You may not know it, but you very likely have seen Breeze Blocks every day. They were particularly popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s and also are known as screen blocks (but have nothing to do with suntan lotion).
They are those cinder blocks that have been stacked and designed to create a mosaic or other pattern. Most of the time you have seen them outside as their primary purpose was to allow a breeze into the home area while giving the homeowner a certain degree of privacy.
Their use expanded to providing a degree of protection from the sun, making them practical in other countries such as Spain, Brazil, and Australia.
Despite their primary functions as aesthetic and cooling units, they are also very sturdy and can support a significant amount of weight. This is why sometimes you will see them stacked very high as exterior walls.
Breeze Blocks are now coming back into vogue as a way to provide the same advantages in the more temperate climates, yet have fallen into disfavor somewhat because of the invention called air conditioning.
Why the resurgent trend? One is that they are very inexpensive, costing about $2.50 for a single block. The installation costs are also cheap, which means that you can create a semi-private outdoor space around your pool, patio, or yard and still be able to enjoy the warm summer weather.
Speaking of the outdoors, most Breeze Blocks are made from recyclable materials, so they are environmentally friendly.
But architects and designers have moved Breeze Blocks indoors. They offer the same advantages, and are a great alternative to flimsy, fold up partitions and the very inflexible and high maintenance interior wall additions.
While they may not be ideal for every room in the house (bathrooms for example), they are so versatile with just a little creativity you will be able to find a use in most rooms of the house.
Existing interior walls can be enhanced through the use of Breeze Blocks. They can be placed strategically in front of existing walls either to give the room a cozier feeling or cover a part of the wall to be used as decorative shelf space or a Breeze Block mantle.
Remember that they have significant weight bearing ability, so depending on your need you can actually use them as a cheaper and more practical way to display heavier items.
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Credit: Pinterest