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Batako
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Definition
Hollow concrete block — a lightweight masonry unit made from cement, sand, and aggregate, formed into a hollow rectangular shape. Batako is cheaper and faster to lay than batu bata, with better thermal and acoustic insulation. It has become the default choice for non-load-bearing partition walls, infill panels, and low-rise residential construction across Indonesia since the 1990s.
Example
A typical modern Indonesian apartment building uses batako for all partition walls between units — the 10 cm thick hollow blocks laid dry (without mortar) or with thin-joint mortar, providing sound isolation and rapid construction compared to traditional bata merah masonry.