Bricking up external door

[kevinsmbuk]

Need to brick up an external door ready for rendering (the single door) Was thinking of using blockwork. Should I have ties to attach it to the main external wall?

I haven't done much brickwork, just a bit. Is this something to leave to the brickies or easy enough as once rendered you won't see it?

 

[23vc]

I’d use wall starters and conc blocks. When rendering, care needs to be taken at the join to avoid cracks, normally using steel mesh or even paper/membrane to decouple along the join

 

[kevinsmbuk]

I’d use wall starters and conc blocks. When rendering, care needs to be taken at the join to avoid cracks, normally using steel mesh or even paper/membrane to decouple along the join

Exactly what I was thinking off, wall starters. Do you think this is something I could do based on that I have laid tiered patios, fencing, built steps. I wont be doing the rendering, will get a plaster/renderer in for that.

 

[23vc]

Exactly what I was thinking off, wall starters. Do you think this is something I could do based on that I have laid tiered patios, fencing, built steps. I wont be doing the rendering, will get a plaster/renderer in for that.

Yes probably
If it’s a cavity wall consider how you’re insulating the cavity etc

 

[kevinsmbuk]

Yes probably
If it’s a cavity wall consider how you’re insulating the cavity etc

Probably celotex, kingspan...

 

[Ian H]

I just did one using wall starters and it was easy. I used bricks but blocks should be quicker/easier.

I’ll get a pro in to do the outside.

 

[23vc]

Looks spot on to me Ian, if that’s your finish I’d do the outer skin yourself too

 

[Ian H]

Looks spot on to me Ian, if that’s your finish I’d do the outer skin yourself too

Nah, the picture is very very flattering

 

[23vc]

Nah, the picture is very very flattering

Apart from a few massive snots, which obviously doesn’t matter as it’s the back face, you seem to have achieved exactly the same pointing as the original as far as I can see.

 

[stuart45]

Apart from a few massive snots, which obviously doesn’t matter as it’s the back face, you seem to have achieved exactly the same pointing as the original as far as I can see.

He has done a good job. The pointing looks like weather struck, as opposed to weather struck and cut. It used to be a popular form of jointing many years ago, but it is a bit harder and more time consuming than the half round joints.
Struck joints were similar to weather struck, but the bed joints go the opposite way, and double struck forms a V which is even harder to get right.

 

[23vc]

Yep, I’m a big fan of weatherstruck on older bricks and I much prefer it to bucket handled on reclaimed/old bricks.

 

[kevinsmbuk]

Looks good Ian, I'm not too worried about the finish externally if it's being rendered. Just needs to be tied in with the exterior wall of the house and level/plumb. Your work has given me the confidence to try. I don't think my extension has a cavity though.

 

[kevinsmbuk]

Just to clarify, do wall starter kits adjust to the size of blocks?

 

[stuart45]

Just to clarify, do wall starter kits adjust to the size of blocks?

Yes, bricks or blocks.

 

[kevinsmbuk]

Sorry still haven't got round to doing this, but plan to shortly! can you confirm if I need to tooth out the smaller bricks on the right, or use a wall starter kit on the right of the door? That's if I use bricks of course.

I am a bit confused about whether to use blocks or bricks as if it's no cavity, blocks are wider so how do you manage the internal wall inside?

If it is cavity then two lots of blocks are going to be much wider than using brick?