So, youâre thinking about building or renovating a double brick house? Nice choice, my friend. These beauties are like the tanks of the housing worldâsturdy, timeless, and built to outlive your grandkidsâ grandkids. But hereâs the thing: double brick construction isnât a âset it and forget itâ deal. There are rules. Break them, and you might end up with a house thatâs more âleaning tower of Pisaâ than âforever home.â
Let me guessâyouâve already fallen down a Google rabbit hole of conflicting advice. One site says double brick is low-maintenance; another warns itâs a termite buffet. Whoâs right? Spoiler: Theyâre both kinda right. But donât panic. Iâve spent years geeking out over bricks (and even more years fixing other peopleâs mistakes at The Brick Pitt). Consider this your no-BS guide to nailing your double brick project.
Double Brick 101: Why Itâs Not Just âTwo Layers of Bricksâ
First off, letâs clear up the basics. A double brick house isnât just slapping two bricks together and calling it a day. Nope. Itâs two separate brick walls with a gap (we call it a cavity) between them. Think of it like a brick sandwichâexcept the filling is air, insulation, or sometimes even your hopes of finishing this project on budget.
Why go double brick?
- Durability:Â These houses laugh at storms, heatwaves, and your neighborâs kidâs drum solos.
- Thermal mass:Â Bricks soak up heat during the day and release it at night. Translation: lower energy bills and fewer arguments over the thermostat.
- Resale value:Â Buyers love âem. Itâs like the housing equivalent of a luxury sedan.
But hereâs the kicker: Double brick isnât idiot-proof. Iâve seen folks skip critical steps (looking at you, DIYers who think YouTube tutorials > hiring pros). Letâs avoid that.
The Doâs: How to Make Your double brick house a Flex
DO: Invest in Quality Materials (No, Cheap Bricks Arenât a âHackâ)
Double brick is a long-term relationship. You wouldnât propose on the first date with a dollar-store ring, right? Same logic applies here. Cheap bricks crack. Weak mortar crumbles. And suddenly, your dream home looks like a post-apocalyptic prop.
At The Brick Pitt, weâve salvaged too many projects where clients tried to cut corners. Trust me: splurge on high-grade bricks and mortar. Your future self (and wallet) will thank you.
DO: Waterproof That Cavity Like Your Sanity Depends on It
Water is the enemy. If moisture gets into the cavity, youâll get mold, mildew, and a smell thatâll make your guests ghost you. Install a proper damp-proof course (DPC) and use weep holes to let water escape. And for the love of all things holy, donât block those weep holes during landscaping.
DO: Insulate Like Youâre Prepping for the Ice Age
Double brickâs thermal mass is great, but without insulation, youâre basically living in a kiln. Stuff that cavity with rigid foam or batt insulation. Pro tip: Ask your builder about acoustic insulation if you hate hearing your neighborâs dog bark at 3 a.m.
The Donâts: Mistakes Thatâll Haunt You (and Your Bank Account)
DONâT: Ignore Expansion Joints
Bricks expand and contract with temperature changes. Skip expansion joints, and your walls will crack faster than a dad joke at a comedy club. Place joints every 12 metersâor consult the pros at The Brick Pitt to nail the spacing.
DONâT: Treat Mortar Like Glue Stick
Mortar isnât just âbrick glue.â Use the wrong mix, and your walls will crumble like a cookie in a toddlerâs fist. Too sandy? Weak. Too thick? No flexibility. Follow local standards, or better yet, let a pro handle it. FYI, weâve seen enough DIY mortar disasters to fill a Netflix documentary.
DONâT: Forget About Termites
âBut bricks arenât edible!â Sure, but termites will happily munch on wooden frames, insulation, and that cute porch swing you added. Regular inspections are non-negotiable. IMO, itâs worth scheduling a checkup with The Brick Pittâweâve got X-ray eyes for hidden critters.
Maintenance: Yes, You Actually Have to Do It
Double brick might be tough, but itâs not invincible. Hereâs your cheat sheet:
- Check for cracks annually:Â Hairline cracks? Easy fix. Gap wide enough to hide your car keys? Panic (then call us).
- Clean weep holes seasonally:Â A clogged weep hole is like a blocked artery. Not ideal.
- Repoint mortar every 15â20 years:Â Mortar ages faster than avocado on a hot day. Keep it fresh.
Final Thoughts: When in Doubt, Call a Brick Whisperer
Look, I get itâbuilding or fixing a double brick house feels like running a marathon in flip-flops. Itâs doable, but why not make it easier? Whether youâre battling moisture, termites, or your own ambition, The Brick Pitt has your back. Weâve been solving brick-related crises since before âbrickâ was a TikTok aesthetic.
So, ready to turn your double brick dream into a reality? Or just need someone to stop your walls from impersonating Swiss cheese? Hit us up. Weâre here to helpâno judgment, no jargon, just really good brickwork.
And hey, if you ignore all this advice? Well⊠weâll be here to fix it anyway.