Bricks are one of the foundation materials. They have been used in any building construction since 4,000 B.C. If you are interested in them, let’s learn about various types of brick available nowadays.
When people mention bricks, the deep red, rectangular units certainly spring to your mind. But they are available in an array of sizes, structural designs, styles, materials, and shapes.
Here is your comprehensive buying guide showcasing all kinds of brick. Each brick variety includes dimensions as well as size options. Without further ado, have a look at these bricks before starting any masonry project.
The Orientation of the Brick
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Needless to say, the brick orientation makes a huge difference. It does not only bear a structure as well as offers defense against wear and tear but also provides an aesthetic appeal.
Here are 6 common orientations for regular rectangular bricks:
Stretcher
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As the name implies, this brick orientation faces the unit’s long and narrow edge outwards. It aims to stretch or extend brickwork into the border or wall.
Moreover, this position gives builders the ability to form large building structures in a short time. They can stack bricks up in courses.
Rowlock Stretcher
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Besides types of brick, there are different positions. Rowlock stretcher is one of them. Also known as shiner, the course faces the long, wide side of the unit outwards.
Moreover, the shiner tilts the front part of the stretcher placement skyward. It helps masons create horizontal structural lines when building a wall. This orientation offers the extra benefit of establishing vertically too.
You should give a rowlock stretcher position the extra front-to-back support. Keep in mind that the long, narrow edge is usually not well-equipped to hold varying thickness as well as weight above.
Soldier
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Are you into soldier placement? If yes, lay the brick on its end.
Besides, it faces the narrow side of the unit outwards. This kind of course is often used for ornamental purposes over window and door openings.
Sailor
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Talking about types of brick, you need to put their orientations into consideration. Sailor is a soldier course’s variant. The rectangular block stands on its short edge, facing the wide side out.
Furthermore, this orientation provides flat and vertical progress. However, like the rowlock stretcher, the sailor requires extra front-to-back support. It ensures uprightness over big structural build swaths.
Rowlock
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The rowlock placement is almost similar to a soldier position. However, the brick lays on its long edge, with the end (short, vertical side) faces outwards. This orientation provides a lot of back-to-back support.
Furthermore, the rowlock position comes with the tradeoff. It doesn’t develop horizontal progress when building a brick wall.
As the name indicates, this position is normally used to bear rows of other placements in pleasing alternating patterns. It also maintains overall integrity.
Header
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If you choose header orientation, lay the brick across 2 wythes. Moreover, its end is visible in the wall’s face.
This course completely consists of headers. As you may know, the horizontal, short, and narrow edge is laid on the brick’s wide side.
Modular Brick Types and Sizes
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Brick is one of the masonry materials. It is used in restoration and fresh building plans. Furthermore, the components of the building or home are usually designed to work together like puzzle pieces.
The surrounding masonry work must be predictable in terms of load-bearing weight, size, and shape. This is for the sake of cost as well as efficiency. Below are other types of brick:
Modular
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Talking about types of brick, the modular one provides approximate specified dimensions of 203 millimeters x 67 millimeters x 101 millimeters. Meanwhile, its nominal dimensions are 2 ⅔ inches x 8 inches x 4 inches.
Furthermore, this unit has recommended mortar thickness that will link it to other types of brick. Its two or three round holes are entirely pierced through the center. There are no raised sides for easier brickwork planning on the masons’ part.
Closure Modular
Speaking of types of brick, consider using closure modular. It comes with ten round holes. This unit measures 3 ⅕″ x 8″ x 4″ in nominal dimensions.
Moreover, the closure modular’s specified measurements are 203 millimeters x 81 millimeters x 101 millimeters. Its round holes let the mortar hold into the brick. This unit is used to round off the corners as well as edges.
Engineer Modular
This unit boasts rectangular for the piercing of the brick. It is used in homebuilding projects because of its large size – 8″ x 4″ x 4″ specified / 203 millimeters x 101 millimeters x 101 millimeters nominal.
The rectangular piercings are designed to help in manufacturing. They ensure more even brick cooling throughout the building. Those holes allow lighter weight for handling and shipping during creation too.
Norman
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Named after the first ethnic group of ancient people, Norman bricks come in nominal dimensions of 2 ⅔″ x 12″ x 4″ and 304 millimeters x 67 millimeters x 101 millimeters specified.
Roman does not have any piercing. On the other hand, Norman bricks feature rectangular slots for the flow-through of the mortar.
