Marble
Brick House Construction
by Sean A.
The higher cost and poor insulation used to be two of the main drawbacks of this construction system, but in the last 20 years the engineers have come with innovations as to mitigate these aspects.
Therefore, we think that brick house construction is an attractive option when deciding to build a new dwelling.
The construction of a brick house will take a longer period of time, as there are certain steps which cannot be postponed or done faster.
This is one of the main drawbacks when speaking about brick house constructions, but this will pay off eventually, as its lifespan is close to 100 years.
From our experience, we can assert that even if hiring the best team would cost 15% more, it worths the money up to the last penny.
In addition, you will never have issues with termites or with rotten studs.
Just look at houses built hundreds of years ago and you will understand the benefits of this constriction system.
We recommend you to study these aspects thoroughly, before purchasing the bricks, as to satisfy your needs.
Therefore, you have to buy or rent a concrete mixer and prepare the brick mortar.
Therefore, you have to lay it on the construction site and dig the trenches, by using an excavator or shovels.
These procedures are very important for the durability of your house, therefore we recommend you to hire a qualified contractor to supervise the workers.
In this way, you will make sure the walls will be perfectly straight.
This aspect is essential, as they have to bond the walls together and support the concrete ceiling.
Work with patience and make sure you fill with mortar the gaps between the bricks (not larger than 1/3”).
You should notice the brick pattern (the stretcher bond), which is used to build a rigid and durable wall.
We recommend you to mix small quantities of mortar, preferably in a wheelbarrow, otherwise it might dry out until you are able to use it.
If you don’t sink them into water, then they will absorb quickly the moisture of the mortar and the bricks won’t bond properly, one with another.
Therefore, you have to read carefully the house plans, measure the wall and build the window opening properly.
In addition, when constructing a brick house, you need to build a lintel beam above the door and window openings.
Measure attentively the walls, as to make sure their layout matches the architectural plans.
This step is essential for your projects, as the pillars will reinforce the whole structure.
Most obviously, renting professional forms would be more expensive, but you will get higher quality concrete pillars.
In addition, you have to use a spirit level, as to make sure the pillar forms are perfectly plumb on all sides.
Work with patience as the preparation stage is the most important of the whole process.
Work with patience and check everything once more, before pouring the concrete pillars.
As you can see the, construction of a brick house is not as difficult as it might look, provided you use the right techniques and materials.
First of all, you have to install the ceiling form and support it properly.
After you have lain the bricks, you should seal the construction by building the roof.
Thank you for reading our article about brick house construction and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects.
Consequently, the bricks have become bigger and more efficient from a thermic point of view, the polystyrene sheets would enhance the insulation of a brick house and the costs were decreased by automation of the raw materials plants.
Therefore, a two-story house with an average surface, will take about 3 months to be completed and about 3-6 months to apply the finishes and utilities.
We recommend you to hire an architect specialized in building brick houses and to contract a team of builders, with great expertise in this field.
If the brick house is properly constructed, you will enjoy its comfort for many years, without being bothered by any issues.
The only thing you have to do is to freshen up the exterior paint every 5-10 years.
As you probably know, there are many types of bricks with different shapes and dimensions.
In addition, there are efficient bricks (which are better insulators) and regular bricks.
Next, you have to build the wooden forms and the reinforcing structure.
In addition, you have to reinforce them with a strong rebar structure.
Use a rubber hammer to set the bricks into the right position and use a spirit level to check their alignment.
It is essential to use a spirit level, to make sure the wall is perfectly plumb, otherwise you will spend more money when applying plaster.
With the risk of repeating ourselves, we recommend you to use a spirit level, as to make sure the window openings are perfectly plumb.
This is again an ancient technique, used for centuries, as to reinforce the top of a window or door opening.
You can either build the forms by yourself, by using wooden boards, or to rent professional ones.
If you choose to build the form by yourself, you have to use construction wire to lock it into position, as you can see in the image.
If you don’t tie the form properly, when pouring the concrete, it will push the form from position and the pillars won’t be level and plumb.
If pillars are wide, the it would be better to also use wide wooden boards, as to have less joints.
Consequently, as we have already said, you have to tie the form together tightly, by using thick wire and a construction hammer.
The wire will hold the whole form locked tightly, as to prevent the concrete from moving the wooden boards off their position.
Make sure the wooden boards are in good shape, without cracks or holes.
After you have poured the concrete, make sure you vibrate it with a vibrator, as to remove the air pockets.
After you remove the forms, you should check attentively the pillars, as to make sure there are no cracks or pockets of air, which could affect the house structure.
If you afford to use the best materials, you can get the job done quicker and get a higher insulation coefficient.
This procedure is complex and you have to put a lot of work and effort to make sure things will go smoothly.
Afterwards, you should install the reinforcing structure (according to your house plans) and pour concrete in the form.
They will deliver it to the site and pomp it in the ceiling from, with hoses.
Constructing a concrete house is not difficult, but you have to use quality materials and have a qualified team of builders, with expertise in this field.