Choosing the right material for your new home can seem like a huge task but whey not consider the one product that has been used globally for centuries? With inherent beauty and strength, bricks need little upkeep and make for a smart environmental choice. There are so many reasons to choose brick.
Bricks are low-maintenance
Bricks don't require the maintenance that other substrates might. There's no need for painting, sealing or protection from termites. They also won't rot, fade, peel or disintegrate over time. All they need, very occasionally, is a clean with a soft brush to maintain their good looks.
Bricks offer thermal properties
Bricks have exceptional thermal mass properties meaning they have the ability to store heat and then slowly release it. These properties allow brick homes to moderate internal temperatures, meaning they stay cooler during summer's hottest parts of the day, radiating it back inside, during the cooler months. Ideally suited to Australia's sunny climate, bricks can be combined with insulation to provide the best heat-efficient building solution around. In short, building with bricks can certainly help keep the energy costs associated with heating and air conditioning down.
Bricks are made from natural products
Bricks are predominantly made from clay and shale, which are among the most abundant materials available on earth. They are produced with minimal waste, all of which can be reused in future products. Because they are made of natural products and fired under incredible conditions, they can withstand almost everything that nature can throw at them without losing their beauty or strength. Clay bricks are inert and are not prone to giving off volatile materials. Clay brickwork and its constituents are non-toxic and remember, bricks can also be reused and recycled.
Bricks offer protection from the elements
Primarily made from clay, bricks are fired to around 1,000 degrees Celsius, rendering them non-combustible. This fire-retardant quality means bricks won't burn when exposed to bushfire and can also help protect the more combustible items inside the building. Widely recognised for being resilient, many insurance companies will offer discounts on home insurance policies for homes made of brick*. Brick veneer wall assemblies control moisture better than wall systems made from other exterior materials. Although not completely waterproof, clay bricks resist the penetration of rainwater, including wind-driven rain. Therefore, brick veneer wall systems help minimise mould growth, wood rot and infestation by insects, and corrosion of fasteners embedded in wood, better than other wall assemblies. Studies have also shown that homes built with brick offer dramatically more protection from wind-blown debris than homes built with vinyl or fibre-cement siding.
Bricks are beautiful
Bricks suit every design style, from grand Victorian residences to ultra-modern homes and mid-century masterpieces. Versatile and tactile, they come in a huge range of colours, finishes and textures, allowing home builders and architects to create beautiful homes and commercial spaces. Smooth-textured bricks and metallic finishes are perfect for contemporary styles and mid-century designs, while classic, artisan-style sandstock bricks work beautifully with traditional homes or industrial chic.
Are you thinking of creating your own beautiful brick home? Download our technical datasheet, or browse through our gallery of brick homes.
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