and internal walls, partition walls and facades.
Unlike paint grade blocks, which are developed to be painted on directly, fair faced blocks are left without any additional finishing touches, such as rendering, paint or plaster.
To ensure they look good in a completed building, fair faced concrete blocks are made with extra precision to ensure their surfaces are smooth.
What is the difference between fair faced concrete blocks and standard concrete blocks?
Fair faced concrete blocks have a much finer finish to them to make their surface visually appealing and smooth.
A standard block, on the other hand, may have a rougher texture. Less consideration is paid to its colour and finish because it will probably be covered up by plaster or another material.
Types of fair faced concrete block
Fair faced concrete blocks come in different strengths and sizes depending on the manufacturer that you buy from.
Our Lignacite Fair Face masonry block is part of our signature, medium-density Lignacite range. They have a medium-grey colour and are particularly suited to indoor applications, such as separating walls and internal partitions. They come in thicknesses of 100mm or 140mm and boast A1 fire ratings, which means they make no contribution towards fire.
You can find out more about our Lignacite Fair Face blocks and the other blocks in the Lignacite range on our product pages.
How do fair faced blocks get their finish?
Fair faced blocks are designed to have no additional finish. As a result, they are crafted so that they have a finer texture. This is more visually appealing than other types of concrete blockwork.
To do this, concrete aggregates must be selected carefully. Attention must also be given to the ratio of aggregates to water and cement as this will affect the end look of the fair faced block. A little too much water can create bleeding, for instance.
The curing process is also vital for ensuring a uniform finish. Extra attention is given to the shape and size of each block to promote this uniformity too.
What are the benefits of fair faced concrete blocks?
Aesthetic appeal
Fair-faced concrete blocks offer a visually pleasing appearance with their clean lines and smooth surfaces. This enhances the aesthetics of a building.
Versatility
Fair-faced blocks come in a variety of sizes. This gives architects and developers flexibility when it comes to creating unique designs. Our blocks can be used for interiors in both loadbearing and non-loadbearing walls.
Fire resistance
Concrete blocks offer excellent fire resistance. Fair faced blocks are no different, providing added safety and protection to inhabitants.
Sound insulation
Concrete blocks have great sound insulation properties, helping to reduce noise transmission between rooms and from outside.
Our Lignacite blocks have been independently tested to check the level of sound insulation provided. A 100mm wall provides an impressive Weighted Sound Reduction index (Rw) of 46dB. Applying an acoustic treatment to one side of the wall has been verified to provide an uplift to the performance of 10dB.
Find out more about the sound insulation of our blocks.
Can you paint fair faced blockwork?
Yes, you can paint fair faced blockwork. However, a fair faced block is intended to be on show. This means it has extra attention paid to it to ensure smoothness, good colour and uniformity.
If you are intending to paint your concrete walls, a paint grade concrete block may be more suitable.
Take a look at our Lignacite Paint Grade products here.
Find your next fair faced masonry
If your next project wants to take advantage of the aesthetics of fair faced blocks, get in touch with our team!
Call 01842 778485 today to find out more about our Lignacite Fair Face products.
