Knowing how to complete exterior wall brickwork is essential when building or remodeling a house. This procedure has an impact on the building’s structural soundness as well as its aesthetic appeal and insulating qualities.
There are various crucial steps involved in bricklaying exterior walls. To ensure stability and support the weight of the bricks, the foundation must first be prepared. Then, to bind the bricks together, a pattern is created using mortar, which is a concoction of cement, sand, and water. The strength and aesthetic appeal of the wall can be impacted by variations in this pattern.
Brickwork costs are usually determined by taking into account a number of variables that are listed in the construction estimate. These include the kind and quantity of bricks required, the intricacy of the pattern or design, the cost of labor, and extra materials like insulation and mortar. These expenses are also influenced by the project’s size and the state of the local economy.
Comprehending the nuances of bricklaying costs can assist homeowners and builders in efficiently organizing their financial plans. It makes it possible to make well-informed decisions about the materials and design elements used, guaranteeing that the finished product satisfies both structural and aesthetic requirements.
- What is the design intended for, its features?
- SNiP and SP standards
- Requirements for bricks for construction
- Required materials and tools
- Stages of work
- Creating a solution
- Features of the construction of a wall element with a floor height of up to 4 meters
- Possible errors and their consequences
- Advantages and disadvantages
- What determines the cost of services?
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What is the design intended for, its features?
External walls are one of the most crucial components of a building’s exterior design and a crucial structural component.
In Russia’s central and northern regions, exterior walls are made of:
- rough wall;
- insulation;
- facing masonry.
As a result, a dependable layer is created that shields against inclement weather, wind, and pressure from surrounding structures while maintaining the structural integrity and interior temperature of the building.
These are some of the house’s most intricate structures. They support the weight of the floors, roofs, and themselves. They also tolerate base deformation and ground movements.
From the outside, they are impacted by:
- solar radiation;
- atmospheric phenomena;
- air humidity;
- street noise.
Internally, they are subjected to:
- exposure to steam;
- heat flow;
- internal noise.
In order to shield the house from outside influences, the exterior walls need to be sturdy, fireproof, and thermally and hydro-insulated. They also serve a decorative purpose and keep the interior atmosphere comfortable for habitation. Their financial expenses amount to about a quarter of the budget.
The external walls’ static function categorizes them as follows:
- Bearers. They simultaneously support their own weight and the mass of all associated elements. Their main function is to distribute pressure from all elements of the structure and evenly transfer it to the foundation.
- Self-supporting. These walls transfer only their own weight to the foundation.
- Non-load bearing. Structures that rest on adjacent internal building elements.
Only self-supporting walls have height limitations; they can only go as high as a four-story building and need to be flexibly connected to other load-bearing structures.
This article delves into the process of building brick walls for outdoor applications, examining the building techniques and factors that affect wall costs. Every step has an effect on the outcome and budget, from laying the groundwork to selecting the appropriate bricks and mortar. We’ll go over typical bricklaying methods and supplies as well as how labor, supplies, and project size affect cost. Knowing these components will make it easier for you to manage the challenges of estimating and carrying out brickwork for long-lasting and aesthetically beautiful external walls, whether you’re planning a new construction or renovation.
SNiP and SP standards
The house’s exterior walls need to adhere to the following specifications:
- Made from high-quality materials, masonry geometry is observed during construction. Vertical deviation is allowed no more than 5 mm.
- Joints with a maximum thickness of 12 mm if the masonry is vertical. If horizontal, no more than 10 mm.
- The finished wall may differ in parameters from those specified in the project by no more than 15 mm. The same distance allows for an error in the openings.
- The masonry cannot deviate vertically by more than 10 mm for one-story houses. For two-story buildings no more than 15 mm.
- The horizontal deviation can be a maximum of 15 mm for every 10 m. For verification, use a building level or a two-meter ruler. Geometric parameters are specified in SNiP II-22-81.
- It is necessary to create high-quality insulation, especially for regions in the north and middle zone. The procedure is regulated by SNiP 02/23/2003.
- Coatings must be environmentally friendly. GOST 30108-94.
- The fire resistance of the structure is regulated by SNiP 21-01-97.
- Materials are treated with waterproofing compounds, roll waterproofing, absorbent compounds and injections are used. The choice depends on the section of the wall and its operational characteristics.
Moreover, SNiP 3.03.01-87 p.7 and SP 70.13330.2012 govern the construction of external load-bearing structures.
Requirements for bricks for construction
Actually, there are two brick layers on the exterior walls:
- Draft masonry. These are load-bearing walls that are hidden behind the facade of the building, and are covered from the inside with plaster and finishing materials.
- Facing masonry. This layer is located on the street, forms an integral part of the building, its face. It decorates the building, protects the insulation and rough masonry from the penetration of precipitation, wind and frost.
