Breeze Block Petalo

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, a decorative breeze block for any 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.

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

Our Breeze Block Installation guideline is designed to offer broad recommendations.

We encourage consulting with a professional mason or installer who can provide personalized advice tailored to your specific project. We don’t provide detailed installation plans as this is usually the responsibility of the installer, architect, engineer or other hired professionals. They should be able to offer customized plans, installation specifics, and reinforcements to help ensure your installation goes smoothly.

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 constructing a breeze block wall, it is essential to begin with a solid and stable foundation. While concrete is the most common and recommended
base for these projects, all freestanding masonry walls require a concrete footing or skirt.

• A general guideline for determining the footing size is to make it three times the width of the breeze block and 2 inches for every foot of wall height.
  This is a typical rule but may not be universally applicable.

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 the blocks. An effective method is to anchor the blocks to the floor and ​two walls for added stability.

While these are recommended techniques, there are various 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. This can be achieved by using interior ​reinforcement to connect to existing structures. Interior 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 installation method, it's important to decide what type of interior reinforcement will work for the ​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.

It is recommended to seal the blocks if they will be exposed to freezing conditions to help preserve their appearance and ​integrity over time.