Solid wall
Solid wall (sometimes a called a massive wall) refers to a construction of a single primary material in one layer, or different layered materials that make up a solid wall thickness. As opposed to a cavity wall which is built in layers with at least a central gap filled with air or an air entrained insulation material, to improve weathering resistance or thermal performance.
Solid wall construction might be described as the simplest type of wall construction, although some layered solid wall constructions may also be relatively complex in their own way. It is usually most common on historic buildings, or agricultural or out buildings that do not have thermal performance requirements.
The most common forms were made with natural stone, as well as processed blocks or fired bricks. In general single skin brick walls have bricks laying side by side, whilst thicker two skin walls are intermingled with header bricks used as ties, though these may or may not contain a cavity.
Other construction methods, often found on very early vernacular buildings that are made up of a single consistent layer throughout their thickness are cob, adobe, rammed earth as well as straw (bale), reed and grass, these may also referred to as solid construction.
In 2015 the UK Government reported that of the 26 million existing homes in the United Kingdom, over 8 million had solid walls or around 30%, in 2020 the UK Governments "Household Energy Efficiency detailed release" reported that 9% of all properties with solid walls were insulated.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accredited construction details ACDs.
- Barrier wall system.
- Brick.
- Bricklayer.
- Building damp-free cavity walls.
- Bullseye window.
- Cavity wall insulation.
- Cavity tray.
- Cold bridge.
- Coping and capping
- Crosswall construction.
- Damp proof course.
- Defects in brickwork.
- Defects in stonework.
- Dew point.
- How to lay bricks.
- Insulation.
- Interstitial condensation.
- Masonry.
- Parapet.
- Pistol brick.
- Preventing wall collapse.
- Rainscreen.
- Solid walls to cavity walls, a brief history.
- Solid wall insulation.
- The cavity wall real performance question.
- Treating brickwork with sealant or water repellent.
- Types of brick.
- Types of brick bonding.
- Vapour barrier.
- Wall plate.
- Wall ties.
- Wall tie failure.
- Wall types.
Featured articles and news
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.
Cutting carbon, cost and risk in estate management
Lessons from Cardiff Met’s “Halve the Half” initiative.
Inspiring the next generation to fulfil an electrified future
Technical Manager at ECA on the importance of engagement between industry and education.
Repairing historic stone and slate roofs
The need for a code of practice and technical advice note.
Environmental compliance; a checklist for 2026
Legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates to be aware of.
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Some of the articles relating to water, here to browse. Any missing?
Recognisable Gothic characters, designed to dramatically spout water away from buildings.
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this.