Are Wood Bricks a Sustainable Option for DIY Builders?

Between you and me, the world of sustainable building materials can feel like trying to read ancient Roman inscriptions without a decoder ring. Everyone’s throwing around terms like embodied energy, U-values, and thermal mass, and it’s enough to make your head spin — especially if you’re a DIY home builder or renovator watching your budget while wanting to do right by the planet.

Concrete has earned its reputation as the environmental villain of the building world. Its production pumps out a staggering amount of carbon dioxide, and it’s a resource hog. So, many of you have been asking me: “What about wood bricks? Are wood building blocks like faswall blocks or woodcrete the green alternative we’ve been looking for?”

Let’s dig into the nuts and bolts of wood bricks, their pros and cons, and what it www.re-thinkingthefuture.com really means to pick them over concrete or traditional clay bricks. I’ll draw on my 15 years of experience blending classic materials with modern building science to give you a clear-eyed, practical look at this promising—but not perfect—material.

What Exactly Are Wood Bricks?

First off, let’s clear the air on terminology. “Wood bricks” isn’t a single product but rather a category that includes several types of building blocks combining wood or wood fibers with binders or cementitious materials. The most common types you’ll encounter include:

Faswall blocks: These are blocks made from a mix of wood chips or shavings bonded with cement. They’re lightweight and often touted for good insulation. Woodcrete: A blend of sawdust or wood fibers with concrete as the binder. It’s lighter than traditional concrete and claims better insulating properties. Pure wood blocks: Less common, these are compressed wood fibers or engineered wood products formed into brick shapes. They rely on adhesives or mechanical fastening rather than cement.

To give you a real-world frame of reference, standard clay bricks from companies like Glen-Gery or Belden Brick Company typically cost between $0.50 and $2.50 per brick, depending on quality and region. Faswall or woodcrete blocks are often priced similarly or slightly higher due to lower production volumes.

Embodied Energy and Carbon: The True Environmental Cost

Now, let’s tackle the elephant in the room—embodied energy. This is the total energy required to extract, manufacture, transport, and install a building material. It’s the “hidden” carbon footprint before you even switch on your heating or cooling.

Concrete, especially Portland cement, is a notorious carbon emitter. Producing one ton of cement generates roughly one ton of CO2. For bricks, the numbers vary, but traditional fired clay bricks also consume a lot of energy in kiln firing.

Wood bricks or woodcrete typically have a much lower embodied energy because:

Wood is renewable: Trees absorb CO2 as they grow, so the wood fibers in the blocks carry some carbon “credit.” Lower firing energy: Unlike fired bricks, woodcrete blocks don’t require high-temperature kilns. Lightweight transport: These blocks are lighter than concrete, reducing fuel consumption during shipping.

But—and this is a big but—woodcrete still uses a cement binder, and cement production dominates the embodied carbon. Faswall, with its higher wood content and lower cement ratio, generally scores better on embodied carbon than woodcrete. Pure wood blocks have the lowest embodied energy, assuming sustainably harvested wood and minimal synthetic adhesives.

Thermal Performance: What About Insulation and Energy Efficiency?

Insulation value is where wood bricks really shine compared to concrete and even clay bricks. This is often measured by the R-value or its inverse, the U-value. Low U-values indicate better insulation.

Material Typical R-value (per inch) Typical U-value (BTU/hr·ft²·°F) Concrete block 0.1 - 0.2 5.0 - 10.0 Clay brick 0.2 - 0.3 3.3 - 5.0 Woodcrete block 0.5 - 0.7 1.4 - 2.0 Faswall block 0.8 - 1.0 1.0 - 1.3

As you can see, faswall blocks and woodcrete provide significantly better insulation than concrete or clay bricks. This means less reliance on heating and cooling, which translates to lower operational energy and lower utility bills over time—a big deal for budget-conscious DIYers.

Durability and Lifespan: Will Wood Bricks Stand the Test of Time?

Here’s where we have to be pragmatic. Traditional fired clay bricks have been around for thousands of years. I often find myself marveling at Roman brickwork that’s still standing after two millennia—proof that some materials just last.

Wood bricks are newer on the scene and generally don’t have the same track record. The wood fibers can be vulnerable to moisture, insect damage, and decay if not properly protected or treated. Faswall blocks usually have cement binders that help resist weathering, but they’re not as hard or dense as fired brick.

Long-term durability depends heavily on:

Proper sealing and cladding: If you’re building with wood bricks, you’ll want to protect them from direct exposure to rain and ground moisture. Climate: Dry, temperate climates are more forgiving. High humidity or freeze-thaw cycles can cause issues. Construction technique: Good detailing and vapor barriers are essential to prevent moisture ingress.

All told, you might expect a lifespan of 50-75 years with wood bricks, compared to 100+ years for fired bricks if maintained properly. For DIY builders on a budget, this tradeoff can be acceptable, especially if you factor in energy savings.

Cost Considerations: Can Wood Bricks Fit Your Budget?

Cost is often the dealbreaker. Let’s break down the numbers:

Clay bricks: Around $0.50 to $2.50 per brick, depending on quality and region. Concrete blocks: Typically cheaper per unit but require more insulation layer for energy efficiency. Faswall blocks: Usually in the $1.50 to $3.00 per block range—more than concrete but competitive with specialty bricks. Woodcrete: Similar price to faswall, sometimes a bit cheaper depending on supplier.

Installation labor can be similar across the board, but keep in mind that wood bricks’ improved insulation can reduce the need for additional insulation materials, potentially saving money.

Environmental Caveats: Beware of Greenwashing

One pet peeve of mine is the flood of “eco-friendly” products that don’t hold up under scrutiny. Some manufacturers market woodcrete or wood building blocks as “zero carbon” or “climate positive” without full lifecycle analysis. A block made mostly of cement with a sprinkle of sawdust isn’t magic—it still carries a significant carbon footprint.

Always ask for independent environmental product declarations (EPDs) or third-party certifications. And consider the full story—where the wood comes from, how much cement is used, transportation distances, and end-of-life disposal or recyclability.

Practical Tips for DIYers Considering Wood Bricks

Research local suppliers: Availability and pricing vary greatly. Faswall and woodcrete are more common in Europe and parts of North America but may not be easy to source everywhere. Assess your climate: Wood bricks fare better in dry climates. If you’re in a humid or rainy area, plan for robust moisture protection. Combine materials smartly: Use wood bricks for interior walls or non-load-bearing partitions and traditional bricks or concrete for foundations and exterior walls. Don’t skimp on sealing: Proper waterproofing and vapor barriers extend lifespan and performance. Calculate total lifecycle cost: Factor in energy savings from better insulation, potential maintenance costs, and possible shorter lifespan.

Final Thoughts: Are Wood Bricks Worth It?

If you’re an environmentally conscious DIY builder or renovator, wood bricks like faswall blocks or woodcrete offer a compelling middle ground between traditional clay bricks and energy-hungry concrete. They deliver better insulation, lower embodied energy, and a lighter environmental footprint—if sourced and installed thoughtfully.

But remember: no single material is a silver bullet. Wood bricks aren’t as durable as fired bricks, and their carbon advantage depends heavily on cement content and wood sourcing. They’re best seen as part of a broader strategy combining smart design, passive solar principles, and high-performance insulation.

So, if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and embrace a bit of ancient wisdom (and maybe a touch of Roman practicality), wood bricks can be a sustainable, budget-friendly option worth considering. Just keep that worn-out brick in your pocket as a reminder: the best building materials respect the lessons of history while pushing for a greener future.