Choosing the Best Place to Buy UK Bricks
It was always the agenda of architects Stanton Williams to bring increased visibility and awareness to the innovative, life-changing paediatric research and science that's being carried out on rare diseases. London's Knowledge Quarter is home to some of the world's leading science and research centres, such as Coram's Fields (the former site of the Foundling Hospital) which itself is synonymous with children's welfare.
In a prominent public area that is known for its rich modern architecture, the Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children was developed by Stanton Williams. The development needed to fit in seamlessly with the surrounding structures while offering its own aesthetic qualities. Modular Clay Products were given the task of finding a brick solution that had to meet very specific criteria and dimensions.
Choosing the Right Brick Suppliers
Ultimately, choosing the right brick supplier for your project depends on the types of bricks you’re looking for.
Facing Bricks
Clay facing bricks are the most prevalent bricks used in construction. These bricks are commonly used in the facade of a project as they’re intended for external walls, and can come in a wide range of sizes and dimensions.
Engineering Bricks
Engineering bricks are strong, highly resilient and resistant to most conditions, often designed for underground, moisture-heavy environments. This makes them ideal for use in situations where their endurance and resistance to frost and water are essential factors.
Engineering bricks don’t have any requirements in regard to colour or texture as they’re intended to be hidden from sight and are commonly used in foundations and retaining walls.
Reclaimed Bricks
It’s not hard to understand where reclaimed bricks get their name. These bricks are repurposed after a building or construction project reaches the end of its lifespan and has to be dismantled or demolished.
Using reclaimed bricks is a great way to make your project more environmentally friendly whilst giving you access to sizes and styles of bricks that are unusual and no longer readily manufactured.
Handmade Bricks
Handmade bricks are formed using traditional methods. The clay is formed by hand into moulds where they are left to dry before being fired. The process results in a sandy texture with high durability, including increased compressive strength and low water absorbency.
While this extreme care and attention to detail come at an increased cost, handmade bricks are a fantastic way to make your project stand out from the crowd. They result in a superb rustic finish.
Long Format Bricks (Roman Bricks)
Long format bricks are a unique style of Mediterranean brick. These bricks traditionally follow a rough size format of 60cm by 30cm. Examples of traditional Roman bricks can still be found throughout the UK.
In modern times, there is no standard size or appearance for long bricks, and they are found in many varying widths and lengths.
It’s safe to say that long format or Roman-style bricks will provide a unique finish to any project.
Glazed Bricks
With their inception being an accidental discovery from firing bricks at much higher temperatures than used for regular bricks, glazed bricks have always stood out.
High-quality glazed bricks like those offered by Modular Clay Products undergo a strict refinement process to ensure the glossiest and most colourful finish possible.
Specialist or Bespoke Bricks
More unique brick types will require specialist skills from experienced brick manufacturers and require custom processes, so they may come with a higher upfront cost. That said, the texture, colour and size of these bricks will be completely bespoke, distinguishing your construction project from the rest.