Choosing The Right Reclaimed Bricks For Your Property

When you are completing a project with reclaimed bricks, you must choose the right type for your project. Reclaimed bricks offer a wide range of character and authenticity compared to many new bricks, ensuring your property matches the surroundings of other buildings and the environmental context around it. In this blog, we will go through what to look out for when making the choice of what type of reclaimed brick to choose for your project, whether it be a new build, extension or renovation. We will look at what reclaimed bricks are the best and why they are worth potentially choosing ahead of new bricks.

Understanding Brick Types

1. London Stock Bricks – 

These are more yellow in colour and have been used typically across London since the 19th century. If you are restoring or extending a property in or around London, this type of brick is a popular choice. They help to blend in with already existing buildings and the environment surrounding. 

2. Red Bricks – 

These types of bricks are more common in Victorian and Edwardian houses. Reclaimed red bricks are a perfect choice if you want to match period features or add warmth to a new build. 

3. Engineering Bricks – 

These are mainly known for their strength and durability, often used for the foundations of buildings. Reclaimed engineering bricks are still useful as they still offer durability, despite the lack of aesthetic appeal compared to other reclaimed options. 

4. Handmade Bricks – 

These are older, irregular bricks, that have been made by hand. They are often found in more rural properties or older buildings, and in terms of authenticity reclaimed handmade bricks are hard to beat.

Practical Considerations

1. Quantity – Ensure that you can get enough of the same style of brick. Reclaimed bricks often have a limited supply. The last thing you want is to be halfway through your project and not have enough of the same type of reclaimed brick to complete your project. 
2. Condition – In some cases, reclaimed bricks are not suitable to be reused. When using a reliable supplier reclaimed bricks will be sorted and graded before they are sold on and reused. This ensures that there are no cracks, chips or excessive wear to the point in which they should not be sold for reuse again. 
3. Cost – Sometimes, reclaimed bricks despite already being used, can be more expensive. If they are high in demand, or there is only a limited supply, this can increase the cost for that type of reclaimed brick.
4. Delivery – Reclaimed bricks often need more care when being delivered. This is because sometimes they may not be as durable as new bricks and could get damaged easier.

Matching Bricks to Your Property

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to using reclaimed bricks is matching them to your already existing property. If you are repairing a wall, building an extension or even just replacing a small number of damaged bricks, you will want the new bricks to blend in. There are several factors to consider when attempting to match reclaimed bricks to an already existing building, these include:

1. Colour – Even within the same type of brick, colour can vary. The best thing to do is taking a sample from your property if possible and compare it directly with the reclaimed bricks before buying.
2. Size – Older bricks often do not match the same size of modern bricks. You need to ensure that you measure what size bricks you need carefully, to ensure that you are not left with any gaps. 
3. Texture – Bricks made by machines will often stand out against handmade ones. Ensuring that you get the right surface finish is important to match your already existing property.
4. Weathering – Reclaimed bricks often have patina from years of exposure. This can be very hard to replicate with new bricks, so ensuring you find the right reclaimed bricks with the right amount of weathering can be very important.

Mistakes to Avoid when Choosing Reclaimed Bricks

• Assuming that all bricks are the same. You need to make sure they are the same colour (to a certain extent), type of bricks and the same size. 

• Not buying enough bricks is another common mistake people can make. Always order more than you might think you’ll need as supply for reclaimed bricks can be limited.

Ignoring the condition of reclaimed bricks is another common mistake. Potentially damaged bricks can ruin a whole project.

Aesthetic Impact

One of the best parts of using reclaimed bricks is the way they transform a property. The variations in colour and texture create depth and character that many new bricks cannot replicate. Whether you are restoring a period property or trying to add a touch of character and history to a modern building, reclaimed bricks make a perfect statement. 

Conclusion

Overall, choosing the right reclaimed bricks for your property is key. It is about respecting the character of your home and adding/keeping the authenticity of a home. Reclaimed bricks bring history, charm and individuality to any project. From smaller projects of repairing a wall to building an extension, you should take the time to choose carefully what reclaimed bricks you should use. Make sure that you look at the colour, size, texture and condition of the bricks before buying. 

Whether you require 1000 or 20,000 bricks we hold the largest reclamation brick stock in Southeast England. Daily deliveries available into all parts of Greater London and the Home Counties.

Please fill out the enquiry form with your requirements. We will then pass this on to our accredited suppliers.