Bricks 101

Bricks have been around for ages. Over the years, they have been used for a variety of things. Years ago, brick was once used to pave roads. Nowadays, it’s used more for decoration. These man-made stones are used for everything from creating paths in backyards to forming a fireplace in a family room to being beautiful to look at on the exterior of a home.

Because of their uniformity, bricks are ideal to lay flat and bond together with cement, which increases its strength. Most bricks are made to be 8 inches by 4 inches. Despite their common size, there are many different types of bricks to choose from when it comes to masonry.

If you are in the market for some bricks for your home improvement project, it’s important that you know the difference between them.

Common Burnt Clay Bricks
This type of brick is made by being pressed into molds and fired in a kiln. They are used more for function than aesthetics. When used, they require rendering or plastering.

Sand Lime Bricks
Sand Lime Bricks are created with a mixture of sand, fly ash, and lime (hence the name). They are formed with a chemical process called wet mixing. Then it is pressed together with pressure, forming the traditional brick shape. These type of bricks are usually grey as opposed to red. They also have a smoother finish that doesn’t need plastering, and they are incredibly strong, allowing them to be a load-bearing member.

Engineering Bricks
This brick is created using very high temperatures. The result is a dense, strong brick that is able to withstand water absorption. Engineering bricks are great to use for load bearing because of their strength, moisture-resistance, and ability to withstand chemicals.

Concrete Bricks
These bricks are made of solid concrete. They create a great aesthetic appearance, so they are commonly used in fences and facades. Concrete bricks can be made in a variety of colors, as pigments are used during production.

Fly Ash Clay Bricks
Fly Ash and clay are the ingredients for this type of brick. They are made at 1,000 degrees celsius. When they are exposed to water and moisture, they tend to expand, which is something that needs to be taken into consideration before use.

Whatever type of brick you choose, you will enjoy its high compressive strength, porosity, sound insulation, and fire protection. Not sure which type of brick you should pick for your next project? Give us a shout. We’ll be happy to give you our expert opinions.