Exposed brick columns cold air problem?

Hi Brownstoners- We are renovating our apartment and would like to leave the two columns to the left and right of the main windows exposed, surrounded by sheet rock and insulation…our question is this do you think the 6-7 layers of bricks between the apartment and the exterior would still create major draft issues? Thanks! Cat

greencat

in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 6 months ago

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wyckoff | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Once that brick cools down you will get an unpleasant convection draft of cold air coming off that surface for the rest of the winter and into the spring, which really sucks.

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Just insulate all outer walls, leave the inner exposed if you want to see the brick. If you pulled a permit you will need to do so anyway, unless you can show though the energy calculations that the exposed brick will still pass.

brucef | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Most 1840-1890 brownstones have walls three bricks thick. Obviously an Eagle Warehouse wall is much thicker. Brick has a thermal mass, which is not the same as being an insulator. It will take longer for heat to travel out thru masonry, but it will happen. Air infiltration (actual drafts and leaks) are dramatically more harmful than what you eill lose through masonry, but long term you are better off insulating.