Types of Brick available for your New Build

When it comes to types of bricks available for your new-build property development, there are several options. To help simplify things, here are some key considerations that will help you choose the right type of brick for your construction project:

Colour

Bricks come in so many colour variations. With white, cream, yellow, orangey reds, browns and blue tones in appearance.

Texture

Handmade bricks have a rougher, open texture and feature an attractive creased face. You can also achieve a more bespoke look with a range of colours as well as sizes.

Wirecut bricks are smoother in appearance and designed to fit snugly to one another. The finished product is slightly lighter and more suited to modern building techniques without any loss of strength.

The cheapest types of facing bricks are wire-cut and are between £250 per 1,000 and £400/1,000, while distinctive handmade bricks are upwards of £600 per 1,000

Size

Pre-1965 houses were built using imperial-sized bricks, which typically measured 9in (w) x 4.5in (d) x 3in (h). Now metric size bricks are used. They’re slightly smaller at 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm.

Specification

Bricks should carry a BS EN 771-1 certificate and comply with UK and EU laws and standards.

Bricks are made from natural clay minerals, including kaolin and shale. Manganese and barium are added to create different colours as well and barium carbonate is used to improve brick’s resistance to the elements.

Delivery

With some manufacturers having over 12-months wait times, make sure you know they offer a speedy delivery.

This guide to types of brick explains the options available, their distinguished features and where they’re best used to help your brick buying decision for your new-build property development. Best of all, they’re readily available to order straight away.

Wirecut Bricks

BEST FOR A SMOOTH FINISH

ROSLEY RED

Is a wire-cut brick with a clean, straight pattern and vibrant colour. The Rosley Red is an iconic brick that features a bright red colour with grey undertones and sand-like texture. Great for new build developments offering value for money and simplicity of specification.

BEST FOR DECORATIVE

STAINTON ANTIQUE

With a plethora of colourful tones, the Stainton Antique wirecut brick is handcrafted to perfection. Closely fashioned after the traditional colonial brick seen on Philadelphia’s historic streets, it is both functional and decorative.

 HANDMADE BRICKS

BEST FOR AN EARTHY, TEXTURED FINISH

OLD MILL

This distinctive brickwork style is synonymous with traditional homes in Cheshire. The Old Mill handmade brick is weathered and aged to a highly textured finish and are indistinguishable from salvaged bricks.

BEST FOR A CHARACTERISTIC AND VINTAGE LOOK

Newlyn Heritage

The Newlyn Heritage handmade brick is made by skilled craftsmen using traditional methods. Only the highest quality clay and natural local sand and grit are used in its manufacture. The strength and quality of Newlyn Heritage handmade bricks are also shown in their longer-life and resistance to frost and decomposition. The bricks use traditional, old-fashioned firing techniques to give them their characteristic vintage look.

Where Can I Buy?

Once you know the brick you are after, you will be ready to buy the bricks for your development. There are plenty of places to buy our bricks from, either directly from us or your local builders’ merchant.