01 / What this tool does
Open Masonry & Blocks Pro to estimate bricks, masonry mortar, plaster and costs for a wall segment. The interface follows Set up → Check → Order materials, with an elevation drawing to inspect openings and lintels before reviewing quantities.
This walkthrough was checked against the live interface and report in version 1.0.0 on 20 October 2026. It demonstrates inputs and checks; the default values are not installation specifications.
02 / Choose a preset and check actual brick dimensions
Choose the nominal 110 hollow-brick wall preset and expand the brick and mortar-joint settings. Use mm and check these example inputs:
| Input | Example |
|---|---|
| Wall length × height | 6,000 × 3,000 mm |
| Wall structure | Single leaf |
| Brick length × width × height | 180 × 80 × 80 mm |
| Bed / vertical joint | 10 / 10 mm |
| Plaster | 2 faces, 15 mm per face |
| Waste allowance | 5% |
The nominal “110” preset does not mean the masonry itself is 110 mm thick. Here, 80 mm of brick plus two 15 mm plaster coats gives 110 mm overall. Enter the manufacturer's actual unit dimensions when changing products.
03 / Position openings and lintels
Expand the openings and lintels section. X runs from the left wall edge; Y runs from the wall base to the bottom of the opening.
| Opening | Width × height | X / Y |
|---|---|---|
| Door | 900 × 2,100 mm | 800 / 0 mm |
| Window | 1,200 × 1,200 mm | 3,400 / 1,000 mm |
The example uses 200 mm bearing at each side and 200 mm lintel height. Lintel lengths are 1.3 m and 1.6 m, totalling 2.9 m. These are illustrative application inputs, not structural sizing recommendations. Bearings, sections and reinforcement must follow the structural design.
Check the drawing for incorrect coordinates or openings outside the wall, and resolve the application's warnings before using the output.
04 / Separate masonry area from plaster area
For the two non-overlapping openings in this example:
- Gross wall area: 6 × 3 = 18 m².
- Opening area: 0.9 × 2.1 + 1.2 × 1.2 = 3.33 m².
- Lintel area deducted from bricks: 0.58 m².
- Net masonry area: 18 − 3.33 − 0.58 = 14.09 m².
- Two-face plaster area: (18 − 3.33) × 2 = 29.34 m².
Lintels reduce brick quantities, but their faces still receive plaster. Multiplying net masonry area by two therefore gives the wrong plaster area. The 29.34 m² figure excludes opening reveals.
With the same brick dimensions, joints and waste allowance, version 1.0.0 shows 866 bricks to order. This is a check value for this specific example; changing inputs or rates changes the result.
05 / Review mortar, mix assumptions and prices
Expand the assumed rates and unit prices before ordering. Check waste, cement per cubic metre of mortar, sand, brick prices and labour. For AAC, also check the product's adhesive consumption.
Mortar does not include filling hollow brick cores. M50/M75/M100 labels and default mixes do not independently guarantee strength; use approved project rates, mixes and supplier quotations. Displayed costs exclude delivery, VAT, scaffolding and reinforced-concrete structural items.
06 / Export drawings and material orders
- Use SVG or PNG below the drawing to save the elevation.
- Use the Excel material order control to export the material list.
- Open the report / print / PDF preview to review five A4 pages: overview, budget, material order, drawing and assumptions.
- In the preview, use Print / Save PDF after checking the item name, units and exclusions.
The report's material-order page omits prices. Verify product specifications and quantities before sending it to a supplier.
07 / Continue with finishes
Use the links to Paint, Wall tiles or LuBan opening dimensions when needed. The application passes area through the URL; if the destination does not consume it, enter the displayed square metres manually. Two-face plaster area is not automatically the correct paint or tile area: choose the actual faces and finish scope.
08 / Check before ordering
Match wall dimensions, units and openings to project documents. Take off reveals, cut bricks, connections, stiffeners and columns separately where required. Dashed stiffener/column suggestions are prompts for an engineer's review, not a structural design.
Open the tool and try the example or read the Masonry & Blocks Pro overview.