Innovation in the building industry is always pushing the limits of what is possible to build and how it can be built. A recent and increasingly popular trend is replacing traditional masonry with Lego-style bricks. Building homes and other structures with these interlocking bricks promises to be quicker, more effective, and environmentally friendly.
Lego bricks fit together perfectly without the need for extra adhesive, in contrast to traditional masonry, which requires stacking individual bricks with mortar. This approach lowers the possibility of human error while also expediting the building process. The end effect is a uniform, strong wall that takes less time and effort to build because every brick fits precisely into the one before it.
The sustainability of Lego bricks is yet another important benefit. Many of these bricks are designed to be reused in other projects or are constructed from recycled materials. This lowers waste and lessens the effect of construction on the environment. Furthermore, less material is wasted on-site thanks to Lego bricks’ precise manufacturing, which supports environmentally friendly building techniques.
Lego bricks are also incredibly versatile. They can be employed in many different contexts, such as complex architectural designs and residential and commercial buildings. Their consistency and usability enable innovative and adaptable construction solutions that can be tailored to different project requirements.
Building technology has advanced significantly with the use of Lego bricks as the construction industry continues to change. These inventive bricks have the potential to completely alter the way we think about building and maintenance because they provide a quicker, more effective, and environmentally friendly substitute for traditional masonry.
Advantages and disadvantages
In addition to being convenient for work, Lego products have several other advantageous qualities.
- low cost of the material;
- the possibility of placing a system of communication wires inside the masonry without the use of stroke;
- due to the inclusion of dyes in the composition of Lego bricks, it is possible to obtain a wide variety of colors of the material;
- a house made of Lego bricks does not necessarily need to be finished – a smooth front surface and no need to perform jointing assumes the receipt of perfectly flat facades;
- the weight of the product is noticeably lower than the standard material, and therefore when constructing low-rise buildings and structures, simpler and cheaper types of foundation can be used;
- due to its external data, this material is excellent for finishing already constructed buildings, for the construction of brick decorative elements, fences and laying out the framing of fireplaces and stoves.
The relative novelty of this material on the home market and the dearth of statistical information regarding the product’s real durability and performance under load are among its drawbacks.
Furthermore, craftsmen are forced to rely on the assurances of small factory owners when building objects because there are currently no trademarks on the building materials market that could attest to the high quality of such products.
Application area
The technical specifications supplied by the manufacturers state that this material can be used as a finishing material for wall cladding, load-bearing walls, and single fences.
The masonry’s superior strength, which outperforms traditional brickwork in this regard, allows buildings and structures composed of the material in question to withstand seismic loads with ease.
Characteristics
Given that the technical performance of Lego products is equivalent to that of traditional hollow bricks, you can consider the 30- to 50-year lifespan of red brick when evaluating a product’s durability.
- Frost resistance: from 200 cycles.
- Moisture resistance: the material absorbs no more than 6% moisture, which makes it possible to construct objects from it in areas with high air humidity.
- Density: 1550 kg/m3 .
- Thermal conductivity: 0.45 W/(m*K).
- Strength: M100–M200 (the material is intended for the construction of multi-storey buildings and structures).
- Weight: 3 kg.
- Lego brick sizes: 250*125*65 or 300*150*100.
- Colors: when preparing raw materials for the production of Lego bricks, dyes are used, resulting in products of various colors from light beige and red to gray and dark blue.
A standard hollow brick and a Lego product have the same strength and resistance to frost, but the Lego product is 30% lighter. The standard brick has a slightly higher density and almost three times more water absorption.
One drawback is that Lego products don’t conduct heat as well as regular bricks do, but this can be worked around by adding insulation to the backfill.
The following elements are combined to create a mixture that is used to make bricks:
- screenings limestone;
- cement mortar as a binding material;
- water;
- dyes.
You can accurately calculate the proportions of each ingredient with the assistance of the instructions that come with the equipment. Bricks are formed during the production process by pressing materials under intense pressure. The product’s strength is contingent upon both the pressure and fraction size of the bulk material.
