Depending on what your construction goals are, you have numerous types of bricks you can choose from. Each of those is suitable for different applications, and it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with at least the basic types of bricks before committing to one for your home project.
Types of Bricks for Houses
- Clay Bricks
- Soft Mud Bricks
- Handmade Bricks
- Reclaimed Bricks
1. Clay Bricks
Clay bricks are a classic choice for houses. They are cheap, reliable, and easily available. Every construction worker knows how to use them to their full potential. Despite their low price, they can be used to create impressive designs and remain a staple of some architectural styles.
These bricks are often found in red and various shades of it, but they can also be made in a different color, depending on the client's preferences. Glazing might be applied to the brick to really make it stand out and give it a nice look that complements the rest of the design.
2. Soft Mud Bricks
Soft mud bricks are another popular choice for house construction and come in several sub-types, including sanded, tumbled, and handmade. They are made by mixing clay with several other materials and then coating the brick with a thin layer that gives it its characteristic look. Often, sand would be used for that layer.
Soft mud bricks can vary in appearance from modern to rustic, making them suitable for a wide range of projects. The sandy finish gives them a unique texture that’s pleasing to the eye without getting in the way of more important architectural elements.
3. Handmade Bricks
As the name implies, handmade bricks are made manually by following a traditional process that has remained relatively unchanged for a long time. The biggest advantage of handmade bricks is their versatility. They can be easily adapted to different architectural styles and are the perfect solution when you need to match an existing design.
Handmade bricks are also great for custom designs where you want to make a specific statement. If you’re working with a high-end architecture firm, it’s not unlikely that they would recommend using handmade bricks to implement their intended design to its full potential.
4. Reclaimed Bricks
Reclaimed bricks come from salvaged materials following the demolishing of an existing building. Many of the bricks are often fully intact, even when using more highly destructive processes for the demolition. Each brick is individually inspected and may be slightly modified to bring it back to good shape. For example, edges may be cut and/or sanded, or the brick might be given a new finish.
Reclaimed bricks are generally cheaper than other options on this list, but this shouldn’t be confused with low quality. Quite the opposite, reclaimed bricks are often incredibly sturdy and look nice compared to other options. Combined with their relatively low cost, they are one of the best solutions for budget projects.
Types of Brick Comparison
|
Brick Type |
Cost per Brick |
|
Clay bricks |
$0.25 - $4.00 |
|
Soft mud bricks |
$0.10 - $3.00 |
|
Handmade bricks |
$0.50 - $1.00 |
|
Reclaimed bricks |
$0.35 - $1.00 |
Brick Types Bottom Line
Choosing the right type of brick for your home can be trickier than it seems. If you are not working under tight budget constraints, you should do your best to get a visual preview of how your project will look with different types of bricks before settling on a specific choice. Sometimes, even seemingly simple options like reclaimed bricks can work very well. And in some cases, simply changing to a different color can make all the difference and help your project stand out from the rest of the neighborhood.
Brick Types FAQ
What size are standard bricks?
The standard size of a brick in the US is 8 x 3 ⅝ x 2 ¼ inches.
What color brick should you choose?
While red is the default color of most brick types, residential buildings are usually made with bricks in various shades of gray. Pale yellow and colors close to it are also occasionally used, though they are less popular.