How to insulate brick buildings???

[Noah McPherson]

So, we have a bare interior brick wall to insulate. How would you typically do that? The reason I ask is because I'm not sure if there's something we'd need to do to prevent moisture from building up.

[Tyler Simone]

Hello Noah, 

A few things to note, This is a tricky topic that can have lasting and expensive repercussions depending on the approach to insulation of masonry structures. If you have brick on the outside and brick on the inside you have a structural masonry building. This is made up of typically 2-3 Wythe (layers of brick). Given that you are in a cold climate, this further complicated the matter. Insulating brick structures on the outside is always the best option but not always possible. For example if you want to see the brick or if the historical society will not allow you to cover the brick. Thus insulating on the inside is typically done. The key to insulating a masonry structure is you still need to allow the brick to give off the moisture that it takes on. Masonry is a reservoir cladding and thus absorbs a lot of water. My suggestion would be the same as the article i have linked below.

From inside to outside:

1.Brick structure

2.Fluid applied water control layer. Must be vapor semi permeable

3. Rock wool mineral wool insulation

4.Interior framing

5. Wall finish (Gypsum wall board) 

See that attached presentation by building science corporation for a ton more information 

https://www.buildingscience.co...