- Low mainteneance Parts of the Brick Making Process
- Have a low carbon footprint thereby benefiting the environment
- Fire resistant
- Easy finish, no extra work is required once bricks are set.
- The compressive strength of clay bricks allows it to be successfully used in the building of multi-storey structures.
- Cost effective as a result of the overall benefits of clay brick.
A VISIT TO THE BRICK-YARD
Throughout the country the popularity of clay bricks is on the increase. From Rustenburg to Cape Town and everywhere in between the benefits of clay bricks have been felt.
These benfits that are both instant and long term have been what has swayed a large number of first time builders to make clay bricks their building material of choice.
It can get very hot in certain parts of South Africa and the ability of clay bricks allows the building to remain cool. The same happens in areas where the temperature can dip rather low.
The thermal properties of the clay brick and intelligent design will allow heat to be absorbed when the sun shines and for the bricks to release the heat slowly as the ambient temperature begins to dip.
Harnessing the the properties of the elements, clay bricks can be formed and fired so that they deliver both strength, longevity and appearance. The versatility of clay bricks is of such a nature that they can be used both inside and outside and unless it's a clay stock brick there are savings that can be had, purely through the choice of brick not requiring plaster or paint.
Clay stock bricks have the same qualities except that they are usually applied to an inner wall which will eventually be plastered and painted.
Without having bricks, the building process will undoubtedly halt or return to a time where sticks and skins were used to create places the would keep the elements out.
When selecting a brick for building, the type of structure you are building is a key factor, especially when it comes to cost. As a cost effective measure, buildings are generally not intended for the short term but buildings are rather repurposed than rebuilt. Permanet structures are intended to last indefinitely and as a result you would want to choose a brick which will add tot he quality of the build.
Clay bricks deliver both cost efficiency in the initial build as well as in the long term. The cost of clay bricks can be measured against the finish of the building; clay face bricks do not require plastering or paint finishes and as such carry a saving. Thermal properties of clay bricks will also lend themselves to savings on heating and cooling, thus also helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the build.
Clay bricks will offer the most effective and practical solution to your building requirements with short and long term savings. To further reduce the cost of the build consider buying your clay bricks from a local supplier, this will reduce or possibly eliminate the transport costs while helping to stimulate the economy in your area.
Parts of the Brick Making Process
These bricks are designed in such a way that added to their inherent qualities of strength and durability, face bricks can be used to finish off the design of a structure without being plastered and painted.
The colour of a brick is mostly determined by the firing technique that is used but the chemical content of the clay will also determine certain of the characteristics that can be seen and add to the overall look of a building.
These are the stalwarts of building with clay bricks. Inner walls and in many cases also outer walls are built with these bricks because they lend themselves well to plastering and then to a coat of paint to give the building its final appearance. Clay stock bricks do not have to be plastered however the finish is not always uniform and this is why they get allocated the position behind the plaster and paint.
As with other maxi bricks, the clay maxi brick is substantially larger than ordinary bricks. Fewer of these are used for building projects than standard size bricks.
The bricks are the same height as standard clay bricks but do have incereased length and width which means less bricks but also added to that the wall will be thicker meaning improved thermal insulation.
The benefits of clay brick will remain for as long as the bricks are maintained and your building stands. There are some things to consider when building and some maintenance requirements that may impact on the logevity of the bricks and the buildings.