Neither material is universally better. Concrete blocks can make a practical, cost-effective wall system, while fired clay (red) bricks offer high compressive strength, durability and widely used exposed finishes. The right choice depends on the exact units, structural design, climate, insulation and moisture details, local labor, transport and the installed cost of the complete wall. Have a qualified designer or engineer check the proposed assembly against the building code adopted where you are building.
The short answer: choose the wall system, not the label
“Concrete block” describes many products: dense or lightweight units, hollow blocks, solid blocks and reinforced or filled systems. “Red brick” generally means fired clay masonry, but bricks also vary in density, geometry, strength, absorption and finish. Comparing the words alone can produce the wrong result.
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A fair decision compares a complete assembly: units, mortar, reinforcement, cavities, insulation, coatings, flashings, damp-proof courses, finishes, labor, transport, maintenance and the structural loads the wall must carry. A low unit price can disappear when a system needs thicker walls, more reinforcement, rendering or difficult delivery.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Choose concrete blocks when the available block system, local trades and engineered details provide the required strength, moisture control and finish at a competitive installed cost.
- Choose fired clay bricks when their tested strength, durability, appearance and local availability suit the design and the higher labor or wall-system cost is justified.
- Use either with insulation and careful detailing when the goal is indoor comfort or energy efficiency. Masonry mass is not insulation.
What you are actually comparing
Concrete masonry units
Concrete masonry units are manufactured in several densities and configurations. Hollow units reduce weight and can provide spaces for reinforcement or grouting; dense units provide a different balance of mass, strength and conductivity. A specification should identify unit dimensions, density, compressive strength, water absorption, fire rating and whether cells are left hollow, partially grouted or fully filled. A generic claim about “block strength” is not meaningful without those details.
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Concrete is heavy, so delivery, unloading and handling need to be planned. New Zealand government guidance from Building Performance also notes that concrete construction has transportation requirements and that porous concrete masonry generally needs a suitable finish. Those observations are useful context, not a substitute for a local product specification.
Fired clay (red) bricks
Fired clay bricks are made in a range of densities, strengths, sizes and surface textures. YourHome’s Australian residential guidance describes fired clay brickwork as durable, with low maintenance needs, and notes its broad range of colors, textures and finishes. Brickwork still needs correct cavity, flashing and damp-proof detailing; an attractive face does not make a wall watertight by itself.
Thermal comfort: thermal mass is not insulation
Both brickwork and concrete blockwork can provide high thermal mass. Mass can absorb and release heat, moderating temperature swings when it is combined with climate-appropriate orientation, shading, ventilation and insulation. The same mass can work against comfort if the wall is exposed to unwanted heat or cold without a suitable design.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteMasonry has relatively low thermal resistance on its own. Insulation, air films, cavities, internal and external finishes and junction details determine the whole-wall R-value. Pay particular attention to thermal bridges at slab edges, columns, lintels, window and door frames, roof connections and service penetrations. Air leakage around openings can undermine a well-insulated wall.
YourHome explains that high-mass walls provide their greatest thermal benefit when insulation is placed outside the mass and the mass remains exposed to the interior. That arrangement is not the only workable option, but it illustrates why comparing an isolated brick or block conductivity does not predict the performance of a finished house.
Representative conductivity figures from NCC 2022
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) lists the following representative material conductivities in NCC 2022 Specification 36. They are material-property examples, not whole-wall R-values, energy-use forecasts or universal rankings. Thickness, hollows, cavities, air films, insulation and finishes must be included in a wall calculation.
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| Material example in NCC 2022 Specification 36 | Conductivity | Density or unit description listed |
|---|---|---|
| Clay brick | 0.55 W/(m·K) | 2.75 kg brick; density 1,430 kg/m³ |
| Clay brick | 0.65 W/(m·K) | 3.25 kg brick; density 1,690 kg/m³ |
| Concrete block | 1.10 W/(m·K) | 190 mm dense or 90 mm dense solid; listed densities 1,100/2,200 kg/m³ |
| Concrete block | 0.85 W/(m·K) | 140 mm dense or 190 mm lightweight |
| Concrete block | 0.75 W/(m·K) | 90 mm dense hollow or 90 mm lightweight solid |
| Concrete block | 0.67 W/(m·K) | 140 mm lightweight |
| Concrete block | 0.55 W/(m·K) | 90 mm lightweight |
These figures show why “brick is cooler” or “block is better insulated” is too broad. A lightweight block can have a lower listed conductivity than one dense block, while a wall with continuous external insulation can outperform either bare masonry type. Ask your designer for the calculated performance of the proposed assembly in your climate zone.
