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It is this toughness that makes engineering bricks such a good choice for constructing secure foundations. The low water absorption of engineering bricks in comparison to their regular clay cousins means they help to reduce damp and keep a building dry, while their compression strength means that they are well able to deal with the weight of the building they support.
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The engineering bricks are used almost as widely as their regular standard clay cousins. But while you might select your standard building bricks, at least in part for their aesthetic qualities you would never choose an engineering brick because it was pretty. So why do we choose them? Engineering bricks are primarily used for constructing foundations and delivering structural support. But can they be used for anything else? What makes them different from regular bricks?
What makes engineering bricks different from their regular clay cousins is their inherent toughness, particularly when they are being compressed. This comes from the high temperature, oxygen free environment in which they are fired. It is this process which means that engineering bricks will usually have a smooth, plain surface which makes them so visually distinctive.
Engineering bricks are are divided into two broad categories, imaginatively called “Class A” and “Class B”. Class A bricks are the toughest bricks of all with immense compression strength and water absorption rate of less than 4.5%. That really is as tough as bricks get. Class B engineering bricks typically have slightly less compression strength are a little more porous, with a water absorption rate of up to 7%.
Still tougher than a regular brick, just not as tough as their Class A big brothers. Both types of engineering brick are generally blue, but reds and buffs are available too.
It is this toughness that makes engineering bricks such a good choice for constructing secure foundations. The low water absorption of engineering bricks in comparison to their regular clay cousins means they help to reduce damp and keep a building dry, while their compression strength means that they are well able to deal with the weight of the building they support.
This low water absorption also makes engineering bricks an ideal option for building Damp Proof Courses and for the same reason they are often used to construct structures in wet environments. Engineering bricks have been used for bridges, canals and tunnels, for example – indeed anywhere where a structure will be exposed to a lot of water.
Sometimes, however, engineering facing bricks have been used because of their appearance. If you want a structure to have a distinctive, dark, urban look the smooth, hard, blue surface of engineering bricks might be exactly the thing that you are looking for.
Their hardness means that they will not weather as much as a regular clay brick, but if you want a more “used” appearance you could always use reclaimed engineering bricks. After all, the density and durability that makes engineering bricks so good for foundations makes them easy to salvage and reuse, which means that they can be a very green choice too.
Engineering facing bricks can often be less expensive than their regular cousins as well, so if you are building on a budget and do not mind their more severe aesthetic, an engineering brick might be the way to go. The truth is that you can use an engineering brick for every purpose you might use a regular brick for. The only reason they are not commonly used in visible structures is their appearance.
But visible or not, engineering bricks will always be essential to most construction projects. These tough, versatile bricks may well be supporting the building you are currently in – they are literally the foundation upon which Britain has been built. Engineering bricks are not a uniform commodity however, so it is worth browsing our selection. If you are not sure which type of engineering brick is right for your project get in touch and we would be very happy to advice.
