The world of building and construction can be a challenging and lengthy task but when a project is finished, it can be incredibly rewarding. There are many materials that are utilised in the formation of buildings, walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction but the most common material used for this kind of work is brick. Bricks come in all shapes, colours and sizes and in particular, blue bricks have recently caused a new wave of attention when it comes to construction and building industries. Although still not as popular as its traditional red/orange counterpart, blue bricks still certainly have their uses. 

 

First of all, let's dive into a type of brick known as reclaimed bricks. Reclaimed bricks are useful because of the current increased awareness and encouragement of sustainability. Many individuals are turning to reclaimed materials in their projects to help the environment. There is a lot of choice available when it comes to reclaimed bricks, one of which being the infamous reclaimed blue bricks. With this in mind, this article, we will be looking at some of the benefits of utilising blue bricks for your building and construction needs.

  • Strength and Resistance Characteristics 

Blue bricks are also classed as ‘engineering bricks’. They are made from a local red clay, (Etruria marl) which when fired at a high temperature in a low-oxygen reducing atmosphere, takes on a deep blue colour. These bricks have high compressive strength and are resistant to chemical attacks involving acid attacks, water attacks such as storms and frost resistance. In addition, engineering bricks are used for high load-bearing walls. Because of these great characteristics, blue bricks were traditionally utilised in civil engineering and are most suitable for applications where strength and resistance are necessary such as ground-works, manholes, sewers, retaining walls and damp proof courses. However, the strength and resistance capabilities of these bricks can also mean that your personal projects can be significantly more study and longer lasting than traditional red/orange bricks. 

 

  • Cost

The cost of using reclaimed blue bricks is significantly lower than using brand new blue bricks. Costs can be a major concern for the feasibility of any construction project. It is, therefore, advantageous to find good deals and cheaper materials without sacrificing quality  wherever possible. Using reclaimed bricks is an excellent choice for lowering expenditure as  they do not have any of the associated production costs/ labour costs attached to them that new building materials do, allowing the prices to stay low and affordable. What’s more, you don’t have to compromise on standards as you can still obtain good quality bricks here at Cawarden Reclaim.

 

  • Environmentally Friendly

Another major factor of using reclaimed bricks is that they are a much more environmentally friendly option. With the topic of sustainability people are encouraged to be more greener and is a hot topic of discussion in recent times. Therefore, utilising reclaimed bricks can help meet this criteria. Unfortunately, the construction industry in the UK is a huge contributor to national waste and carbon emissions. Such emissions can come from producing, manufacturing and transporting building materials. However, by using reclaimed bricks you can cut out a lot of this negative environmental impact as you are using pre-made materials.

Reclaimed bricks can further be seen as an eco-friendly option due to their usage being a form of unprocessed recycling. Not only does their use reduce needless production of new materials and creation of emissions, but it will also cut down on landfill waste. A lot of demolished building materials are thrown away, however, by using these bricks again, you can help reduce this unnecessary source of waste. See our blog on the environmental impact reclaimed bricks can have.

 

 

  • Adds Personality To Your Projects

A final point as to why using blue reclaimed bricks is beneficial is because using reclaimed materials for your project can be a fantastic way to add character and individuality. These materials can help create a unique finish, allowing you to make a truly original building, especially with the notable blue shade that is created when producing these bricks in the first place. Whether used for an internal feature wall, extension or paving, the variety of textures and tones available with reclaimed bricks are sure to create an attractive and eye-catching finish for those with an appreciation of history.

 

We hope we have enlightened you into the world of reclaimed bricks and more specifically, the blue engineering brick. As discussed in this article, blue bricks don't just have to be limited to engineering purposes and can even be used as a decorative material. If you are interested in purchase any reclaimed bricks, call us on: (01889) 574 066 or email us at: info@cawardenreclaim.co.uk