Making the Right Choice
Bricks have been used as building materials for thousands of years, initially formed from blocks of mud left to dry in the sun. It was soon found that kiln fired bricks were more reliable and resistant to all sorts of weather. The Romans introduced fired bricks to the whole of their Empire, using mobile kilns. They made a huge range of sizes and shape of bricks, most commonly round or square but oblong and triangular bricks were also used. Some were up to 3 Roman feet long.
Fashions have affected bricks’ fortunes over the years. Although brick walls were recognised as a less expensive and more durable alternative to stone, exposed brick was an unpopular look from about 1400 until the middle of the 18th century. The answer was to cover the brickwork with plaster. From then on, visible brick walls regained popularity.
Today, bricks are the most commonly used construction material other than wood. Good quality bricks are weather resistant and can tolerate acids, pollution and fire. Modern kilns can turn out bricks of all shapes and colours. Most are made from clay, with different manufacturing processes used to produce different characteristics.
Where to buy bricks
- Ibstock Brick Ltd - Leicester Road, Ibstock, Leicestershire, LE67 6HS, 01530 261 999
- Freshfield Lane Brickworks - Danehill, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 7HH, 01825 790350
- Forterra - 5 Grange Park Court, Roman Way, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN4 5EA, 01604 707600
- Coleford Brick & Tile - The Royal Forest of Dean Brickworks, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, GL14 3JJ, 01594 822160
- Colinwell Concrete Limited - 37 Colinglen Road, Dunmurry, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 OLP, 028 90 618145
- Vande Moortel UK - 21 Highfield Road, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 OLZ, 01202 855 773
- BEA Building Products Limited - Cromwell House, Heath Road, Warboys, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 2UW, 01487 825020
- Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC - Freshfield Lane, Danehill, West Sussex, RH17 7HH, 0844 931 0022
- Travis Perkins Trading Co Ltd - Lodge Way House, Lodge Way, Harlestone Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN5 7UG, 01604 752424
- Crest Brick Slate & Tile Ltd - Howdenshire Way, Knedlington Road, Howden, East Yorkshire, DN14 7HZ, 0870 241 1398
- Lawsons Ltd - Tyttenhanger Farm, Coursers Road, Colney Heath, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PG, 01727 747 320
- Lagan Brick Ltd - 11B Sheepwalk Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 3RD, +353 (0)59 86 35513