Okay, so, I’ve been doing some work around the house lately, and I thought I’d share this little project I took on about adding some insulation using bricks. It’s not rocket science, but I think it’s pretty neat, and maybe someone out there will find it useful.
First off, I started by looking into this whole insulation thing. Turns out, bricks are actually pretty good at it. I mean, they’re not the best, but they do a decent job. I read somewhere that bricks have an R-value of around 0.8, which is better than wood or vinyl. I didn’t even know what an R-value was before this, but it’s basically how well something can resist heat flow. Who knew?


So, I decided to add an extra layer of bricks to one of the exterior walls of my house. It’s an older place, and let me tell you, it gets drafty in the winter. I figured, why not give it a shot? I’m no expert, but I’m pretty handy, and I like to get my hands dirty.
Getting Started
I measured the wall and did some quick math to figure out how many bricks I’d need. Then, I went down to the local hardware store and picked up a bunch of them. They had a few different types, but I just went with the regular old clay bricks. I’m not trying to build the Taj Mahal here, just trying to keep the cold out.
I’m not going to lie, it was a bit of work. I spent a whole weekend on it. Laying bricks isn’t as easy as it looks in those home improvement shows. But I took my time, made sure everything was level, and eventually, I got it done.
The Actual Work
- First, I cleaned the existing wall to make sure the new bricks would stick properly.
- Then, I mixed up some mortar, which is basically like a glue for bricks.
- I started laying the bricks, one by one, making sure to stagger the joints like you see on most brick walls.
- I used a level to keep everything straight and a trowel to apply the mortar.
- It was slow going, but I kept at it.
I also read online about this thing called “blown-in insulation.” Sounds fancy, huh? It’s basically foam that you spray into those hard-to-reach spots. I thought about it, but it seemed a bit pricey for my budget. Plus, I was already committed to the brick thing at this point.
After I finished laying all the bricks, I let the mortar dry for a day or two. Then, I applied a sealant to the whole thing to help protect it from the weather. I figured it couldn’t hurt, right?
The End Result
Honestly, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s not perfect, but it looks good, and I think it’s going to make a difference this winter. I can already feel that the room is a bit warmer, but I guess we’ll see when the real cold weather hits.


So, yeah, that’s my little brick insulation project. It was a bit of work, but I think it was worth it. Plus, I learned a few things along the way. And who knows, maybe I’ll tackle another wall next year. Or maybe not. We’ll see.