Introduction
We all intend to lead a construction project. Whether it is for our own homes or a commercial building, we ought to use the best building materials. The building materials have significance to the final outlook of your build or extension. As exciting as it may be, we require specialized skills in this process for it to run smoothly regardless of the material you decide to use. “Most of our business comes from tradesmen working on commercial projects, however, we do see a large number of DIY customers come through our doors too”, that’s according to South Wales-based brick suppliers, The Brickyards.
For those that prefer the century-old use of bricks, it is a wise and common decision amongst builders. Several merits are associated with it. It is essential to select the right brick that suits your needs. It is advisable to seek the right supplier to guide the construction. Replacing the bricks later on or modifying the look can prove to be difficult and costly. Here is a guideline on how to select the right brick and supplier.
Types of bricks available
To select a supplier, you first ought to know the type of bricks to use. There are generally two types of bricks available in the market. These are:
- Handmade bricks
- Machine-made bricks
Machine-made bricks are mostly utilized when one requires a more smooth finish as they are either moulder sticks or extruded and wire-cut. It makes the bricks more consistent. Handmade bricks maintain the conventional outlook and are mostly used when building by you. Both offer a wide range of textures and colours. Colour coordination ensures that the building suits its setting. The patterns and trends with the use of bonds determine the texture as well. Some popular designs have had a 3D effect on buildings.
Identifying the brick to use
As with the case with many projects, it is essential to plan early on the project of your build. Particular regions require one to use a certain type of stone. To avoid legal and compliance matters, ensure the area allows for the use of the brick of your choice.
In addition, there are various areas associated with a particular colour of the brick. This influences on type and colour of the brick you want. For example, In London and South East UK, yellow bricks are more popular while in the north the dark red bricks are used. You can go through various photographs to compare and contrast the colours of the brick.
There are various styles of brick. You can gain inspiration from various outlets with Pinterest being a popular go-to site for many. To begin with, you start with a mood board to visualize the outlook of the bricks. This could be digitally or physically.
What will best work for your building relies on the age and design you want. For a modern look, machine-made bricks are the best choice. Handmade bricks are used to maintain a natural look, especially for a farmhouse. In addition, decide on the finishing touches which include stone and exterior trim. The window frames ought to match the brick selected.
Cost of bricks
As all these are considered, there are different costs to the bricks. The standard modern brick measures 215mm by 102mm by 65mm. You require expert advice on the number of bricks you require so that you do not end up having more or less than what is needed. This is about the bonding pattern and the mortar joint. Although you factor in wastage or any extra bricks required for additional work.
The price of bricks varies depending on the type of brick. Machine-made bricks are priced from £350 per 1000 while handmade versions are priced from £1000 per 1000 from the high-quality handmade units. To get quality bricks at an affordable price you ought to know how to select a brick supplier.
Selecting a Supplier
Once you have narrowed it down to the type of brick you want to build with, you can approach a supplier. Purchasing bricks from builders’ merchants is easy as they are accessible throughout. The supplier chosen should have the brick you want. They are the go-to contact for provision between brick manufacturers, architects, and designers. Some suppliers provide a self-build package.
In addition, they offer professional advice on selecting the right brick for your needs. Local builders merchants also offer a guide on having the best brick manufacturer for projects.
Ensure to have a variety of alternatives of suppliers as your option. The brick chosen should be approved by the planning department. Compare prices of brick suppliers as they are from different manufacturers. However, do not compromise the quality of the bricks because of the price. This is because getting it wrong is costly and difficult to change.
