BRICK QUANTITY

Measure your wall length and height in feet. Subtract the area of any windows or doors (a standard window is about 15 ft², a door is about 21 ft²) — the calculator handles the math, just enter the total opening area in ft². The result is the brick count for modular brick (the most common residential format at 7⅝ × 2¼ × 3⅝ inches with a ⅜-inch mortar joint, which works out to 6.86 bricks per ft² of wall surface).

Mortar bag count assumes 125 modular bricks per 80-pound bag of Type N or S mortar — typical for residential brick veneer. The calculator includes 5% waste for breakage and cuts. Order full pallets — most yards palletize at 500 or 750 brick depending on supplier.

For a 20 × 8 ft wall with one 15 ft² window:

Wall area = (20 × 8) − 15 = 145 ft². At 6.86 bricks/ft² with 5% waste: 145 × 6.86 × 1.05 = 1,045 bricks.

Mortar bags: 1,045 ÷ 125 = 8.4 → 9 bags of 80lb Type N.

At $0.50–$1.50 per modular brick (common red clay) and $7–$10 per 80lb mortar bag, materials run $585–$1,660. Brick veneer over a wood-framed wall also needs galvanized brick ties (1 per 2.67 ft² of wall = ~55 ties for this wall) and a 1-inch air gap with weep holes at the bottom course.

Pro masons charge $8–$15/ft² for brick veneer install (~$1,160–$2,175 for this wall) on top of the materials. DIY is possible but slow — a beginner lays 50–100 bricks per hour vs 200–300 for a pro.

Confusing modular with queen-size or oversized brick. Queen brick (8 × 2¾ × 3⅝) covers the same wall in fewer bricks (~5.8/ft²) but each brick costs more. Always confirm the brick format your supplier stocks before applying the 6.86/ft² number.

Underordering mortar. The 125 bricks/bag rule is for ⅜-inch joints. Larger joints (½-inch) drop yield to 100/bag — order 25% more mortar.

Skipping weep holes and flashing. Brick is not waterproof — it absorbs and releases moisture. Without weep holes (small gaps at the base course every 32 inches) and through-wall flashing, water collects behind the veneer and rots the framing.

Building during cold weather without protection. Mortar shouldn't cure below 40°F. Cover finished walls with insulated tarps if temps drop, or wait for warmer weather.

Modular brick: 6.86 per ft² with ⅜-inch mortar joints. Queen brick: ~5.8 per ft². Oversized: ~5 per ft².

5% waste minimum for residential walls. 10% waste for cut-up walls with lots of openings or a chimney.

1 bag (80lb) of Type N mortar lays about 125 modular bricks at ⅜-inch joint.

Brick ties: 1 per 2.67 ft² of veneer, embedded in the mortar joint and screwed to the wall sheathing.

A pro mason lays 300–500 bricks per day. DIY pace is typically 100–200/day for first-timers.