You have to choose a different brick for every one of these layers. In order to avoid any problems when connecting the masonry, knowledgeable builders advise being mindful of the brick’s size and purchasing the same one.
The physical characteristics of the brick will be adversely affected if the seams are at different heights because the connecting materials will need to be bent or tapped into the brick.
Which brick works well with rough masonry?
- Dense, homogeneous, able to withstand multi-ton pressure. Solid brick has no holes inside, has high bending resistance, and conducts heat well.
- Ceramic. For rough masonry, a product from a domestic manufacturer is used, it is of high quality and meets all technical standards.
- Silicate. Used less often because it is more fragile and does not retain heat well inside the building.
- Standard brick size 250*120*65 mm. It is ideal for forming rough masonry of external walls. To speed up the masonry process, you can use one-and-a-half blocks measuring 250*120*88 mm.
- The marking includes the designation M – the maximum weight that the material can withstand per 1 cm2. According to GOST requirements, blocks marked M200 and higher are optimal for rough masonry of external load-bearing walls.
- Frost resistance in the marking is indicated by the letter F, the higher the next number, the more freeze-thaw cycles the brick can withstand. For the northern regions and central Russia, F35 and higher is recommended; in the south, F is sufficient
- Moisture absorption according to GOST is not higher than 12-14%.
Which brick can be used as siding?
- With precise geometry, neat appearance, beautiful color. The use of hollow bricks is allowed; they retain heat well inside the building.
- Ceramic. Created from high quality clay, which was fired in a kiln at a temperature of 1000 degrees. Appearance is important; only solid, neat bricks, without cracks or chips, are suitable for cladding.
- Silicate. White color, based on sand and lime. Inexpensive material and excellent external data, soundproofing properties.
- Hyper-pressed. Based on screening of limestone and marble. Use shell rock and dolomite. Formed as a result of pressing, blocks with ideal geometry are obtained.
- Clinker. Made from refractory clay layers. To form the material, high-quality clay without impurities is selected and subjected to heat treatment. The result is a durable, dense brick that does not allow moisture to pass through and has excellent frost-resistant properties. It is durable, isolates from sounds from the street,
- In terms of size, choose between the standard version, narrow (250*60*65 mm) and thin (250*22*65 mm). It is important to correctly calculate the combination of sizes with rough masonry.
- Marking. Brick M100, M125 is suitable for cladding if the building has 1-2 floors. If higher, M150, M175.
- Frost resistance not lower than F50.
- Moisture absorption is recommended below 12%, the lower this figure, the better.
To avoid having to buy more brick from a different batch, carefully calculate how much brick is needed before making your purchase and leave a reserve.
It is advised to give preference to reputable domestic manufacturers in order to save costs on delivery and ensure that the material satisfies all Russian standards.
Required materials and tools
To install an exterior wall, you’ll need:
- container for solution, shovel for mixing;
- bucket;
- trowel;
- hammer-pick;
- rubber mallet;
- plumb line, tape measure, two-meter ruler, mooring cord, construction pencil (chalk or dark), construction level, square, rule;
- concrete mixer (optional, but desirable);
- cement mixture;
- sand;
- water;
- jointer knife or metal rod.
You will also need material, adhesive, and insulating solutions for waterproofing and insulation. In addition, metal plates or brackets are needed to join the walls.
Stages of work
Make sure the joints are insulated and waterproofing roll materials are covering the foundation before you begin any work.
An explanation of the simultaneous building of facing and rough masonry
- Make markings, set marks, stretch the mooring line. Construction begins from the corner of the building. The first row is the most important, strict geometry must be observed, the stability and density of the building depends on it.
- Lay the first row of facing bricks dry, check the strict geometry using a level and a ruler, lay out 8 rows of mortar into 1 brick, observing the order. During the process, check the angles and evenness of the beginning of the wall. The seams are leveled using a knife or metal rod. To make the seams beautiful and even, the rods are laid out as a sample between the rows, and the amount of mortar is equal to them. Before starting masonry, it is recommended to moisten the brick with water, since the porous material tends to absorb moisture from the mortar.
- Next, at a distance of 7-10 cm, build rough masonry. Lay out 4-5 rows of corners, carry out a control measurement of accuracy.
- Dry lay out the first row of a solid wall. View the location of the bricks, check the quantity and take into account the seams. You can use any masonry option that is more convenient and aesthetically pleasing.
- Lay thermal and sound insulation between the rough and facing walls. Press it against the load-bearing part of the wall, there should be a ventilation gap of 2-4 cm.
- Ventilations are subsequently retained in the facing masonry – vertical seams not filled with mortar, or special gratings are installed. They are made in the wall from above and below, the difference in height is 3 meters, horizontally every meter in the facing wall.
