How to build a breeze block wall effortlessly
By Clay Imports
Breezeblocks are one of the most versatile building materials you can incorporate into your project. While being installed outdoors, they are strong enough to withstand rain, winds and other climatic conditions and indoors they are an elegant solution to create a wall that can bring privacy and another layer of interior design. This last use is something we wanted to do in our SMA Studio, and it was a big task; a 14 ft tall task. In this article we’ll discuss how we build our breeze block wall, the recommendations we have if you want to use these blocks and hopefully we’ll inspire you to build your own.
Prep work before building a breeze block wall
At its basics, design is a solution to a problem. When form and function work in perfect harmony is when you achieve a successful design element. When creating the SMA Studio, we wanted to push the idea of functionality of a breeze block wall installation while also achieving an unexpected design impact.
Building a breeze block wall
First, we have to choose the blocks we wanted to use and lay them out to have an idea on how the structure would look like. As we mentioned above, we chose Petalo and Ventana Blocks, but you can mix and match any design you want.
Though there are no design limitations on how you can mix patterns, our general rules are:
- Use less of the more complex pattern: This project uses ⅔ of the minimal Ventana and only ⅓ of the intricate Petalo pattern. This gives the eyesight some rest and will spotlight the more complicated design.
- Keep half pattern blocks in pairs: This will contribute to more continuity and will harmonize better with the overall look.
- Always advise drawing your layout in advance: You can just draw them on your computer or on paper and, if your project size allows you, you could just lay out the blocks on the floor and take a picture. We suggest taking a look at how Ashley Campbell used prints to layout her project.
Final steps
Keep in mind that breeze block walls should not serve as structural constructions, but rather as decorative and design elements. The walls you decide to build using breeze blocks should not support a weight heavier than the weight of the same structure.
We decided to keep the natural color of the clay breeze block, but they can be easily painted, as you can learn in this article. You can also use our newest glazed breeze blocks; they are already painted and will last longer, thanks to their glaze coating. Finally, we recommend taking a look at our Clay Care products. These maintenance items have been carefully tested with our products, and they are designed to preserve your tiles' beauty, ensuring their longevity and durability.