Recommendations from experienced builders, which bricks are best to use for building a house and why

Selecting the appropriate bricks is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when building a house. The fundamental component of any home’s construction, bricks offer strength, durability, and visual appeal. Choosing the best bricks can be difficult given the abundance of options available, but knowledgeable builders can help make the process easier by providing insightful advice.

First, think about the kind of bricks that will work best in your area’s climate. Bricks that are weather-resistant and long-lasting are crucial in locations that frequently experience harsh weather, such as freezing winters or torrential downpours. Usually composed of clay or concrete, these bricks are designed to tolerate changes in temperature and moisture without sacrificing their structural integrity.

Don’t forget to consider the bricks’ compressive strength. This measurement shows the maximum load a brick can support before fracturing or crumbling. For walls and structures that must support weight, choose bricks with higher compressive strength ratings. This guarantees that your house will sustain the weight of the upper stories and roof steadily and securely over time.

The bricks’ ability to insulate against heat is another important consideration. Proper insulation lowers the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling by assisting with temperature regulation inside. Superior thermal insulation properties of bricks make a house more energy-efficient and comfortable while consuming less in utilities.

Type of Brick Reason for Recommendation
Clay Bricks Preferred for their durability and natural thermal insulation properties, making them suitable for various climates.
Concrete Bricks Known for their strength and affordability, ideal for structural integrity and ease of handling during construction.

The importance of choosing the type of material for construction

It is crucial to choose the building material format and thoroughly examine all of its technical specifications before beginning construction (moisture resistance, strength category, frost resistance index, thermal conductivity, etc.).

Specifically, it is unacceptable to use hollow products for the foundation because they absorb moisture, which in the winter turns to ice. The house collapses as a result of the internal partitions gradually deforming and becoming unable to support the weight.

A poor brick selection frequently raises the risk that the finished structure won’t be sturdy and long-lasting.

What requirements must it meet??

For a house to be constructed that will endure for many decades, the stone-like material used for construction must meet the following requirements:

  • strength (determines the degree of resistance of the sample to load, which has priority in the construction of load-bearing structures, fixed by the letter M);
  • frost resistance (determines the number of cycles of alternate freezing/thawing the sample, fixed by the letter F);
  • density (shows wear resistance, thermal conductivity and weight category of the sample);
  • porosity (frost resistance, strength, acoustic properties, water absorption, thermal conductivity);
  • thermal conductivity (determines how much heat the sample retains indoors);
  • moisture resistance (determines how much moisture the sample absorbs);
  • fire resistance (determines the degree of integrity of the sample under the influence of high temperatures).

Make sure the building material you choose complies with GOST 530-2007 requirements. The primary technical requirements for building, cladding, and ceramic samples are outlined in the standards.

Specifically, a minimum frost resistance of F25 is required for the first product format, F50 for the second, and F25-35 for the third. The nominal strength indicator (solid sample: M125, hollow grade sample: M100) is also shown in the regulatory document.

One must consider a product’s size before purchasing it. The typical measurements of a building material composed of mineral components are 250 x 120 x 65 mm. These are the limitations that apply when building load-bearing walls.

However, the height of contemporary samples varies: it is 88 mm for a one-and-a-half brick and 103 mm for a double brick. These product formats frequently have porous structures, but this doesn’t lessen how well they insulate against heat.

Types of building materials

It’s a little out of date to still grade products traditionally in red and white. Bricks with different hues can be produced thanks to modern technology.

However, there are other factors to consider besides color when selecting this type of building material. When building walls, the product’s technical specifications come first.

Hollow (holey, slotted)

Typically, the product has 3, 11, or 14 holes, which can be "deaf" or end-to-end. The room is further insulated from noise and heat thanks to this brick arrangement.

Cold cannot enter because of the protective barrier that the air shell, concentrated in the cavities, creates. By incorporating pigments into the raw materials, hollow bricks can be produced in a variety of color variations.

Benefits

  • affordable price;
  • light weight of the product (which simplifies the laying process);
  • resistance to cracking;
  • high-quality heat insulation;
  • effective sound absorption.

Drawbacks: not very strong.

Bricks with porous structures that are utilized to build internal partitions and load-bearing walls. However, it is not advised to build basements and foundations on top of them. Water that seeps through the material’s holes will freeze into ice in the winter, destroying the building’s foundation.

Full-bodied

A monolithic product with void concentrations no higher than 13%. The standard brick’s dimensions are 250 x 125 x 65 mm. Manufacturers create silicate, ceramic, and hyper-pressed versions of construction materials. Solid brick in either white or red.

Benefits

  • high strength indicators;
  • fire resistance;
  • frost resistance;
  • wide scope of application.

Minuses:

  • weightiness;
  • low degree of thermal protection.

Monolithic material is used for the construction of:

  • external walls,
  • load-bearing structures,
  • ground floors,
  • basements,
  • fireplaces and stoves.

Silicate solid bricks are not advised for use in the construction of cellar walls or house foundations.

Silicate

A product that is not heat treated during production. made by applying steam during pressing. Sand-lime brick is made of quartz sand and lime.

