Why Is My Brick House So Hot?

If you’ve ever walked into your home on a summer afternoon and felt like you stepped into an oven, you’re not alone… especially if you live in a brick house. Homeowners across Massachusetts are asking the same question: Why is my brick house so hot?

TL;DR: Brick absorbs and retains heat from the sun, which can make your home feel much hotter during Massachusetts’ humid summers. While beautiful and durable, brick homes need smart upgrades to stay cool - JMS Masonry can help.

Understanding Heat Retention in Brick Homes

Brick: A Double-Edged Sword

Brick is a fantastic building material; it’s durable, fire-resistant, and provides a timeless aesthetic. But when it comes to temperature control, brick can be a challenge. That’s because brick has high thermal mass, meaning it absorbs heat throughout the day and releases it slowly, often after the sun has gone down.

During Massachusetts winters, that’s great! It helps retain indoor heat. But in the summer? Not so much. Your brick walls are basically acting like radiators, storing up heat all day and then slowly leaking it into your home well into the evening.

Why It’s Worse in Massachusetts Summers

Massachusetts summers can be brutal, especially in older cities like Boston or Worcester, where many homes are historic brick buildings. You’ve got:

• High humidity that makes heat stick around

• Heatwaves that last several days

• Dense neighborhoods where radiant heat bounces off buildings

If your home was built before modern insulation standards, it likely lacks the thermal barriers needed to keep the heat out. Combine that with dark-colored bricks or a sun-facing wall, and you’ve got a recipe for discomfort.

What You Can Do to Cool Things Down

Check Your Insulation

A lot of heat transfer comes from poor or outdated insulation. Brick homes especially benefit from modern interior wall insulation or exterior retrofits that preserve the historic look while improving performance.

JMS Masonry works with homeowners across Greater Boston to preserve the historic character of brick exteriors while making key upgrades that improve energy efficiency.

Seal Cracks and Gaps

Cracks in mortar joints or around windows and doors let hot air seep in and cool air leak out. Tuckpointing (repointing old mortar) not only improves appearance but also seals your building envelope to prevent heat intrusion.

If your mortar is crumbling, it’s not just an energy problem, it can be a structural one too. JMS Masonry specializes in repointing and repairing historic brick buildings in a way that blends aesthetics with functionality.

Reflective Coatings and Shading

In some cases, you can apply specially designed reflective sealants that reduce heat absorption. Adding awnings, window films, or planting shade trees also helps prevent direct sunlight from beating down on your brick walls all day.

When to Call the Experts

If you’ve tried everything and your brick house still feels like a furnace every summer, it may be time for a structural assessment. Over the years, your brickwork may have shifted, mortar may have deteriorated, or water infiltration may be degrading your insulation.

JMS Masonry & Restoration provides expert consultations across Massachusetts. Whether your building is a Beacon Hill brownstone or a colonial in Worcester, we’ll inspect your home and recommend solutions that preserve its historic charm while keeping it cooler and more comfortable year-round.

Final Thoughts

Brick homes are beautiful, sturdy, and iconic across New England, but they need a little extra care to beat the summer heat. Don’t sweat through another season. Reach out to JMS Masonry, Massachusetts' trusted experts in brick restoration and insulation upgrades, and start enjoying your home again, no matter the weather outside!