Choosing bricks is not simply a matter of finding the right colour. The best option depends on where the bricks will be used, the performance required, the dimensions of the existing brickwork and the appearance you want to achieve.
A period-property repair may require an imperial-sized reclaimed brick, while a new wall below ground may need a brick specified for strength and water absorption. Paths require suitable paving bricks, and fireplaces or pizza ovens need materials designed for high temperatures. Starting with the application makes it much easier to narrow down the complete range of bricks available.
Start With Where the Bricks Will Be Used
The same brick will not necessarily be suitable for every part of a project. Before comparing colours and finishes, establish what the brickwork needs to do.
- Period-property repairs and extensions: Concentrate on matching the existing brick size, colour range, texture, manufacturing style and weathering. Mortar colour and joint profile will also affect the finished match.
- New-build walls and façades: Reclaimed, new heritage or contemporary facing bricks may all be considered, provided the chosen brick meets the project specification.
- Garden and boundary walls: Freestanding walls are exposed to weather on both sides, so durability, coping details and protection from persistent saturation are important.
- Paths, patios and driveways: Use a brick or clay paver suitable for paving and the expected loading. An ordinary walling brick should not automatically be used on the ground.
- Below-ground or particularly exposed brickwork: The designer may specify engineering bricks or another brick with appropriate declared performance.
- Fireplaces, barbecues and pizza ovens: Areas exposed to high temperatures normally require refractory fire bricks and a compatible installation system.
- Interior feature walls and refurbishment: Where the appearance of brick is wanted without the depth and weight of full bricks, brick slips may be more practical. These are also commonly called thin brick or thin brick veneer in the United States.
Understanding the Main Brick Options
Reclaimed Bricks
Reclaimed bricks have been salvaged from earlier buildings and prepared for reuse. Their natural weathering, old mortar marks and tonal variation can help repairs and extensions sit comfortably alongside older brickwork. They are also widely used to introduce genuine age and character into new projects.
Variation should be expected, but character is different from damage. A suitable batch should be properly cleaned and sorted, available in sufficient quantity and appropriate for its intended location. Technical requirements deserve particular attention where reclaimed bricks will be used structurally, below ground or in highly exposed positions.
New Heritage and Facing Bricks
New heritage bricks recreate many of the colours, textures and manufacturing styles associated with traditional British brickwork. They can be a useful choice when a project requires a consistent supply, more regular dimensions or specific declared performance while retaining a period appearance.
New does not automatically mean visually uniform. Handmade and traditionally styled new bricks can include considerable variation, so samples and a representative panel remain valuable before the full order is placed.
Engineering Bricks
Engineering bricks are selected for performance characteristics such as compressive strength and water absorption. They are commonly considered for demanding locations, including certain below-ground, retaining and civil-engineering applications.
They should not simply be chosen because they appear to be the strongest option. The required brick, mortar and construction detail should be determined by the project designer or other suitably qualified professional, taking account of loading, exposure and ground conditions.
Paving Bricks
Paving bricks and clay pavers are intended to cope with ground contact, weather and foot or vehicle traffic according to their specification. Reclaimed pavers can provide an established surface with rich variation, but reclaimed walling bricks should not be assumed to be suitable for paving simply because they are old.
Fire Bricks
Fire bricks are refractory products designed to tolerate high temperatures. They are used within applications such as fireplaces, stoves, kilns, barbecues and pizza ovens, subject to the design of the complete system. Ordinary facing bricks and engineering bricks are not automatic substitutes for a correctly specified refractory brick.
Handmade, Pressed or Wirecut Bricks?
These terms describe how clay bricks are formed rather than whether they are new or reclaimed. The manufacturing method influences the regularity, surface texture and overall character of the finished brickwork.
Handmade Bricks
Handmade bricks generally have softer edges, creased faces and natural variation between individual bricks. They are particularly useful for Georgian, Victorian and rural properties where overly sharp or uniform brickwork could look out of place.
Pressed Bricks
Pressed bricks tend to have more defined edges and regular faces. Reclaimed pressed bricks are often seen in later Victorian, Edwardian and industrial buildings and can provide a strong match where the original brickwork has a consistent, machine-made appearance.
Wirecut Bricks
Wirecut bricks are formed from extruded clay that is cut into individual units. They usually have relatively consistent dimensions and may show a distinctive drag-textured face. Reclaimed wirecut bricks are common in many twentieth-century properties.
Seven Factors to Check Before Choosing Bricks
1. Intended Use
Begin with the location and purpose of the brickwork. A visually suitable brick may not have the performance required for paving, ground contact, severe exposure or high-temperature use. Structural and performance decisions should follow the project specification rather than appearance alone.
2. Brick Size and Dimensions
Size is critical when matching existing brickwork. Even a small difference in brick height can change the coursing and produce mortar joints that are noticeably thicker or thinner than the original wall.
The most widely used modern UK brick size is 215 × 102.5 × 65mm, but older imperial bricks vary considerably. Common reclaimed bricks may be described by their height, such as 2-inch, 2⅝-inch, 2¾-inch or 3-inch bricks, but the complete length, width and height should always be checked.
UK and US Brick-Size Terminology
North American projects use different size names and inch-based dimensions. US architects, contractors and buyers may encounter Modular, Utility, Engineer and Norman brick sizes. These names are not direct equivalents of British metric or imperial sizes, and the dimensions associated with a name can vary between manufacturers.
There is also an important terminology distinction: in Britain, an engineering brick is selected for particular performance characteristics; in the US, Engineer can form part of a brick-size designation. The two meanings should not be confused.
When British reclaimed bricks are being considered for an American project, compare the actual width, height and length of the units, the intended mortar joint and the complete wall construction. The architect, engineer or contractor should also confirm the applicable local code, test documentation and project requirements.
