Not all bricks are made the same
If used properly, bricks can significantly enhance your home’s aesthetics. Different types of bricks also offer different benefits, such as fireproofing, soundproofing, and insulation. There are 8 types of bricks commonly used in residential homes: sun-dried bricks, burnt clay bricks, concrete bricks, engineered bricks, fire bricks, fly ash bricks, calcium silicate bricks, and eco bricks, which are newcomers to the market.
As the name suggests, sun-dried bricks heavily rely on the heat from the sun. Almost as old as clay bricks, unfortunately, sun-dried bricks do not nearly have the same durability because they’re created by hardening wet mud via sun exposure. Hence, they’re also sometimes referred to as mud bricks.
You’re most likely to see sun-dried bricks used for building traditional adobe homes or temporary structures since they’re much cheaper to produce. Sometimes sun-dried bricks are made with clay and fiber mixtures.
However, sun-dried bricks can work wonders in hot and dry climates. Their thermal mass property makes them the perfect temperature regulator, allowing them to absorb heat during the day and slowly release the heat overnight.
Best for: Temporary structure or construction in hot and dry climates.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cheap to produce | Fragility due to material and creation method |
| Great for temporary use | Vulnerable to water and impact |
| Thermal mass property helps regulate temperature in hot and dry climates | Shorter lifespan, hence more suitable for temporary structures |
Burnt clay bricks are one of the oldest building materials in the world and are commonly seen in modern and ancient structures. These classic bricks are traditionally made by pressing wet clay into a mold. Once dried, the bricks are fired inside kilns and turn into solid blocks with a reddish color.
These bricks give you that classic, earth-tone look. They are also durable and fire-resistant. They come in for grades, varying from Class 1 to Class 4, with Class 1 being of the highest quality and the most expensive. They are also the more economic option compared to other types of bricks.
Clay bricks can be used in masonry walls, foundations, and columns. When used in walls, it’s important to plaster over or render the bricks with mortar. Clay bricks are also less tolerant of water, as they can trap moisture and cause dampness or even mold growth.
Best for: Masonry walls, foundations, and columns.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An economic option | Potential mold growth |
| Creates the classic, earth-tone look | Lower tensile strength |
| Fire resistance | Lower-quality bricks may fade and discolor over time |
Concrete bricks are heavy and extremely durable as they’re made with full chunks of concrete. They’re often used to make internal brickwork, but can also work well on facades and fences. To make concrete bricks, simply pour the concrete mixture (cement, sand, and water) into a mold.
Thanks to their extreme hardness and durability, concrete bricks are widely used in modern construction. However, since concrete is a porous material, they’re not suitable for underground use due to potential water damage. For example, if you have a concrete foundation, it’s important to make sure there is no standing water gathering around your house.
Concrete bricks can also come in different colors by adding pigments, providing more design flexibility.
Best for: Pretty much everything.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely durable and lasting | More expensive |
| Creates a sleek urban and modern look when used on the exterior | Subject to water damage, hence doesn’t work the best underground |
| Can be used in almost every form of construction | Shorter life span, hence more suitable for temporary structures |
Engineered bricks are clay-based, but often have other ingredients added to the mix to amplify certain properties. These bricks are fantastic if you’re looking for strength and resilience, and are therefore often used in structural applications.
Engineered bricks are made by firing the clay mixture under extremely high temperatures. They are one of the most durable types of bricks available. They also have a very low porosity, meaning water won’t seep through them as easily as it would concrete bricks or standard clay bricks. This also makes it more resistant to corrosive chemicals, making them a great option for sewers and other underground structures.
Best for: Structural applications, foundation, sewer lines.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly resistant to outside elements | Higher cost |
| Often used for structural applications | Not the most aesthetically pleasing |
| Chemical and water resistance | High density might cause distress on the mortar around them |
Also called refractory brick, fire bricks are the most suitable for direct fire exposure, such as outdoor firepits, indoor fireplaces, and chimneys. The heat resistance property is created via a special silica mixture with a high aluminum oxide content. They can handle up to 3,000 degrees of heat and also resist rapid temperature changes without cracking or crumbling. However, firebricks are not suitable for whole-house use as they’re a type of specialty bricks.
