In a city like Detroit, where architecture spans everything from early 20th-century brick homes to modern developments, masonry plays a major role in how buildings look, last, and perform. But beyond durability and curb appeal, there’s another major benefit homeowners often overlook: energy efficiency.
With the rising cost of utilities and growing interest in sustainable building practices, brick and stone construction are more relevant than ever. Whether you’re restoring an older home or improving a newer property, here’s how masonry contributes to energy savings, and why it’s one of the smartest upgrades you can make in Metro Detroit.
How Masonry Improves Energy Efficiency
Brick, stone, and other masonry materials are naturally dense. That means they absorb and store heat, helping to regulate indoor temperatures throughout the year. In a climate like Detroit’s—with freezing winters and hot, humid summers—that thermal mass can significantly reduce the energy needed to heat and cool your home.
When paired with quality insulation and proper tuckpointing, a well-built brick exterior can:
- Maintain more stable indoor temperatures
- Reduce HVAC strain and usage
- Improve overall indoor comfort
- Lower heating and cooling bills
In fact, many older homes in Midtown, Grosse Pointe, and Ferndale were built with solid masonry for exactly this reason—it kept homes livable before modern heating systems were widespread.
Sustainability: Built to Last
There’s a reason so many Detroit neighborhoods still have homes with their original brickwork. Masonry isn’t just efficient—it’s sustainable. Properly maintained brick and stone can last over a century, often outliving the homes themselves.
Compare that to vinyl siding or wood paneling, which often needs to be replaced every 20–30 years and creates more waste. Masonry:
- Requires fewer replacements
- Is made from abundant, natural materials
- Can be repaired (not fully replaced) when damage occurs
- Is fully recyclable and low-waste
When you choose brick or stone repairs over full replacement with synthetic materials, you’re choosing a more sustainable path forward.
Where Detroit Homes Benefit Most
Energy efficiency upgrades don’t always mean replacing your furnace or adding solar panels. Often, improving the envelope of the building—the exterior that holds heat or keeps it out—is a smarter first step. Here’s where we often make the biggest impact in Detroit homes:
- Chimneys and firewalls: Repairing crumbling chimney stacks keeps air from escaping during winter
- Tuckpointing: Replacing deteriorated mortar seals up drafts and moisture leaks
- Lintels and structural cracks: Reinforcing these areas prevents temperature swings and further damage
- Stone veneers: These offer beauty, durability, and extra insulation when installed correctly
If your home was built before 1980 and still has original brick, there’s a good chance it could benefit from repairs that improve both efficiency and structure.
Investing in Smart, Sustainable Masonry
At Detroit Brickwork Brigade, we specialize in brick repair, chimney restoration, tuckpointing, and structural masonry fixes that don’t just look good—they save you money in the long run.
Whether you live in a Grosse Pointe colonial or a Midtown duplex, we tailor our repairs to match your building’s needs, materials, and climate challenges. No guesswork. No shortcuts.
Want to know if your brickwork is helping or hurting your energy bill? Give us a call. We’ll take a look and tell you honestly what’s worth fixing, and what’s still solid.
Because in Detroit, smart masonry isn’t just about curb appeal—it’s about protecting your investment for decades to come.