Putting a 'decorative' brick wall in basement - weight issue?

jefferyscott · 02-24-2012, 02:42 PM

I am a few steps closer to finalizing the designs for my basement music studio and lounge. I have always wanted a studio in an old building, but that shall not come to pass. SO... I'd like to put in some brick wall features in the basement. I have found several places that I can get used bricks (ideal) for around $.25 each, so I can probably do as much or as little brickwork as I'd like. My concern is WEIGHT. At 6-10lbs a pc, we are talking poundage in the THOUSANDS if I do a large wall area. Or multiple.

Is this a legitimate concern?

If it matters - house is in Ohio, 1940s construction, full dig out and repoured 4" concrete in basement several years ago (before I bought it).

Thanks much.

cleveman · 02-24-2012, 09:24 PM

No concerns.

If you are doing this on an exterior wall, or a structural wall (down the middle), then the slab is resting on the footing at that point. You can also use some wall ties to tie the brick to the masonry wall (or framed wall).

I've seen decorative walls laid on framed floors with plenty of wall ties.

joecaption · 02-24-2012, 09:39 PM

SOmething that would be a whole lot faster, easyer, no weight issues, and would be removable if you ever had to sell would be a mural.
http://www.muralsyourway.com/brick-wall-mural/

jefferyscott · 02-27-2012, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the replies, and info on the mural. The bricks in that mural are exactly the look I am hoping for.

Due to some ongoing, yet very minor, issues with efflouresence and seepage in a few isolated places, I am building walls and leaving an airgap between the ext foundation walls and the interior walls. Then allowing for air to move freely.

Sounds like I need to utilize the space right up against the ext wall to put the weight over the footers. Which I figured.

Still have some design decisions to be made, but this is a big help - not getting a "no way, don't do it" is enough infor for me to move forward.

Will be posting a build journal once started. Also partitioning the garage for a work room at the same time...so LOTS to do.

joecaption · 02-27-2012, 12:10 PM

The wall does not need to be built over the footer. It's a nonsupporting wall and the load is spead out over a large area.

02-24-2012, 02:42 PM	#1
jefferyscott Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 30	Putting a 'decorative' brick wall in basement - weight issue? I am a few steps closer to finalizing the designs for my basement music studio and lounge. I have always wanted a studio in an old building, but that shall not come to pass. SO... I'd like to put in some brick wall features in the basement. I have found several places that I can get used bricks (ideal) for around $.25 each, so I can probably do as much or as little brickwork as I'd like. My concern is WEIGHT. At 6-10lbs a pc, we are talking poundage in the THOUSANDS if I do a large wall area. Or multiple. Is this a legitimate concern? If it matters - house is in Ohio, 1940s construction, full dig out and repoured 4" concrete in basement several years ago (before I bought it). Thanks much.

02-24-2012, 09:24 PM	#2
cleveman Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: zentral Iowa Posts: 774	Putting a 'decorative' brick wall in basement - weight issue? No concerns. If you are doing this on an exterior wall, or a structural wall (down the middle), then the slab is resting on the footing at that point. You can also use some wall ties to tie the brick to the masonry wall (or framed wall). I've seen decorative walls laid on framed floors with plenty of wall ties.

02-24-2012, 09:39 PM	#3
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,822	Putting a 'decorative' brick wall in basement - weight issue? SOmething that would be a whole lot faster, easyer, no weight issues, and would be removable if you ever had to sell would be a mural. http://www.muralsyourway.com/brick-wall-mural/

02-27-2012, 12:07 PM	#4
jefferyscott Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 30	Putting a 'decorative' brick wall in basement - weight issue? Thanks for the replies, and info on the mural. The bricks in that mural are exactly the look I am hoping for. Due to some ongoing, yet very minor, issues with efflouresence and seepage in a few isolated places, I am building walls and leaving an airgap between the ext foundation walls and the interior walls. Then allowing for air to move freely. Sounds like I need to utilize the space right up against the ext wall to put the weight over the footers. Which I figured. Still have some design decisions to be made, but this is a big help - not getting a "no way, don't do it" is enough infor for me to move forward. Will be posting a build journal once started. Also partitioning the garage for a work room at the same time...so LOTS to do.

02-27-2012, 12:10 PM	#5
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,822	Putting a 'decorative' brick wall in basement - weight issue? The wall does not need to be built over the footer. It's a nonsupporting wall and the load is spead out over a large area.

Putting a 'decorative' brick wall in basement - weight issue?