[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most property built in the 19th and 20th century is constructed with walls formed in brick, of different thicknesses. Older property is often formed with enclosing walls in solid brick either 9 inches or 4 ½ inches in thickness. Many early period properties are constructed around a structural timber framework and these days timber framed walls are becoming more popular due to their ease and speed of building.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Modern metric bricks in the UK are sized to create a modular format. The standard brick size is 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm (face x bed x end) which, with a standard 10mm wide bed joint gives a working size of 225mm x 75mm. There are many types of brick including ‘solid’, ‘perforated‘, ‘frogged’ and special handmade designs. Bricks are categorised by use. Facing bricks present the external face to the home, ‘common’ bricks are a relatively cheap ‘fill’ brick. ‘Engineering’ bricks are very resistant to the elements and are typically used below ground and in retaining walls where strength is required. Calcium silicate (White) bricks can be prone to thermal movements and are used in areas where clay sub soils are scarce. I like the appearance of reclaimed bricks which are salvaged from old buildings and cleaned.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1583″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]‘Fletton’ bricks are made from lower Oxford clay found in the South East. The firing process is shorter than that of other bricks and the appearance of the resultant facing can show different effects. The shorter firing process reduces the cost of this type of brick which is commonly seen in the Worthing area often with a ‘crinkled’ external finish. The cheapest type of brick is the highly automated mass produced wire cut design produced by cutting a continuous strip of clay with wire, not unlike a cheese cutter.

Bricks are further categorised by their ability to withstand frost (F = frost rated, M = medium, and 0 = not rated), and their soluble salt content which over a period of time affects their colour and the extent of any efflorescence, the white crystalline deposits often seen on new face brickwork.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Chris Ennis FRICS is a Chartered Surveyor Tel: 01903 261217 email: surveyor1@talktalk.net www.propdoctor.co.uk[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]