How many brick in a single skin garage

Garages are tough spaces, which is exactly why the right approach matters. We will keep it practical, focusing on what tends to work in real homes and what usually causes bother later. Before you dive too far in, it can help to glance at the garage door locks landing page so you know what is available if your project involves the door hardware.

Working out how many brick you need for a single skin garage helps you budget accurately and avoid costly material shortages. This guide explains the calculation in clear UK terms with practical examples.

Knowing how many brick you need for a single skin garage is essential when planning a new build, extension, or renovation. Whether you are building the garage yourself or obtaining quotes from tradespeople the brick quantity affects the overall cost of materials, delivery, mortar, labour expectations, and scheduling. A single skin garage is one of the most common small building structures across the UK and is often built using standard facing brick or dense concrete brick. Because garages vary in size and opening layout there is no single universal number. However once you understand how brick calculations work the process is straightforward.

This guide explains what a single skin garage is, who typically builds them, how brick calculations are done, real world examples from UK properties, planning and building regulation considerations, cost impacts, alternatives to brick construction, and a full step by step breakdown showing how to calculate the exact number of bricks needed for different garage sizes.

By the end you will be able to estimate materials confidently and avoid ordering too little or too much.

What a single skin garage is

A single skin garage is a structure built using a single thickness of brick or block rather than a cavity wall. In traditional house construction exterior walls are built with an inner and outer leaf separated by a cavity. In a single skin garage the wall consists of one leaf only.

Single skin garages are common throughout the UK because they are economical, quick to construct, and suitable for outbuildings that are not heated or insulated. They are usually built with standard bricks in stretcher bond or with concrete blocks depending on finish and budget.

A typical single skin wall is 102.5 mm thick when using standard brick. Mortar joints are normally 10 mm. The wall may be reinforced or tied to columns in exposed areas.

Who builds or benefits from single skin garages

Single skin garages are popular across a wide range of UK homeowners and developers:

People adding a cost effective new garage to a property
Landlords improving rental properties
Self builders wanting a practical outbuilding for vehicles
Homeowners needing garden storage or hobby space
Tradespeople creating small workshops
Developers building estate houses where the garage is detached or semi detached
People replacing an older timber or asbestos garage with a longer lasting structure

Because single skin garages are structurally simple they are cost efficient compared with more complex brick and block cavity constructions.

How brick calculations work in a garage

To calculate how many brick you need for a single skin garage you must understand three things:

The standard size of a UK brick
How walls are measured
How openings affect brick quantities

A UK standard brick measures 215 mm long, 102.5 mm wide, and 65 mm high. Mortar joints add 10 mm horizontally and vertically. This means one brick laid in stretcher bond covers an area of roughly 225 mm by 75 mm.

There are approximately 60 bricks per square metre of single skin wall. This is the key figure used in most UK brick calculations.

Once you know the total square metre area of wall you simply multiply it by 60 to find the number of brick required. You must also allow for waste, cuts, and breakages. A standard allowance is an extra 5 to 10 percent.

Garage openings such as doors and windows reduce the amount of brick required. These should be measured separately and subtracted from the wall area.

Real world examples from UK garages

Single skin garages come in many sizes. Here are examples showing typical brick requirements.

A small 2.4 m by 4.8 m garage with a single up and over door may need around 1,800 to 2,000 brick.
A medium 3 m by 6 m garage with a rear window and a side personnel door often needs around 2,200 to 2,600 brick.
A double garage built as single skin but with steel columns for strengthening may require 4,000 to 4,500 brick.
A garage with a pitched roof requires more brick at the gable ends while a flat roof structure uses fewer.
A garage with two small windows will require fewer brick than one with no openings but still needs allowance for lintels and reveals.

These are examples only. The exact quantity relies on accurate measurement.

Planning and building regulation considerations

Although brick calculations themselves are straightforward you must consider planning rules and building regulations when constructing a garage.

Planning permission

Many single skin garages fall under permitted development if:

The height does not exceed 2.5 m at the eaves and 4 m at the ridge
The floor area does not exceed 30 m²
The garage is not forward of the principal elevation
The garage is not in a conservation area or designated land

Always check local planning rules.

Building regulations

Detached single skin garages under 30 m² usually do not require building regulations approval provided they are non habitable and built from non combustible materials. If the garage is attached to the house or used for more than simple storage building regulations may apply.

Structural considerations

Single skin walls need piers, reinforced corners, or steel frames if they exceed certain lengths. This affects the brick count slightly because piers increase overall material use.

Damp protection

A single skin wall is not insulated so damp protection measures such as waterproof coatings or damp proof courses must be included.

The cost impact of brick quantities

Brick quantities influence more than just material cost. They affect:

Number of mortar bags or sand and cement needed
Labour time because more brick means longer build duration
Scaffolding or tower requirements depending on height
Lintel costs for openings
Waste disposal if offcuts are significant

Standard facing brick cost between £350 and £650 per thousand in the UK depending on style and region. Concrete brick cost less. Therefore miscalculating by even a small margin can affect the total budget.

