When it comes to repairing, restoring, or extending an older property, one of the challenges you face is matching new work to your existing building. You can spot a mismatched brick from a mile away, which can ruin the aesthetic and authenticity of an older-looking property. This is why choosing reclaimed bricks is often the smarter decision, allowing you to keep the authenticity of your home whilst still using safe and reliable materials. In this blog, we will explore how to match reclaimed bricks to an existing structure and what to look out for.
Why Brick Matching Matters?
Brick matching is not all about looks, although appearance does play a significant part. It’s also about preserving the history and story of the building and maintaining its structural and architectural integrity.
A poor match will make the building look patchy against the older structure. New bricks next to an older property will look out of place, and you lose the authentic appearance of the property. It is worth seeking professionals and ensuring you find the best match for your project. At Consumer Advisory, we will ensure you get the best match possible, delivered to the highest quality.
Identifying Your Existing Brick Type
- What colour is the current brickwork?
- What texture are the bricks?
- What is the size of the bricks?
- The way in which the bricks are laid can give you an indication of the age and style.
Finding a Reliable Reclaimed Brick Supplier
A good reclaimed brick supplier like Consumer Advisory will:
- Understand local architecture โ They will be able to understand and identify the typical bricks used in your area to match you with the best choice of reclaimed bricks.
- Offer brick matching services โ Providing a photo or sample will allow them, as experts, to provide you with the best match possible.
- Clean and sort properly โ The best reclaimed bricks will have been cleaned, checked for any damage, and graded before they are ready to be sold.
- Choosing an experienced supplier saves you a lot of time searching for the right reclaimed bricks and ensures that the final result looks the most natural and meets your expectations.
Common Mistakes When Matching Reclaimed Bricks
- Choosing solely on colour โ Two bricks that may look similar in colour may vary in texture and size.
- Not ordering enough โ Always make sure you allow enough bricks for any breakages or future repairs, since reclaimed bricks cannot always be replicated, and some are unique.
- Skipping professional advice โ Having a conversation with a reclaimed brick specialist is always advised, as it may save you from mistakes later down the line and potentially any added costs.
Caring for Your Reclaimed Bricks
Once reclaimed bricks are in place, caring for them is simple. As reclaimed bricks have already proved their durability, they are less likely to cause any issues compared to the use of new bricks. Avoid using chemicals or high-pressure washing, which could take away their authentic look. A gentle clean will allow them to continue being used for generations.
The Benefits Beyond Matching
Ensuring that the reclaimed bricks match and look good is only one benefit of using them. They offer real character to a building. Using reclaimed bricks for an extension elevates the whole property and removes any impression of it looking patched up. If done properly, the results of using reclaimed bricks are amazing โ your new work looks as though it was an original part of the building and doesn’t look out of place. The tone, texture, and character all preserve the authenticity of the building whilst still making improvements to your home.
Why Reclaimed Bricks Are Better for Matching?
As reclaimed bricks are reused from old buildings, they already have weathering, age, and slight colour shifts. These are features that take new bricks years to develop and are seen as a disadvantage for new bricks.
Reclaimed bricks may be of the same style or era as your existing building, making them the perfect match compared to new bricks.
Steps You Need to Take to Match Reclaimed Bricks to Existing Buildings
1. Survey the existing brickwork โย
As mentioned previously, the colour, tone, and texture are all features you need to consider when matching reclaimed bricks to existing work. As well as this, the mortar colour and style also need to be checked to ensure you can find the right choice of reclaimed bricks.
2. Photos/samples โย
Take photos of the existing brickwork, or if you have a sample of the bricks already being used, that’s even better. You can use the photo or brick to compare it to the reclaimed bricks that you want to match to the existing building.
3. Visit reclaimed brick yards โย
Going to visit a yard will make it easier for you to see the different styles and colours of reclaimed bricks and will help you discover what you are looking for.
Conclusion
When matching reclaimed bricks to your existing building, it isn’t always easy. However, when they are used properly, they are the most satisfying part of restoring and extending an older property. The result will look like it has always been a part of your home and will not look out of place compared to if you used new bricks on an older home. If you take your time and choose the right supplier for reclaimed bricks, the result of your project will be exactly what you wanted.
If you wish to get in contact today, please visit our website at https://consumer-advisory.co.uk/services/reclaimed-bricks-tiles-slates-york-stone-sleepers-supply-quotation/, where we offer the highest quality reclaimed bricks.
Whether you require 1,000 or 20,000 bricks, we hold the largest reclaimed brick stock in Southeast England. Daily deliveries are available to all parts of London and the Southeast.
Please fill out the enquiry form on https://consumer-advisory.co.uk/services/reclaimed-bricks-tiles-slates-york-stone-sleepers-supply-quotation/ for the relevant project you require, and we will provide you with trusted home improvement suppliers for new bricks, reclaimed bricks, tiles, slates, and Yorkstone.