How to lay Lego bricks
The installation of the first row is the primary task in using Lego products to create sturdy and high-quality masonry. Starting with a perfectly level surface, they lay bricks. Precisely aligning the corners of the first row of brickwork is particularly crucial.
If a novice builder in his suburban area performs some small-scale masonry work on his own, he can check for perpendicularity with construction tools or a plumb line.
It is advisable to have a drawing of the future structure, even for individual construction. Even the most cutting-edge information won’t be of assistance to you in obtaining a dependable and high-quality structure if you proceed at random without a diagram.
They start to lay out the main volume after installing the first row and making sure the masonry complies with the dimensions and angular ratios. It’s very easy to construct a wall out of Lego pieces on a carefully laid base.
It suffices to adhere to the installation schematic. A construction gun is used to apply a special glue that is used to join bricks. Although using cement-sand mortar is acceptable, the quality of the masonry may suffer if it is used without proper experience.
Bandaging the seams is necessary after laying the main volume, just like with regular bricks. It is hard to misjudge the dimensions because of the rounded protrusions and recesses. Such bricks are easy to lay, and a master with the right skills can produce a volume of at least three cubic meters in a single shift.
Comparison with classical masonry
It was discovered that constructing a structure out of the new material is significantly simpler and less expensive when comparing construction technology utilizing traditional hollow bricks and products with fixing surfaces.
Lego bricks are 1 kg lighter than their rival with the same product dimensions, according to the technical characteristics of the two materials. This has a positive impact on transportation and height requirements costs. Furthermore, a lighter structure will need a less expensive foundation.
Lego is more resilient to high humidity and precipitation than ordinary brick because of its low water absorption rate. Both products are roughly the same in price, but using Lego will be more cost-effective when you consider the costs associated with delivery of the material.
If you plan to have this material produced on-site, you can save even more money on transportation when building a structure out of Lego bricks. You will need specialized tools, ingredients to make the mixture, and somewhere to store and dry the finished goods in order to accomplish this.
| Traditional Masonry | Lego Brick Masonry |
| Uses cement or mortar | Interlocking design, no mortar needed |
| Requires skilled labor | Easy assembly, less skill required |
| Time-consuming process | Faster construction |
| Heavy materials | Lighter, easier to handle |
| Permanent structures | Modular, flexible designs |
| Traditional look | Modern aesthetic options |
By providing a cutting-edge, effective substitute for conventional masonry, Lego bricks are transforming the construction industry. They are so simple to use that anyone can pick up the fundamentals of building with them very quickly—just like assembling a kid’s toy. This is what makes them especially appealing to professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike. Lego bricks are precisely and consistently designed to ensure that structures are sturdy and stable, minimizing mistakes and requiring less time for adjustments.
Additionally noteworthy are Lego bricks’ positive environmental effects. Because they’re made of sustainable materials, they support environmentally friendly building methods. Because they are modular, there is less waste because any bricks that are left over can be used in other projects. Lego bricks are a progressive option because they are in line with the construction industry’s growing emphasis on sustainability.
Furthermore, the versatility of Lego bricks is immeasurable. They are useful for many different things, from intricate architectural designs to straightforward garden walls. Because of their adaptability, builders are free to explore with various designs and constructions without being constrained by the conventional masonry’s limitations. Together with their other advantages, this versatility makes Lego bricks an appealing choice for contemporary building requirements.
In conclusion, Lego bricks provide a useful, sustainable, and adaptable option for building projects. They offer limitless creative possibilities, simplify the building process, and lessen their impact on the environment. Lego bricks are undoubtedly going to have a big impact on how building and maintenance are done in the future as the construction industry develops.
Lego bricks are a ground-breaking substitute for conventional masonry because they make building easier, less expensive, and more efficient. Because there is no need for mortar with these interlocking bricks, assembly is quicker and customization is simpler. They offer a robust and sustainable alternative that improves accessibility and reduces environmental impact during construction. Lego bricks are a great tool for both experienced builders and do-it-yourselfers because they combine creativity and practicality in building.
