Buying Bricks

In the Gallery:

1 Duntons’ Queens Mix Brick (01494 77211);
2 The GIMA Roman brick is available in bespoke lengths up to 590mm (jamesandtaylor.co.uk);
3 Coleford’s Forest of Dean Multi, prices start at £732/1,000 (01594 822160);
4 B&Q’s concrete common bricks, cost 30p each (0845 609 6688);
5 Coleford’s handmade Bespoke Forest Royal blend (as before);
6 The ‘Batman Blend’ is from The York Handmade Brick Company’s Old Clamp range (01347 838881);
7 Furness Brick’s Plain Black from its Classic Clamp Range (01229 462411);
8 Ibstock’s Callerton Weathered Red (ibstock.com);
9 Furness Brick’s Edwardian Weathered Yellow (as before);
10 Wickes’ facing brick, 48p (0845 279 9898)

Materials and Types

Clay, cement or calcium silicate (lime) are all material options. Clay boasts high thermal mass — absorbing heat during the day and slowly releasing it at night, helping to maintain level temperatures inside. Engineered bricks are highly durable and moisture resistant — making them ideal for structural work, including damp-proof courses. Facing bricks are designed for a building’s façade, and therefore emphasis is placed on their appearance.

Handmade facing bricks are hand-thrown meaning that no two bricks are identical in size, shape, colour or texture — bringing character to any home. Clay for handmades tends to be sourced locally, making them ideal for builds where blending into the local vernacular is a priority.

Stimulated handmade bricks, which are ‘machine-thrown’, can look strikingly similar, but at a considerable cost saving. However, the genuine product is a real selling point.

Sizing Up

Today’s standard facing brick is 215mm (length) x 100mm (depth) x 65mm (height) in size, with mortar joints of 10mm in between. This means 60 bricks are required per m² of facing.

To work out a rough estimate of the quantities you need, calculate the total area of brickwork (exclude openings such as windows and doors) and multiply this by 60. Bricks tend to be priced per 1,000.

Remember to factor in wastage – which is typically 5-7% – and delivery. The price of laying your bricks in your chosen bond should also be considered.

Where to Buy

Bricks can be purchased direct from the manufacturer, from local building merchants and through suppliers, some of who, like Jewson, have dedicated brick centres and/or are based online.

Local reclamation yards are another option. However, reclaimed bricks can be difficult to source in adequate quantities. Brick-matching services are therefore invaluable if you have fallen for a reclaimed brick in limited supply, or for renovators wanting to match new bricks to existing brickwork. Many manufacturers also offer imperial sizes, ideal for older homes.

However, beware of brick ‘registration’, whereby suppliers register your details with a manufacturer — preventing you from receiving a cheaper quote elsewhere.

Aesthetics

Brick colour, together with the texture, mortar colour and bond, all impact on brickwork aesthetics. Take inspiration from the local vernacular when choosing colour and blends. Colour varies from region to region, as John Richards from Ibstock, explains: “Bricks in the Midlands tend to be a selection of reds, blues, greys and browns, whereas bricks in the North West tend to be just reds.”

There are an increasing number of textures available — choose sand faced for rustic charm, while smooth are ideal for streamline, contemporary builds.

Brick Bonds

The stretcher bond – much beloved by developer homes – is the simplest and cheapest to lay. However, consider bonds such as the Flemish – which typically costs £5/m2 more to lay – or English to add interest. Specials and detailing added around door and window surrounds are another way to introduce character.

Brick Standards

The UK experiences some of the most variable weather conditions in the world — which impact considerably on your bricks. Clay facing bricks are therefore subjected to freeze-thraw (or frost resistance as it sometimes referred) tests under BS EN 771-1. Choose a brick with an ‘F’ rating as minimum — F2 is highest, meaning bricks are resistant even under severe exposure to continuous saturation and freezing.

Also specify bricks with a lower salt content if you hope to escape efflorescence — white deposits on the surface caused by salt leaching from bricks when they are exposed to elements. Efflorescence will not have a structural impact, but will certainly have an aesthetic one.

Mortar

Mortar contributes just over 17% to the brickwork, making it key to the overall façade. The texture and colour – dark or light – should complement your chosen bricks, not overpower them. Visiting projects with similar brickwork or building a 1m² sample wall will help determine this.

Traditional mortars were lime based — cement was only introduced to homes in the early 20th century. Portland cement is quicker to use, but lime is more flexible and will allow bricks to be reused — and should be specified on period homes.

Advice from the Experts

Cost of Bricks

Mark Laksevics, The York Handmade Brick Company (01347 838881)

“Expect to pay mid £300s/ 1,000 for a decent quality standard-size machine-made brick with an interesting texture. Handmades can be more than double this, due mainly to the individual nature of the brick. Price per 1,000 will increase in line with how bespoke the product is, such as specials. Reclaims are generally close to the price of handmades — although reports of high levels of wastage in packs of reclaims can make them an expensive alternative.”

Brick Matching

Stephen Blagbrough, Furness Brick (01229 462411)

“Brick matching is a true art and the more attention to detail paid at the early stages of planning, the better the end result will be. When matching bricks for renovation work we would always consider the general colour of the elevations, the texture of the original brick, and the size — which could be metric, imperial or in some cases a bespoke size that is generic to the local area. We would also always suggest that the original bond pattern is followed.”

Ordering Brick

Paul Olney, Jewson (jewson.co.uk)

“Make sure that your local merchant actually stocks your chosen brick. If you don’t, and you find that you need a small quantity to complete the job, you could end up paying a premium. Special bricks often take six to eight weeks for delivery as opposed to three to four days for standard bricks. To avoid delays and make sure that you have everything you need at the same time, order your special bricks approximately four weeks before your standard order.”

Further reading:

• A Guide to Bricks
• A Guide to Construction Systems
• A Guide to Self Build Exterior Design