Face Brick and Construction and Concrete Block Construction

Building with brick is good for your bottom line. Of all exterior finish products, brick has a greater market appeal. Studies by the National Association of Home Builders and other building organizations continually find that 60% of the nation's homebuyers prefer brick homes. Brick homes command higher selling prices. Brick homes also provide higher profit margins for the builder. To the consumer, a brick home means a sound investment and savings. It increases a home's investment value, sells faster and brings a higher resale price. Brick is virtually maintenance-free. It never needs painting, caulking or staining. Brick won't burn or rot like other finish materials, nor will it chip off at the whim of a woodpecker. Brick won't burn and subsequently can reduce fire insurance premiums by up to 50%. Brick is energy efficient. Its inherent mass qualities help keep a home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Brick's mass also makes it a very effective noise insulator as well. Brick can save thousands of dollars over the life of a mortgage.

Concrete block building and brick Venier. West Vancouver

Brick Pannels showing vapour barrier and ties.

Masons spreading the correct amount of mortar on the brick in preparation to lay the brick

Installing the clay brick unit by placing it in the right position using your eye and hand coordination.
Mortar is then scraped off using the mason trowel then plumed for level and jointed. The wall should
be kept as clean as possible so very little cleaning is required later.

This is what it looks like to lay a brick after a mortar bed has been spread out. The brick is then set in place by hand.
The mortar is cleaned off with the masons trowel and then jointed up when the mortar has firmed up.

More Bricklaying Photos...

Brick base built around patio and sidewalk area to protect water and bugs from entering the house when washing down the patio.

Entrance to one of Vancouver restaurants. A wire mesh was fastened and then stucco was applied over existing glazed brick, then a sliced brick was then installed.

Concrete Block Construction

Re-enforced 50ft lintel over office front. 6’ to 8’ ft stirrups, 16” on center using 20mm rebar, poured solid with concrete.

10” concrete block office building under construction in Vancouver.