Concrete block wall questions

Pbody

I'm building a 5' wall, the bottom 2' is retaining non-sloping yard, so the to 3' will be free standing.

The footer and rebars are in place, just need to order the block. Using 8x8x16, just have questions about specifics:
1. I see 3 weights of block: light, medium, normal. Medium seems to be the standard and will be fine for this job, agreed?
2. What is better to use, Stretch block or the basic with square corners all around?
3. Is using Bond Beam a very good idea for this wall, or not really necessary? Opinions?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Aaron

jomama45

These are a few loaded questions together that are tough to answer, even if you gave all the info needed, so all I'll say is that the "stretchers" are far easier to lay as the ends are intended to be used as hand-holds. Typically, "flush-ends" are only used at ends, corners (8" only), window & door openings, at expansion joints, etc....