Breeze Block Mariposa

Mexico, of course! We produce our Clay Imports breeze blocks using 100% natural clay native to Central Mexico. Each piece is produced by extracting dense red clay through a patterned dye (think Play-Doh). Then, the block is fired. Voilà, you now have a decorative breeze block for your project.

We currently do not offer customization of breeze block patterns.

Get creative! You can customize breeze blocks by painting them or by mixing different patterns!

Breeze blocks can be painted on both sides or a single side before installation. Although there are various methods to paint blocks, we suggest dipping them individually in paint as it's quicker and easier to fill all spaces. Epoxy paint is recommended, and the color is your choice.

*Even if you paint your breeze blocks properly, it’s still possible for them to chip over time, which will reveal the contrasting terracotta tones underneath. You can also whitewash breeze blocks using a sponge application.

Specific details may vary from project to project. For guidance on reinforcement and other related information, we recommend referring to the Ultimate Breeze Block Guide to answer many commonly asked questions.

Our Breeze Block Installation guidelines are designed to offer broad recommendations suitable for various projects. We do not provide detailed installation plans; typically, this responsibility rests with the hired installers or planners to ensure all necessary reinforcements are properly accounted for. We highly recommend seeking guidance from a professional mason or installer to receive personalized advice that suits the specific project. They can offer tailored plans, installation details, and more to ensure a successful installation.

Conventional masonry installation (i.e., brick wall): Minimum 3/8” to 1/2” grout joint recommended

Technical installation (i.e., liquid nails or construction adhesive): Minimum 1/4” grout joint is recommended, followed by filling joints with sanded grout

When building a breeze block wall, it is crucial to start on a ​sturdy, stable foundation. While concrete is the most ​common and recommended base for such projects, all ​freestanding masonry walls require a concrete footing or ​skirt.

The general guideline for determining the footing size is ​to make it three times wider than the breeze block width ​and 2" for every foot of wall height. This is a standard rule ​and may not apply universally.

• For instance, using a 4" wide block and a 4" tall wall, ​the footing should be 12" wide and 8" high.

It is crucial to reinforce your breeze block installation for both exterior and interior stability. To ensure the durability of your breeze block wall, consider ​reinforcing it with existing structures or constructing framing structures. For an optimal installation, aim to establish multiple solid points of structural integrity to secure your blocks. This can be achieved by using interior ​reinforcement to connect to existing structures using masonry cement. Alternatively, another effective method is to anchor the blocks to the floor and ​two walls for added stability.

While these are recommended techniques, there are various creative approaches to installing breeze blocks in different structural settings to ensure ​the necessary rigidity for your wall.

In addition to exterior reinforcement, it is ideal to have interior reinforcement that is integrated into the breeze block wall during installation. Interior ​masonry reinforcement provides additional rigidity to the horizontal and vertical joints of an installation as the wall is being constructed.

• To enhance structural integrity, consider placing a vertical beam every 8 feet for wall support.
• For wall heights above 9 feet, horizontal bond beams are recommended.

After determining the type of installation needed for your breeze blocks, you can decide what type of interior reinforcement will work for your ​project. There are 4 main types (metal plates/beams, rebar, ladder wire, or wall/brick ties) of industry-standard masonry reinforcement options often used for breeze block installations.

Terracotta breeze blocks, being clay-based, are porous, making them susceptible to staining during grouting. To avoid this issue, it is recommended to ​seal the blocks before grouting. Here's how you can do it:

• While it's not mandatory, we suggest using Penetrating Sealant to preserve the natural clay appearance.
• Apply the sealer by rolling or brushing it onto ONLY the front and back of the blocks, ensuring to avoid the top, bottom, and sides.
• Allow the sealer to dry completely before continuing with the installation process.

Don't forget to seal the blocks, especially if they will be exposed to freezing conditions, as this will help preserve their appearance and structural ​integrity over time.