What is it?
Bricks are small masonry units typically made from fired clay, although other materials such as concrete may also be used. Clay bricks are produced by shaping clay and firing it in a kiln, which hardens the material and gives the brick its strength and durability.
Bricks are commonly used to construct external masonry walls, where they are laid in horizontal courses and bonded together using mortar. Individual bricks are much smaller than concrete blocks, which allows more control over the appearance and pattern of the finished wall.
In many buildings, brickwork forms the external leaf of a cavity wall, providing the visible outer surface of the building while protecting the inner wall construction from weather.
- 1Brick
- 2Blockwork
- 3Wall Ties
What does it do?
Brickwork can perform several functions within a building depending on how it is used.
External Weather Protection
When used as the outer leaf of a cavity wall, brickwork acts as the first line of defence against rain and weather, protecting the inner wall construction from moisture and environmental exposure.
Architectural Finish
Bricks provide a durable and visually distinctive external finish. Different brick colours, textures and bonding patterns can be used to create a variety of architectural effects.
Structural
In traditional construction, brickwork may act as a loadbearing material, supporting floors and roofs and transferring loads to the foundations. In many contemporary buildings, however, brickwork is used as a non-loadbearing outer leaf tied back to a structural wall or frame.
Where is it used?
Bricks are most commonly used as the external leaf of cavity wall construction, where they provide the outer weather-resistant layer of the wall.
Other typical uses include:
- External walls of houses and low-rise buildings
- Architectural facades, where the appearance of the brickwork is an important part of the design
- Boundary walls and garden walls
- Chimneys and external structures
- Paving, where specially manufactured bricks are used as durable surface materials
Although brickwork can be used structurally, in many modern buildings it is primarily used as a facing material, with the structural support provided by blockwork, concrete, or a structural frame behind it.
Types
Bricks are manufactured in a wide range of types depending on their intended use and appearance.
Facing brick
Designed to be visible on the finished building, manufactured for consistent colour, texture and durability. Used as the outer leaf of a cavity wall or anywhere the brickwork itself is the finish.
Engineering brick
Stronger and less porous than facing brick. Used where higher strength or resistance to moisture is required, commonly below ground level, in foundations, or within damp-proof courses.
Special brick
Manufactured in special shapes to form corners, angles or decorative features within brickwork.
Typical sizes
In the UK, the most common brick size is the standard metric brick.
Typical brick dimensions are:
Length: 215 mm
Width: 102.5 mm
Height: 65 mm
When mortar joints are included, brickwork is usually laid to a 75 mm course height, allowing it to align with other masonry elements such as concrete blocks.
How to specify
When selecting bricks for a project, several factors must be considered.
Appearance
Architects often choose bricks based on colour, texture and finish. Brick samples or sample panels are commonly reviewed during the design process to ensure the final appearance is appropriate.
Durability
Bricks must be suitable for their exposure conditions. External brickwork must be able to resist weathering, moisture and freeze–thaw cycles.
Structural requirements
If brickwork is being used structurally, a Structural Engineer may advise on the strength and type of brick required.
Compatibility with the wall system
Brickwork used as the external leaf of a cavity wall must coordinate with other elements such as cavity insulation, wall ties and damp proof courses to ensure the wall performs correctly.
Other considerations
Brickwork must be carefully constructed to ensure consistent mortar joints, alignment and bonding patterns, as these strongly affect the appearance of the finished wall.
Movement joints may also be required in larger areas of brickwork to accommodate thermal movement and prevent cracking.
Because brickwork is the visible face of many buildings, the quality of workmanship during construction can have a significant impact on the final appearance of the building.
Interacting elements
Brickwork used as the external leaf of a cavity wall interacts with several other elements in the wall construction.
Common interacting elements include:
- Blockwork, which typically forms the inner leaf of the wall
- Wall ties, which connect the brickwork to the inner wall
- Cavity insulation, installed within the cavity between the masonry leaves
- Damp proof courses (DPC), which prevent moisture rising through the wall
- Cavity trays, which direct water out of the cavity
- Lintels, which support masonry above openings such as windows and doors
- Foundations, which support the load of the wall