Best for: Fireplace, brick oven, chimney, fire pit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely high heat resistance | Higher cost |
| Doesn’t crack under rapid temperature change | Limited use |
| Perfect for ovens and chimneys | May be hard to maintain if used outdoors |
Fly ash bricks are unconventional bricks made with industrial waste that is otherwise unrecyclable. This includes fly ash, cement, sand dust, and stone dust. They serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to burnt clay bricks because fly ash bricks emit less mercury, consume less energy, and cost at least 30% less to produce compared to traditional burnt clay bricks.
Fly ash bricks are “self-cementing” due to the high calcium oxide contained in the material. They are also more durable and temperature-resistant. They are also lighter than standard clay bricks. They even look like cement at first glance, providing a modern aesthetic available via clay bricks.
Best for: Pretty much everything.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective and environmentally friendly | Might not be available for purchase everywhere |
| Can withstand extreme temperatures | Absorbs less heat hence less suitable for colder regions |
| Highly durable | Not all fly ash bricks are suitable for construction use |
Also known as sand lime bricks, these bricks are made with sand, fly ash, and lime. They are known for their strong compressive strength and thermal insulation properties, making them great options for high-rise buildings. Created using temperature and pressure, calcium silicate bricks are famous for their smooth, uniform appearance. They also work well as sound barriers.
Best for: Thermal and sound insulation in highrise buildings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight with high compressive strength | Higher cost |
| Good thermal and acoustic insulation | Lower fire resistance |
| Requires less mortar plaster | Can absorb moisture, causing dampness or mold growth |
Eco bricks are a newcomer to the market. They are often made using upcycled materials, such as plastic bottles, paper, and other waste products. They’re environmentally friendly and provide a solution to our population’s increasing waste problem. However, these bricks are slightly less durable and weaker in strength. That said, they’re more often used for temporary structures and decorative purposes.
Also, eco bricks, or “plastic bricks,” are not compatible with standard bricks. This means whatever you build with eco bricks, you can’t mix it with other traditional brick types.
Best for: Non-weight-bearing decorative structure that’s not part of your main house.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More sustainable compared to traditional bricks | May be harder to find |
| Good for non-structural adaptations | Lower durability and resilience |
| Incompatible with standard bricks | More costly due to the recycling cost |
Another way of categorizing bricks is based on their quality. Based on their different properties, bricks are categorized into common, facing, and engineering bricks. The strongest bricks you can use, often for core structures, are Class A engineering bricks.
Meanwhile, common and facing bricks can be further categorized into 4 classes, which are often used with clay bricks:
First-class bricks are of the highest quality. They’re neatly fired with clean edges and barely any visible defects. They have the smoothest surface and the highest durability and strength.
Second-class bricks are above average. They are often created using the ground-molding process and then burned in kilns. They tend to have a rough surface and are less durable than first-class bricks.
Third-class bricks are average or below average. Since they’re rougher and weaker, they’re not the best option for core structures or permanent builds. Third-class bricks are also highly vulnerable to water, and should not be used in rainy areas.
Fourth-class bricks are unsuitable for construction. Instead, these overburnt and brittle bricks are crushed and used to make concrete.
You can also categorize bricks based on their shapes, which also determines if you can drill into the bricks since shapes affect stability.
Brick veneers: Thin brick “slices” for surface cladding. Vulnerable to heavy impact.
Airbricks: Large, porous structure that allows ventilation. Helps circulate air and decrease structural weight.
Perforated bricks: Light bricks with many circular holes drilled into them.
Bullnose bricks: Bricks with rounded angles.
Paving bricks: Solid bricks with iron content for underfoot paving.
Capping bricks: Used as “caps” on top of freestanding walls.
Hollow bricks: They come in various designs and weigh about a third of a regular, solid brick. They are good for making decorative walls or non-weight-bearing partitions.
If you don’t have previous masonry work experience, it’s best to hire a professional for brickwork. You can DIY a small firepit outside, or make a few concrete brick fences yourself, but for anything more serious, working with a licensed professional will be your best option.
The average cost to build a brick wall is $25 per square foot. If you need to repair a brick wall due to severe weather damage, you might be able to file an insurance claim depending on your policy.
