Choose the right case of brick for your masonry project with this helpful guide .
Ann VanderWiel Wilde
Choosing the correct material for your next Freemasonry project commence with learning about the different type of brick . Whether you ’re building abrick fireplace , an outdoor pizza oven , aretaining wall , or astrong foundationfor an outbuilding , each masonry project anticipate for a specific case of brick .
Credit:Ann VanderWiel Wilde
There are seven main types of bricks , and each one is specifically befit for different kind of projects . Before your nextDIY masonry business , ascertain the longevity and performance of your bodily structure by choosing the ripe type of brick .
Types of Brick
From the material it ’s made of to how it ’s shape and hardened , the formulation of a brick square up what it can be used for and how long it will last in a throw background .
Some brick are strong than others , some have more resilience to elements like fire and water supply , and some do only as a facade orveneerrather than in a morphological setting . memorize how each type of brick is made helps you determine which you should habituate . Here are seven coarse types of brick and what they ’re best used for .
Adam Albright
Credit:Adam Albright
1. Burnt Clay Brick
intimately for : Foundations , columns , walls , andfireplaces
Burnt clay brick are what most mass picture when they hear the word “ brick . ” They ’re one of the erstwhile building fabric still in use , and they can be insure in ancient structure around the reality . As the name suggests , cauterize clay brick lie in of wet corpse that has been molded and fire in a kiln to bring forth a hard brick with a rectangular flesh . Typically , burnt clay brick wield the classic crimson brick look .
2. Sun-Dried Brick
well for : irregular structures
Sun - dried bricks have been dry naturally by the sun rather than burn in a kiln . Additionally , sun - dry bricks employ mud and straw for construction rather than Lucius DuBignon Clay , but they may also let in clay , manure , or George Sand in addition to the mud .
Because of the dim-witted building and drying process , anyone can make sun - dry bricks , gain them an accessible DIY brick itinerary . However , the bare construction comes with flaw , as Lord’s Day - dry bricks are the least durable case of brick .
Credit:John Gruen
Never choose a non - morphological brick for masonry projects with morphologic prerequisite .
3. Fly Ash Brick
well for : Walls and social system , pillars and columns , foundations , ardour - resistant structures
aviate ash brick is made up of a combination of tent-fly ash tree ( coal spin-off ) and Henry Clay that is then kiln - dismiss at nearly 2,000 ° farad . Because fly ash contains a high level of calcium oxide , fly ash tree bricks tend to expound when exposed to pee , which has lead to them being described as ego - cementing bricks . While this is usually seen as an vantage , too much expansion can induce flee ash tree brick to come out out , compromising the brick structure .
4. Sand Lime Brick
Best for : Foundations , wall , columns , facades , exposed brick , ornamental uses
Sand lime brick are formed by combine sand , lime , and vanish ash , and then placing the mixture in a pressurized mold to make a brick . Unlike a kiln - dry brick , which uses heating dry to produce the hard brick , sand slaked lime bricks harden due to a chemical response encouraged by the heat and pressure of the molding .
5. Concrete Brick
Best for : outside brickwork , landscaping , retaining walls , fences , facade , walkways
Concrete brick is concrete that has been poured into a brick - like clay sculpture . Like concrete , concrete bricks sport supreme durability . However , because they are often holey , concrete brick is n’t used in underground preferences . While concrete bricks are typically underwrite with a facing or facade , they can also be left exposed to lend a modern , industrial look .
6. Engineering Brick
Best for : Civil engineering uses , maintenance hole , foundations , tunnels , other underground uses
Engineering bricks are super strong and durable . Consisting mostly of clay , technology bricks can include other textile in their commixture . Their high - temperature firing results in incredible hardness , which translates to high enduringness and resiliency .
However , the most of the essence attribute of engineering brick is its blue porosity , which makes these brick ideal for underground use or any economic consumption where water exposure is of concern .
John Gruen
7. Fire Brick
Best for : High heat exposure , flaming exposure , outdoor oven , outdoor kitchens
Fire brick is precisely what it sounds like . It is brick intended for use around flak . Their silicon oxide and aluminium oxide content and eminent - temperature firing give the end Cartesian product superior heat and fire electrical resistance . You ’ll find firing brick lining chimney , brick oven , fervidness pits , furnaces , and anywhere else that will see heat and possible fire .
How to Choose the Right Brick for Your Project
When deciding which brick to use foryour DIY masonry project , sort through each type of brick ’s speciality and weaknesses and the areas in which they perform the in force . When choosing brick for your project , consider the following :
If your project sits underground , choose a strong , indestructible brick with gloomy porousness , such as engineering brick . If your project will be expose to heat or flaming , choose fire brick . If you ’re reckon to make the brick yourself , try your hired hand at make sun - dry out brick . For home advance projects and extensions of existing brick structures , burnt - stiff bricks and gumption lime brick will likely be the right pick .
