What are the common types of bricks used in the United Kingdom?
Bricks are required for every other construction project, whether big or small. From building foundations to superstructures, from landscaping to walls, from repairs to new builds, they are required for every construction activity, which is why they are produced in abundance from Brickwork Services in Exeter to the corners of the world.
In the United Kingdom, different bricks are available for different purposes. These include standard bricks, decorative bricks, engineering bricks, facing bricks, and wirecut extruded bricks, but today, we will be discussing bricks, which are now associated with various places in the United Kingdom, such as London bricks, Staffordshire Blues, and many more.
London Bricks:
With a distinct cream-coloured or yellow appearance, the London bricks originated in the 17th century and are known for imparting a vintage look to buildings. They have been mostly used for constructing homes and are often associated with Victoria-style homes.
You will find many historical buildings in London constructed from these special bricks. They are highly valued for their aesthetic appeal and visually pleasing features. They have a cream or pale yellow colour with a hue varying from pale to buttery yellow.
They are manufactured using traditional methods and have their signature textured surface. The rough surface results from grit or sand added to the clay mixture during manufacturing. They have squared edges and are available in a standard size.
The rustic and prized look of the London bricks results from a soft mud moulding process and subsequent firing. They still remain the preferred choice of residential construction.
Suffolk Whites:
Suffolk was one of Britain’s major brick producers at one time. It is said that the Suffolk brickmakers helped build the British Empire. They are found in various historical buildings across Britain, including Kensington Museums, Royal Albert Hall, and Liverpool Street Station.
They are often reclaimed from old structures these days and are considered to be very rare. They have a white creamy appearance, which gives them their name, Suffolk Whites. The primary raw material or brick earth used in their preparation was a silty clay found in Suffolk’s earth.
Some brickworks still claim to produce Suffolk whites with an appearance that resembles natural stone and is often used in constructing residential properties. These bricks have a smooth surface, and the edges of these bricks are sharp, giving them a neat-cut appearance.
They are manufactured like traditional bricks but with different clays to achieve the creamy white colour. They are often used to restore historic buildings and are highly prized. They can be used for decorative purposes as well, for instance, preparing a border for your Gravel Driveways in Exeter.
Staffordshire Blues:
Originating from “Ertruria”, a suburb in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, the Staffordshire blues is manufactured from “Marl”, a naturally occurring composite mineral. It included silt, clay, and carbonate minerals. The Marl takes up a blue colour when fired in brick-making ovens with specific conditions.
The bricks produced are not only blue but also have incredible strength. They also have low water absorption properties, making them highly durable and long-lasting. The Staffordshire blues have been used to construct foundations, tunnels, bridges, and homes.
They are highly decorative and have also been used to construct numerous historical buildings. Because of their water-resistant properties and durability, they are categorized as “Class A”. They are a common site in Staffordshire and are often used for restorative and decorative work.
Accrington Bricks:
Nori or Accrington bricks originate from Accrington, Lancashire. They are known for their dark brown or red colour and have been a significant part of British Architecture since the 19th century. They were used to build the foundations of the Empire State Building and the Blackpool Tower.
They are manufactured from “fireclay”, which is found naturally in Accrington and surrounding areas. The unique clay and the firing process resulted in bricks with a smooth, glossy surface. They are considered to be highly resistant to acids and have been historically used for lining chimneys and flues.
They have even been used in lining furnaces. The traditional bricks, however, have been largely replaced by bricks that share the same appearance but not the same properties. They are mostly used for restoring historic buildings and residential construction because of their decorative features.