Expert: Dan Griffin - 11/8/2009

Question
I would like some advise on how to go about enclosing a 36" doorway in a slump block wall. My wife would like for it match the typical block lay-out meaning she would like for it to look like the rest of the wall and not show that there ever was a door. In my mind block is typical 15-1/2" long and would leave a 4" gap plus the half block insert to the existing wall. I do not see how to make the enclosure look like the rest of the block laying pattern?

Answer
Ben, I'm aftaid you're stuck this time.  
If the block wall continues through over the door, then there is a standard block pattern in the wall.  YOu will need to tooth out (remove) the none full sized blocks at each side of the doorway.  This should allow you to lay full size block through the opening.  Check your opening again, the normal opening in a block wall is 40" so it will lay up with alternating half blocks.

The one other possibility I have would be to cut all the blocks involved to 12 1/2" to avoid a small filler.