Building blocks include a tongue and groove on each block that allow the blocks to be placed in a way that interlocks the tongue and groove of one block with the corresponding groove and tongue, respectively, of another block facing the opposite direction. In a first embodiment, the same building block that has a decorative front face is used for both sides of the wall, resulting in a wall with opposed finished surfaces. In a second embodiment, a first plurality of blocks that have a decorative front face are used for one side of the wall, while a second plurality of blocks that have a thicker and non-decorative face are used for the other side of the wall, with the first and second plurality of blocks interlocking back-to-back via their respective tongues and grooves. Both types of blocks can be made using the same concrete form.

A hardscaping unit includes a first block fixedly attached to a second block. The method of assembling the hardscaping unit includes the steps of forming a first block from a first material, placing a second material into a mold, contacting a surface of the first block with the second material that is in the mold, maintaining contact of the surface of the first block with the second material while transitioning the second material from a first state to a second state, the second state being more solid than the first state, and when in the second state the second material forms a second block that is fixedly attached to the first block.

A device for configuring deformable material to provide a predetermined relatively non-deformable visual display includes a plurality of configuration blocks for receiving deformable material that ultimately transforms to a relatively non-deformable material, and a key member for aligning and securing together adjacently disposed configuration blocks. Each of the configuration blocks include a plurality of gaps for arcuately disposing the configuration blocks; and an insert member that engages a ridge portion of each configuration block to ultimately configure an edge portion of the deformable material. A base portion of each configuration block ultimately receives deformable material thereupon that is configured to a predetermined design. Arm members of each configuration block and the insert member are manually removed, after the deformable material transforms to a relatively non-deformable material, to expose a predetermined design in the edge portion and the base portion of each configuration block. The combined displays in the edge portions and the base portions of the configuration blocks provide a predetermined relatively non-deformable visual display.

What is provided is a method for casting reinforcement alignment feature into concrete wall blocks and precast concrete wall blocks configured for assembly into a wall. Reinforcement alignment features, such as horizontal reinforcement grooves and/or vertical reinforcement grooves, are precast simultaneously with panels, ribs, and other components of the concrete wall blocks in the forms in which the concrete wall blocks are cast. As a result, reinforcing members, such as rebar and welded wire mesh, may be positioned, either horizontally or vertically, in desired and appropriate locations on the concrete wall blocks. Consequently, there is a significant increase in the convenience and ease of wall construction, while greatly reducing the amount of labor that is needed. In addition, the constructed walls have increased stability, strength, and water resistance.

A hardscaping block includes a dry cast concrete backer block having angularly arranged contact surfaces and an integrated wet cast concrete veneer block chemically bonded to the contact surfaces, the veneer block having an exteriorly facing simulated stone surface. The integrated backer block and veneer block form a cast stone corner hardscaping block.

A method of manufacturing a cast stone hardscaping block includes placing liquid wet cast concrete in a mold, and, while the liquid wet cast concrete is in the mold, introducing a dry cast concrete backer block such that it contacts the liquid wet cast concrete. The liquid wet cast concrete is allowed to cure such that it bonds to the backer block. The mold has a surface causes an exterior surface of the cured wet cat concrete to take on the appearance of natural stone.

Building blocks include a tongue and groove on each block that allow the blocks to be placed in a way that interlocks the tongue and groove of one block with the corresponding groove and tongue, respectively, of another block facing the opposite direction. In a first embodiment, the same building block that has a decorative front face is used for both sides of the wall, resulting in a wall with opposed finished surfaces. In a second embodiment, a first plurality of blocks that have a decorative front face are used for one side of the wall, while a second plurality of blocks that have a thicker and non-decorative face are used for the other side of the wall, with the first and second plurality of blocks interlocking back-to-back via their respective tongues and grooves. Both types of blocks can be made using the same concrete form.