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Maliouris Group

7 Tips for Durable Masonry: How to Choose the Right Bricks

Masonry is a basic structural element of buildings, however, the choice of the appropriate material directly affects the durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics of a building. Among the materials used in masonry, bricks occupy a prominent position thanks to the large number of advantages they offer in any construction project.

However, the specific requirements of each masonry and the variety of bricks make the choice a critical decision. That is why at Maliouris Group we have created a comprehensive range of bricks with top features. Build with bricks from Maliouris Group and increase the lifespan of any structure. Whether it is load bearing masonry with bricks or infill masonry, we have the ideal solution.

In this article, we will analyze the different types of masonry and we will see the benefits of choosing the right brick for each case. Initially, we will refer to the types of masonry depending on the stresses, while then we will make the distinction depending on the bricks used and the method of construction.

Types of masonry depending on the stresses

There are two main types depending on the stresses to which they are subjected. These are load bearing and infill masonry which we will look at in a little more detail below:

Load bearing masonry with bricks

When we refer to load bearing masonry with bricks, we mean masonry that is built to support large loads, such as slabs, floors, roofs and other structural elements. The load bearing is essentially the skeleton of a building and therefore the bricks used must, among other things, provide high mechanical strength, fire resistance and have anti-seismic properties.

At Maliouris Group we have products that are used on a large scale in load bearing masonry with bricks, as they meet all modern specifications and have properties that give the construction excellent resistance in all conditions. Contact us and we will recommend the best materials for any of your construction needs.

Infill masonry

Infill masonry fills the gaps between columns in a structure and shapes the space, and is divided into exterior and interior.

In exterior brick wall construction, large size products are usually used. For example, we will mention Maliouris Eco 20 and Maliouris Eco 25, which are suitable as they offer not only unparalleled strength, but also high quality thermal insulation. In addition, in exterior masonry with bricks can be used the vertical hollow bricks, such as Maliouris Brick V100 and V200 and also Cimablock Eco.

As far as the interior structural construction is concerned, Maliouris Group is also a pioneer in this field, offering a variety of bricks, which stand out for their high quality and durability. Depending on your type of construction you can choose between Maliouris Brick 9A or 250, which are used in interior walls.

Masonry according to the method of construction

However, we can also analyse the types of masonry based on the bricks, the way of building and the thickness of the wall. So below we will look at five main categories: 

Stretcher bond

It is a brick wall, which is six centimetres thick. However, this type has almost disappeared in modern times.

Running bond

Running bond masonry is often used to build interior walls that act as partitions and is nine centimetres thick. It involves building a wall with bricks in a single row.

Header bond

It is a masonry with bricks, which are 19 cm long. Building a wall with bricks in this way is most commonly used for exterior walls, as it provides better thermal insulation.

Hyper header bond

This is again a brick masonry, but in this case it is a combination of two different types. Specifically, it consists of a header bond and a running bond and is chosen when high thermal insulation and physical strength is required.

Cavity wall

The cavity wall is 19 cm long, but this is also considered to be an outdated type, which is no longer used.

It should be mentioned here that on the basis of the above types of masonry is also determined the specific weight of masonry, which, among other things, gives us information about the static adequacy of a structure.

Cost of masonry with bricks

The cost of a brick construction depends on several factors, such as the dimensions of the construction, the type of brick used and its properties and of course the way of building.

At Maliouris Group we have a comprehensive range of bricks, which can be used in any construction. Whether it is load bearing masonry or interior we have products of excellent quality with environmentally friendly raw materials.

At Maliouris Group our bricks are tested at every stage of the production process so that we can provide an excellent product with an extremely long life span, which can exceed 100 years. These are innovative products that meet modern building requirements, offering high performance solutions.

Frequently asked questions - answers

What is load bearing masonry and why is it important?

Load bearing masonry is the part of a structure that takes on the weight of other structural elements, such as slabs, floors and roof. It is essentially the skeleton of the building, so the bricks used must have high mechanical strength, fire resistance and anti seismic properties. The correct choice of materials in the load bearing masonry ensures the stability and safety of the building.

What's the difference between header bond and hyper header bond masonry?

Header bond masonry is made with 19 cm long bricks and is mainly used for exterior walls, offering improved thermal insulation. Hyper header bond masonry, on the other hand, combines header bond and running bond masonry for even greater strength and thermal insulation. It is ideal when the construction requires high standards of durability and thermal performance.

How does wall thickness contribute to the energy efficiency of the building?

Wall thickness is critical to energy efficiency as it affects the wall's ability to retain the temperature within the building. Thicker walls provide better insulation, reducing heat loss in winter and heat transfer in summer. At Maliouris Group, our specialized bricks for exterior wall building offer significant thermal insulation performance, saving energy and reducing heating and cooling costs.

What are the environmental benefits of using bricks in masonry?

Bricks made with environmentally friendly raw materials contribute to sustainable building, reducing emissions and energy consumption. In addition, bricks have a long lifespan, which reduces the need for frequent replacements and reduces waste. Maliouris Group offers high strength and environmentally friendly bricks, ideal for green construction.

Masonry