With construction costs continuing to climb across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, architects and builders alike are constantly searching for ways to trim budgets without sacrificing aesthetics or quality. At Altiers, we understand how frustrating it is to see your perfect brick wall design get value-engineered out of the plans. But cutting costs doesn't have to mean compromising your vision.

Here are three expert-backed strategies to save money on your brick wall design—without swapping out that beautiful brick you love.

1. Upgrade the Size, Not the Budget

One of the most overlooked ways to reduce wall system costs is by increasing brick size. Larger brick formats, like Interstate Brick’s Emperor (4"x2-¼"x16"), cover more area per unit, meaning fewer bricks and fewer labor hours.

Why It Works:

• Fewer bricks needed = reduced material costs.

• Faster installation = lower labor charges.

• Ideal for large facades = amplified savings on commercial and institutional projects.

Think of it like laying two modular bricks at once—your installer will thank you, and so will your budget.

📌 Explore the Emperor Brick

2. Rethink the Structure

Choosing the right structural solution can deliver major savings, especially for tall walls and large-scale buildings. Here are three innovative alternatives:

• Structural Brick (e.g., Interstate’s Atlas): Supports itself and eliminates the need for costly backup systems. Bonus—it's interior-ready too.

• Thin Brick Veneer (e.g., King Klinker): Lighter, easier to install, and doesn’t require angle irons or heavy-duty foundations.

• Precast Panels with Embedded Brick (e.g., MetroBrick): Greatly accelerates project timelines—construction schedules can improve by up to 70%.

💡 Pro Tip: This was the solution used in the James Cancer Center project at Ohio State, where precast saved both time and money while maintaining premium aesthetics.

3. Skip the Fancy Mortar

While custom-colored mortars like white or buff can elevate a look, they come with a hefty price tag. Instead, consider standard grey mortar.

Why it’s budget-smart:

• Compatible with most brick colors, especially deep tones like Interstate’s Ironstone.

• Significantly reduces material costs without diminishing the visual impact.

Unless the mortar color is central to your design aesthetic, this is an easy win for the wallet.

Ready to Estimate Your Savings?

If you're curious how these swaps could benefit your next design in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville, or anywhere in the tri-state, we’d be happy to run a quick cost comparison tailored to your spec.