The clay brick is one of the oldest and most enduring building materials in the world. Clay bricks have a long history dating as far back as 3000BC, and today they continue to offer a durable and classically timeless appeal to either traditional or contemporary architecture.
There are a number of practical benefits of choosing clay brick as your main building material. They are widely available and a comparatively forgiving medium for fairly unskilled labour to work with. Rain will not necessarily halt the building process if you are building with clay bricks, as it rarely becomes too wet to work with – merely using a dryer mortar is frequently sufficient to guarantee acceptable adhesion.
Versatility is another benefit of clay bricks – they can be used as a structural element on their own or in conjunction with reinforced concrete, as a thermal or acoustic insulator, as an aesthetically pleasing cladding or as highly practical filler between concrete and steel.
Durability is another asset – for centuries, structures built from clay brick have stood the test of time. A home built from clay brick is sure to be one that is long lasting and durable. Clay bricks are widely available – making them easily accessible wherever you decide to build.
With the popularity of using organic materials in the architecture and interior design, clay brick is experiencing a resurging popularity. Currently, exposed brickwork is a major trend in modern interiors. In the move towards loft apartments and business units, it is often the material of choice – for its industrial-type feel, as well as its durability and its great insulating qualities.
A home that is warm in winter and cool in summer – clay bricks are well noted for their remarkable thermal insulation properties. Clay bricks have the ability to store heat energy, allowing them to amass energy during the day and release it at night - thereby evening out extreme temperature fluctuations. The density of clay bricks also allows them to offer effective acoustic insulation.
Walls built from clay bricks receive a maximum fire rating, meaning that clay bricks will resist a fully developed fire for a generous length of time when compared to other building materials. This is not only a safety benefit, but a financial one too, as homeowners of clay brick homes will undoubtedly save on home insurance premiums.
Clay bricks are a cost-effective building material and are comparatively inexpensive. When ordering clay bricks, the Clay Brick Association (CBA) recommends approximately 52 to 56 bricks per square metre, and suggest that you include 5% to 10% for waste and breakages - 10% if you are loading and unloading manually. The
Clay brick suppliers should also provide a warranty ensuring that that the bricks they deliver will be fit for the specified application, and the acceptable level of breakage during delivery to site should be agreed to upfront as well.
There is no denying it – clay bricks are a great building material – they are cost-effective, easy to build with, fire-, heat- and noise-retardant, versatile, aesthetically pleasing, and most importantly, durable. – Antonella Desi
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