A Fully Descriptive Guide for Developers on the Types of Facing Brick

20 Jul, 2021

Manchester Brick Specialists

Generally speaking, there are 2 types of facing brick. The wirecut or extruded brick and the handmade ‘stock’ brick. Both types of brick come in different colours and textures and suit a variety of building projects.

The decision on choosing your type of brick for your building development can be a complicated one. On one hand you have the aesthetics and on the other you have factored in your price, making the whole decision much more tricky. Our guide explores the two types of facing brick, the options available and what brick is best to use.

Pressed pre-war common bricks are one of several types of bricks MBS can provide you with

Wirecut bricks

The wirecut method is the most popular method of brick production as you can manufacture a high volume of bricks quickly. Sometimes, up to around 20,000 bricks an hour! The clay is driven through an extrusion head to form a long column of clay. Then, they cut a column into smaller, more manageable pieces. Next, we cut the column into bricks of the desired length by wire. Hence the name. One distinctive characteristic of a wirecut brick is that they tend to have holes running through the bricks. These bricks require less energy for drying and firing and are also lighter and easier to handle. This manufacturing process produces hard, dense bricks with a more consistent size and shape, sharper corners and a more contemporary appearance.

Wirecut bricks can vary drastically in appearance. Our pressed pre-war common bricks display deep reds, oranges and the distinguished dark ‘overburns’ from the firing process. This manufacturing technique leads to a naturally weathered texture and appearance of burnt clay brick. They are hydraulically pressed to remove any shape imperfections and a great choice for developments in keeping within the local region.

Wirecut bricks

The wirecut method is the most popular method of brick production as you can manufacture a high volume of bricks quickly. Sometimes, up to around 20,000 bricks an hour! The clay is driven through an extrusion head to form a long column of clay. Then, they cut a column into smaller, more manageable pieces. Next, we cut the column into bricks of the desired length by wire. Hence the name. One distinctive characteristic of a wirecut brick is that they tend to have holes running through the bricks. These bricks require less energy for drying and firing and are also lighter and easier to handle. This manufacturing process produces hard, dense bricks with a more consistent size and shape, sharper corners and a more contemporary appearance.

Wirecut bricks can vary drastically in appearance. Our pressed pre-war common bricks display deep reds, oranges and the distinguished dark ‘overburns’ from the firing process. This manufacturing technique leads to a naturally weathered texture and appearance of burnt clay brick. They are hydraulically pressed to remove any shape imperfections and a great choice for developments in keeping within the local region.

Pressed pre-war common bricks are one of several types of bricks MBS can provide you with

Smooth Red

Compare this to our smooth red extruded wirecut bricks that have a uniform appearance and glazed finish. Smooth Reds are a popular facing brick for new builds and extensions, especially in the Midlands and the North, where their colour closely matches much of the existing housing stock. For our huge range of high quality British wirecut bricks for sale, you should also check out our brick selector. Accordingly, we have one of the biggest varieties of wirecut brick ranges, of any UK brick manufacturer, to choose from.

Smooth red extruded wirecut bricks
Common traditional look brick building

Wire Cut Types of Facing Brick Example

A stunning property built using Wire Cut MBS Banded Pre War Bricks, which were popular in the North West at the turn of the century. These smooth wire cut speciality bricks come complete with the distinctive pale clay flashes seen throughout the brickwork of towns and cities of the region.

Wire Cut Types of Facing Brick Example

A stunning property built using Wire Cut MBS Banded Pre War Bricks, which were popular in the North West at the turn of the century. These smooth wire cut speciality bricks come complete with the distinctive pale clay flashes seen throughout the brickwork of towns and cities of the region.

Common traditional look brick building

Handmade stock bricks

Handmade bricks embody a traditional, warm aesthetic without compromising technical performance. Crafted by hand, clay is formed, coated in sand, and placed in a mould. These soft mud bricks suit older styles, matching neighbouring structures and regional variations. Ideal for conservation areas, they mirror older styles’ colours and sizes in your project.

Character-Packed Aesthetics

Brickwork with character, our handmade bricks boast a lived-in look with authentic shades of red and orange. Overburns and clay flashing enhance their appeal. Perfect for renovations, restorations, or new-builds, these bricks offer a rough, open texture and a bespoke appearance in various colours and sizes.

Frog for Efficiency

Our handmade bricks sport an indent or ‘frog’ atop, minimising material use and simplifying removal from moulds. It enhances the wall’s shear resistance upon completion. Due to slight chemical composition variations, each brick is unique, resulting in subtle color differences that some customers find appealing. Certain styles feature clay flashing or overburns, adding to their charm.

Handmade Weathered Blend Brick Stack
Smoked Red bricks from MBS

Types of handmade stock bricks

We have a huge selection of handmade bricks that vary drastically in appearance. Replicating authentic reclaimed bricks, Ashbourne’s feature distinctive lighter tones thanks to the bleaching properties of the lime mortar which was used to lay them. Each brick is cleaned and reconditioned but retains its all-important character and texture.

Another option is The Smoked Red, imitating the appearance of lived-in urban brickwork. These handmade bricks are beautifully soot-weathered to blend in with neighbouring homes and walls.

Types of handmade stock bricks

We have a huge selection of handmade bricks that vary drastically in appearance. Replicating authentic reclaimed bricks, Ashbourne’s feature distinctive lighter tones thanks to the bleaching properties of the lime mortar which was used to lay them. Each brick is cleaned and reconditioned but retains its all-important character and texture.

Another option is The Smoked Red, imitating the appearance of lived-in urban brickwork. These handmade bricks are beautifully soot-weathered to blend in with neighbouring homes and walls.

Smoked Red bricks from MBS

Handmade brick example

This distinctive country house extension required a match that blends consistently with the original 20th-century brickwork. After careful consideration, we picked our reclamation blend to match the main house perfectly.

Some facing bricks on a property via Manchester Brick

Technical Information

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No two bricks identical

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“We have quickly developed a global network of manufacturers that we work closely with to develop brick types which are made to look olde-worlde or reclaimed.”

Dean Royle, Managing Director