Alternatives to a brick built single skin garage

Some homeowners choose alternatives such as:

Concrete block walls which use fewer units than brick
Timber frame garages clad in timber or composite boards
Prefabricated concrete panel garages
Steel frame garages
Cavity wall construction for better insulation if the garage will be heated

Concrete block is the closest alternative. Blocks are larger so you need fewer per square metre.

Step by step calculation: How many brick in a single skin garage

Below is a clear method suitable for any garage size.

Step 1. Measure the outside dimensions

Record the length and width of the garage. For example:

Length: 6 m
Width: 3 m
Height to eaves: 2.4 m

Step 2. Calculate the perimeter

Perimeter = (Length x 2) + (Width x 2)
For a 6 m by 3 m garage:
(6 + 6 + 3 + 3) = 18 m

Step 3. Multiply perimeter by height

18 m perimeter x 2.4 m height = 43.2 m² of wall area

Step 4. Subtract openings

Garage door opening example:
2.2 m wide x 2.1 m high = 4.62 m²
Window example:
1 m x 1 m = 1 m²
Side door:
0.9 m x 2 m = 1.8 m²

Total openings = 7.42 m²

43.2 m² minus 7.42 m² = 35.78 m² actual brickwork area

Step 5. Multiply wall area by 60 brick per m²

35.78 x 60 = 2,147 brick

Step 6. Add waste allowance

Add 5 to 10 percent.
10 percent of 2,147 is 214
Total = around 2,350 brick

This is a realistic quantity for a medium single skin garage.

Example calculations for popular garage sizes

Small single garage 2.4 m by 4.8 m

Perimeter = 14.4 m
Height = 2.2 m
Wall area = 31.68 m²
Minus 4.62 m² for door = 27.06 m²
Brick count = 27.06 x 60 = 1,623
With 10 percent waste = approx 1,800 brick

Medium garage 3 m by 6 m with side door and window

As calculated earlier approx 2,300 to 2,400 brick

Double garage 6 m by 6 m

Perimeter = 24 m
Height = 2.4 m
Wall area = 57.6 m²
Double garage door opening approx 4.8 m x 2.1 m = 10.08 m²
Brick area = 47.52 m²
Brick count = 47.52 x 60 = 2,851
Add waste = approx 3,150 brick

If the double garage has two single doors instead of one large opening the brick count increases slightly because lintels and reveals take more brick.

Tall garage with pitched roof gables

If the gable ends rise above eaves level you must add the triangular sections.

Gable triangle area = (width x height to apex) ÷ 2
These triangles often add an extra 200 to 500 brick depending on size.

Factors that change brick quantity

Several real world factors can change brick usage:

Brick size variations

Most UK brick are standard but some handmade or heritage brick are slightly larger or smaller. This affects the brick per m² figure.

Mortar joint thickness

If the mortar joints are thicker than 10 mm fewer brick are needed. Thinner joints increase the number.

Bond pattern

Stretcher bond is most common for single skin garages. Decorative patterns use more brick.

Wall strengthening

If piers or buttresses are added more brick are required.

Internal features

Some garages include small internal dividing walls or blockwork frames which reduce the number of brick but increase block count.

Frost protection height

In exposed areas the first few courses may use engineering brick which affects cost but not usually the number.

Tips for ordering the right number of brick

These practical tips help ensure accuracy and reduce waste.

Always measure externally not internally
Double check opening sizes especially garage doors
Confirm roof design early because gables affect brick count
Order slightly more brick if using handmade or reclaimed products
Try to buy all brick from the same batch to avoid colour variation
Allow extra brick if walls include decorative features
Include corner and pier details in the calculation
Keep a small number of spare brick for future repairs

Being cautious with allowances prevents delays during construction.

Common problems when calculating brick quantities

Underestimating openings

Garage doors vary. A standard up and over door may be smaller than a sectional or roller door.

Forgetting gables

Many first time estimators forget the triangular gable walls on pitched roof garages.

Ignoring mortar joint variations

If the bricklayer uses different joint thickness this affects the final count.

Not including waste

Brick breakage, cuts, and chipped edges are normal on site.

Using internal rather than external measurements

Internal dimensions give an inaccurate result because brick are placed outside the line of the slab.

When to call a professional

A builder or quantity surveyor can help if:

The garage includes structural steelwork
You are unsure how openings are formed
You want an exact materials list for a tender
The garage design includes piers or complex features
The ground level varies around the garage
You need calculations for building control submission

Professionals can also provide advice on brick type, engineering brick requirements, and wall stability.

Conclusion: how many brick in a single skin garage

Although every garage is different most single skin garages fall within predictable ranges using the standard figure of 60 bricks per square metre.

A small garage usually needs around 1,600 to 1,900 brick
A medium garage typically needs 2,200 to 2,500 brick
A double garage often needs 3,000 to 3,500 brick

The exact number depends on height, openings, gables, piers, brick size, and mortar joints. Once you measure the walls and subtract openings the calculation becomes straightforward. With good planning and a suitable waste allowance you can order materials confidently and keep the project running smoothly.

If you would like to keep your garage project joined up, a couple of related reads make the next step easier. You can also dip into the locks and handles help hub for broader support, then carry on with How Many People Use There Garage For A Car and How To Insulate A Garage for two useful follow ons.