Masonry: 14 things to know

Masonry is by far the most widely used method of wall construction in the UK housebuilding industry. The majority of new homes today are built with cavity walls made from conventional ‘brick and block’ or some variation on the theme, such as outer leaf blockwork that’s rendered, timber-clad or tile-hung. Various types of natural stone or reconstituted stone are also a popular choice for facing walls with an inner leaf of thermally efficient aerated blockwork behind the scenes.

However, given the appeal of modern, high-performance, prefabricated alternatives such as panel timber frame and SIPs (structurally insulated panels) it’s perhaps a little surprising that the humble concrete block is still at the heart of housebuilding in 21st-century Britain. So from a design perspective, it’s interesting to reassess the benefits of conventional masonry construction. Here, we explore what you need to know before using this material for your self-build or extension project.

1 Every builder knows it

Finding good builders can be very challenging because of the exceptionally high levels of demand in the current market. So the fact that many building contractors are readily familiar with masonry construction confers an immediate advantage because sticking with this time-honoured method will