Mason Mark McCullough teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about bricks, including the most common types and some interesting history.
Bricks Were Originally Made By Hand
Bricks have been used in construction for thousands of years. The originals were handmade, also known as “molded brick.” These bricks were packed into a mold by hand. These bricks can be sent to specific engineers who extract and identify the material from the brick to find out how old it is and where in the world it was formed.
Today’s Bricks are Manufactured
Today’s bricks are manufactured by machines. They have more consistent shapes and sizes, with smooth surfaces and clean, sharp corners. They’re easier to ship and build with, though they might lack some of the old-world character.
Brick Weights and Densities Vary
Some bricks might weigh more than others, even though they’re similar in shape and size. For example, water-struck bricks are made in a wet mold and baked for much longer than a typical brick, making them much heavier and stronger.
Bricks are Made with Clay and Lime
Bricks are made primarily with clay and lime. These materials vary in color based on the region they come from. For example, bricks made on the East Coast are typically bright red thanks to the red dirt. However, the city of Milwaukee is covered with tan and yellow brick buildings because that’s the color of the local clay in Wisconsin.
Shape and Sizes Change with Trends
Brick shapes and sizes vary with trends. For example, many modern homes are opting for thinner bricks with more mortar joints. Brick colors can even vary based on the dyes they apply to them for stylistic purposes.
Interesting Brick History
Back when bricks were imported, ships would bring them into port. If the ships were too heavy, they would use the brick as ballast, tossing them overboard to lift the boat and make it easier to pull into the port.
Today’s Brick is Different
Today’s building exteriors are built differently than they used to be. Many buildings today use “thin brick,” which is essentially a brick that’s been sliced into thinner portions. It’s applied to the outside of the wall, on top of layers of styrofoam, waterproofing layers, insulation, drywall, and steel studs. Masons treat these bricks like tiles, filling them with grout rather than mortar.