Facing Bricks

Simply put, yes. Your choice in mortar colour and bonding pattern will affect the final design of your brickwork and building facade.

Depending on your brickwork necessities, such as planning conditions, appearance or strength, a different bond pattern would be advisable. Our teams are on hand to advise between Stretcher, English, Flemish and other bond patterns, so you can make an informed choice.

Your mortar joint profile and mortar colour will also alter the performance and look of your project facade. Certain joint profiles can assist with resistance to water ingress while mortar colour can have a dramatic effect on how the adjacent bricks look when viewed together. Speak to our specification teams for advice and examples of these effects.

Though our teams are well equipped to advise you on brick types and finishes, here is a quick guide on the most popular clay facing bricks you’ll come across:

Wirecut

Wirecut bricks can also be called extruded bricks and are produced when a column of clay is extruded through a die, which will give the shape and dimensions of the final brick. Once pushed through this die, individual bricks are cut from the column using a wire, giving the product its name.

This can be an economical option and will result in crisp, smooth brick faces unless further treatment is given.

Pressed

Pressed bricks are a very popular option that are created by pressing clay into individual moulds. This results in a very strong and solid product. To counteract any additional weight, pressed brick moulds will also include an indent that creates a frog in the final brick.

Pressed bricks are then fired at high temperatures, resulting in a durable option with a smooth face and sharp edges.

Handmade

Handmade bricks are created when wet clay is thrown into a sanded mould by hand. Carried out by highly trained craftsmen, handmade bricks can be some of the most creative and distinctive bricks available as each time clay is thrown, a slightly different result will occur.

Waterstruck

Where many other moulded bricks are released by using sand within the mould, a Waterstruck brick stands out because of the water used in this moment.

This method results in a lip at the bottom of the brick face and a subtle finish of vertical markings that suggests the use of water to free the clay. Especially attractive on linear brickwork, Waterstruck manufacture will give delicate character to these options.

Rolled 

Once the brick form has been created, either through extrusion, pressing or other methods of manufacture, a roller can be used across the brick to create a unique texture.

Tumbled 

Following the moulding stage in which bricks are shaped, additional texture can be added through the tumbling process. Creating unique markings on each individual brick, a tumbled brick will bring lots of traditional character to your brickwork, providing further authenticity on heritage projects.

Tumbled bricks are a great option if you’re looking to recreate the appearance of a reclaimed brick.

Linear

Linear bricks are thinner or longer (or both) than standard facing bricks. As thin as 38mm or up to 600mm in length, we offer a wide variety of linear bricks that will elongate project facades and bring linear components to the centre of attention.

Through our widespread supply chain we offer a varied selection of all brick formats including typical UK sizes 65mm and 73mm bricks, plus a striking selection of long format options.

If you’d like guidance on how brick dimensions could affect your brickwork and bond pattern, our teams are on hand to talk you through any questions you have.

Yes, clay facing bricks are a sustainable building material for many reasons and are used currently in the UK construction industry to build a greener future. Benefits include:

• Decades of life expectancy – by reducing the need for replacement materials, we use less energy to manufacture product
• Recyclable – clay bricks are completely recyclable, creating a cyclic economy
• Reusable – even after their first life, reclaimed bricks can be used for decorative features such as paths and flower beds
• High thermal mass – this means that a clay brick will store thermal energy when surroundings are higher in temperature and will return that energy when surroundings get cooler
• Bricology – there are many biodiversity friendly bricks currently on the market, for example bee bricks, swift bricks and bat boxes, so our customers can create new homes for both people and wildlife
• Low embodied carbon – in comparison to many other facade materials, it requires much less energy to create a clay brick
• Easily sourced – available in abundance from locations across the UK, clay is extracted relatively close to the earth’s surface, which requires less energy than some other materials
• Natural product – clay facing bricks are inert and created from completely natural ingredients

With such a wide variety of bricks available on the market, there is also a range of price points. Depending on the appearance, technical specification and quantity of bricks you’re looking for, the cost of a brick will be different.

We'd be happy to provide you with a quotation for the bricks that you require. Contact us via email or telephone and our very experienced teams will be able to respond and be glad to provide you with a quotation.

Have a budget rather than a brick in mind? Our knowledgeable teams are on hand to discuss your parameters and find the best brick for your scheme.