Besser Blocks vs. Bricks: When to Use Each Material

Besser blocks and bricks both turn up on building sites across Australia, but they're built for different jobs rather than competing head to head. Picking the wrong one can add cost, shorten how long a wall lasts, or limit the look you're after. The besser blocks vs. bricks question really comes down to what the wall needs to do. This guide explains the differences and helps you choose the right material for your project.

What Are Besser Blocks?

Besser block is the everyday Australian name for a concrete masonry block, sometimes just called a concrete block. Besser was originally a brand, and the name stuck. They're large, hollow-core units made from concrete, and that hollow core is the key to how they work.

Run steel reinforcement down through the cores and fill them with concrete, and you get a wall with serious load-bearing strength. The most common is the 200 series at 390 x 190 x 190mm, though they come in a range of block sizes to suit different loads. For the full breakdown, see our guide to concrete block sizes.

It's worth knowing that not every block is structural. Lighter blocks suit non-structural partitions, while the heavier 200 series and up are made to carry load. That structural vs. non-structural blocks distinction comes down mainly to the size and core of the block. 

Besser blocks are also just one of several types of concrete blocks.  You'll come across decorative breeze blocks and coloured blocks too, but for structural work, the besser block is the standard. 

You'll find them doing the heavy lifting on retaining walls, load-bearing and boundary walls, foundations, and commercial construction. They're built for performance rather than appearance, so they're usually rendered or left with a raw, industrial finish.

How Do Bricks Differ?

Bricks are the smaller, more familiar unit, usually clay, at a standard 230 x 110 x 76mm. Where besser blocks are about structure, bricks are often chosen for appearance and longevity. They're the go-to for house facades, feature walls, and residential construction, including traditional double-brick homes. 

A good clay brick is hard-wearing, low-maintenance, and can be left exposed for the life of the building. There's more on the different brick types in our complete guide to bricks.

Besser Blocks vs. Bricks at a Glance

Side by side, the besser blocks vs. bricks trade-offs are easy to see. This is really a concrete blocks vs. bricks comparison, since besser blocks are simply one common type of concrete block.

 

When to Use Besser Blocks

Besser blocks make sense whenever strength and speed matter more than the finished look. It's why you'll see concrete blocks for retaining walls, foundations, and boundary walls right across the country. They're the right call for:

• Retaining walls
• Structural and load-bearing walls
• Subfloor and foundation work
• Boundary and garden walls
• Commercial or industrial builds
• Any job where fast construction helps

 

Because each block covers more area than a brick, walls go up faster with fewer units and less labour. They also render well, so you can still get a clean finish over the top. If a retaining wall is what you're planning, our step-by-step guide on how to build a block retaining wall walks through the whole process.

When to Use Bricks

Bricks come into their own wherever the wall will be seen. Reach for bricks when:

• The wall is an exposed facade
• You're building or matching a residential home
• You want a feature wall with character
• The project is heritage or traditional in style
• You're going with double-brick construction

The payoff is a finished surface with no rendering or painting, plus the low-maintenance durability that clay is known for. For a wall on show, a brick is hard to beat.

Can You Use Besser Blocks and Bricks Together?

Often, the best answer isn't one or the other. Using both is one of the most common approaches in Australian construction. The idea is simple. Besser blocks form the structural core or backing, and face bricks go on the outside as the visible layer. 

A block wall with brick veneer is the classic example. You get the load-bearing strength and lower unit cost of blocks where it counts, and the appearance and durability of brick where it shows. It's an efficient way to keep both the budget and the finish in check, which is why so many homes are built exactly this way.

Cost Comparison: Blocks vs Bricks

On a straight per-unit basis, besser blocks are usually cheaper than bricks, and they cover more wall, so material and labour costs can come down on structural jobs. But that isn't the whole picture. Blocks generally need rendering or another finish if they'll be seen, and that finishing adds cost and time. 

Bricks cost more upfront but can arrive as their own finished surface. So the real comparison is total project cost, taking in materials, labour, finishing, and design, not just the price of a single unit. For the brick side of the equation, our guide to brick prices in Australia has the details.

Which Material Should You Choose?

It comes down to what the wall has to do.

Choose besser blocks if:

• You need structural strength or load-bearing capacity
• You're building a retaining wall
• Speed of construction matters
• The wall will be rendered or hidden

Choose bricks if:

• Appearance matters and the wall will be exposed
• You want low maintenance with no rendering
• You're building or matching a home facade
• You want the classic look and feel of brick

And remember, plenty of projects use both. Match the material to the job, and you'll have the strength, the finish, and the budget all working together.

Shop Besser Blocks and Bricks at BBPO

Once you know which way to go, the rest is easy. For the bigger picture on concrete blocks, our complete guide to blocks covers every type in one place. At BricksBlocksPaversOnline, we stock both sides of this comparison, with delivery across the country. 

For structural work, browse the full blocks range, including the grey concrete blocks used on most besser block jobs, plus decorative options like breeze blocks and coloured blocks. When it's brick you're after, our full range of bricks has you covered for facades, feature walls, and everything in between. Whether you're a tradie or a DIYer, it's an easy way to get the right materials delivered to your site.