Benefits

  • high strength indicators;
  • wide range of colors;
  • environmental Safety;
  • high frost resistance;
  • high -quality heat isolation;
  • effective sound absorption.

Drawbacks:

  • weightiness;
  • destructibility under the influence of moisture;
  • low protection against high temperatures;
  • limited decorative elements;
  • high degree of moisture absorption.

The building material is advised for small-scale construction. Walls made of sand-lime brick need more finishing. When building a cellar or basement walls, or laying a house foundation, it is not advisable to use a compressed product.

Ceramic (porous)

A mixture of clay, quartz sand, fireclay, ash, and other ingredients are fired to create the material. Ceramic bricks range in weight from 2.5 to 3.5 kg. Building materials come in a variety of formats, including front, stove, hollow, and solid (ordinary). Every one of them has unique qualities.

Benefits

  • durability;
  • high degree of heat and sound insulation;
  • wide range of colors;
  • moisture resistance;
  • resistance to low temperatures;
  • environmental Safety.

Drawbacks:

  • high price;
  • susceptibility to chemical corrosion (“white spots” on the walls);
  • high degree of moisture absorption.

Brick made of ceramic is a versatile material that can also be used to build internal walls and partitions. There is a demand for cladding material in facade finishing. Stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and elevator shafts in multi-unit apartment buildings are all installed in the solid format.

Porous brick absorbs sound well, insulates well against heat, and is lightweight. Certain synthetic and organic raw materials (straw, shavings, peat, sawdust) are chosen and combined with sand and clay to produce it.

Clinker

Refractory clays are used to make the product, and they are fired at temperatures higher than 1000°C.

The material is composed structurally of numerous crystals of different sizes interspersed with an intermediate element, a three-calcium aluminum. Minerals like calcium aluminum oxide, belit, and itit are present in clinker brick.

Benefits

  • durability;
  • frost resistance;
  • low degree of water absorption;
  • wear resistance.

One drawback is the high price.

The product is used in construction:

  • elite cottages,
  • Power of paving paths,
  • Facial cladding,
  • arranging water for water from roofing.

Clinker brick is another ornamental component used in landscape architecture.

Shamotnaya

The foundation of the building material is a unique variety of clay with a high degree of refractory properties. The color of the building material is yellow or light beige.

Shamotic brick is the primary material found in fireplaces, furnaces, and chimneys because it is a type of refractory product that can withstand temperatures as high as 1,300 °F. However, because of their great strength, the chamotomes are hard to cut.

What is the best?

Bricks with a strength category of M100–M125 are ideal for one-story buildings, and at least M150 is recommended for multi-story construction.

High frost resistance ceramic bricks are a recommended choice for real estate in colder climates and areas with frequent damp weather. Buildings in the southern regions can be constructed using silicate products.

Within the house brick format, internal partitions can be made of almost any kind of material. Both ceramic and silicate materials are appropriate for items that place a small load on the foundation.

Solid bricks are used to build external walls, and partitions can be arranged using hollow products.

Price

The level of renown of the company selling the building materials, the area in which they are sold, the technical qualities of the brick, and the aspects of the manufacturing process all influence how much a building material costs.

The product’s price is (per piece):

  • solid (ordinary) – from 6 to 10 p.;
  • hollow – from 7 to 12 p.;
  • silicate (facing) – from 13 to 15 p.;
  • ceramic (porous/double) – from 17 to 19 p.;
  • fireclay (wedge) – from 20 p.;
  • clinker (facing) – from 30 rubles.

The brick costs more in the end because of delivery services.

Selecting the appropriate bricks for your home’s construction is essential to its long-term durability and structural soundness. Because clay bricks have a track record of success in construction, seasoned builders frequently advise using them. Because of their strength and resistance to different weather conditions, clay bricks are a great material to use when constructing durable homes.

The thermal characteristics of the bricks are a crucial additional consideration. Because clay bricks have a high thermal mass, they can absorb heat during the day and release it gradually at night, helping to regulate indoor temperature. In the long run, this can lower heating and cooling expenses and improve energy efficiency.

Clay bricks also provide versatility in terms of aesthetics and design. They enable builders to create the ideal exterior appearance for the house because they are available in a variety of hues, textures, and sizes. Regardless of your preference for a traditional or modern look, clay bricks work well with a variety of architectural styles.

In terms of sustainability, clay bricks also perform well. Because they are long-lasting and composed of natural materials, they have less of an impact on the environment and don’t need to be replaced as often. Selecting clay bricks is in line with contemporary building trends and promotes sustainable building practices.

To sum up, when choosing the ideal bricks for your home, you should take sustainability, strength, thermal efficiency, and design flexibility into account. For experienced builders, clay bricks are an excellent option due to their energy-saving qualities, aesthetic appeal, and environmental friendliness. Homeowners can guarantee a sturdy foundation for their dwellings that will last for generations by choosing clay bricks.

Skilled builders prioritize durability, thermal efficiency, and aesthetic appeal when selecting bricks for constructing a home. The best bricks frequently have a variety of textures and colors to complement different architectural styles, strong enough to withstand weather and time, and good insulation qualities for energy efficiency. Being aware of these factors contributes to building a long-lasting, attractive, and energy-efficient house that will last for generations.

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