Everything you need to know about clay bricks
It’s impossible to imagine any suburban street, city or even the world without bricks. The use of brick is now so commonplace that it feels like it’s been around forever, and that’s because it almost has!
Clay brick as a building material has been in use since early civilisations and still to this day it remains among the most common construction materials found all over the world… but why?
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about our favourite building material to answer all your questions about why it’s your best choice.
So, where did it come from?
To truly appreciate the world’s most popular building material, it’s important to note that it has genuinely been used for centuries upon centuries. Bricks have been discovered that are estimated to be from around 7000 BC. These were likely made from mud clay, shaped into bricks and then sun-dried in the open air. Although many technological innovations have been added to the process over time, the fundamental brick manufacturing process remains largely the same today as the manufacture of the earliest bricks - why fix it if it ain’t broke?
Similarly to how the craftsmanship and brick-making methods of Krause Bricks have been passed down through generations, cultures from all over the world have been using brick throughout the entirety of history. If you’ve been lucky enough to travel the world, you’re bound to stumble upon bricks in some of the most iconic architecture and buildings.
How are they made?
Put simply, clay bricks are produced by mixing clay and water. The mixture forms a semi-solid compound which is then worked to a thick consistency and pressed into a mould. Hardening methods have since evolved from sun drying to firing in a kiln at high temperatures.
Over time, new hardening methods have been developed to speed up and improve the firing process to keep up with the growing demand for brick in the construction industry. At Krause Bricks, we use traditional methods with down-draught batch kilns. It’s this unique and classic process that creates colour variations and gives each brick a unique appearance. You can see examples of our traditionally produced bricks here.
While commercial firing methods are beneficial to the mass production of bricks, producing smaller batches using traditional methods like we often do allows for greater customisation and flexibility, with more colour variations and sizing options.
Where are they used?
In short - everywhere! Clay bricks are made for a variety of purposes and can be used virtually anywhere with very few limitations in terms of application. They are the most versatile and abundant type of brick used in modern construction and used for building interior and exterior walls, columns, piers, partitions, footings and other load-bearing structures.
As the urbanisation of cities grows and buildings become higher, the use of bricks as a load-bearing structure is becoming less common - however, their use as an architectural feature has become increasingly popular over the years. From kitchen splashbacks to outdoor fireplaces, bricks are no longer only considered as just functional, but an element of modern design.
There’s an abundance of aspects of both residential and commercial buildings where bricks make a dramatic appearance and even more ways in which they can be used. As designers and architects uncover new ways of incorporating bricks into building design, we are only just beginning to discover the creative potential of bricks - see our residential projects or commercial work for inspiring examples of Krause Bricks featured in modern buildings.
But what are the benefits?
It’s impossible to discuss clay bricks without mentioning the many benefits they possess:
Low maintenance
Energy efficient
Durable
Affordable
Highly attractive
Many different materials have been developed as an alternative to clay brick, however, very few match these same qualities.
Bricks have proven to be a timeless material that has cemented their place in modern society (pardon the pun!). With increasing focus on the environmental impact of construction, architects continuously seek sustainable options for building design. Made from organic minerals that can be found locally, the long-lasting life cycle of clay bricks offers ongoing environmental benefits, making it the perfect solution to responsible and economical home-building design.
Find out more about carbon-neutral bricks and see what we’re doing to minimise our environmental impact.
With many sustainable advantages, durable qualities and unique characteristics, the use of brick in construction shows no signs of slowing down.