Building Bricks

Building bricks can be described as blocks of hefty materials, typically clay. These bricks are placed on top of each other to build decorative accents, chimneys, columns, walls and other types of structures. Masons are known to join bricks together by using mortar, which then hardens to form a surface with the bricks that is solid. Over the centuries that they have been used, building bricks have developed quite a number of variations.

• Pressed Clay Bricks – A majority of the building bricks that are available on the market are made from mixtures of clay that are kiln baked. Those buildings that you see that are made from even rows of bricks that are dark red in color, are made with clay bricks. On all of their bedding surfaces, pressed clay will have recesses on them.

• Wire Cut Clay Bricks – These types of bricks are generally cut into shape using a wire. They also have three of four holes that go right through the bricks. These holes make up for approximately twenty-five percent of the volume f the brick.

• Glazed Bricks – Glazed bricks are very similar to the standard clay bricks; however, the exterior of these bricks have been coated using a colored or white ceramic glazing. Generally, these types of building bricks are used in sanitary places such as laboratories and hospitals.

• Sand Lime Bricks – Unlike other types of building bricks, these bricks are not made from clay; instead, they are made from a mixture of fine sand and slaked lime. Steam pressure is then used to mechanically harden and mold them. These types of bricks are generally found in Northern European and German structures.

• Clinker Bricks – Similar to other types of bricks, clinker bricks are heated in the kiln; however, they are heated at an extremely high temperature. Due to the fact that they are heated at such high temperatures, the pores located in the bricks will melt and then fuse shut; resulting in bricks that are long lasting, water-resistant, heavy and dense. Additionally, unlike other types of building bricks, clinker bricks are shaped more irregularly.

• Reclaimed Bricks – These particular types of building bricks have been used before; however, they are recycled for other purposes. The use of reclaimed bricks is thought to be more environmentally friendly, and it does enable persons to get access to styles of bricks and unusual brick sizes that are have limited availability.