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Strength and structural safety
YourHome describes fired clay bricks as having high compressive strength and concrete blocks as being available in densities suited to different applications. That is general guidance, not a head-to-head test of the units you may buy. Structural suitability depends on the tested unit strength, mortar, grout, reinforcement, wall slenderness, openings, bearing conditions, lateral loads, workmanship and the governing code.
What an engineer must check
- Characteristic compressive strength of the exact brick or block and the mortar designation.
- Wall thickness, height-to-thickness ratio, returns, piers and connection to floors and roofs.
- Lintels and beams over openings, concentrated loads and bearing lengths.
- Wind, seismic, flood, soil and other site loads required by the local code.
- Reinforcement layout, grout quality and inspection where hollow blocks are reinforced or filled.
- Movement joints, control joints and interfaces with dissimilar materials.
Concrete is strong in compression and weak in tension, which is why reinforcement matters in reinforced concrete construction, as New Zealand Building Performance explains. Do not transfer a rule for a reinforced concrete frame automatically to every masonry wall. Masonry design has its own code provisions and detailing requirements.
Never substitute a cheaper, visually similar unit after design approval. A change in density, hollow pattern or declared strength can alter load capacity, fire performance and thermal calculations.
Moisture, damp and long-term durability
Concrete block moisture control
Concrete blocks are porous and can wick moisture. YourHome advises treatment, coating or covering where needed, together with moisture-conscious construction. The wall should include a continuous damp-proof course or membrane at the appropriate level, properly lapped flashings above openings and at roof or wall intersections, and open, correctly placed weep holes where the design uses a cavity or drainage plane.
Rendering is not automatically a waterproofing system. Confirm that the specified render, paint or coating is compatible with the block, allows the intended drying behavior and is maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep soil, paving and splash water below the damp-proof course and direct roof water away from the wall.
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Brick moisture and salt damage
Clay brick walls can also suffer moisture-related problems. YourHome notes that fretting can occur when water carries salts to the surface. Proper damp courses, flashings, cavity drainage and mortar selection reduce the risk. Efflorescence or surface salts should be diagnosed before cleaning; aggressive methods can damage the fired face and joints.
Durability is an exposure question
Fired clay bricks are commonly selected for durability and low maintenance, while concrete and concrete masonry are also described by Building Performance as durable and low maintenance when appropriately finished. Neither statement removes the need to match the product and finish to driving rain, freeze-thaw exposure, marine salts, chemicals, ground contact and expected maintenance. Obtain the exposure classification and installation requirements for the exact product in your region.
Cost and construction speed
YourHome characterizes blockwork as convenient and cost-effective in its Australian construction-system discussion, while describing double-brick walls as usually high cost. Those are broad Australian classifications, not a current quote and not a worldwide rule. Local availability, transport distance, crew productivity and the chosen wall build-up can reverse the result.
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Build an installed-cost comparison
| Cost item | Questions to include in each option |
|---|---|
| Units | What are the delivered prices for the specified size, density, strength and wastage allowance? |
| Mortar and grout | How much mortar, grout and admixture does the actual joint and cell layout require? |
| Reinforcement and lintels | Are bars, ties, bond beams, lintels and anchorage included in the takeoff? |
| Insulation and membranes | Does the assembly need cavity insulation, continuous insulation, vapor control or air-sealing materials? |
| Finishes | Will the wall be left exposed, rendered, painted, clad or lined internally? |
| Labor and access | What local crew rates, scaffolding, cutting, lifting and weather delays apply? |
| Transport and handling | How far must heavy units travel, and can the site receive and store them safely? |
| Maintenance | What repointing, coating, repainting, crack repair or cleaning is expected over the design life? |
Request two estimates based on the same thermal target, structural loads, fire and acoustic requirements, openings and finish standard. Comparing a bare block price with a finished brick cavity wall is not an economic comparison.
Construction practicalities
Blocks can cover wall area quickly when the unit size and local crew suit the layout, but larger units may require mechanical handling and careful control of alignment and joints. Brickwork offers flexible detailing and exposed finishes but can involve more individual units and skilled laying. Actual productivity is site-specific; ask contractors for a measured schedule rather than assuming one material is always faster.
Fire resistance, sound and appearance
YourHome states that clay bricks and concrete blockwork have excellent fire resistance and that masonry mass contributes to sound insulation, particularly at low frequencies. The rating belongs to the tested wall assembly, not to a material name alone. Thickness, density, joints, cores, reinforcement, linings, penetrations and interfaces all matter. Obtain the fire-resistance level and acoustic rating required by your local code and project brief.
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Concrete blocks are often rendered for appearance and water resistance. Exposed clay brick is frequently chosen for its range of colors, textures and finishes. An exposed finish still needs compatible mortar, movement detailing, cleaning and protection from moisture. If you plan to paint or render either material, include future recoating and repair access in the maintenance budget.
