Bricks

Types of bricks

There are literally thousands of different bricks, but they can be broken down into a handful of basic types. The vast majority are made from clay and are kiln-fired.

Facing Bricks

Quality, durable bricks with an attractive appearance for external use above ground.

Wirecut

The clay is continuously extruded to a required size and shape and then cut into individual bricks by means of a wire, much like a cheese is cut by cheesewire. Thousands of variations in colour and texture. Usually the cheapest facings available as the manufacturing process is highly automated.

Stock

The clay is wetted to a so-called "soft mud" and then moulded to shape, before being allowed to dry prior to firing in the kiln. Much of the process is automated. Tend to be slightly irregular in shape. Usually a bit more expensive than wirecuts.

Handmade

Usually made on a bench, in a mould, much as described above for a stock brick. Because the clay isn't firmly compacted by machine, each brick normally has distinctive creasing known as a 'smile'. Very desirable, and the most expensive of the facings, but well worth it on prestige jobs.

Fletton (London Bricks)

A facing brick manufactured from Lower Oxford clay found only in SE England. This clay contains coal traces which burn during firing, reducing the amount of fuel needed for the kiln, which produces some interesting effects in the bricks themselves.