How to Select Bricks for Your Home

Bricks have been used to build homes for thousands of years, and they're still one of the most in-demand construction materials today. Modern manufacturing has improved both their strength and their appearance, which keeps them a great choice for Irish homes.

Why build with brick?

Brick has real advantages. It's long-lasting, durable and energy efficient. Thanks to advances in manufacturing, it now comes in a wide range of colours and finishes, which makes it easier to design a beautiful exterior.

A few of the benefits worth knowing:

Energy efficient. Brick has high thermal mass, which helps keep a house naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Easy to maintain. Brick doesn't need to be coated, painted or varnished to keep its looks.

Durable and economical. Made from clay and shale, brick is relatively economical and easy to look after over the life of the house.

How to judge brick quality

The quality of the brick you build with directly affects the quality of the finished house. There are different grades and types on the market, so it pays to do your research. A few simple checks:

Shape and size. Good bricks are uniform in size and colour, with a clean, unbroken surface. Bricks are usually stacked, so get a view of the whole stack and look for variation.

The ringing sound test. Pick two bricks at random and tap them together. A good brick produces a clear, metallic sound and doesn't crumble. A hollow sound, or cracking, points to a low-quality brick.

The drop test. Drop a brick from a height. If it lands without cracks or breaks, it's good quality.

Why bother checking? Because buying high-quality brick lowers your overall spend and reduces the amount of mortar needed. Low-quality brick costs you later, in repairs and maintenance.

Alternatives worth considering

It's also worth weighing up alternatives to brick, depending on what your project needs. Common options include concrete blocks and fly ash bricks.

If you'd like advice on materials for your build, get in touch. We're happy to guide you.