5 Different Types of Bricks for Building Construction

Regarding building construction, bricks are one of the most popular materials. Bricks are relatively small, cuboid-shaped building material that is glued together using mortar to form larger construction elements like walls. They are one of the most common traditional construction materials. A standard brick measures about 200mm*105mm*75mm in length, width, and height respectively.

They are arranged systematically depending on the required thickness of the wall and the brick arrangement. Different brick arrangements include the English bond, the flemish bond, the header bond, and the stretcher bond.

Bricks come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used for a variety of purposes. There are five different types of bricks that are commonly used in construction: Burnt clay bricks, engineering bricks, Fly ash bricks, Sand-lime bricks, and concrete blocks. The different types of bricks depend mainly on the method of manufacture and the material used to manufacture.

Burnt clay bricks; These are the most common types of bricks. They are made from burning clay in a kiln. The clay is moisturized to form mud, then tempered and molded. The bricks are then stacked and left to dry under the sun for some time before being burnt. In absence of actual clay soil, sometimes brown earth is used as a substitute although the resultant bricks are not as strong and durable as the clay bricks and thus tend to be cheaper.

Sand-lime bricks; These type of bricks derive their name from the components used to make them, that is sand and lime. They are also known as calcium-silicate bricks. These bricks are not just strong and durable but they are also aesthetically appealing. For this reason, they are used for decorative purposes in addition to masonry works. One of their drawbacks however is that they cannot be used for constructing the foundation due to their poor water resistance properties.

Fly ash bricks; These are bricks made from industrial waste such as fly ash. Fly ash is a finely divided residue from pulverized coal’s combustion. It is mainly produced by coal-fired electric and steam-generating plants. The resulting bricks are unconventional from the familiar types of bricks common to us and are now getting more popular. There are a number of attributes that make this type of brick a quality construction material: They are light in weight, fire-resistant, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. However, they are only suitable for places with warm climates, as the bricks are terrible at absorbing heat

Engineering bricks; This type of brick has the ability to withstand high compressive force compared to the other types. They also absorb little water which makes them preferable for groundworks, building basements, manholes, sewers, retaining walls, and the likes of such structures requiring strength.

Concrete bricks; These are bricks made from concrete that is; a mixture of sand, water, and cement. They are similar in shape to burnt clay bricks, although their constituents give them a pale grey color. They are strong and durable. Because they are made from concrete, they have high compressive strength. They are versatile in a way that in addition to being used for constructing walls, they can also be used for landscaping in the form of pavers. They also have a good aesthetic appeal as well as good fire resistance properties.

Conclusion; In conclusion, there are five different types of bricks that can be used for construction: clay, concrete, cinder block, glass, and plastic. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to choose the right type for the project at hand. For example, plastic bricks are lightweight and easy to work with, but they are not very strong and may not be suitable for larger projects.