Masonry: 14 things to know

Opting for brick and block for the walls of your self-build or extension is a good choice for many reasons, not least cost and ease of finding a builder who can work with this ever-popular choice

- IAN ROCK

ECO ROUTE

Helping to keep the budget on track, the structure of this Passivhaus is blockwork with cavity wall insulation. A combination of membranes and plaster create the airtightness layer, which had to achieve stringent Passivhaus standards.

Masonry is by far the most widely used method of wall construction in the UK housebuilding industry. The majority of new homes today are built with cavity walls made from conventional ‘brick and block’ or some variation on the theme, such as outer leaf blockwork that’s rendered, timber-clad or tile-hung. Various types of natural stone or reconstituted stone are also a popular choice for facing walls with an inner leaf of thermally efficient aerated blockwork behind the scenes.

However, given the appeal of modern, high-performance, prefabricated alternatives such as panel timber frame and SIPs (structurally insulated panels) it’s perhaps a little surprising that the humble concrete block is still at the heart of housebuilding in 21st-century Britain. So from a design perspective, it’s interesting to reassess the benefits of conventional masonry construction. Here, we explore what you need to know before using this material for your self-build or extension project.

1 Every builder knows it