Brick Vs Steel Frames
Understanding Steel Frame, Brick Veneer and Double Brick Construction
When comparing brick and steel frame homes, it is important to understand that brick and steel don't always serve the same structural role.
A steel-framed home uses an engineered steel frame to form the main wall and roof structure. The exterior can then be finished with brick veneer, lightweight cladding or other materials.
A double brick or masonry home relies much more heavily on masonry walls as part of the building structure.
This means the choice is not always simply “brick or steel”. It may be a comparison between a steel-framed home with brick veneer and a double-brick construction, depending on the design.
Both construction methods can produce durable, high-quality homes, but they differ in cost, construction time, structural weight, design flexibility, maintenance and thermal performance.
In this guide, we compare steel frame and double brick construction to help you choose the option that best suits your project.
Steel Frame vs Double Brick: Cost, Durability and Build Time
Steel frame and double brick construction can both produce durable, high-quality homes, but they differ considerably in how they are built and in the costs, construction time and design flexibility involved.
Cost
Steel framing can be more economical than double brick construction because the structural frame is lightweight, precision-manufactured, and generally requires less material and labour than constructing two masonry walls.
However, the final cost depends on the design, engineering requirements, exterior cladding, site conditions and labour rates. A steel-framed home with brick veneer will also cost more than a steel-framed home finished with lightweight cladding.
Durability
Both systems can provide a long service life when designed and built correctly.
Steel framing will not rot, warp or provide a food source for termites and borers. Brick masonry is also highly durable, but mortar joints and masonry finishes can require maintenance over time.
Construction Time
Light gauge steel frames are manufactured off-site to engineered dimensions and delivered ready for assembly, which can help streamline framing.
Double brick construction is generally more labour-intensive because masonry walls are built progressively on site and require additional time for laying, curing and associated trades.
Design Flexibility
Steel framing can be custom-engineered for a wide variety of residential designs, including large openings, complex roof forms, and contemporary architectural layouts.
Brick construction can also accommodate many designs, but masonry's weight and construction method can introduce different structural and foundation requirements.
Appearance
The structural framing system does not necessarily determine how the finished home looks.
A steel-framed home can use brick veneer, lightweight cladding, render or a combination of exterior finishes. This means homeowners can achieve the appearance of a traditional brick home while using steel as the primary structural frame.
Want to explore the benefits of steel framing in more detail?
Australian Steel Framing manufactures engineered light gauge steel wall frames, roof trusses and flooring systems for residential and commercial projects across Newcastle, the Central Coast and broader NSW.
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Potential Drawbacks of Double Brick Construction
Double brick construction can produce durable, attractive homes with good acoustic performance and thermal mass. However, compared with lightweight steel frame construction, practical considerations can affect cost, construction time, and design.
Higher Construction Costs
Double brick construction generally requires more masonry materials and on-site labour than lightweight framed construction. The additional wall weight can also affect footing and foundation requirements.
Actual costs depend on the building design, site conditions, labour rates and materials selected, so the most useful comparison is between complete project specifications rather than material prices alone.
Longer Construction Time
Double brick walls are built progressively on site, making the process more dependent on labour availability, weather and sequencing between trades.
Steel frames are manufactured to engineered dimensions before delivery and can be assembled relatively quickly once they arrive on site, helping streamline the structural stage of construction.
Greater Structural Weight
Masonry construction is considerably heavier than light gauge steel framing.
That additional weight may influence footing design and foundation requirements, particularly on sites with challenging soil conditions or where reducing structural weight is advantageous.
Thermal Performance Depends on the Complete Wall System
Brick has useful thermal mass, allowing it to absorb and release heat gradually. However, thermal performance depends on much more than the wall material alone.
Insulation, glazing, orientation, ventilation, shading, and overall building design all contribute to a home's energy efficiency. Both double-brick and steel-frame homes can achieve strong thermal performance when designed and insulated appropriately.
Wall Thickness and Internal Floor Area
Double brick walls are generally thicker than lightweight framed walls. For buildings with the same external dimensions, this can reduce usable internal floor area.
The actual difference will depend on the wall system, insulation, cladding and architectural design.
Alterations Can Be More Involved
Brick construction can accommodate a wide range of architectural styles, so I would remove the current claim about “limited options”.
However, future alterations such as creating new openings or changing structural walls can be more involved in masonry construction than modifying some lightweight framed systems.
Ongoing Maintenance
Brickwork is generally low maintenance, but it is not completely maintenance-free. Mortar joints, sealants and other masonry details may require inspection or repair over the life of the building.
Where Steel Framing Can Offer Advantages
Steel framing offers several practical advantages over double brick construction, particularly where speed, structural weight and design flexibility matter.
Faster Structural Construction
Steel frames are precision-manufactured off-site and delivered ready for assembly, reducing on-site fabrication.
Lightweight Construction
Light gauge steel framing is significantly lighter than masonry construction, which can reduce structural loads and may simplify some footing and foundation requirements.
Design Flexibility
Steel framing can be engineered for large openings, complex roof forms, long spans and a wide range of architectural designs.
Termite and Rot Resistance
Steel provides no food source for termites or borers and will not rot, helping reduce long-term maintenance risks associated with other framing materials.
Compatible With Brick Veneer
Choosing a steel frame does not mean giving up the appearance of a brick home. Brick veneer can be installed over a steel-framed structure, allowing homeowners to combine a steel structural frame with a traditional brick exterior.
Brick vs Steel Frames FAQs
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Steel framing can be more economical than double brick construction because it is lightweight, precision manufactured and generally requires less on site masonry labour. However, the final cost depends on the design, site conditions, cladding, engineering and labour rates.
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Double brick homes primarily rely on masonry walls rather than a lightweight structural frame. Some parts of the building, such as the roof structure or internal elements, may still use timber or steel framing depending on the design.
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Yes. A steel framed home can use brick veneer as the external finish. In this type of construction, the steel frame provides the main structural support while the brick veneer forms the exterior cladding.
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No. Brick veneer uses a single outer layer of brick attached to a framed structure, while double brick construction uses two masonry wall layers with a cavity between them.
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Steel framing is generally faster through the structural stage because frames are manufactured off site and delivered ready for assembly. Double brick construction requires more progressive on site masonry work.
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Both can have a long service life when correctly designed, constructed and maintained. Steel framing offers resistance to termites, borers and rot, while brick masonry is highly durable but may require maintenance to mortar joints and other masonry details over time.
Summary: Brick vs Steel Frames
Both double brick and steel frame construction can produce durable, high-quality homes, but they suit different project priorities.
Double brick construction offers strong acoustic performance, thermal mass and a traditional masonry finish, but it is generally heavier, more labour-intensive and can take longer to construct.
Light gauge steel framing offers a lighter structural system, precision manufacturing, design flexibility and resistance to termites, borers and rot. It can also be combined with brick veneer, allowing homeowners to achieve a traditional brick appearance without relying on double brick construction.
The right choice depends on your budget, design, site conditions, construction timeline, and preferred wall system.
If you’re planning a residential project and would like advice on whether steel framing is suitable for your design, contact Australian Steel Framing to discuss your plans and request a quote.
Recommended Reading
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