What does bricked up mean

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Last updated: April 4, 2026

Quick Answer: To 'brick up' something means to seal it off or block it with bricks and mortar. This is often done to permanently close off a doorway, window, or an entire room, rendering it inaccessible.

Key Facts

Bricking up involves using bricks and mortar to permanently seal an opening.
It's a method used to block off access to spaces like doorways, windows, or rooms.
The process renders the sealed area inaccessible.
Historically, it was sometimes used for security, structural reasons, or to hide something.
Modern uses include renovation, structural modification, or preventing entry.

What Does 'Bricked Up' Mean?

The term "bricked up" is a common idiom used to describe the act of sealing something off permanently using bricks and mortar. When a doorway, window, or even an entire room is "bricked up," it means that an opening has been filled in with bricks in such a way that it can no longer be used for entry or exit. This process effectively makes the space inaccessible, as if it were part of the solid wall.

Historical Context and Reasons for Bricking Up

Throughout history, there have been various reasons for bricking up openings:

Security and Defense: In older buildings, especially castles or fortified homes, doorways or windows might have been bricked up to enhance security against invaders. This would create a more solid and defensible wall.
Structural Modifications: When buildings were renovated or repurposed, certain entrances or windows might have become obsolete or structurally unsound. Bricking them up would provide a permanent solution, integrating the area back into the main wall structure.
Hiding or Sealing Off Spaces: In some historical accounts and folklore, people have been bricked up alive, either as a form of punishment or to conceal a crime. While often sensationalized, such events highlight the permanence and finality that bricking up can represent.
Preventing Access: If a part of a building was no longer needed or was deemed unsafe, bricking up the access points would be a practical way to seal it off from the rest of the structure.

Modern Applications of Bricking Up

While perhaps less dramatic than historical instances, the practice of bricking up continues in modern construction and renovation:

Renovations and Remodelling: When homeowners or builders decide to change the layout of a house, they might brick up an old doorway that leads to a room that is no longer accessible or needed. For example, if a garage is converted into living space, the internal door leading to it might be bricked up. Similarly, an old window on a wall that is now internal might be bricked up to create a smoother wall surface for decorating.
Structural Integrity: In some cases, bricking up an opening might be necessary for structural reasons, such as reinforcing a wall or redistributing load-bearing functions.
Energy Efficiency: In older homes, poorly insulated windows or doors might be bricked up to improve the thermal efficiency of the building, especially if they are no longer in use.
Aesthetic Changes: Sometimes, an opening is bricked up simply for aesthetic reasons, to create a more uniform wall appearance or to accommodate new design elements.

The Process of Bricking Up

The process of bricking up an opening typically involves several steps:

Preparation: The area around the opening is cleaned, and any loose mortar or debris is removed. Temporary supports might be put in place if the opening is large or part of a load-bearing wall.
Laying Bricks: New bricks are laid within the opening, using mortar to bind them together. The bricks are often chosen to match the existing wall as closely as possible, though sometimes a contrasting style is used for decorative purposes.
Filling the Cavity: If the wall is a cavity wall (common in modern construction), the space between the inner and outer leaves of brickwork is often filled with insulation material or rubble before the inner layer is completed.
Finishing: Once the bricks are laid and the mortar has set, the new brickwork is typically finished to match the surrounding wall. This might involve rendering, plastering, or pointing the mortar joints.

Figurative Use of 'Bricked Up'

Beyond its literal meaning, the term "bricked up" can also be used figuratively. For instance, someone might feel "bricked up" if they are feeling trapped or unable to move forward in a situation. In the context of technology, a device is said to be "bricked" when it becomes unusable, often due to a software error, making it as defunct as a wall.

In summary, "bricked up" refers to the act of permanently sealing an opening with bricks and mortar, a practice with historical roots and ongoing practical applications in construction and renovation.