3. Exposure and Durability
A sheltered internal wall, an external house wall and a freestanding garden wall face very different conditions. Consider saturation, frost exposure, ground contact and the detailing used to shed water. Age alone does not prove that a reclaimed brick will be suitable in every exposed location.
4. Strength, Water Absorption and Other Technical Properties
The strongest or least absorbent brick is not automatically the best choice. Compressive strength, water absorption, freeze–thaw resistance and soluble-salt classification all need to be considered in relation to the intended application and mortar. Where declared performance is required, ask for the available technical information and obtain professional specification advice.
5. Colour, Texture and Weathering
Do not judge a brick from one colour description. A successful blend can contain several shades, overburns, marks and weathered surfaces. View samples in natural daylight and consider how the brick will look across a complete elevation rather than as one isolated unit.
6. Mortar, Joint Profile and Brick Bond
Mortar can transform the appearance of the same brick. Its colour, texture, strength and joint profile all influence the final result. The mortar should also be compatible with the bricks and the building. Older, softer brickwork may require a different approach from modern construction, so follow the project specification and seek specialist advice where appropriate.
Brick bond matters too. Stretcher bond is common in modern cavity-wall construction, while English and Flemish bonds are frequently found in traditional solid walls. Repairs and extensions normally look most convincing when the established coursing and bond are properly understood.
7. Quantity, Availability and Overall Cost
Compare more than the price of an individual brick or pallet. Pack quantities, wastage, sorting, specialist shapes, delivery and unloading arrangements can all affect the total project cost. Reclaimed batches are finite, so confirm that enough material is available before work begins and agree a sensible contingency with your builder or supplier.
Matching Bricks for an Extension or Repair
Brick matching requires more than finding a broadly similar red or yellow brick. A convincing match should consider:
- the actual brick dimensions and coursing;
- handmade, pressed or wirecut characteristics;
- the overall colour range rather than one dominant shade;
- surface texture, weathering, marks and edge profile;
- the existing mortar colour and joint finish; and
- the brick bond and distribution of different tones across the wall.
Photographs are a useful starting point, but a physical sample gives a more reliable view of colour, texture and size. For important work, a sample panel allows the proposed bricks, blend, mortar and joint profile to be assessed together before the main build begins.
Reclaimed Brick Company offers a free brick-matching service to help identify the closest available option for an extension, restoration or repair.
Reclaimed bricks used on a Cheshire house extension.
Samples, Quantities and Ordering
Once you have narrowed down the type, size and appearance, order brick samples before committing to the full quantity. Remember that reclaimed bricks naturally vary, so a small sample should be used to understand the character of the wider batch rather than as a promise that every brick will be identical.
For a standard 65mm UK brick laid with a typical 10mm mortar joint, approximately 60 bricks per square metre is a common estimating figure. Imperial bricks, alternative bonds, different joint widths, openings and detailed features will change the calculation. The brick calculator can provide a useful starting estimate, which should then be checked against the drawings and confirmed with the builder or supplier.
Before placing the order, confirm the quantity per pack, available batch size, contingency, delivery vehicle, site access and unloading method. Our separate guide explains how to buy reclaimed bricks in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can reclaimed bricks be used for a new build?
Yes, reclaimed bricks can be used in many new-build projects where their appearance and characteristics suit the design. The selected batch must be appropriate for its intended application, available in sufficient quantity and accepted by the project designer, contractor and relevant building-control authority.
What is the difference between metric and imperial bricks?
Modern UK bricks are commonly produced at 215 × 102.5 × 65mm. Imperial bricks pre-date metric standardisation and occur in numerous dimensions, often with greater variation between individual units. Matching an older wall requires checking the complete brick dimensions and coursing rather than relying on the word “imperial” alone.
How do I match bricks for an extension?
Compare size, colour range, texture, manufacturing method, weathering and edge profile. The existing mortar and brick bond should be considered at the same time. Send clear photographs and measurements through the brick-matching service, then assess a physical sample before ordering.
Can ordinary facing bricks be used for paving?
They should not automatically be used for paving. Ground-level materials face saturation, frost and physical wear, so choose a clay paver or a reclaimed paving brick shown to be suitable for the location and loading.
When are engineering bricks required?
Engineering bricks may be specified where particular strength or water-absorption performance is needed, including some below-ground and demanding structural applications. Their use should follow the drawings and specification rather than a general rule applied to every project.
Do fireplaces and pizza ovens require fire bricks?
The high-temperature areas of fireplaces, pizza ovens, barbecues and similar installations normally require correctly specified refractory materials. Use suitable fire bricks, mortar and insulation as part of a properly designed system and follow the appliance manufacturer's or project designer's guidance.
How many bricks do I need per square metre?
Approximately 60 standard 65mm bricks per square metre is a common starting point when using a 10mm mortar joint. The actual quantity depends on brick dimensions, joint width, bond, openings and design details, so calculate from the project drawings and include an agreed allowance for cuts, damage and future repairs.
Can British bricks be used for projects in the United States?
British reclaimed and new heritage bricks can be considered for American projects, but the exact unit dimensions, wall system, mortar joint, technical information and local code requirements must be checked. UK imperial brick sizes should not be assumed to correspond directly with US Modular, Utility or Engineer size names.
Choosing With Confidence
The right brick is the one that balances appearance, dimensions, performance, availability and budget for its particular location. Begin with the intended use, examine representative samples and involve the designer, builder and supplier before committing to the full order.
If you are unsure which option is appropriate, contact the Reclaimed Brick Company team with photographs, measurements, quantities and details of the proposed application. We can help you narrow down the most suitable bricks for your project.
(RBC-B-061)
