Your complete guide to Bricks

Your complete guide to Bricks

A brick is a type of block used to build walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction and is one of the most widely-used building materials.

Bricks & Blocks

Although you might possibly be aware of this, there are thousands of different types of bricks used across the construction industry, and many of these are used for different purposes.

A block is typically larger than a brick but is a similar term referring to a rectangular unit composed of aggregates of certainly designed mixtures depending on the strength required and is lightweight. A block is predominately made from concrete which is why people might say that a brick can look more aesthetically pleasing.

The Mick George Group has an excellent brick range available which can help with building’s insulation, longevity and are a much more cost-effective solution than blocks.

Properties of Bricks

The most important traits of a brick may be regularly detailed as physical, mechanical, thermal and durability. However, when going into detail, the vital properties of bricks may be described as:

• Strength – This is an essential property for any sort of bricks. For a building of up to two storeys high clay bricks should have a minimum compressive strength of 9N/mm2. Anything higher requires a minimum of 13N/mm2.
• Colour – While the most common colour for bricks is red, there is a wide variety of colours available to accommodate people’s aesthetic requirements.
• Size – The standard UK brick size is normally around 20cm X 9.5cm X 5.5cm, but this can vary across the world.
• Durability – Bricks have extremely high manufacturing standards, making them last even hundreds of years.
• Absorption – Water absorption represents the quantity of water that can be retained by a brick, calculated in a percentage of its total weight. The absorption percentage of building bricks should be under 25%.

Types of bricks

There is 3 types of main bricks which can be found in the UK, which are Engineering bricks, Facing bricks and Reclaimed bricks.

1. Engineering bricks – These bricks are used for their physical attributes rather than appearance, they have high compressive strength and low water absorption making them a great fit for the current UK climate.
2. Facing bricks – These are primarily selected for their aesthetic qualities as they cover the external walls of buildings. Becoming the most popular bricks in the UK due to their resistance to fire, water, and damage resistance making them the best brick in the UK.
3. Reclaimed bricks – These bricks have already been used and are now recycled for another purpose, reclaimed bricks can make a building project more environmentally friendly.

The Mick George Group have a wide range of bricks available, from facing bricks to engineering bricks, we can supply you with the right style, quality and quantity for construction on new projects or repairing existing areas. With a range of colours and styles to choose from, we have the perfect brick for any kind of construction project.