The blocks are made of {Portland cement}, natural aggregate or blastfurnace slag. The usual mix is 1 part of cement to 6 or 8 of {aggregate} by volume. These blocks are as heavy per cubic metre as bricks, they are not good thermal insulators and their strength in resisting crushing is less than that of most well burned bricks. The colour and texture of these blocks is far from attractive and they are usually covered with plaster or a coat of rendering. These blocks are used for internal and external loadbearing walls, including walls below ground.