Feature Wall - to brick or block

[dolland]

I have just completed erecting a lengthy featherboard fence along our front boundary. (100 ft of featherboarding...beats counting sheep any day).

I now want to extend from the fence with a short curved feature brick or block wall (approx 3m long but only @1.5m high) which will start and end with @2m pillars. (At the far pillar, I will eventually hang a gate or sink a separate wooden post from which to hang the gate for the driveway). I will either render the wall (to match the house) or paint it white. The radius of the curve is likely to be about 4m (which follows the curvature of the kerb from the highway onto my driveway).

We have had two lots of builders in helping us to rennovate the house over the last few months. Each has given me conflicting advice; use brick - you cant use blockwork for this; use blockwork - cheaper, especially as you are going to cover it. Neither seems willing to give me a price or come back just to do this anyway.

Has anyone any advice or suggestions of the relative merits or limitations of brick or block. I really can't see the justification for an architect to draw up plans for such a simple brief, but am I deluding myself; is this job either too complex for a local building firm, or simply that the job is too small for a professional to get out of bed for?

I hope someone can help me.

 

[Static]

Brick creates a stronger wall which will last longer. As the bricks are smaller than blocks it also makes the curve easier to make and look good.
If its a wall to the front of your property you may have restrict its height to 1m without going in for planning approvals.

 

[dolland]

Thanks for the reply.

I thought that would be the case that brickwork would be better all round. However, do you think the cost would be a massive difference. I know materials will be more, and that with more units to lay, the job would take longer. But is it a specialist job (with rates to match) or would a general bricklayer be able/competent to tackle a curved wall?

I think I am okay with the PP. Consulted local office a year ago which said such a wall was over 2m from verge so not likely to be concerned.

 

[Static]

Any 1/2 decent bricky should be able to do it. Yes block will be cheaper in material and cheaper to lay as it will be faster, but will require rendering which again is a specialist job and may cost you more than the brick idea.

Best bet is get a few builders in for some quotes, ask them to quote a rendered block and a brick option see what you get.

And get that response from planning in writting.