How to Choose the Right Types of Brick
CHOOSING TYPES OF BRICK
When it comes to the construction of a commercial brick building, selecting the right type of brick is vital. Deciding on the right brick type is an important decision, which should be taken with the utmost care and attention. Ultimately, it can prove costly for an architect if they decide that they don’t like the aesthetics of their chosen clay facing bricks after a few years. It’s not as if brick façades and brick walls can be easily modified
When it comes to choosing bricks, surely it just boils down to that? A brick is a brick, so what else is there to know?
The truth is, there is much to know about facing bricks, more than you might realise. Therefore, choosing the right clay brick is essential. Once you’re aware of what to look for, you can tell the difference between a Class A engineering brick and a glazed brick slip.
WHAT BRICKS SHOULD I USE?
Bricks have been a long-standing building material for thousands of years. Nowadays, modern architectural design is complemented by the traditional aesthetics of bricks. Additionally, modern brick manufacturing methods have allowed seamless production of other products like brick slips and clay pavers, all of which add a certain decorative flair to a commercial build.
Tone, texture, colour, form and more all come into play when choosing bricks. And believe it or not, there are thousands of textures, colour schemes and finishes that manufacturers and brick suppliers like Modular Clay Products, can work together to create. From long format bricks in yellow to glazed bricks in a bright green shiny finish.
So how do you know which brick is going to be right for your project? Modular Clay Products’ guide should hopefully help make your decision easier.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN BRICKS?
Appearance
Clay is an efficient, sustainable and cost-effective material that requires no maintenance. Believe it or not, how the clay is handled can affect the appearance of bricks.
- Machine-made bricks – the clay is extruded into columns, which are then wire-cut and left without being modified. Wire-cut bricks have a smooth finish and many manufacturers use wire-cutting methods these days. In contrast, soft mud bricks (otherwise known as stock bricks) are made by putting the clay into sand-coated moulds, producing a sanded, creased face. Waterstruck bricks are similar to soft mud, but use water instead of sand, meaning the surface is far less grainy.
- Handmade bricks – these bricks provide a particularly authentic look if you’re looking to match existing bricks. The clay is handled and rolled by hand into a mould, which offers more flexibility as the brick sizes can be modified. These brick types have a slightly rougher texture, but you can achieve more diverse looks with these products.
- Reclaimed bricks – if you want to replicate a look, building new commercial structures is possible with bricks that have been reclaimed from the original building(s). Getting the right amount for a commercial building would be tricky though.
Read more about the benefits of using glazed bricks and long format bricks, two other prominent types of brick.
Local area
Materials used in some local regions may well have an impact on the external aesthetic you opt for. Some colours of bricks are uniform for specific areas; for example, red bricks are standard in the North, blue bricks are common in the Midlands, and cream colours are frequently used in the South East. That’s not to suggest you can’t opt for something entirely bespoke, but the materials available may have an impact.
Colour variations and textures
There is a spectrum for contemporary and traditional brick designs. Brick colours are determined by the firing temperatures as well as their position in the kilns. It’s also down to the type of clay and surface sanding or staining that occurs. Consider different brick styles before they’ve been laid or sent away for precasting.
Bond pattern(s)
When choosing bricks, consider the pattern they will be laid in. Bonds have an impact on aesthetics, but they also have to help structurally. How the bricks are laid will determine how the load is distributed. Stretcher bonds are most frequently used, but there are many other options available.
Mortars
Ensure the mortar is appropriate for the type of brick you choose to use. The mortar allows for easy natural emission of moisture between the brickwork, offers an improved appearance with a textured finish and is also colour-customisable to an extent.