DIY with Stampworthy Goods
Our most common question about our most in-demand product is: How do you install breeze block walls?
Breeze blocks, once the material of choice for mid-century homes and landscapes, are making a huge comeback. You’ve probably seen them adorning the beautiful homes in Palm Springs – and now in Lockhart, Texas.
Together with our partner, Stampworthy Goods, we created a detailed video on how to build a freestanding breeze block wall that can elevate your backyard’s aesthetic. A written overview is provided below.
- Before You Start: Gather Your Materials
- Step 1: Prep Your Breeze Block Layout
- Step 2: Install the Reinforcement Bars
- Step 3: Mark Guidelines and Install the First Row of Breeze Blocks
- Step 4: Build Up the Wall
- What’s Next?
Before You Start: Gather Your Materials
Here’s what you’ll need to build the wall before grouting:
- Breeze blocks
- Spacers
- Measuring tape
- Rebar
- Level
- Drill
- Construction adhesive
Ensure you’re installing the breeze block wall on a solid, level structure. For this project, we used a concrete footer.
Concrete is the most common and reliable material for projects like these. Breeze block walls can also be installed indoors; ensure the surface is level and solid. Keep in mind that breeze blocks are not designed to be load-bearing.
A sturdy concrete footer acts as the foundational support for the breeze block wall installation.
Step 1: Prep Your Breeze Block Layout
Before starting the installation, lay out all the breeze blocks. Unlike tiles, breeze blocks aren’t designed to be cut, so you’ll want the entire pattern to fit naturally within the wall.
Ensure that your wall measurements correspond to the breeze block layout to avoid any need for cutting. Don’t forget to account for the grout joints (we used 3/8-inch grout spacing).
Step 2: Install the Reinforcement Bars
Our project involves a freestanding breeze block wall with light support from a thin metal frame. Typically, you’d see metal posts acting as support beams, but for this project, we used 3/8-inch rebar between every other breeze block for added stability.
Marking the precise locations where the rebar will be installed to ensure the stability of the breeze block wall.
We chose a 3/8-inch grout joint, the smallest size available. The smaller joint spacing provides a cleaner aesthetic. Due to the irregularity between blocks, grout joint spacing will typically vary between 1/4 and 3/4 of an inch.
To install the rebar, we used construction adhesive. While the adhesive is still wet, make sure the rebar is as straight as possible, running from the bottom to the top.
Step 3: Mark Guidelines and Install the First Row of Breeze Blocks
Start by making precise guide marks on the concrete base. These marks should be bold and easy to follow.
Before laying the first row, clean the base with a wet sponge to remove any dust. Next, apply a thin layer of construction adhesive (we used Liquid Nails) to the concrete base. Don’t overdo it; think of it as a light drizzle rather than a heavy coating.
This first row is critical, as it serves as the foundation for the rest of the wall. Ensure it is perfectly centered and aligned.
Step 4: Build Up the Wall
We used small rebar pieces for reinforcement between each row. While this isn’t strictly necessary, it adds extra support, especially for freestanding walls without side support structures.
Continue building the wall row by row, using the adhesive, rebar, and spacers. To maintain alignment, it’s best to build two rows at a time, allowing the adhesive to dry before proceeding. Otherwise, you risk misaligning the wall.
Initially, we planned to build the wall up to 72 inches, but without the support beams installed beforehand, the wall became wobbly at 60 inches. To avoid structural issues, we decided to stop at 60 inches.
Once the wall is grouted and the metal frame is added, it will gain significant strength.
What’s Next?
Refer to Part 2, where we cover grouting the breeze block wall and installing the metal frame for added support.
Pool by Cowboy Pools.
As always, if you have any questions about breeze block best practices, feel free to contact your local contractor or us.
Disclaimer: Since the installation of tile greatly determines the integrity of the project and the tile itself, Clay Imports does not warrant this product and is not responsible for dissatisfaction with the material following installation. Please inspect all tiles upon receipt and notify us immediately if you have any quality concerns. This guide is meant to serve as a general resource. Because each project is unique, consult your tile installer before installing your tile.
