When we began designing our house, the first big question wasn’t how many rooms it should have, or what colour the facade would be. But rather, what material the wall should be made of. Because, of course, this is not something you can easily change later – once it’s bricked up, it stays there. For decades – or even across generations.
The image shows various wall constructions: small-format brick, ceramic wall block, Ytong, and sand-lime brick.
And naturally, everyone had a different opinion. One acquaintance swore by traditional brick (“they’ve been building with it for a hundred years!”), another praised Ytong (“fast, light, modern!”), while a third spoke about Liapor (“natural, it breathes!”). The sand-lime brick was hardly known, even though it was also among the available options.
So, what if you are not an architectural engineer, are not interested in lambda values or compressive strength, but you would like to know which material will make a good house for you? A home where you don’t feel cold in winter, don’t overheat in summer, the walls remain crack-free, and your energy bills don’t drive you to bankruptcy?
Then this article is for you.
Fired clay brick – the classic you can always rely on
Brick is a material even our great-grandparents knew well. Fired clay, solid and robust, with an inherently reassuring quality. When you build with brick, it feels like you’re creating something enduring—something that will outlast even your grandchildren.
When is brick the right choice?
Brick is strong. Not just in the sense that it won’t collapse (though that’s important too), but also in the sense that it withstands loads. If you’re planning a multi-storey house, brick provides a stable foundation. If a heavy roof structure is added, it doesn’t present a problem. If you live in an area with a higher risk of earthquakes, it’s important to know that all masonry systems—whether brick, Ytong, or Liapor—must incorporate appropriate reinforcement structures (such as reinforced concrete pillars) in accordance with Eurocode 8. While solid brick can handle stress better thanks to its mass, structural reinforcement is always necessary in modern construction—this isn’t dependent on the material, but is a legal requirement. Brick also retains heat exceptionally well. This means that during the day it absorbs warmth, then slowly releases the heat throughout the night. In summer, it’s the other way round: it keeps the home cool by not letting the outdoor heat in as easily, while in autumn it releases warmth more slowly, thus creating a pleasant, balancing effect. This thermal inertia—which is also used in clay houses—ensures a comfortable indoor temperature all year round.
But there’s a small catch…
That solid brick is heavy, and it’s not just the bricklayers’ backs that notice it. It’s a challenging process, so building the walls takes more time. More people, more working hours – which makes it more expensive. And because brick on its own is not the best insulator, you need to add separate insulation. That means extra costs, extra materials, and, naturally, more waste in the end.
The reassuring thing is that brick is a centuries-old technology. Every bricklayer is familiar with it, every designer knows how to work with it, and there are no surprises. What you see is what you get. A brick house is the kind of house your grandfather would understand.
But beware: brick is no longer what it once was!
What I wrote above – the mass, the strength, the heat retention – applies to traditional, solid or slightly porous brick. However, today’s modern fired ceramic masonry elements (such as Porotherm blocks) are quite different.
To enhance thermal insulation, these ceramic blocks have been engineered to be so porous that, by volume, they have become significantly lighter. This is good news from an energy efficiency perspective – they really do insulate better – but there are a few compromises:
- Lower mass = less heat retention. In other words, you don’t get the slow, ‘buffering’ effect that we’re used to with traditional brick.
- Compressive strength is also reduced. Still strong, but not quite as robust as solid brick.
- Sound insulation is also weaker – exactly by as much as there is more air and less material.
On the other hand, modern ceramic blocks have a ground surface, with no dimensional discrepancies, so you can work with precision, and they can even be built without mortar – using PUR foam adhesive. This not only means faster work, but also that minimal construction debris is produced. After all, these bricks can also be cut precisely to size, whether for joints or corner details. There’s no need to mix mortar, scrape, or then shovel rubble together with the bricks into heaps – it’s clean, quick, and precise. So when you say ‘brick’ today, it’s not the same brick as the ones found in old houses. There is a huge difference between the traditional brick and the modern fired ceramic masonry element – we have traded their mass and heat retention for energy efficiency and easier construction.
