Brick house construction
Brick masonry provides mass, durability, acoustic performance and good thermal storage. It is not automatically an energy-efficient wall, however. External walls require a designed combination of load-bearing masonry, insulation, facade protection and correctly detailed openings and junctions.
PNV Construction Group undertakes brick construction as part of coordinated house projects and structural packages. We work with ordinary ceramic brick, facing brick and compatible masonry systems selected for the intended exposure and load.
What determines masonry quality
- brick strength, frost resistance, water absorption and dimensional consistency;
- mortar matched to the brick and weather conditions;
- line, level, wall thickness, bond and uniform bed joints;
- reinforcement, lintels, ring beams and restraint at structural interfaces;
- cavity ties, ventilation and drainage where a cavity facade is used;
- protection of fresh masonry from rain, frost and rapid drying;
- correct flashings, copings, sills and other details that prevent water entry.
Facing brick, clinker brick and ordinary internal masonry brick are not interchangeable. A material with adequate compressive strength may still have insufficient frost resistance for an exposed fence, parapet or plinth. Samples and product documentation should be checked before a large order is accepted.
For complete projects, see house construction. Selected work is available in the construction portfolio.