Brick wall

Just like metal, wood, concrete, stone, or cinder blocks, brick is one of the widely used materials in construction as well as renovation. Both noble and aesthetic, it has been used for centuries to create countless structures. Brick wall construction is among its major functions. It offers quite a few interesting advantages.

If you want to know everything about brick wall construction, you’ve come to the right place. We invite you to read this article summarizing the essentials to consider about this material.

What are the advantages of a brick wall?

Brick is made from raw clay earth. Between the classic hollow brick, refractory brick, terracotta brick, red brick, facing brick, and solid brick, we distinguish different types of bricks. This material is particularly used in wall construction. It has been used since antiquity because it offers several remarkable benefits.

Compared to other materials like wood cladding, brick offers better longevity. It is no surprise that many prefer it for their red brick wall construction.

Its thermal, hygrometric, and mechanical properties do not degrade over time. The interior and exterior walls thus remain sturdy and resistant to any test of time. Their durability promises you a long-term investment over many generations. You can still enjoy it in a hundred years.

That’s not all, a structure in hollow brick walls, refractory brick walls, red brick walls or in glass brick walls respects the environment. Ecological, it is less polluting to produce. Since brick is made of terracotta, it is consequently 100% natural.

More and more people are also opting for brick wall construction, thanks to the comfort it provides. It offers better acoustic comfort and excellent thermal inertia. The load-bearing partition walls clearly seem breathable. Due to their insulating quality, they combine energy savings in winter with summer comfort.

From an aesthetic point of view, a house with classic hollow brick walls or red brick walls is magnificent to see. Note that terracotta brick can adapt to all types of coatings. This gives you the possibility to customize your home according to your tastes.

What are the potential disadvantages of a brick wall?

As mentioned above, there are many advantages to brick wall construction. But some weaknesses can also be found. If bricks are not properly fired during manufacturing, it can cause the material to be frost-sensitive. Thus, it does not tolerate freezing. In more extreme weather conditions, some may even disintegrate.

For those who use exposed brick for their façade, water infiltration problems can occur due to sealing defects. When the joints are not properly made, it encourages early wall deterioration. Consequently, moisture issues can arise inside the house. The most common case concerns the appearance of mold on the walls.

The complexity of installing the material is also among the disadvantages of glass brick walls or raw earth brick walls. Since this operation requires certain expertise, it is necessary to hire a qualified professional.

Besides that, efflorescences appear on different types of hollow bricks in case of waterproofing problems at the mortar joint level. By the way, don’t forget to check out our article explaining mortar mixing ratios.

Aside from waterproofing defects, the cause of these white stains on the wall surfaces is also the use of poor-quality bricks. So try to choose only the best models ensuring the durability of brick wall construction.

How much does building a brick wall cost on average?

Despite the popularity of cement, concrete blocks, or wood, brick remains a traditional building material. It can also be used in energy renovation work thanks to its high thermal insulation quality.

In recent years, it has become fashionable again. If you want to use it for your new project, it is essential to know everything about brick wall construction, including its price.

This varies according to countless criteria such as the different types of bricks, the nature of the wall to be built as well as its dimensions, the professional’s intervention costs, and many others.

The price of load-bearing partition walls or load-bearing interior and exterior walls is generally calculated per square meter. If you plan to build a classic hollow brick wall, budget between 30 to 50 euros per square meter.

Red brick is among the most commonly used different types of bricks in countless renovation or construction projects. Its appearance depends on the geographical area where the clay was extracted. Red brick walls require joint installation. Generally, their price ranges between 50 to 60 euros excluding tax per square meter, including joint installation.

Regarding the monomur brick, it offers several advantages compared to other different types of bricks. First, it is an insulating brick, which helps you save energy.

Next, its installation is very easy. You just need to fit the bricks together. Their fixation is ensured by a layer of mortar. The price of brick wall construction depends on the thickness of the bricks.

You should expect about 50 euros per square meter for 20 cm models. For those 35 cm thick, brick walls cost 80 euros per square meter.

What are the different types of bricks available for wall construction?

Classic hollow brick, red brick, refractory brick, terracotta brick or facing brick, regardless of the material category, it is valued for its natural manufacture containing no toxic products.

It also offers high resistance to climatic variations and fire. There are many advantages, but before starting the construction of load-bearing partition walls, it is important to know the different types of bricks.

For those planning to use them for building their house, they can use red brick. Its main interest is its aesthetic quality. With its warm color, it is especially suited for regional and specific homes.

The classic hollow brick is also used for house construction. As its name suggests, it stands out by its internal structure made of voids. As a result, it is lighter, which facilitates its installation.

Unlike the classic hollow brick, the solid brick is a massive material. It is particularly prized for its fire resistance and solidity. A house built with this brick has great longevity.

For those who focus on modernity, there is nothing like choosing a monomur brick. As its name so aptly suggests, it alone forms a wall of a house. Thanks to its composition with fine alveoli, this material is naturally insulating.

Besides bricks for building a house, there are other models each with their advantages and disadvantages. For example, there is the glass brick wall, refractory brick walls, interior and exterior walls in facing brick, and much more. Alternatively, you can use plaster bricks, plasterboard bricks, and more.

What factors influence the cost of building a brick wall?

To ensure the durability and solidity of the house, opt for brick wall construction. This material offers unbeatable robustness. Even better, it stands out for its superior insulation properties.

Whether you prefer red brick walls, hollow brick walls, or load-bearing interior and exterior walls made of terracotta bricks, know that the construction price varies depending on many factors.

The quality and type of bricks are part of it. If you choose high-value bricks, they have great durability, but they are more expensive. On the other hand, lower-quality materials are affordable.

Similarly, hollow brick walls have an interesting cost compared to the construction of refractory brick walls. As for red brick walls, the price can be considered reasonable.

