Construction of three-layer brickwork

Three-layer brickwork is a popular option for modern homes because it is a durable and well-insulated construction method. Using this method, a wall is constructed with three separate layers: an inner brick or block layer, an insulating middle layer, and an outer brick layer. Every layer has a distinct function that enhances the wall’s overall functionality.

The building is protected from outside factors like wind, rain, and temperature fluctuations by the outer layer of bricks, which serves as a shell. This layer gives the house more visual appeal and serves a practical purpose while opening up new design options. Typically composed of insulating material, the middle layer plays a critical role in preserving a comfortable indoor climate. By lowering heat transfer through the walls, it keeps the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Lastly, the inner layer, which is composed of blocks or bricks, strengthens the wall overall and offers structural support. The interior is quieter and more serene thanks to this layer’s contribution to noise reduction. These three layers work together to create a strong, highly effective wall system that improves a home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

To guarantee that every layer serves its intended purpose, building a three-layer brick wall involves meticulous planning and execution. When carried out properly, this technique offers homeowners long-term benefits by greatly extending the home’s lifespan and improving its thermal performance.

Three-layer brickwork construction is a practical approach to improve a building’s resilience, insulation, and general visual appeal. By constructing a sandwich structure out of a core layer of insulation and two outer layers of brick, this technique offers a well-balanced solution that combines strength and thermal efficiency. Understanding the advantages and methods of three-layer brickwork can result in improved energy savings, increased structural integrity, and a stunning, long-lasting finish, whether you’re building a new home or renovating an old one.

Disadvantages of masonry without insulation

More recently, the issue of thermal insulation of brick buildings was solved in a simple way – by increasing the thickness of the wall. Thus, for the middle zone, the usual wall thickness was 3 – 3.5 bricks, and in the northern regions it could reach 1 – 1.5 m. This is due to the high thermal conductivity coefficient of brick, which causes large heat losses. Laying walls of such thickness was a necessary measure in the absence of effective and inexpensive thermal insulation materials. Another factor contributing to the use of “thick wall” technology in Soviet times was the relative cheapness of bricks. This made it possible to simplify masonry technology by eliminating the use of thermal insulation materials. However, recently this approach has become too wasteful from a financial point of view: in addition to the cost of bricks, the costs of arranging reinforced foundations are increasing. Another problem that you may encounter when installing brickwork without thermal insulation is a shift in the dew point indoors.

The point inside or outside a building’s street walls where cooled vapor in the surrounding air starts to condense is known as the "dew point" in construction terminology. When warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces, it condenses into dew.

Finding the dew point outside the building is the best option because in that case the moisture that is condensing will just evaporate due to the influence of the sun and wind. If the dew point is moved inside, it gets considerably worse. The microclimate inside the home is adversely impacted by dampness that accumulates on the inside surfaces of walls. This dampness increases humidity and promotes the growth of mold and fungus. When uninsulated walls are completely cooled by winter frosts, steam condensation forms on the inside surfaces of the walls.

Bricks with insulation laid on top are the only viable technology in areas where winter temperatures consistently drop below zero.

Three-layer masonry

A kind of insulated wall that has three layers is brickwork. Its layout appears as follows:

1. Internal wall made of brick, cinder blocks, aerated concrete, etc.d. Performs a load-bearing function for interfloor ceilings and the roof of a building.
2. Insulation of brickwork. The insulation is placed in internal cavities-wells between the outer and inner walls. Protects the inner wall from freezing during the cold season.
3. External wall with brick cladding. Performs decorative functions, giving the facade additional aesthetics.

First up: interior design.

The building’s load-bearing wall is number two.

Insulation between brickwork is number three.

Ventilation gap No. 4 is found between the facing wall and the interior insulation.

External wall with brick cladding, No. 5.

Internal reinforcement No. 6 joins the exterior and interior walls.

