A hollow brick is a fired masonry brick that is not solid but provided with cavities: continuous channels or perforated holes. Because of the cavities the brick weighs less, less clay is needed, and the masonry insulates better than with a solid brick. Other names are perforated brick; the best-known variant is the large-format block used for the inner leaf.
Advantages
- Lighter — easier to handle and less dead weight on the structure
- Better thermal insulation — the air cavities slow the flow of heat through the brick
- Faster laying — large formats (large-format blocks) build more wall in one go
Points to note
The cavities make the brick less suitable for locations with high point loads or where many fixings are required; there, choose a more solid brick or use chemical anchoring. For external masonry exposed to frost and driving rain, the frost resistance and moisture behaviour of the brick are important — not every hollow brick is a facing brick.
Application
Hollow bricks are used mainly for the inner cavity leaf, load-bearing internal walls and partition walls. In the facade they are applied where the required insulation and weight call for it, provided the brick is suitable for external use.
Related terms
- Brick
- Perforated brick
- Masonry brick
- Masonry
- Inner cavity leaf
- Insulation
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