Durable concrete block, CMU block, retaining wall systems, and clay brick for construction, landscaping, and architectural applications across Southern California.
Get Your Block QuotePrime Building Materials stocks the complete range of concrete block, cinder block, and brick products needed for residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects across Los Angeles.
Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) are the standard building block for foundations, walls, and structural applications. Available in various sizes and strengths for residential and commercial construction throughout Southern California.
Engineered retaining wall systems designed for landscape slopes and erosion control. Our selection includes gravity blocks, segmental blocks, and reinforced options for projects of any scale.
Lightweight concrete cinder blocks offer economical solutions for interior walls, partition walls, and secondary structures. Available in standard dimensions and various strength ratings.
Premium clay brick provides timeless aesthetic appeal with superior durability. Ideal for decorative facades, masonry work, and high-end residential and commercial projects.
From foundational structural walls to decorative architectural features, concrete block and brick deliver strength, durability, and visual appeal for any construction project.
Engineered retaining wall block systems provide erosion control and landscape definition. Our block options handle varying slope grades and soil conditions across Southern California.
CMU block provides the structural backbone for residential and commercial buildings. Engineered for load-bearing applications and designed to meet California building codes.
Cinder block and CMU create cost-effective interior walls, partition systems, and non-load-bearing applications. Ideal for commercial tenant improvements and residential additions.
Clay brick and decorative block create distinctive architectural features. Perfect for home exteriors, commercial storefronts, and upscale residential projects requiring premium aesthetics.
Concrete block, CMU block, and clay brick have been construction staples for decades, providing reliability, strength, and versatility for countless applications. For Los Angeles contractors and builders, access to quality block and brick materials is essential for completing projects on schedule and on budget. Prime Building Materials maintains comprehensive inventory of concrete block, cinder block, retaining wall systems, and premium clay brick suitable for any construction scope.
Whether you're building residential foundations, creating landscape retaining walls, constructing commercial structures, or designing decorative architectural features, we stock the right materials for your project. Our team understands California building codes, seismic requirements, and regional construction standards. We offer same-day delivery across Southern California, helping contractors minimize project delays and maintain efficient job site operations.
Contact Prime Building Materials at (818) 503-4242 to discuss your block and brick needs. Visit our North Hollywood and Sun Valley locations to see our complete selection, compare product options, and get expert recommendations for your specific applications.
Prime Building Materials is an authorized ORCO dealer in Los Angeles. ORCO (Orange County Block Co.) is one of the most trusted concrete masonry manufacturers in Southern California — their block is engineered specifically for California seismic conditions, local building codes, and the regional climate. If you're speccing CMU for a structural wall, retaining system, or architectural feature in LA, ORCO is the standard. See our full ORCO product page.
Concrete masonry units (CMU) are sized by nominal dimensions — the actual block is slightly smaller to account for mortar joints. Common sizes for Los Angeles construction projects range from 4" partition walls to 12" structural and retaining applications. Below is a reference guide for the most common block types we stock.
| Block Type | Nominal Size | Common Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard CMU — 4" | 4" x 8" x 16" | Interior partitions, non-load-bearing walls | Lightweight available |
| Standard CMU — 6" | 6" x 8" x 16" | Exterior walls, garden walls, light retaining | Most common for landscape walls |
| Standard CMU — 8" | 8" x 8" x 16" | Structural walls, retaining walls, foundations | Most common structural block in LA |
| Standard CMU — 12" | 12" x 8" x 16" | Heavy retaining walls, commercial foundations | Requires engineering on most permitted projects |
| Split Face Block | 8" x 8" x 16" | Exposed architectural walls, fences, commercial facades | Textured finish, no stucco needed |
| Slump Block | 6" or 8" x 4" x 16" | Spanish-style homes, garden walls, Southwest aesthetic | Iconic LA/SoCal look — no face treatment needed |
Pricing varies by block type, mix design, and order volume. Pallet and job-site quantity orders receive contractor pricing. Call (818) 503-4242 for current per-unit and per-pallet pricing on the specific block you need.
Two of the most requested specialty block types in the Los Angeles market — both used extensively across the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Glendale, and the greater SoCal region.
Slump block is the defining masonry material of Spanish Colonial, Mission, and Southwestern-style architecture throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. It gets its characteristic sagging texture from a wetter concrete mix that slumps during the manufacturing process — creating organic, irregular surfaces that look like hand-formed adobe.
Common applications: garden walls, property perimeter walls, planter boxes, fence bases, and architectural accents on Spanish-style homes. Slump block requires no stucco or face treatment — the texture is the finish.
Split face block is a standard CMU that's mechanically split after curing, exposing a rough, aggregate-rich face. It's used where you want the structural performance of CMU with a finished appearance — no stucco, no cladding required.
Common applications: commercial building facades, perimeter walls, retaining walls with exposed faces, and contemporary residential fencing. Available in natural gray and can be painted or sealed. Call (818) 503-4242 for current availability in your required size.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same. CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit) is made with Portland cement, aggregate, and water — it's what's used in virtually all modern construction in Los Angeles. True cinder block was made with coal cinder aggregate and is rarely manufactured today. When contractors say "cinder block" in LA, they almost always mean standard CMU. All structural block we stock is CMU that meets California Building Code requirements.
For landscape retaining walls under 3 feet, 6" CMU is typically sufficient. For walls 3-6 feet, 8" CMU with proper footing and rebar is the standard. Walls over 4 feet generally require a building permit in Los Angeles, and walls over 6 feet typically require a structural engineer's stamp. We stock 6", 8", and 12" CMU along with ORCO's Stonewall SELECT segmental retaining system. Call (818) 503-4242 to discuss your specific wall height and soil conditions.
Yes. Prime Building Materials is an authorized ORCO dealer in Los Angeles. We stock ORCO standard CMU in 4", 6", 8", and 12" sizes, along with split face, slump block, cap block, and specialty architectural block. ORCO is manufactured in Southern California and engineered to California Building Code seismic standards — it's the most widely specified CMU brand among LA structural engineers and contractors. Call (818) 503-4242 for current stock and pricing.
CMU block pricing in Los Angeles varies by block size, mix design (standard vs. lightweight vs. high-strength), and order quantity. Standard 8" CMU is the most common and most cost-effective. Specialty block like split face and slump block carries a slight premium. Contractor and pallet orders receive wholesale pricing — call (818) 503-4242 for current per-unit and per-pallet rates based on the specific block type and quantity you need.
Yes. Prime Building Materials delivers CMU block, brick, retaining wall block, and all masonry materials throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California. We serve North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Sun Valley, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and surrounding areas. Call (818) 503-4242 to schedule delivery and get a freight quote based on your job site location and order volume.
Slump block is a concrete masonry unit made with a wetter mix that causes it to slump and sag during manufacturing — creating the irregular, adobe-like texture characteristic of Spanish Colonial, Mission, and Southwestern architecture throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. It's a staple of LA residential construction and landscaping, used for property perimeter walls, garden walls, planter boxes, and fence bases on Spanish-style homes. It requires no stucco or face treatment. Call (818) 503-4242 for current slump block availability.
Prime Building Materials has the inventory and expertise for your Los Angeles construction project.
Request a Block QuoteSpeak with our team at (818) 503-4242 for delivery and quantity pricing
