Building and construction can be challenging and time-consuming, but completing a project is incredibly rewarding. Many materials are used in masonry construction, but the most common is brick, used for buildings, walls, pavements, and more. Bricks come in various shapes, colours, and sizes. Recently, blue bricks have gained attention in the 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 turn to reclaimed materials in their projects to help the environment. There is a lot of choices available regarding reclaimed bricks, one of which is the infamous reclaimed blue bricks. With this in mind, we will look at some of the benefits of utilising blue bricks for your building and construction needs in this article.
Check out Cawarden’s variety of blue bricks!
Strength and Resistance Characteristics
Blue bricks, also classified as ‘engineering bricks’, are made from local red clay (Etruria marl). When fired at high temperatures in a low-oxygen-reducing atmosphere, they acquire a deep blue colour. These bricks boast high compressive strength and are resistant to chemical attacks, including acids, as well as to water damage from storms and frost. Additionally, engineering bricks are used for constructing high load-bearing walls. Blue bricks are renowned for their exceptional characteristics. They have traditionally been used in civil engineering for demanding applications like groundworks, manholes, sewers, retaining walls, and damp-proof courses. Their strength and durability make them an excellent choice for personal projects, often outlasting traditional red or orange bricks in longevity..
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 cost-effective since they lack the production and labour expenses of new materials, helping to keep prices low and affordable. Moreover, you don’t have to compromise on quality, as good-quality bricks are available at Cawarden Reclaim.
Environmentally Friendly
Another major factor in using reclaimed bricks is that they are a much more environmentally friendly option. Sustainability is encouraging people to adopt greener practices and has become 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 be viewed as an eco-friendly option because using them involves a form of unprocessed recycling. Not only does their use reduce the needless production of new materials and the creation of emissions, but it will also cut down on landfill waste. Many demolished building materials are often discarded, but reusing these bricks can help reduce this unnecessary waste. See our blog on the environmental impact reclaimed bricks can have.
New and Exclusive: Reproduction Imperial Size Staffordshire Blue Diamond Pavers by KETLEY BRICK
Adds Personality To Your Projects
Using blue reclaimed bricks is beneficial because using reclaimed materials adds character and individuality to your project. These materials help create a unique finish, allowing you to craft a truly original building, especially with the notable blue shade that emerges during their production. Whether used for an internal feature wall, extension, or paving, the variety of textures and tones available with reclaimed bricks ensures an attractive and eye-catching finish for those who appreciate 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 purchasing any reclaimed bricks, call us at: (01889) 574 066 or email us at: info@cawardenreclaim.co.uk