Building a house requires precise planning and accurate calculations. One key element of this process is estimating the amount of material needed to build the walls. Doing so ensures smooth progress on site and helps avoid unnecessary costs. Today, ceramic blocks are among the most popular building materials, thanks to their durability and good thermal insulation. However, traditional construction bricks, including solid red fired bricks, are still commonly chosen—especially when appearance and structural strength are priorities.

Choosing the Right Wall Material

Choosing the material for your building’s walls is a crucial decision. Every material has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before construction begins. Traditionally produced solid bricks are known for their high durability and compressive strength, making them an excellent choice for load-bearing and facade walls. Thanks to their properties, solid ceramic red bricks provide good thermal insulation, improving comfort inside the building and lowering heating costs.

Another benefit of brick is its aesthetic appeal—it can serve as both a structural and decorative element. Perforated bricks, due to their internal structure, also offer good thermal and acoustic insulation. On the other hand, ceramic blocks are lightweight and easy to install, significantly speeding up the construction process. Their large format reduces the amount of mortar needed, which also saves time and money.

How to Calculate the Wall Surface Area

Regardless of the material you choose, calculating the number of bricks or blocks begins with determining the total wall surface area. The best method is to refer to the architectural design, which includes all necessary measurements. Wall surfaces should be calculated separately for interior and exterior walls, since they may require different materials or thicknesses.

Start by measuring the length and height of each wall. Lengths can be found in the floor plan, and height in the building’s cross-sections. Multiply length by height to get the total wall area in square meters.

An important step is to subtract the areas of window and door openings, as they don’t require building material. Skipping this step could result in purchasing too many bricks or blocks—raising construction costs unnecessarily.

Many projects also include estimated quantities of required materials, so if you’re building exactly as planned, this task is even easier.

How Many Bricks or Blocks Will I Need?

The number of bricks or blocks needed depends mainly on their dimensions and the thickness of the planned walls. Many formats are available on the market, each suited for different applications.

A standard solid construction brick measures 250 × 120 × 65 mm, while popular ceramic blocks are often available in sizes like 250 × 150 × 220 mm or 250 × 200 × 220 mm.

General guidelines for material usage per square meter of wall:

For solid bricks:

• 29 bricks/m² for walls 6.5 cm thick
• 49 bricks/m² for 12 cm thick walls
• 98 bricks/m² for 25 cm thick walls

For ceramic blocks:

• 16 blocks/m² for 15 cm thick walls
• 12 blocks/m² for 20 cm thick walls

Example Calculation:

If you’re planning an exterior wall with an area of 100 m² and a thickness of 25 cm using solid ceramic bricks:

→ 100 m² × 98 bricks = 9,800 bricks
→ Add 4% for waste and damage = 392 bricks
→ Total: 10,192 bricks

The same logic applies to ceramic blocks, though fewer units are needed per square meter due to their larger size.

Summary: Plan Carefully, Build Wisely

Calculating the number of bricks or blocks is a key part of construction planning. To avoid shortages or excess material, follow a few simple rules:

• Calculate the surface area of all interior and exterior walls
• Subtract the areas of all window and door openings
• Adjust calculations for the type of material and wall thickness
• Add a waste margin (typically 3–5%) to account for cutting, transport, and potential damage

If you choose brick, Łabuda Brickworks offers high-quality ceramic construction bricks—perfect for any project, combining durability, reliability, and timeless style.