Like other construction technologies, brickwork with insulation inside has advantages and disadvantages. Among its advantages are:

• Smaller volume of masonry, which allows reducing the estimated cost by saving on the amount of building material.
• Less weight of the building, which makes it possible to use lighter and less expensive foundations.
• High thermal insulation performance, allowing you to retain heat in winter.
• Improved sound insulation. The thermal insulation layer can significantly reduce the noise level, which is especially important if the building is located on a central street with heavy traffic.
• External walls lined with decorative bricks do not require additional decorative finishing.

The following are some drawbacks of multi-layer walls:

• Greater labor intensity associated with insulation compared to brickwork of 3 – 3.5 bricks.
• Three-layer walls do not allow periodic replacement of insulation, while its service life is always shorter than the service life of brick walls.

Choice of insulation

As a heat-insulating material, a variety of insults that satisfy SNiP guidelines can be employed.

First, the material’s heat conductivity indicator needs to be designed to shield the interior from any inherent maximum minus indicators in this area.

You can acquaint yourself with the insulation’s heat-insulating indicators by consulting the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging or the technical characteristics tables of SNiP. You can determine how thick the insulation layer needs to be by comparing these indicators with the minimum winter temperatures.

Second, there should be enough vapor permeability in the insulation. If not, moisture will build up inside of it and cause its heat-insulating properties to diminish.

Thirdly, fireproof insulation needs to be installed inside. It will not only not support combustion but also form a fire-retardant layer inside the masonry because it is non-flammable.

Mineral wool

Mineral fibers are the basis of a broad family of insulating materials with exceptional heat-saving properties. They are created by centrifuging molten minerals, such as slag, glass, and basalt, to agitate them. Because of the material’s high porosity, which prevents cold from penetrating through the mineral wool, there is minimal heat transfer in this instance.

Although mineral insulation is extremely prone to moisture, it is not flammable at all. Its ability to retain heat is nearly entirely lost when wet, so proper waterproofing must be taken care of when laying it.

Expanded polystyrene

Another common thermal insulating material in three-layer masonry is foamed polystyrene.

It is made by immersing liquid polystyrene in air until it solidifies and forms porous, spherical granules. It can be used as bulk material or as sheets to fill in wall wells. Unlike mineral wool, which is much less afraid of moisture, polystyrene foam is flammable, so walls that are insulated with it should be shielded from open flames. The fire will result in burnout and the melting of the polystyrene foam within, even if the brickwork is unharmed. You will need to disassemble the wall’s facing portion, which will require costly and time-consuming labor, in order to replace the insulation.

Bulk insulation

Three-layer masonry can occasionally be created in private construction by backfilling internal wells with different mineral fillers, such as slag, expanded clay, etc. Although this method is less complicated and somewhat less expensive than laying mini-slabs or expanded polystyrene sheets, it is not as effective. Slag and expanded clay have less thermal protection, which is the cause of this.

Due to its high hygroscopicity, slag can absorb and hold onto moisture, increasing its heat conductivity and hastening the breakdown of brick layers nearby.

In order to guarantee structural integrity and longevity, building three-layer brickwork requires careful planning and execution. This construction technique provides good acoustic and thermal insulation because it uses bricks with an inner skin, cavity, and outer skin.

The primary load-bearing structure that gives the building strength and stability is its inner skin. To withstand the weight that these bricks will eventually bear, it is imperative that they be laid precisely, level, and mortared correctly.

The cavity serves as a barrier against moisture and temperature changes and is usually filled with insulation material. This layer lowers heat loss and moisture penetration, which significantly improves the building’s energy efficiency.

The exterior skin adds to the structure’s visual appeal and offers extra protection from the weather. The building’s overall appearance and surrounding environment can be greatly influenced by selecting the appropriate brick and mortar color.

Finally, building with three layers of brickwork is a labor-intensive process that demands skill and close attention to detail but has significant advantages in terms of strength, insulation, and aesthetic appeal. Builders may design long-lasting, effective structures by meticulously organizing every layer and using premium materials.

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