A campaign has been launched to inform self-builders on why they should stay with clay brick rather than look at concrete newcomers. Keith Aldis of the Brick Development Association explains further

The campaign we have launched features an illustrated comparative guide to the sustainable credentials of clay brick, as compared with concrete brick alternatives. So for those who are seeking to self-build, the guide might help you consider the pitfalls of choosing the right type of brick for your build.

The aim of the guide was to demolish the myth that a brick is just a brick, and that all bricks are the same. This is absolutely not true. Bricks come in all manner of shapes, sizes, colours and densities. They are designed to perform different functions, from providing an aesthetically pleasing material to offering hard-wearing – and even flood resistant – cladding and paving.

The humble clay brick is one of the most beautiful of materials for external walls on a home, office or industrial building. But, because of clay brick’s popularity, beauty and proven performance, we are increasingly
seeing a number of imitation products coming into the market, including vinyl brick-like coverings, plastic cladding boards pre-shaped like bricks, and of course the so-called concrete ‘brick.’

THE LONGEVITY OF BRICK

The thrust of the BDA’s new campaign was to provide further information for those wishing to use a more sustainable product such as clay bricks and to explain why for example, concrete bricks, like other imitations, were not the panacea for reducing carbon.

At the 2022 Brick Awards, it was pointed out to an audience of key architects, suppliers and brickwork contractors, that clay bricks have been around for at least 9,000 years, and in the UK, for over 2,000 years; and some of those early bricks are still performing well. Clay bricks have been proven over time to do the job they are made for. They are truly sustainable on so many levels, and some may argue they are ever lasting.

At the same time, clay bricks come in a wonderful variety of colours and textures which can enhance the vernacular. Unlike concrete bricks – which are known to fade over time – clay bricks become more beautiful as they age, enabling self-builders to create truly memorable buildings. The BDA’s Clay v Concrete Brick Comparative Guide can be found on our website at www.brick.org.uk.

Keith Aldis is CEO at The Brick Development Association