How to Reduce Costs by Building With Bricks
Many people inside and outside the construction industry recognise the advantages of brick as a building material. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful when installed, but its physical properties and capabilities exceed any other alternative construction material.
However, there is a common misconception that clay bricks and blocks are not cost-effective, and their higher price tag is not justifiable. As UK brick suppliers with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry, we’ve created this guide to quash that theory and explain how brick buildings could be more cost-efficient than you may realise.
Costs vs. Benefits of Bricks
The real debate isn’t asking “how much do bricks cost?” but rather education on the long-term benefits of clay facing bricks as a material.
There are innumerable reasons why bricks outperform and exceed other materials like concrete, timber and stone. There are some hotly-debated perspectives that people consider as a reason not to choose brick.
Here are some of the reasons you should consider bricks, and variations like brick slips, glazed bricks and long format bricks, over any other material, to hopefully put the issue of cost to rest.
Sustainability
Brick – and all its variations, from handmade brick to engineering brick – is one of the most natural and abundant materials, making it entirely sustainable throughout its lifespan.
Brick requires minimal raw materials, all of which are renewable, and it also requires very little in the way of packaging and manufacturing. Once installed, it requires virtually no maintenance, thus saving businesses costs on upkeep and servicing.
Should a commercial structure be demolished, intact reclaimed bricks can be recycled and reused, saving thousands on brick manufacturing.
Not only that, but bricks offer tremendous savings in terms of natural resource consumption, which is helpful if you intend to conserve as much energy as possible. External walls are naturally insulating, absorbing more heat for longer periods of time due to their thermal mass, which helps to reduce energy bills more than other materials.
Fire Resistance
Clay bricks, by nature, are non-combustible, thus offering a tremendous amount of fire protection.
Unlike materials like timber, bricks don’t require any additional treatment to ensure longer fire resistance.
Further treatment comes at an added cost during the construction stage, and still offers less protection than simply using a reliable material like bricks for construction.
Durability
The most sustainable buildings are usually the most durable. Bricks are naturally resistant to harsh weather conditions, nothing new to anybody living in the UK.
Brick buildings can withstand substantial impact resistance and high moisture levels, a significant cause of structural deterioration. Many people aren’t aware of how excellent bricks are at moisture control; thanks to their material markup, they can comfortably minimise the growth of mould, mildew, rot and infestations and naturally absorb humidity.
What’s more, brick masonry can significantly reduce structural component damage from rain or snow.
Cost Savings
Taking the above three points into account, it’s no secret that buying bricks will often come with a higher upfront cost. People focus on the initial investment when they don’t realise how much tangible value and quality they obtain over time.
With such significant savings on maintenance, utilities and incredible long-term durability, it’s undoubtedly worth this investment. Opting for cheaper materials like timber for building structures will require more funds to keep them performing to the same standard as bricks.
In conclusion, the cost of brick could ultimately be lower if you consider the price of other aspects of manufacturing and construction, other than the material itself.
Ask yourself how much you will have saved a few years from now, and look beyond the bottom line.