Engineer Norman
This kind of brick is designed on the Norman variety’s height. However, it measures 3 ⅕″ x 12″ x 4″ in nominal dimensions as well as 304 millimeters x 81 millimeters x 101 millimeters specified.
Like regular Norman brick, this unit also boasts rectangular slots. They let the mortar grip, maintaining a better hold when courses are created atop each other.
Roman
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These types of bricks are named after their origin. The units are flat and slender with the nominal measurements of 2″ x 12″ x 4″ and 304 millimeters x 50 millimeters x 101 millimeters specified.
Roman bricks are used to create a unique yet appealing finish for the columns, fronts of the building, and other structures. Moreover, the units offer a smooth look because they have no slot or rough finishes.
Utility
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This unit is similar to a standard modular brick. Not only is it plain-edged, but also pierced with round holes. The differences lie in overall depth as well as height.
These types of bricks boast nominal measurements of 4″ x 12″ x 4″. They can be easily paired with other components such as door and window frames. Moreover, utility measures 304mm x 101mm x 101mm in specified dimensions.
Meridian
If you need more brick length than the utility one for your masonry projects, try using meridian. It offers specified measurements of 406mm x 101mm x 101mm and nominal dimensions of 4″ x 16″ x 4″.
Since meridian brick has another 4″ of length than the utility variety, it provides more stability and flexibility in offset patterns. Meanwhile, round holes make sure that the mortar grip is good.
Double Meridian
For building scenarios that require more brick length and height, a double meridian is a safe bet. Moreover, it has specified dimensions of 406 millimeters x 203 millimeters x 101 millimeters and nominal measurements of 8″ x 16″x 4″.
The double meridian’s slots are bigger as well as squared off. They make the unit a hollow building brick.
8 Inches Through Wall Meridian
These types of brick are available in several sizes. You can overlap and combine them into any modular brickwork project.
Furthermore, hollow meridian bricks measure 406 millimeters x 101 millimeters x 203 millimeters in specified measurements and 4″ x 16″ x 8″ in nominal dimensions.
6 Inches Through Wall Meridian
This smallest hollow meridian brick features specified dimensions of 406 millimeters x 203 millimeters x 152 millimeters. Meanwhile, its nominal measurements are 4″ x 16″ x 6″.
Moreover, this unit is half of the double meridian’s height. However, it has an extra 2″ of depth. Besides, the big squared-off slots offer easier handling. They also provide outer brick durability.
Double Through Wall Meridian
These types of brick are hollow but hefty. They are available in specific measurements of 406 millimeters x 203 millimeters x 203 millimeters and nominal dimensions of 8″ x 16″ x 8″.
Furthermore, these types of brick sizes have an extra 2″ of height to eight inches style right under it in scale. This allows for large projects with considerable coverage demands in courses.
Non Modular Brick Types and Sizes
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Unlike modular units, these types of brick do not feature the nominal measurements. They only have actual and specified dimensions.
Moreover, these types of brick are typically cut to accommodate unconventional applications. Additionally, their modular counterparts are designed to fit exactly into the standard doorframe or wall dimensions, but they aren’t.
Queen
This kind of brick boasts large square slots for the flow-through of the mortar. Its specified measurements are 2 ¾″ x 7 ⅝-8″ x 2¾-3″.
Since the format of the queen bricks has changed with masonry’s history, their sizes can vary inconsiderably between producers. If that’s the case, they will be commonly stated in the manufacturers’ sales information.
King
These types of brick are undoubtedly larger than the queen ones. They also employ an extra squared core built into a more sizable length. Furthermore, their specified measurements are 2 ⅝-2¾″ x 9 ⅝-9¾″ x 2 ¾-3″.
Engineer Standard
Design and appearance-wise, this kind of brick are similar to the modular engineer. It comes with 5 rectangular slots. Moreover, the unit just varies in specified dimensions, measuring 2 ¾-2 13/16 inches x 8 inches x 3 ½-3 ⅝ inches.
Standard
This type of non-modular brick features a design element called a frog. It is a divot in the middle of the unit that resembles a shallow tub.
Furthermore, the frog is similar to a core. It lets the mortar flow as well as grab onto as the item dries. Also, the specified measurements of the standard non-modular brick are 2 ¼″ x 8″ x 3 ½-3 ⅝″.
Closure Standard
Completing the non-modular brick variety is this closure standard style. It is similar to its modular cousin. Those types of brick boast the same circular holes. They both are used to round out edges and corners.
Moreover, closure standard brick has a smart flow-through design. It provides a solid mortar grip. Additionally, its specified dimensions are 3 ½-3 ⅝″ x 8″ x 3 ½-3 ⅝″.
