Double-brick construction is very popular across homes in Perth and rest of Western Australia. While other parts of Australia rely more on timber or steel framing, double brick has remained the default choice in WA for decades.
It became the standard because of a combination of local conditions, materials, industry habits, and buyer expectations. Those same factors still influence how homes are designed, priced, and marketed today despite challenges in the market.
It started with the soil and the way WA suburbs were built
One of the biggest reasons double brick became common in Perth was the local ground conditions. Perth’s sandy soils were long seen as very stable, with little ground movement, which made them well suited to heavy masonry construction.
This helped double brick become a popular building method across the metro area. Once large parts of suburban Perth were built this way, the method became normal rather than unusual.
Brick was also a local, large-scale product
WA did not just have demand for bricks, it also had a long history of producing them locally at scale, as published by Midland Brick. Brickmaking expanded over decades in Western Australia, with major investment in kilns, large production capacity, and a brick industry deeply tied to the way homes were built in the state.
Construction methods are often shaped by what is readily available and cost competitive. In WA, brick was not just a design preference. It became part of the broader housing system.
It stayed competitive while other states phased it out
In WA, brick construction remained competitive and relatively cost-effective longer compared to many eastern states such as New South Wales and Victoria because of economies of scale achieved by major local brick manufacturers.
That helps explain why WA kept leaning into brick while other states became more reliant on framing. The market was set up differently, and builders continued using the system they knew could be delivered at scale.
Double brick also built a strong reputation with buyers
Over time, double brick stopped being just a construction method and became part of what many WA buyers expected from a house. Perth homebuyers have traditionally seen double brick as solid, durable, attractive, quieter, and better for thermal performance and fire resistance.
Once that kind of buyer preference becomes established, it reinforces the cycle. Builders keep offering it because buyers expect it, and buyers keep expecting it because that is what the market has delivered.
Why this still matters today
All this history helps explain why brick supply issues have such a strong effect in Perth and the rest of Western Australia. If one material has dominated the market for decades, any disruption to that supply does not just affect one product line. It affects the way the housing market is accustomed to building homes.
That is also why the current brick shortage has become such a big issue. If you want to find out more about the practical side of the shortage, including what it means for build timing, brick selection and available alternatives, it’s worth reading our article on what the brick shortage in WA means for people building a home.
Conclusion
Houses are double brick in WA because the method suited Perth’s sandy soils, developed alongside strong local brick manufacturing, remained cost-competitive for many years, and became closely tied to buyer expectations.
That background also helps explain why double brick still feels like the norm in WA today, even while framed construction methods are becoming more common. Double brick is not disappearing, but it is no longer the only logical option being considered. More buyers and builders are considering brick veneer and framing options, especially with the current brick shortage.
If you are planning to build a home and want to understand how different wall systems may affect the design, construction timeline, budget, and long-term outcome, IQ Construction can help you assess the options.