Clay Brick Types
Engineering bricks have high compressive strength and low water absorption
properties. They are rated as either class A or B, with A being the strongest
and they are ideal for use below ground level and for Damp proof courses. The
Matching Brick Company keeps stocks of red and blue engineers (see facing bricks
below.
Common bricks have low compressive strength and are of lower quality than
engineering or facing bricks as no attempt is made to control their colour or
appearance. They should not be used below ground and are generally used for
internal brickwork only.
Facing Bricks
Facing bricks give a building its aesthetic appearance and are designed to be
used externally against internal block work or brickwork to provide an
attractive 'face'. They are by far the most popular type of brick and come in a
huge variety of colours and sizes. We have broken these down into there most
common descriptive types.
a) Wirecut
The majority of bricks in Australia are formed using this process. First,
clay is extruded through a brick-shaped die, the appearance of the brick can
then be determined by the addition of sand or texturing the face. The resultant
clay column is then cut into individual bricks and fired in a kiln. They produce
crisp lines and sharper looking brickwork.
b) Stock Bricks
Stock bricks are machine moulded bricks generally with a frog indent, formed
by pressing wet clay into sanded moulds. The use of sand to release the bricks
from the mould contributes to their soft texture and slightly irregular shape.
Stock bricks produce a softer appearance
c) Waterstruck
These are moulded bricks released from the mould by water. They are solid
bricks, containing no holes or frogs. The use of water together with the wetness
of the clay produces a smooth and lipped edge.
Reclaimed Bricks
Reclaimed bricks have, by definition, been reclaimed from demolition sites -
some may be handmade bricks, some other types of facing brick, others may be
engineers. Their edges are typically worn and irregular and a number may have
remnants of mortar on due to their original use. Many will have fine creases,
characteristic folds and variations in colour that typify old brickwork. It is
this combination which some feel gives "Reclaims" a charm and character all of
their own. By virtue of their age the vast majority of Reclaimed Bricks are in
Imperial dimensions. The Matching Brick Company stocks a range of reclaimed
bricks in each of its yards.
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