A half-brick wall (also: single-skin wall) is a wall with a thickness of one half brick length (approximately 100 mm), where all bricks are laid as stretchers (long side visible). It is the thinnest type of masonry wall and is used as the outer leaf of a cavity wall, as a garden wall or as a non-load-bearing partition wall.
Dimensions
A standard brick measures approximately 215 x 102.5 x 65 mm (length x width x height). In a half-brick wall, the wall thickness equals the brick width: approximately 100 mm.
Where is a half-brick wall used?
| Application | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Outer leaf of a cavity wall | The outer skin of a cavity wall is half-brick thick |
| Garden wall | Freestanding wall in the garden (max 1 metre high without buttresses) |
| Partition wall (non-load-bearing) | Internal wall between rooms |
| Garage (single skin) | Single-skin wall without cavity (uninsulated) |
Half-brick vs. full-brick
| Half-brick | Full-brick | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | ~100 mm (1/2 brick) | ~215 mm (1 full brick) |
| Load-bearing | No (or very limited) | Yes |
| Stability | Limited (max 1 m high freestanding) | Good |
| Material use | ~50 bricks per m² | ~100 bricks per m² |
| Application | Outer leaf, garden wall | Load-bearing wall, basement |
Bricks per m²
For a half-brick wall with standard bricks and a 10 mm mortar joint:
- Approximately 50-56 bricks per m² (depending on brick size)
- Approximately 15-20 kg mortar per m²
Tips for bricklaying
1. Lay the first course dry — Check that the bricks work out correctly
2. Corners first — Build up the corners a few courses, then stretch a line
3. Half-bond pattern — Each course offsets by half a brick
4. Check level — Check every 3-4 courses
5. Finish the joints — Tidy the joints after laying with a jointing tool
Related terms
- Full-brick wall
- Bond pattern
- Joint
- Mortar
- Cavity wall