Unlike many commercial brick buildings constructed before seismic codes were initiated, all-brick houses should withstand earthquakes because they are built with reinforced masonry, Seizinger said. The walls are standard walls that are found in any wood-frame home. But we didn't re-invent the wheel. We are taking commercial methods and applying them to residential construction. Buyers who worry that brick will crumble in the Northwest's rain and freezing temperatures can relax, builders say.
Building codes require contractors to use brick manufactured to withstand severe weather.
Some builders also apply an exterior sealant to maintain longevity. Builders also list sound-proofing and insulation factors as added benefits to brick. Walls consisting of six-inch thick brick, two inches of insulation, an inch of air space, and interior gypsum paneling will mask most any outside noise. Additionally, in the winter, heat absorbed by the brick during the day is drawn into the cool house by night. In the summer, the process reverses, and heat escapes through the brick.