Construction Materials Calculator for Brick & Plaster

Construction Calculator

Created by Ir. MD Nursyazwi

This blog post features a handy calculator to help you estimate the materials needed for bricklaying and wall plastering projects.

Brick & Mortar Calculator

Units:

mm inch

Wall Length

mm

Wall Height

mm

Wall Thickness

mm

Mortar Joint Thickness

mm

Brick Length

mm

Brick Height

mm

Brick Thickness

mm

Sand Ratio (e.g. 6 for 1:6)

parts

Bricks Required

0 pcs

Cement Required

0 bags (50kg)

Sand Required

0.00 m³

Water Required

0.00 Liters

Wall Plastering Calculator

Units:

mm inch

Wall Length

mm

Wall Height

mm

Plastering Thickness

mm

Sand Ratio (e.g. 4 for 1:4)

parts

Cement Required

0 bags (50kg)

Sand Required

0.00 m³

Water Required

0.00 Liters

Instructions for Use

This calculator provides an easy way to estimate the materials needed for your construction project. Here's how to use it:

1. **Select your units**: Use the `mm` or `inch` radio buttons at the top of each calculator to choose your preferred unit of measurement.
2. **Enter your dimensions**: For both calculators, start by entering the **Wall Length** and **Wall Height** of your project.
3. **Check the default values**: Some fields, like **Wall Thickness** and **Mortar Joint Thickness**, have common default values already filled in. You can change these to match your specific project.
4. **Click Calculate**: When you are ready, click the `Calculate` button. The results will appear below.
5. **Understanding the outputs**: The results show the estimated number of bricks, cement bags (50kg), sand volume ($m^3$), and water volume (Liters) you will need.
6. **Mortar/Plastering ratios**: The **Sand Ratio** for both calculators refers to the ratio of cement to sand. For example, a value of 6 means a 1:6 ratio (1 part cement to 6 parts sand).

Remember that these are estimates. It's always a good idea to purchase slightly more than the calculated amount to account for unforeseen issues or wastage.

Recommended Reading

Here are a few highly-rated books to help you get a deeper understanding of bricklaying and plastering techniques. These are great resources for both beginners and experienced DIYers.

• Bricklaying:
  • **The Principles of Brick Engineering: Handbook of Design** - A comprehensive guide covering everything from mortar mixing to advanced techniques.
  • **Guide to Successful Brickwork** - The definitive professional guide from the Brick Development Association, packed with modern standards and illustrations.
• Plastering:
  • **Plastering Skills** - An excellent resource for learning fundamental plastering skills, including tool usage and different application methods.