- For additional strength, through 4 rows you can lay a reinforced mesh in the seam or connect the walls with a flexible connection. To do this, fiberglass rods or metal plates are installed in the seams at a distance of at least 60 cm from each other along the entire perimeter of the wall. Flexible connections should cover 70-80% of the thickness of the facing and at least 50% of the thickness of the rough masonry. Then the wall continues according to the same principle.
Creating a solution
How to create an excellent external wall solution:
- for the construction of low-rise buildings, cement-sand mortar (for rough and facing masonry) or cement-lime mortar (for facing) is used;
- a heavy solution of medium fat content is used;
- proportions: for cement and sand 1:3 or 1:4, for cement, lime and sand 1:1:6 to 1:1:10;
- dilute with water until a thick consistency is obtained;
- cook in small batches so that the mixture does not have time to harden during processing.
Use Portland cement mortar M400 and M500 when laying bricks.
Features of the construction of a wall element with a floor height of up to 4 meters
Things to be mindful of:
- The walls must be connected with flexible connections. It is not recommended to use rigid ones, since later the house will shrink and walls with rigid fixation may crack.
- Waterproofing bricks is a necessary procedure at every stage. For rough cladding, coating and roll materials are used on the inside, injection waterproofing. For cladding, choose high-quality, dense bricks and absorbent compounds.
- To form window and door openings, reinforced mesh is used on the bottom and sides. A reinforced concrete block is installed on top, on which part of the wall above the opening will be supported.
- Vents are necessary so that air flows evenly inside the structure, moisture does not accumulate inside, evaporates, and heat accumulates inside the structure.
- The dressing is repeated after several rows; the seams in adjacent rows horizontally and vertically should not match.
Using plumb lines, a wooden angle, and a building level, the geometry of the masonry is continuously monitored throughout the work process. For guidance, a mooring cord is utilized.
Possible errors and their consequences
Possible outcomes:
- if the geometry is not observed – deformation of the building, the appearance of cracks, destruction of the building;
- in the absence of ventilation – accumulation of moisture, rotting of insulation, violation of thermal and waterproofing; dampness and cold indoors;
- if the dressing is done incorrectly, the strength of the structure is lost;
- lack of reinforcement with flexible connections – the wall may not withstand the weight of the floors, its own weight and crack;
- non-compliance with the proportions in creating the mortar, poor-quality brick – the structure will be fragile, the wind will let in the wind, the humidity inside the premises will increase, and significant heating costs will be required.
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
- durability;
- solid appearance;
- environmental friendliness and safety of the material;
- heat capacity, the ability to retain heat indoors.
Drawbacks:
- high cost of materials;
- long-term construction;
- the material is susceptible to moisture, high-quality waterproofing is required.
What determines the cost of services?
Factors considered in the estimation process:
- Basic and auxiliary materials + reserve, which will help to avoid deviations in the amount.
- Cost of work.
- Building area.
- Height and total length of walls (excluding openings).
Option for cost estimate:
What influences the price is:
- professionalism of builders;
- speed of work performed;
- volume;
- region (city/region);
- location of the object (additional costs for delivery costs).
An estimate of the price to build the external walls:
Name of works | Moscow and Moscow region, r/m2 | St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region, r/m2 | Krasnodar, r/m2 | Rostov-on-Don, r/m2 | Kazan, r/m2 |
Rough masonry | 2200 | 2200 | 2000 | 2000 | 2200 |
Facing masonry | 1000 | 950 | 800 | 800 | 900 |
Insulation | 300 | 280 | 200 | 200 | 250 |
Waterproofing | 300 | 300 | 280 | 300 | 300 |
An essential component of construction, brickwork for external walls gives buildings both structural integrity and visual appeal. Bricks are laid in predetermined patterns and mortar is used to hold them together during the process. It’s an expert craft that calls for dexterity and focus on details.
The brickwork estimate includes a number of considerations in terms of cost. First off, prices are greatly influenced by the kind and caliber of bricks selected. The cost of bricks varies according to the materials they are made of and how they are manufactured. The overall cost is also influenced by the wall design’s intricacy and size.
Another important part of the estimate is labor costs. Bricklaying specialists are highly skilled masons who are essential to the building process. Their knowledge guarantees that the brickwork is completed correctly, adhering to safety regulations and pleasing aesthetic standards.
The final budget is also impacted by the quantity of materials needed, such as mortar and additional supports like lintels. Effective cost management is achieved throughout the project with the assistance of careful planning and precise measurements made during the estimation phase.
In general, bricklaying for external walls blends skill with realistic material and cost considerations. It’s a fundamental component of construction that gives buildings strength and durability in addition to adding to their aesthetic appeal.