Brick vs Block for Florida Homes | First Coast Masonry

Walk through any established Jacksonville neighborhood and you will see both: classic red brick homes built in the 1950s and 60s, and the concrete block construction that has dominated Florida residential building for decades since. Both are masonry. Both are durable. But they are not the same thing, and the choice between them matters more in Florida than it does in most other states.

Here is a practical breakdown of how brick and block compare — how they are made, how they perform in Florida’s specific conditions, what each costs in relative terms, and how to think through which one makes sense for your project.

How Brick and Block Are Made

Understanding the difference starts with what you are actually buying.

Fired clay brick is made from clay that is molded and kiln-fired at high temperatures. The result is a dense, hard unit with relatively low absorption — typically around 5 to 8 percent. The firing process gives brick its characteristic color variation and surface texture. Quality brick is uniform in dimension and strength, but individual units vary slightly in shade, which is part of the aesthetic appeal.

Concrete masonry units (CMU), commonly called concrete block or cinder block, are made from Portland cement, aggregate, and water — pressed into molds and cured. They are larger than brick, typically 8x8x16 inches, and hollow, which affects both weight and structural properties. Standard CMU has higher water absorption than brick, but specialty units with water-resistant admixtures are available and widely used in Florida.

Each material has different physical properties, and those properties interact with Florida’s climate in specific ways.

Strength and Wind Resistance in Florida

Both brick and reinforced block work can meet Florida’s demanding wind load requirements. The key word is reinforced — the Florida Building Code requires that masonry walls in many applications be built with rebar and grout-filled cells to achieve the needed structural performance.

Reinforced CMU construction has been the dominant structural masonry system in Florida for decades precisely because it performs well under the engineering and inspection requirements here. The hollow cells allow for vertical rebar placement and grout fill, creating a monolithic wall system that handles lateral wind loads effectively.

Brick is primarily a veneer material in modern Florida construction — a single wythe (layer) of brick applied over a backup structure, whether that is frame, CMU, or steel stud. Full brick structural walls are rare in new Florida residential construction. When you see a “brick home” in Jacksonville, you are usually looking at brick veneer over a wood or block structure.

For purely structural applications — retaining walls, load-bearing walls, hurricane-resistant enclosures — CMU is the standard in Florida.

Thermal Performance in Florida’s Heat

Florida’s climate demands thermal performance that is the reverse of what most of the country worries about. The challenge here is keeping heat out, not keeping it in.

CMU has meaningful thermal mass. The block walls absorb heat during the day and release it slowly, which can reduce peak cooling loads. This effect is more pronounced in thicker walls and in walls with insulated cores. Properly designed CMU construction in Florida performs well thermally — which is part of why it became the standard.

Brick veneer over a frame wall can also perform well, but the thermal performance depends mostly on the insulation in the wall cavity behind it. The brick itself provides some thermal mass, but the dominant thermal driver is the cavity insulation, not the brick.

For new construction in Florida, CMU with insulated cores or exterior continuous insulation is a well-tested system. Both materials can achieve the insulation values required by the Florida Energy Code when properly designed.

Cost Comparison

Without quoting specific numbers — which vary by project scope, labor market, and material availability — brick consistently costs more than block for equivalent structural applications. Several factors drive this:

Unit size — Brick units are much smaller than CMU. A mason lays far fewer brick per hour than block, which means more labor for equivalent square footage.

Skilled labor — Bricklaying is a more specialized skill. The aesthetic requirements for exposed brick work — consistent joint width, clean tooling, proper color blending — demand experience.

Material cost — Quality face brick, especially specialty colors or textures, commands a premium. Standard CMU is a commodity product priced accordingly.

For brick masonry work — walls, pillars, mailbox surrounds, facades — budget for the premium. For structural applications where the block will be stuccoed, clad, or hidden, block is almost always the more cost-effective choice.

Aesthetic and Design Flexibility

This is where brick has a genuine advantage that no performance specification captures.

The warmth of exposed brick is difficult to replicate. Jacksonville has a significant inventory of brick homes and commercial buildings, and the character of those buildings is tied directly to the material. Brick weathers in a way that improves over time. It patinas. The mortar joints develop subtle texture. A well-built brick wall looks better at 50 years than it did at 5.

Block, by its nature, requires a finish coating if it is to be exposed. Painted block, split-face block, and stucco over CMU all have their uses and can look excellent. But they do not have the inherent textural depth of face brick.

Design flexibility for brick: hundreds of colors, textures, and laying patterns. Herringbone, running bond, Flemish bond, soldier courses — the pattern options are extensive. For architectural features, columns, accent walls, and facades where appearance matters, brick gives a designer and a homeowner more to work with.

CMU offers its own design range — split-face, ground-face, fluted, and specialty units all provide texture options. But for pure aesthetic richness, brick has the edge.

Which to Choose for Your Project

The choice depends on what you are building and what you are prioritizing.

Choose reinforced CMU block when:

You need structural walls — foundations, load-bearing walls, hurricane-resistant enclosures
The masonry will be covered with stucco, stone veneer, or other cladding
You are building a retaining wall
First cost efficiency is the primary driver
The project must meet specific engineering requirements

Choose brick when:

Aesthetics are a primary driver and you want exposed masonry
You are matching or restoring existing brick on the property
You are building accent features — columns, pillars, mailbox surrounds, outdoor fireplace faces
You want a material that improves visually over decades
The project is in a neighborhood with existing brick character worth preserving

Many Jacksonville projects use both: a reinforced CMU structural shell with a brick veneer exterior, combining structural performance with the aesthetic of exposed brick. This is a common and proven system in Florida residential construction.

At First Coast Masonry, we work with both materials daily. The right answer depends on your project, your site, and your goals — not on a general preference. We will tell you what makes sense.

FAQ

Is brick stronger than block? Not inherently. Reinforced CMU construction meets the same structural requirements as reinforced brick masonry, and in Florida the engineering standards require reinforcement for both. The structural system matters more than the material alone.

Does brick or block hold up better in Florida’s humidity? Both hold up well when properly installed with appropriate mortar and detailing. Brick has lower inherent water absorption than standard CMU. However, proper flashing, weep holes, and mortar selection matter more than the face material choice in determining long-term moisture performance.

Why do so many Florida homes use block instead of brick? CMU became the dominant Florida residential building material because it is cost-effective at scale, structurally efficient for wind load requirements, and well-suited to the state’s labor market. The speed of CMU construction on large subdivisions drove adoption. It does not mean block is superior — it means it fit the economics of post-war Florida growth.

Can I add brick to a block home? Yes, and it is a common renovation. Brick veneer can be applied over existing CMU or frame construction to change the appearance of a home exterior, add character to feature walls, or create architectural details. Contact us to discuss what is involved for your specific situation.

Is block or brick better for a retaining wall? For structural retaining walls, CMU with rebar and grout fill is the standard. It is engineered for the lateral loads involved. Brick is not typically used for structural retaining applications in modern construction.

First Coast Masonry serves Jacksonville and the surrounding First Coast communities. Contact us to discuss which masonry approach is right for your project.

Brick vs Block: Which Is Better for Florida Homes