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Both brick and block manufacturing use energy. YourHome reports that, in the system context it compares, clay brick walls have higher embodied energy than concrete block walls; it also cautions that filling concrete blocks can raise their embodied energy to equal or exceed brick. That is not a life-cycle assessment for every product or region.
Product-specific factors include kiln or cement energy, transport distance, wall thickness, cement content, supplementary materials such as fly ash, insulation, service life, repair frequency and end-of-life processing. Some concrete block manufacturers use fly ash to replace part of the cement, potentially lowering embodied energy; verify the actual product declaration rather than assuming it.
- Clay bricks can often be carefully reclaimed and reused as bricks when mortar and demolition methods permit.
- Concrete blocks are generally not strong enough to be reused as whole blocks after removal, but they can often be crushed for gravel or fill.
- Building Performance notes that curing concrete produces carbon dioxide, while crushed concrete can become aggregate and reinforcement can be recycled.
- Durability can offset initial embodied impacts by reducing replacement and maintenance over a long service life.
Ask suppliers for an environmental product declaration, recycled-content information, cement or supplementary-material data and a practical take-back or recycling route where available. Compare the entire wall, including insulation, finishes and transport.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A decision process for homeowners and self-builders
- Define the performance brief. Write down required structural loads, climate exposure, insulation target, fire and acoustic ratings, appearance, available floor area and maintenance expectations.
- Confirm the locally adopted code. Your jurisdiction may adopt a national or regional code with amendments. India’s National Building Code 2016, for example, is described by BIS as a model code for adoption by relevant agencies; it is not automatically the rule in every location. Ask the building authority which edition and amendments apply.
- Shortlist exact products. Collect manufacturer data for unit dimensions, density, compressive strength, absorption, thermal conductivity, fire classification and compatible mortar or coating.
- Design the complete wall. Show cavities, insulation, air and vapor control, damp-proof courses, flashings, weep holes, reinforcement, movement joints and opening details on drawings.
- Have a qualified professional verify it. An engineer or building-envelope designer should check structure, moisture, thermal bridges, condensation risk and code compliance for the site.
- Obtain comparable installed bids. Give each contractor the same drawings and specification. Require separate quantities for units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, insulation, finishes, labor, delivery and waste.
- Inspect before covering. Check unit batch and strength documentation, foundation levels, damp-proof continuity, flashing laps, reinforcement placement, cavity cleanliness, joint quality and weep-hole openings.
- Protect the work during construction. Keep masonry capped from rain, prevent mortar droppings from blocking cavities and follow curing and coating requirements before exposing the wall to severe weather.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Choosing by unit price
Failure mode: a low-priced unit requires extra render, insulation, reinforcement or transport. Fix: compare the costed wall assembly and its required labor, not the price of one piece.
Treating thermal mass as insulation
Failure mode: a heavy wall is expected to keep a house cool or warm without insulation and shading. Fix: calculate whole-wall thermal resistance, place insulation and mass deliberately, and resolve thermal bridges and air leakage.
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Using generic strength claims
Failure mode: “all blocks are stronger” or “brick always carries more” replaces engineering. Fix: specify the tested unit, mortar, reinforcement and design loads under the local code.
Leaving moisture details to the site crew
Failure mode: missing flashings, bridged damp-proof courses or blocked weep holes lead to staining and hidden decay. Fix: draw each junction, inspect it before covering and keep drainage paths open.
Changing products mid-build
Failure mode: a substitute unit has different dimensions, density or absorption, upsetting structural, thermal or finish assumptions. Fix: obtain written designer approval and revised calculations before substitution.
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Failure mode: Australian or New Zealand guidance is treated as a local ruling. Fix: use it for principles, then verify the current locally adopted code, permits and inspection requirements.
Geography and standards: how to use the cited guidance
YourHome is Australian residential guidance, so its cost classifications and construction advice should not be silently generalized to another market. The conductivity examples above come from ABCB NCC 2022 Specification 36. Building Performance is New Zealand government guidance last updated 9 August 2023; its comments on concrete durability, transport, curing and recycling provide useful context but do not decide compliance elsewhere. Local climate, seismic rules, accepted units and workmanship standards can differ substantially.
Because no location is specified here, there is no reliable live price, supplier recommendation or local compliance conclusion. The building authority, a local structural engineer and a designer experienced in wall-envelope moisture should resolve those questions before procurement.
Which material should you choose?
Choose the option that meets the same structural, moisture, thermal, fire, acoustic and appearance requirements with the lowest risk and a credible installed budget. Concrete blocks are often attractive where a suitable local system, labor force and finish are available. Fired clay bricks are compelling where their proven durability, compressive strength and exposed appearance justify the labor and wall build-up. In either case, the decisive work is the engineered assembly and its detailing—not the color or name of the unit.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
