Bricks made simple: Ian Lander answers your FAQs

Hi Ian, thanks for chatting to us. Let’s start with an easy one: what is a brick?

A brick is rectangular in form usually made from clay, or sometimes concrete, and is used in masonry construction. It’s one of the most traditional and widely used building materials in the UK, valued for its durability and timeless aesthetic.

Can you tell me about the different types of brick?

There are several different types of brick, each with their own unique aesthetic. These include:

• Wirecut – sharp, regular, and more cost effective.
• Stock Bricks – softer appearance and slightly irregular.
• Waterstruck – can be solid, useful when projecting brick or hit and miss brickwork.
• Handmade – hand crafted for a unique appearance, and common in restoration work.

Do these bricks come in different sizes?

Yes, the standard UK size is 215x65mm but there are a lot of variations to this, particularly with imported bricks from Europe. In the UK, buildings are typically designed around standard brick dimensions. Linear bricks (long format) are also increasingly popular, helping to accentuate horizontal and linear facade design elements.

Interesting! So, how long do bricks last?

Bricks can last thousands of years. There are examples of sun-dried mud bricks dating back 8-9,000 years ago and many more in Rome dating back up to 2,500 years.
Today, manufacturers will offer warranties on their bricks between 25 and 60 years.

Is it true that bricks are environmentally friendly?

Due to the longevity of bricks, they have more lifetime environmental benefits than alternative materials that have a limited lifespan and require replacement. Brick manufacturers invest heavily in product development and new factories to ensure they are as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible.

Ok, and can bricks be repurposed / recycled after use?

Yes, it is quite common for bricks to be reused. Modern cementitious mortars can make this more difficult, but it is still possible. Even if bricks can’t be repurposed, they can be crushed and used as aggregate or fill in other projects.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk performance, colour trends and design flexibility.

Firstly, what are the advantages of using bricks in construction?

There are many advantages of using brick in construction over and above the properties already mentioned. They are robust, offer geographically specific aesthetics along with good fire resistance, sound and heat insulation.

They also offer a great range of design diversity when bond patterns, orientation and joint profiles are utilised effectively. When bricks are used correctly there is minimal maintenance required.

So, how do I choose the right brick for my project?

Choosing the right brick comes down to many different factors, including aesthetic, technical performance, availability and cost. Engaging with our experts at Taylor Maxwell at an early stage on a project can ensure that the right brick can be selected to minimise any disruption at a later stage.

What brick colours are currently trending?

Light neutral colours such as greys, whites and creams are currently trending, but this varies geographically. In the Midlands, warm terracotta and red tones are timeless and still popular.

Noted. And how does brick aging affect appearance?

Depending on the brick type and detailing, bricks will age quite subtly. It tends to be environmental factors that will affect the appearance over time such as pollution, dirt, moss and algae growth. Correct detailing can help minimise these and help preserve the brick’s aesthetic over time.

What about brick bond patterns, how do these affect the look of a wall?

Brick bonds, along with mortar colour and joint profiles can dramatically change the look of a brick wall. We have been involved in many projects where a change in mortar colour or joint profile has been successfully used to create a visual impact.

Changing the orientation or bond pattern of the bricks can also be used to create a different aesthetic or highlight a particular design detail in a facade.

Do bricks require maintenance?

Compared to other facade materials bricks are very low maintenance when detailed and installed correctly.

To finish off, let’s wrap up with a couple of questions we often get around cost and energy efficiency.

A popular one, are bricks more expensive than other materials?

Bricks themselves have a broad range of cost from a mass produced wirecut brick through to a small batch hand produced brick. That said they are still one of the most cost-effective ways of creating an aesthetically pleasing, robust and low maintenance facade that is going to last.

How do bricks affect insulation and energy efficiency?

Bricks have a high thermal mass, this means that they can absorb some of the heat from the sun during a hot day and then slowly release it when temperatures drop. This is why the interiors of older buildings remain cool on a hot day. A brick facade is also relatively airtight, which will also reduce heat loss from the interior when heating is required.

Thanks for your time Ian, and for sharing your invaluable brick knowledge with us. It’s been great to understand more about this quintessential building material.

Want help choosing the right brick for your next project? We’re here to help, get in touch.