Brick Basics
Brick is mankind’s oldest manufactured building product. Evidence of its use and durability is seen in the ruins of virtually every civilization. Brick is composed of shale and clay which is fired in kilns at temperatures of approximately 2000° F. The firing process causes the clay particles to physically and chemically bond together creating an extremely durable building material.
Brick Myths
1. If I pick a brick off a sample panel, picture or existing home my brick should be exactly the same?
No, your home will not look the same. Brick are like babies, there are no two exactly alike. Yes, they should be reasonably close but not exact. Bricks are made in quantities of hundreds of thousands. They are made out of raw materials provided by Mother Nature (clays). There are hundreds of variables involved in the manufacturing process, therefore the expectation of exact matches is not reasonable nor possible.
2. Brick are supposed to be free of any cracks, chips or imperfections.
No. It is impossible to produce a brick, transport the product, move to scaffold and install without chipping, scraping and maybe even cracking some of the brick. Bricks are not manufactured as a perfect product. Expect to have some of these imperfections. After brick are properly placed in the wall they cannot continue to crack and chip. For further detail on imperfection, see ASTMC-216.
3. When brick are delivered, there are not supposed to be any broken brick in the bundles or pallets.
No. It is acceptable. The standard for the brick industry allows the manufacturer a 5 percent breakage allowance. (If more than 5 percent, contact your brick salesperson) Because brick are hard and made of clay, it is impossible to transport without breakage. (See ASTMC-216 for further details)
Why Brick?
Brick adds more than curb appeal, it adds value. Whether it’s a reflection of brick’s beauty, durability, or maintenance-free properties — or a combination of the three — any residential or commercial realtor will tell you that brick buildings are generally the most marketable, often bringing greater prices at resale than comparable structures of other materials.
Durability
Unlike most of the materials that are selected, the brick selection will be a once-in-a-lifetime decision. If properly installed, the brick will withstand the test of time – in both style and strength.
Insurance Savings
Check with your insurance agent for the rate difference between a brick structure versus a non-brick structure. The savings can be considerable.
Resale
Brick has and always will have positive impact on the resale value of the structure.
Low Maintenance
After proper installation, brick will require little, if no, maintenance for a lifetime of beauty and enjoyment.
Safety
Brick will stand up against the forces of nature and man for years to come.