What You Need to Know About Brick Durability Ratings
Bricks are one of the most versatile and durable building materials available, but this doesn’t mean all bricks are made the same.
Some bricks are more durable than others and are capable of withstanding much higher forces. Some bricks are even produced to be resistant to frost and water damage.
What is Brick Durability?
When speaking about brick durability, we are referring to the amount of time a brick can remain strong and unaltered when used in construction. Sometimes this may even be in the centuries, as shown by surviving roman architecture across Western Europe.
Whilst UK clay bricks may age and weather aesthetically, they typically remain strong structurally sound well into the hundreds of years, providing an incredible amount of longevity.
There are many different factors that affect brick durability, including where the brick is laid and when. For example, brickwork laid in the winter may be particularly risky, as unfinished brickwork needs to be adequately protected from the elements.
Why Does Brick Durability Matter?
Whilst some UK bricks are used in relatively tame conditions, without needing to withstand temperature and weather fluctuations or maintain particularly heavy loads. Invariably, some bricks will need to be used in situations which push them to their limits.
More extreme conditions, such as regular freezing or a constant state of dampness, may call for engineering bricks. These are often used to construct vital infrastructures such as tunnels and sewers. Engineering bricks have a smooth external finish and core holes which allow for reinforcement from steel bars or mortar to create a significant level of compressive strength, making them excellent for use in foundations.
Modular Clay Products’ specialist online brick selector tool is a great way to find UK bricks to fit your exact specifications, with the ability to decide between types of brick, colours and variations.
What Factors Damage Durability?
A brick can erode and lose its structural integrity when installed incorrectly or the incorrect type of brick used for the weather conditions of it’s location. On top of this, some bricks can be very sensitive to changes in saturation through moisture or direct water contact. Too much water may cause dilution, which leads to the bond between the brick and mortar being weakened, whilst too little water may lead to the brick absorbing water from the surrounding mortar, creating cracks in the mortar.
There’s also evidence to suggest that bricks used in structures within 8km of the coast or major river estuaries are significantly more vulnerable to frost damage, so for this reason, the bricks you use in a case like this would need to be rated as frost resistant, with a durability rating of F2.
How Are Brick Durability Ratings Determined?
There are three ratings used to determine the durability of clay bricks. These relate to its ability to withstand frost, based on the level at which frost will damage the brick.
F0 – No frost resistance: not suitable for external use in construction.
F1 – Moderate frost resistance: durable unless remaining saturated for long periods or excessive freezing and thawing. They may be suitable for brickwork between DCP and eaves. However, bricks rated at F1 should never be used below DCP, for projecting details or used in landscaping.
F2 – Frost resistant: suitable for external use with full exposure levels.
If a brick does not come with a durability rating, it should always be assumed that it is F0, as using a non-durable brick for external use can have catastrophic effects on the prevailing structure.
Expert Brick Advice from Modular Clay Products
If you’d like more information about the durability of UK bricks and where they may be suitable for use in large-scale construction projects, contact Modular Clay Products. We’re a proven industry leader in brick supply, having supplied durable bricks for many successful projects such as The Shard in London.