Environmental footprint
Firing clay is energy-intensive – requiring large kilns and high temperatures. So, producing bricks is not the greenest process. However, the material itself is natural and recyclable (old small bricks are, in fact, sought after during demolition – for decorative purposes), and contains no unusual chemicals. Long lifespan and minimal maintenance – these are also important for sustainability.
Ytong (aerated concrete) – the lightweight champion
Ytong – or more broadly, aerated concrete – has revolutionised the construction industry. It is lightweight, made up of large elements, the wall construction is quick, and it is an excellent thermal insulator by itself. This is a material that modern craftsman builders love, because it is efficient and practical.
When is Ytong a good choice?
Ytong enables a lightning-fast construction pace. A single block is the size of three standard bricks, yet only a third of the weight. It is easy to cut, simple to handle, and with a skilled bricklayer, an entire storey of walls can be up in just a few days. This saves not only money, but time as well – and staying on schedule when a build is nearing completion matters to everyone.
Another major advantage: aerated concrete insulates on its own. Of course, it doesn’t offer the same efficiency as 20 cm insulation, but a 40 cm Ytong wall is already energy efficient even on its own. In many cases, it’s enough to pair it with a thinner layer of external insulation, which lowers costs and reduces material use.
And perhaps best of all: Ytong is non-combustible. It is fire-resistant, does not release harmful substances when burned, and in the event of a fire, it provides a safe haven.
And what about the challenges?
Ytong is lightweight – but that isn’t just an advantage. It is less load-bearing than brick. Heavy objects, such as kitchen cabinets or bookshelves, need to be mounted with special wall plugs, and choosing the wrong type of fixing can lead to problems. A moment’s carelessness, and a piece of the block can break off.
Another drawback: Ytong does not “breathe” as well as clay-based materials. This means that managing humidity becomes a little more complicated – without good ventilation, mould can form more easily, especially in the bathroom or kitchen. However, if you plan the ventilation system carefully (which is now required in new-build homes), this can be resolved.
Environmental footprint
Producing aerated concrete is less energy-intensive than making brick – there is no firing, only steaming. The materials: sand, lime, cement, water, and a little aluminium powder, which forms the pores. Recycling it is more challenging, but not impossible – demolished Ytong can be ground down and reused for other building purposes. Nevertheless, the amount of waste generated during construction is minimal: little cutting, little debris.
Sand-lime brick – the quiet house
Many people are not even familiar with sand-lime brick, yet in Germany and Austria it is one of the most popular masonry materials. Why? Because it is solid, stable, offers good sound insulation, and is also environmentally friendly. (the old brick 2.0)
When is sand-lime brick the right choice?
If peace and quiet matter to you, this material is perfect for you. Thanks to its density, sand-lime brick provides excellent sound insulation—the neighbour’s noise barely gets through, and street sounds have an even harder time entering. This is especially valuable in city homes or houses built in busier locations.
What’s more, sand-lime brick is highly stable. It hardly shrinks or moves—which means there’s a lower risk of cracking. If you want a house where the plaster will not crack even after many years, this could be a good choice.
And what may be surprising: sand-lime brick is not fired. It is simply pressed and steamed – meaning its production requires less energy than that of ceramic bricks. The raw materials are lime and sand – nothing else. It is completely natural, containing no additives whatsoever.
And what about the challenges?
Sand-lime brick is heavy – just like solid ceramic brick. This means slower work, more labour, and that it still requires separate thermal insulation. Furthermore, it is not particularly common, so fewer builders are familiar with it, and it is harder to source. This can make the project more expensive.
However, if you find the right professional and have the budget for it, you will gain a very durable, quiet, and healthy home in return.
Environmental footprint
Silicate brick is one of the greenest options. There is no firing involved, the raw materials are abundant, it is recyclable, and it is durable. Moreover, silicate brick also regulates humidity very well—it breathes, as people often say—so it is less prone to mould. A smart choice if you favour natural construction.