The size of the wall to be built also affects the cost of the work. If you want the load-bearing partition walls to be large, know that this requires a significant quantity of bricks. Their construction also takes a lot of time. All these factors increase the labor cost.

Moreover, during the construction of brick walls, some materials may prove essential. They undoubtedly influence the price of the project. Among the most used, this project requires the use of expansion joints, brackets, mortar, reinforcements, and many others.

Also, labor costs are among the factors affecting the total price of masonry work. For your information, masons usually set their prices freely. These indeed vary depending on the region where you live. In any case, masons’ hourly rates range between 30 to 70 euros excluding tax per hour.

Type of brick	Standard size (cm)	Unit weight	Main use
Hollow brick	20 x 20 x 50	12 kg	Load-bearing walls
Solid brick	5 x 10.5 x 22	2.5 kg	Decoration / Facing
Monomur brick	37.5 x 25 x 25	18 kg	Distributed insulation
Refractory brick	5 x 11 x 22	3 kg	Fireplaces / Ovens

What is the lifespan of a brick wall?

A construction of red brick walls or classic hollow brick walls is beautiful to look at. Although it is a traditional material, brick continues to charm the world thanks to its aesthetic appearance.

In addition, it is a natural material. Its composition requires no use of chemicals. It is also prized for being a better thermal regulator. Indeed, it can optimize the thermal resistance of a house. Moreover, it helps retain heat during winter.

When you combine it with mortar, you get a solid and durable brick wall construction. It provides good protection against countless hazards. It is no surprise that a brick house can last over 100 years. Some even have a lifespan of 150 years.

Despite its superior longevity, a construction of red brick walls, in terracotta bricks or even in hollow brick walls is easy to maintain. Unlike houses made of wood, cinder blocks, or straw, it requires no complex care. To clarify, the following section provides more information on this subject.

How to maintain and clean a brick wall?

As we have just mentioned above, load-bearing partition walls require little maintenance. However, they need regular care to maintain their shine. Whether it is interior or exterior load-bearing walls or a brick glass wall, please check their condition from time to time and remember to clean them gently so they do not crumble.

For daily maintenance, brush the wall and vacuum it regularly. In case of stubborn stains, you can get rid of them with <strongsoda crystals. To do this, rub the affected area with these mixed with hot water.

If your classic hollow brick walls seem very dirty, you should opt for a specific product available in supermarkets or specialized stores. It is used for deep cleaning, making your interior and exterior walls look like new. Despite its ease of use, please follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as well as the instructions for use.

Besides this professional product and soda crystals, white vinegar is also used to clean red brick walls, refractory brick walls, or a brick glass wall.

To use it, take a spray bottle and pour the product inside. Then spray the wall and after a few minutes, scrub with a brush. After that, all you have to do is rinse with clear water.

When load-bearing partition walls start to dull over time, it becomes necessary to revive their colors. To restore their shine as on the first day, you can use linseed oil. If the results still do not satisfy you, consider adding white spirit.

What are the common problems encountered with brick walls and how to solve them?

For exterior walls, moisture problems are among the most common issues to face. To remedy this, it is strongly recommended to apply a waterproofing treatment. This solution protects the masonry against water infiltration. The intervention of an expert in the field is necessary.

It should be noted that moisture can cause significant damage, not only to the construction but also to the health of the occupants. Besides the deterioration of wall coverings and the development of mold, this phenomenon causes numerous allergic reactions in people with fragile health.

A brick wall construction is also prone to the formation of efflorescence. This is a deposit of salts that are soluble in water and gradually spread over the surface of the wall. It often occurs due to the use of lower quality bricks. It is therefore recommended to use only the best materials to prevent this kind of situation.

That said, damaged joints are also among the very common problems of a brick construction. Even if this phenomenon is not very serious, it is necessary to repair it so as not to make things worse.

Whatever the issue, you can avoid it by carrying out regular maintenance and periodic checks. As soon as you spot potential defects, don’t just stand by. Find permanent solutions to the problem. This way, you can enjoy your brick wall construction for a very long time.

How to effectively insulate a brick wall?

In Occitanie or Normandy, more and more French regions favor a brick wall construction, thanks to its aesthetics, durability, resistance, and insulating properties. In any case, it remains essential to optimize its insulation by carrying out energy renovation works.

To preserve the charm of the exterior walls, professionals generally recommend internal insulation.

To carry it out properly, they attach a solid insulating material against the masonry. Otherwise, they perform blown insulation. This involves building a frame at the top of the wall and then spraying the insulating material between the old wall and the new partition.

It is important to emphasize that insulation of load-bearing walls and partitions from the outside is technically feasible. You can install insulation as well as cladding. However, the PLU or Local Urban Plan often prevents you from doing so in order to maintain urban harmony.

Rock wool, glass wool, wood panels and polyurethane are among the most effective insulators for insulating a brick wall.

What are the construction techniques for a brick wall?

Several methods can be cited to build brick walls effectively. The row laying is one of the best-known and simplest techniques to apply. You just have to arrange the bricks side by side to create horizontal rows. Then each column is placed on a bed of mortar.

The herringbone laying, on the other hand, is very common in traditional architectures. Despite its old characteristic, it is capable of giving charm to a dwelling. It is distinguished by the mixture of bricks with wooden framework. Moreover, it has a zigzag pattern.

Finally, the chevron laying stands out for its unmatched elegance. Its purpose is to create chevron patterns on a wall. To achieve this, you just have to lay the bricks staggered, giving them a 45-degree angle relative to the horizontal line.

No matter the technique applied, it is wise to entrust it to a qualified craftsman. His skills and experience can prove useful to obtain excellent results. Furthermore, the hourly rate of a mason is affordable. You can compare prices to help you save money on your project.