Sizes and Types of Lipped Brick
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We finally come to other types of brick, lipped bricks have a hollow structure on their bottom side that looks like a frog. It is similar to the core, too. Moreover, the element lets them sit evenly on any brickwork course.
Furthermore, the frog-like design element gives mortar a lot of space to flow through, dry, and settle. The lipped bricks offer a smooth even finish to borders, walls, and ornamental components of bigger masonry projects.
These types of brick have an overhanging side. Whether the edge is horizontal or vertically oriented, it comes in at ¾ inch, allowing for easier integration and planning.
Types of 8-Square Brick
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Also called oversized bricks, they are commonly used in big-scale building projects like hospitals, offices, and schools. Their extra height allows masons to form long, high structures without sacrificing overall stability.
Moreover, these types of brick are nicely pierced with long, deep slots. They make sure that the building is long-lasting.
Essentially, the 6 options of eight-square bricks are made to hold together. Since the units are 7 ⅝ inches in height, they help create an even course. It remains stable as the height of the brick wall increases.
Two Identical Bricks
The 8-square Corner Stretcher-Header and eight-square Stretcher-Header look identical. These types of brick feature dimensions of 7 ⅝″ x 7 ⅝″ x 3 ⅝″. They also come with a ¾ inch lip designed to extend over the coursework of the brick.
Moreover, the difference between those two types of brick is the 8-square Stretcher-Header features circular holes. On the other hand, the eight-square Corner Stretcher-Header has no round cores.
The 8-Square 1 and the 8SQ
These types of brick are identical too. Moreover, their overall specified measurements are 7 ⅝″ x 7 ⅝″ x 3 ⅝″. The eight-square 1 boasts scoring at the middle point that virtually bisects through its front face.
The Eight-Square External
This kind of brick is shorter than the 8SQ in terms of length, measuring 6 inches. It also has an angle onto one side that resembles a roof. Each of the slant edges is 2 inches long.
The 8-Square Outer-Inner
This one has an unusual bent side design. It is normally used to create angular borders and walls.
Flat Arch Bricks
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These bricks are mainly used to create brickwork arches. They can be integrated as the bigger brick border’s part or a standalone ornamental element in a building wall.
Furthermore, these units are also incorporated as the brick pathway or sidewalk’s part. They offer decorative edges and curvature.
Types of Brick – Radial
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Internal Radial Brick
This kind of brick employs a curved internal side and flat face. Its course would simply look like a traditional edge.
On the other hand, the curved sides would link to create a smooth round angle. The internal radial bricks are typically used to build a curved wall. They form an even surface without calling for extra mortar.
External Radial Brick
This type of brick allows masons to form curved sides. Moreover, they usually range from tight round builds to gentler slopes.
Don’t forget to determine the length of the arch on this brick for your circular masonry projects. The finished product’s total width and length can be multiplied as well as divided by 144.
Sill Bricks
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There are 9 different styles of sill brick. They create iconic looks both on doorways and windows.
Moreover, many masons love sill bricks due to their angular options and smooth rounded sides. These give them various choices for considerations such as aesthetic look as well as water run-off.
Coping Bricks
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Coping bricks do not only finish the masonry walls but also maintain the mortared brick courses beneath them. They are also crucial for moisture management.
Furthermore, these units provide an aesthetic appeal. Be sure you choose the right coping. That way, water won’t pool on your brickwork.
Corner Bricks
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These types of brick are flexible. They allow masons to form anything. You can also use it in association with the usual cubes. This combination eliminates straight-angle-only construction restrictions while creating courses.
Tread Bricks
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Tread bricks are flat and smooth. The units have rounded edges, too. They lend beauty as well as strength to the walkways and outdoor stairs. Also, these types of brick give any home an elegant look.
Water Table Brick
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Like coping bricks, these help direct water away from the brickwork base and structure. They also prevent pooling water from damaging and weakening the mortar.
You can use Water Table Bricks to form rows and columns. They offer shadowing and nice textures.
Water Table Rowlock
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Compared to Water Table Bricks, these offer more functions. They divert water away from roofs, sills, and walls.
The water redirection can be a dramatic effect or a gentle one. This entirely depends on their vertical stack’s size and slope within the courses.
With this complete guide to types of brick, we hope you don’t feel overwhelmed anymore. Use it to assist with your upcoming brickwork planning as well as masonry projects.
Reference:
101 Types of Bricks (Size and Dimension Charts for Every Brick Option)