What is a single wythe wall?
A single wythe wall (steens muur) is a wall with a thickness of one full brick length (approximately 21 cm), built from alternating stretchers and headers. The wall is thick enough to be load-bearing and is used for basements, garages, load-bearing interior walls and solid exterior walls.
Dimensions
With a standard brick (210 x 100 x 50 mm) plus joint:
- Wall thickness: approximately 210 mm (the length of the brick)
Stretchers and headers
In a single wythe wall, bricks are laid in two ways:
- Stretcher — The long side facing outward (210 mm visible)
- Header — The short side facing outward (100 mm visible)
By alternating stretchers and headers (bond pattern), the wall becomes one solid unit: the bricks interlock through the entire wall thickness.
Where is a single wythe wall used?
| Application | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Load-bearing wall | Interior wall that supports floors or roof |
| Basement wall | Must withstand soil pressure |
| Garage wall | Solid garage without cavity |
| Garden wall (tall) | Freestanding wall higher than 1 metre |
| Boundary wall (sturdy) | Permanent property boundary |
Single wythe vs. half brick
| Single wythe | Half brick | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | ~210 mm | ~100 mm |
| Load-bearing | Yes | No |
| Bricks per m² | ~100 | ~50 |
| Mortar consumption | More | Less |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Insulation value | Poor | Poor (both) |
Both wall types provide virtually no insulation. For insulation, a cavity wall (half brick + cavity + inner leaf) or timber frame construction with insulation is required.
Related terms
- Half brick wall
- Bond pattern
- Joint
- Mortar
- Cavity wall
- Lintel