16 Different Types of Bricks

Bricks are a block-type material primarily made of dried clay; however, with modern construction, ever-evolving bricks are produced more efficiently with chemically cured processes. They are created to be joined together, mainly by an adhesive or using mortar to keep them bonded together, to enforce a resilient structure.

There are many different types of bricks. Their identification is based not only on the material used to create them but also on the construction uses and integrity they can withstand. Several types include the dutch brick, engineering bricks, cream city brick, and more.

The use of bricks dates back to 7500 BC, and looking around us today; they are an integral part of our community. They are used to build houses, roads and even decorate our back yards. They are an essential construction material that keeps their popularity due to their durability and cost-efficiency. In this article, we’ll describe 16 different types of brick to you so you can be informed of the different types.

Fire bricks are known for their fire-resistant qualities. Also known as refractory bricks, they are mass-produced with a unique earthing process where after it is burned can endure extremely high temperatures. They also have the qualities to withstand lower temperatures as well. Regardless they should be strong enough to no deteriorate during rapid temperature changes.

A fire brick is commonly found in fireplaces and the lining of some furnaces. They are used in anything that extreme chemical or thermal stressors. A material that is made of the same structure is used as insulation for the space shuttle.

Defined as a fire-clay brick, engineering bricks have low water porosity and resistant to some gases. It is used when these qualities need to be combined with a strong brick and can even be used to provide moisture control to building walls. To enable the brick with its strength and permeability, they are created in higher firing temperatures, making these bricks blue.

A type of engineering brick is called Accrington bricks which is a type of iron-hard brick was produced in England. It is a brick that is well-known for its strength and was even used as the foundation of the Empire State Building and the Blackpool Tower in Lancashire, England.

Cavity and cellular brick are other names for hollow bricks. As the name defines the brick, they are hollow on the inside, having 25 to 60 percent of void space. The average solid bricks have a void space of less than 25 percent. They are about one-third of the weight of a standard brick.

This type of brick is ideal for quick construction projects as they are able to be laid much quicker than regular bricks. Hollow bricks reduce wall thickness and will overall increase the life of the building. They even add more space inside the building as well as keeps the building cooler by reducing heat.

Made from clay found in the Menomonee River and Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, this brick is a light-yellow or cream color. The clay is originally red but contains elevated levels of sulfur and lime; when the bricks are fired, it turns them a creamy-yellow color. However, these bricks are very porous and absorb dirt and pollutants, making them discolor and darken over time.

Many buildings in the 19th century were constructed with cream city bricks, most of which were churches and lighthouses in the Milwaukee area. These structures still stand today, which is believed to be due to the well-known durability of the brick.

Burnt clay bricks have received the name “common brick” due to the fact that it is used as the primary type of brick in construction. They are used in many different but essential construction projects of walls and foundations. They are broken down into the following four classes:

First-class bricks are created by a table molding and placed in large kilns to be burnt. Due to the molding, it forms a standard shape for all the bricks, with sharp edges and smooth surfaces, which creates a more durable and stronger brick. They are the best quality compared to other classes; however, they are the most expensive.

This class of brick is also burnt in kilns but is created by using a ground-molding process. The ground molding has a moderate quality and lacks a smooth surface and sharp edges. With the unevenness of the ground, the shapes can also be irregular. Regardless of some imperfection, they still provide durability, but smooth plastering is required.

Third-class bricks have a surface that is very rough and edges that are not sharp at all. They are ground molded like second-class bricks but burnt by clamp burning. The poor quality of this class of brick makes them only suitable for temporary structures and not meant for rainy areas.

This type of brick may be a result of overburning, which causes the brick to overheat and become brittle. However, they do serve a purpose as aggregates in concrete manufacturing. They are of very poor quality and cannot be used in construction for any purpose.

Sand lime bricks are chemically set bricks. This means when the bricks are created, the process is completed by using heat and pressure elements. This helps accelerate the chemical reaction, which enables them to be fire resistant and have a smooth finish.

They are primarily used in India for several construction purposes. However, artists incorporate the bricks within buildings that have ornamental works of art. Artists also take advantage of the fire resistance to give their art a finishing shine.

Concrete bricks are custom-made to fit the size that is required for the job. They are created with components of cement, aggregates, water, and sand. They can be made on the construction site if needed; this would reduce the number of other materials required. They can also be customized for different colors during production.

These bricks are ideal for facades and fences but primarily for masonry and framing of buildings. It is suitable for foundations since it is not affected by termites and extreme temperatures. However, it can be used for retaining walls and even to soundproof rooms.

Created from yellow clay, this brick is very distinctive in color as well as its soft appearance. It is a handmade brick used primarily for London building until machine-made bricks took over in the early 1900s. Small quantities are still made today but only for heritage work.

The term stock brick indicates two things, either a hand-crafted brick using stock or a standard brick socked in the brickyard. These types of brick fell under the former and were looked for to use decoratively.

The creation of these bricks is not based on burning them, rather than drying them. It is a three-step process of preparing the clay, molding the clay then letting them sit out to be dried by the heat of the sun. They are the most basic examples of bricks.

Sun-dried bricks are not durable or as strong as other bricks; therefore, it is best to use them for temporary structures. They do not have any fire or water resistance which makes them not suitable at all for permanent structures. They are utilized more in rural areas.

This form of hollow brick is used for its quality of thermal insulation. They are made from clay, ash, granite, and coal ash. They are easy to use and very economical as well as environmentally friendly. They maintain a low weight but sustain durability and strength as well as fire resistance.

They are made in a variety of sizes and can be constructed horizontally or vertically. They are used for load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls. Furthermore, they are great for walling systems to provide thermal insulation—so cooler rooms in the hot months and warmer rooms in the cooler months.

This brick gets its name because it is manufactured using fly ash and water. Fly ash is a by-product when burnt coal is mixed with water. These bricks contain a high level of calcium oxide, a property used in cement production, therefore creating a self-cementing brick.

Fly ash bricks are lightweight and have fire insulation as well as high strength. They are undeviating in size, which makes them ideal for joints and plaster during construction. They are also utilized in the building of foundations and pillars.