Picking the correct brick has a major impact on the house, as it should fit with the interior style and décor and once it is installed it is difficult to change due to its durability and longevity. All bricks are made of clay, fired, or baked into the hard building blocks, however there are many options in color, size, and texture. Generally, finding the right brick for a house is mainly a matter of design and matching the brick to the type of house or personal preference of the owner.
Many modern bricks are graded for exterior use, the top grade is SW which made to withstand below freezing temperatures in a moist climate. The second exterior grade is MW, made to withstand freezing temperatures but in a drier and milder climate. The third brick grade is NW, which is used mostly indoors, although it can also serve as a “backup” brick outdoors, laid behind a layer or facing of more durable brick. NW can be used in warmer and drier regions or areas that rarely freeze and receive little rainfall as facing brick outdoors.
Antique or used brick reclaimed from old buildings that have been torn down is also frequently used. This type of brick has more dull edges than new brick and a more textured surface. Common brick, or the one most often used is typically red. Nevertheless, brick colors can greatly vary from almost black to almost white. The color depends on the clay and other components used to make the brick, these colors can be intermixed for more variety. Standard exterior bricks typically have smooth surfaces, yet there are many variations.
Bricks can be finished on one side with “struck” faces or inscribed with irregular lines. Others can be “sand struck”, molded against sand to produce a rough texture. They can also be “glazed”, with a ceramic layer on one side. While most bricks are solid rectangles, “structural” bricks are made with two or three holes in the wide face. This ultimately reduces the weight of brick walls without any loss of support. The holes also create larger mortar connection and can be used for reinforcing with steel bars. This type of brick is most commonly used on freestanding walls and not as facing on a house. Common bricks are usually 2 by 4 by 8 inches, but specific dimensions can be depending on the manufacturer with 3/8 or ½ inch mortar joints. Sizes can also include king, which is thicker and longer; Roman which is thinner and longer; and economy, which is square and longer.
Sicilian Building Material can get you any type of brick you can images. Need bricks in brooklyn, staten island or anywhere in the nyc, metro area – please give us a call or stop by our showroom so we can help you!