Are ISSBs Really Cheaper?

Let’s Break Down the Costs! When it comes to building, cost is king—but so is quality, sustainability, and value for money. That’s where Interlocking Stabilized Soil Bricks (ISSBs) step in. They’ve been praised as a cheaper, eco-friendly alternative to fired bricks — but are they really? Let’s break it down and put the numbers — and the facts — on the table.

1. Material Costs: Less Cement, More Savings ISSBs are made from locally available murram (soil), a bit of sand, cement, and water. That’s it. No fancy ingredients, no long-distance suppliers. This significantly lowers your cost. Compare that with conventional fired bricks, which not only require more cement during walling but also rely on clay and firewood that’s often transported from far away — adding hidden costs. With ISSBs, you save 20–30% on materials — especially on large projects. The larger the project, the more you save on materials.

2. On-Site Production = Transport Savings Unlike fired bricks that must be trucked in — often over bumpy, fuel-hungry roads — ISSBs are produced on-site. That’s right, No transport costs, No carbon-heavy vehicles No broken bricks on delivery. A truckload of fired bricks might bring 1,000 bricks and 200–300 arrive broken. With ISSBs? A thousand bricks remain a thousand bricks. Now that’s efficiency you can count on.

3. Labor and Speed: Built-In Savings Thanks to their interlocking design, ISSBs need: Less mortar ( none for vertical joints) Less time to align and lay, No plastering required Fewer materials + faster construction = 40% less labor cost on average. And yes — if you like a splash of color, ISSB walls can be painted just like any other wall, or left in their beautiful, earthy tones. The choice is yours.

4. Quality Assurance: Controlled Production All our ISSBs are made after soil testing and in a controlled production environment. This gives you the confidence that every brick used on your site meets strength, density, and durability standards. No surprises. Just consistent quality. ISSBs don’t just save money today, they reduce your project’s carbon footprint over time.

5. Long-Term Value: Thermal, Structural & Environmental ISSBs: Keep buildings cooler, reducing energy needs , Withstand seismic activity better due to the interlocking design, Require less maintenance Contribute to zero deforestation, unlike fired bricks which rely on wood fuel for burning In short, your structure isn’t just cheaper — it’s smarter and more sustainable.

Are ISSBs Cheaper?

YES. And not just upfront.

They save you money at every stage — from material sourcing to labor, to long-term maintenance — and they do it all while protecting the environment and supporting local economies.

At Brick by Brick Construction Company Ltd, we’ve helped schools, community centers, health centers, and homeowners all over Uganda discover the power of ISSBs — and we’re just getting started.

Next Time on the Blog:

“How Strong Are ISSBs? Let’s Talk About Strength, Durability, and Testing”

We’re putting ISSBs to the test! From compressive strength to weather resistance — find out how these eco-friendly blocks hold up against traditional fired bricks, and why quality control matters more than ever.