SF 280.01
Product Info
Dimensions (L x W x H)
Unit Weight
Coverage
Packaging
Colour Available
Type
Project References —
Product Description —
Deep 280mm split face block measuring 390 × 190 × 280mm. Single-face profile for thicker walls, retaining wall construction, and applications requiring greater wall depth and load capacity. ±30.0kg/pc, 12.5 pcs/m², 55 pcs/plt.
Application
- Boundary, compound, and perimeter walls
- Exterior facades and feature walls
- Garden walls and landscape walls
- Retaining walls (when reinforced and constructed to engineer's design)
- Public realm and civic projects requiring textured masonry
- Boundary walls between properties
Key Characteristics
- Mechanically split face produces a rough, natural stone-like texture without secondary finishing
- Five profile families covering standard split, brick, tile, checker, and fluted patterns
- Brick formats include both flat and stepped profile options
- Hollow construction reduces unit weight and accommodates cavity reinforcement where required
Downloads —
CAD drawings and technical documents for specification use.
Installation Notes
- Build walls in stretcher bond using 1:3 cement-sand mortar; joints not exceeding 10mm thick with concave finish
- Plan face orientation before laying - for single-face products, ensure the split face is positioned on the exposed side of the wall
- For double-face products, both opposite faces show the split texture and are interchangeable
- Limit block work to a maximum of 5 courses per section in any one day
- Cure block work for at least 7 days before applying loads or finishes
- Refer to the full PBM CMU Construction Method Statement PDF for the complete 12-step procedure
FAQ —
What is a split face block, and how is it made?
Split face blocks are concrete masonry units that have been mechanically split after curing rather than smooth-cast. The splitting process produces a rough, exposed-aggregate face that resembles natural stone, providing both structural function and a finished architectural surface in a single unit.
What's the difference between Single Face and Double Face products?
Single Face products have the split texture on one face of the block – used where only one side of the wall will be visible (e.g., a boundary wall facing the street with the rear concealed by another structure). Double Face products have the split texture on two opposite faces – used where both sides of the wall will be exposed (e.g., a free-standing garden wall, a perimeter wall visible from inside and outside).
Which colours are available?
Standard SF, SFB, and SFT series are available in four colours: Cement Grey, Terracotta, Red, and Black. The Checker Split (SF DII 400) and Fluted Split (FT series) are currently produced in Cement Grey only.
Can split face blocks be load-bearing?
SF series standard blocks share the same hollow concrete construction as PBM Hollow Block and can be specified for load-bearing applications when filled and reinforced to engineer specification. Verify load capacity against project structural calculations before specifying for structural use.
What happens to the colour over time?
Pigmented concrete colours mature gradually as the surface weathers – typically darkening slightly in the first 12 months as carbonation and surface deposition occur. Sealing the wall with a water repellent (PBM Water Repellent 0012 recommended) reduces colour change and protects against efflorescence.
Important specifier note: Coverage areas are calculated based on 10mm mortar joint thickness. A dimensional tolerance of ±3mm should be expected and accommodated in the construction set-out. Minor variations in colour and texture between production batches are normal in cementitious products — final colour and finish selection should always be made from physical product samples rather than website images.