Liapor (expanded clay aggregate block) – the modern hero of natural materials
Liapor is for those who love natural materials but don’t want to forgo the comfort of modern building. Expanded clay aggregate – small, puffed, kiln-fired clay spheres – embedded in concrete. Lightweight, warm, with an unmistakably primal quality.
When is Liapor the right choice?
Liapor offers excellent thermal insulation – far superior to brick and nearly as good as Ytong. Here, though, you aren’t dealing with synthetic materials but with pure clay. This means it breathes, regulates humidity, and creates a healthy, pleasant indoor climate.
Another major advantage: Liapor is lightweight, so the work progresses more quickly than with brick. And as the raw material is clay, which can be reused time and again, its environmental footprint is very small. When dismantled, the clay aggregate can either be returned to nature or repurposed for something else.
Additionally, Liapor is fireproof, insect-resistant, and does not attract rodents. A natural yet modern solution.
And what about the challenges?
Liapor is not as load-bearing as brick or sand-lime brick. If heavy loads are involved – such as multi-storey houses or heavy ceilings – additional reinforcement is required. What’s more, it is less widely used than Ytong or Porotherm, so finding a specialist might be more challenging.
But if you manage it, your reward is an ecological, warm and healthy home.
Environmental footprint
Liapor is one of the most sustainable materials. Clay, water, heat – that’s all it takes. It contains no cement (or very little), no plastic, and no harmful additives. Although the manufacturing process is energy-intensive (foaming), it is still preferable to firing bricks. And at demolition, there is no hazardous waste – everything can be returned to nature.
So which should I choose?
There is no single ‘best’ material. But there is one that is best for you.
Choose brick if…
- Durability and strength are important to you
- You are building a multi-storey house
- You favour traditional solutions
- A longer construction time doesn’t bother you
Choose Ytong if…
- You want to build quickly
- You are aiming for cost-efficiency
- Energy efficiency is important to you
- You are looking for a modern, practical solution
Choose sand-lime brick if…
- Silence and stability are your top priorities
- You are environmentally conscious
- You have the patience to find the right specialist
- You want a durable, crack-free home
Choose Liapor if…
- You want to build with natural materials
- Good thermal insulation and breathable walls are important to you
- Would you like a healthy indoor climate?
- Are you a supporter of green building?
And what does the spirit of the times say about this?
These days, it’s not enough for a house to simply exist. It’s important that it is energy-efficient, does not generate unnecessary waste, and creates a healthy environment inside. Every material has its place in this picture – but one thing is certain: the future favours those who build smartly, efficiently, and naturally.
So before you decide, consider carefully: what kind of house do you want to live in? What kind of house do you want to leave for your descendants? And what can your budget, patience, and surroundings truly handle?
Because a house is not just four walls. A house is a home. And the material it’s built from will define what it’s like to live there for decades.
TL;DR – Brief summary
(Open the arrow if you can´t see it!)
Are you facing the difficult decision of what to build your dream home from? Choosing the right building material is a critical step that will affect the energy performance, lifespan, and construction costs of your home in the long term. In this article, we compare the most popular options in detail: traditional brick, lightweight Ytong, excellent heat-retaining sand-lime brick, and innovative Liaport. We examine the thermal insulation capacity, load-bearing capacity, and difficulty of installation of these materials. Read the expert analysis and make an informed decision about which masonry material will be the best choice for your future home.
In this article, you can read about the following topics:
- Fired clay brick – the classic you can always rely on
- When is brick the right choice?
- But there’s a small catch…
- But beware: brick is no longer what it once was!
- Environmental footprint
- Ytong (aerated concrete) – the lightweight champion
- When is Ytong a good choice?
- And what about the challenges?
- Environmental footprint
- Sand-lime brick – the quiet house
- When is sand-lime brick the right choice?
- And what about the challenges?
- Environmental footprint
- Liapor (expanded clay aggregate block) – the modern hero of natural materials
- When is Liapor the right choice?
- And what about the challenges?
- Environmental footprint
- So which should I choose?
- Choose brick if…
- Choose Ytong if…
- Choose sand-lime brick if…
- Choose Liapor if…
- And what does the spirit of the times say about this?
