Common Bricks and Facing Bricks: Is there a Difference?
Bricks have been a trusted building material for commercial projects across the country for centuries. The structural stability, durability and versatility of UK bricks make them a preferred choice of construction material by many architects.
Are All Bricks the Same?
To the average person outside the brick manufacturing and construction industry, bricks may all appear to be the same. Nothing could be further from the truth. While bricks are made from clay, moulded into shape and fired in kilns, the striking variety of colours, textures and markings on their surfaces are impacted by the raw materials and any additional products added during the manufacturing process.
Bricks are classified in several ways, with many brick types taking names based on these classifications. Some examples include:
- Brick size and shape (long format bricks or Roman bricks).
- How they are fired and shaped (extruded bricks, handmade bricks or wirecut bricks).
- Their ingredients (sand lime bricks, soft mud bricks or waterstruck bricks).
- The sector they’re used in (Class A or Class B engineering bricks).
What is a Facing Brick?
Facing bricks (also commonly known as face bricks) are products that will face outward from a structure in plain view. These are often used as house bricks, but you will regularly find them in the commercial sector too, given the wide range of colours, textures and dimensions achievable with them.
What is a Common Brick?
Common bricks are made with basic clay, where the manufacturing team will not carry out any special surface treatments. No additional attention is given to the brick colour or texture, hence why many common brick packs may drastically differ in these elements. There can even be some dimension differences. It’s safe to say these bricks get their name from the common clay used in their manufacturing, where it’s relatively quick compared to facing brick manufacturing processes.
Facing Bricks vs. Common Bricks
Most types of construction projects rely on these bricks and blocks. When comparing the two, it’s important to remember the following.
- Facing bricks are generally made to be seen by the general public, exposed to the outside world.
- Common bricks are typically used internally and are frequently rendered over with other materials.
If you have wondered whether to use face bricks or common bricks, the other key differences outlined below will hopefully make your decision easier.
The Differences
- Common bricks use common or basic clay without using any special surface treatment or colour control.
- Facing bricks are more aesthetically appealing, with their sides often finished and smoothed.
- Common bricks can vary in colour and texture when delivered.
- Facing brick colours are often more consistent and uniform.
- There are far more colour and texture variation options in facing bricks. For example, ceramic coatings can be applied to facing bricks but not common bricks (see our page about glazed bricks for more information).
The Similarities
- These bricks are made from clay and subsequently fired in a kiln.
- They are both incredibly durable and resistant to natural elements and extreme weather conditions.
- They have excellent heat-resistance qualities.
- They’re both great at reducing external noise.
- Both of them last an incredibly long time, graded for durability in the same way.
- The ASTM (Association for Testing and Materials) all grade the brick specifications, regardless of their type.
Which Brick Type Should I Use?
It does boil down to aesthetic preference as, structurally speaking, they are similar. If you want a beautiful looking brick to be seen and admired, choose facing bricks. Common bricks are used primarily for internal purposes and can be turned around quickly if you’re time-conscious.
What about Brick Slips or Veneer Bricks?
Brick slip products are purely produced for aesthetic reasons. These are non-structural products and should not be used for load-bearing walls.
If you want to create a stunning internal or external wall using bricks without making structural changes, you can fit brick tiles to cladding panels in the same pattern as any brick bonding style you like. These can then be slotted onto the load-bearing walls.