Whilst it may seem unlikely, there are plenty of interesting facts about bricks that will help you to see this humble building material in a whole new light. At Engrave Bricks Ltd, we work with bricks all day, and over the years, we’ve found out a number of truly amazing facts that will totally transform how you see this building material.
There are different bricks for different uses
Whilst the vast majority of bricks are made from a mixture of shale and clay, before being fired in a kiln, there are different categories of bricks that have been designed for different uses. Face bricks are manufactured for durability and appearance, making them perfect for the exterior of buildings. Common bricks are made for functionality when appearance isn’t important, meaning they’re often used if your building will be covered in plaster or render, or if you’re building underground.
Fireplaces, kilns and furnaces need their own bricks too, and for this, fire bricks (or refractory bricks) are specially developed to withstand incredibly high temperatures. Various additives are added to ensure fire bricks have low thermal conductivity and are highly energy efficient. Finally, paving bricks are designed for roads and walkways.
Barium Carbonate controls efflorescence in bricks
Efflorescence is the white powdery material that sometimes affects new masonry. Many brick manufactures add in barium carbonate to prevent this as it locks in the water soluble salts that cause this process.
Different minerals and chemicals determine the colour of bricks
The chemical and mineral content of the raw materials used to create bricks will determine their colour. Most fired bricks contain sand 9silica), clay (alumina), iron oxide, lime and magnesia. The iron oxide causes bricks to take on their distinctive red colour, whereas adding more lime will cause the fired bricks to become more yellow or white. Many brick manufacturers will be able to offer a range of colours and textures to meet your needs.
Brick frogs
Some bricks have indentations called brick frogs. There are many theories about why it is called a brick frog, and the purposes these brick frogs serve, as well as a debate whether brick with frogs should be laid frog-up or frog-down.
For more information about how Engrave Bricks will manufacture your fundraising bricks, simply call 01730 895971 or email info@engravebricks.co.uk today.
