Double brick + brick veneer combo

Hi Everyone,

Sustainability experts are recommending to reduce thermal mass for the first floor while concentrating it at the ground floor.

I am thinking of a hybrid construction - double bricks for the ground floor and heavily insulated brick veneer for the first floor.

What are the pros/cons and implications for this kind of approach from the complexity of building?

I suppose it should not be a big issue of adding a timber frame to the top floor and placing some bricks around it?

Thanks

Brick vaneer with proper insulation is generally much better than double brick without insulation.

Thermal mass of double brick without insulation can work against you if you get continuous hot sunny days.

Hi JB1,

Of course both will be heavily insulated.

WBR,
Alex

What is the overall thickness of the ground floor wall?

I am planning 28.5 cm walls =110+65+110 with 45 mm of Kooltherm K8 (total R3.0)

While the ground floor is double brick, the outside brick does nothing for insulation due to the insulation between the bricks.

So unless you really want brick veneer on the outside and inside, for superior insulation you may wish to consider Insulating Concrete Form.

The other option is to use BV and plaster inside but with 140mm wall studs which will allow you to use R4.0 batts. You can use polished concrete floors for thermal mass.