Bricks are the unsung heroes of British building. From Georgian terraces to Victorian factories to modern eco-homes, these small rectangular blocks shape our built environment.
They’ve been around for centuries, but not all bricks are created equal. Some are designed to withstand huge loads, others to look good, and some are simply designed to fill a gap at the lowest cost.
For homeowners, architects, and tradespeople alike, understanding the various types of bricks available is crucial.
Get it wrong and you could end up with damp in the walls, an ugly mismatch in a renovation, or a structure that doesn’t meet building regulations.
This guide runs through the main categories used in the UK engineering, facing, and commons, and a few niche ones, prices, and pitfalls to watch out for.
A Brief History Of Brick Use In The UK
Bricks came to Britain with the Romans, who built bathhouses and villas with clay bricks fired in kilns.
After the Romans left, stone was the material of choice until bricks reappeared in the Tudor period in grand red-brick manor houses.
By the Victorian era, industrial kilns made bricks cheap and abundant, and terraced housing spread rapidly.
Today, bricks are still the material of choice for most UK housing. Modern methods of manufacture, extrusion, wire-cutting, and machine moulding mean tighter tolerances and a wider range of colours and textures.
But the basics haven’t changed much: fired clay, shaped into uniform blocks, laid in mortar.
Engineering Bricks
Engineering bricks are the workhorses of the brick family. Rated by compressive strength and water absorption, they’re designed for strength and resilience.
Class A is the top of the range: dark blue in colour, super hard, and almost impermeable to water. Class B is slightly less strong but still tough and very popular.
Where do they shine? Foundations, retaining walls, damp courses, manholes, and anywhere a structure meets the ground.
They’re also resistant to frost and chemicals, so they’re good for industrial sites, sewers, or areas of high wear. In short, when durability matters more than looks, engineering bricks are the answer.
The drawbacks? Cost and appearance. They’re more expensive than common bricks, and their dense, smooth finish isn’t especially decorative.
Few people want to clad an entire house in blue engineering bricks. They’re best hidden beneath render, behind facades, or below ground, quietly doing the heavy lifting.
Facing Bricks
Facing bricks are the front of a building. These are the ones you see on house exteriors, boundary walls, and decorative features.
They come in thousands of colours from the yellow of London stock to the deep reds of the Midlands, and textures from rough to silky smooth.
There are a few key sub-types:
- Wirecut bricks : mass-produced, clean edges, and often grooves for better mortar adhesion.
- Stock bricks : moulded, often softer in appearance, with slight irregularities that add character.
- Handmade bricks : premium products, used in heritage or high-end projects for their authenticity.
The main advantage of facing bricks is their aesthetic flexibility. They can match regional traditions, planning requirements, or a homeowner’s taste. Their performance is good enough for external use, but not at the extreme end of durability like engineering bricks.
The downside is cost, premium handmade or reclaimed facing bricks can be very expensive. But for visible walls, most clients see it as money well spent. After all, the facade is what everyone sees first.
Common Bricks
Common bricks are the budget option. They’re made cheaply, sometimes with less refined clay, and aren’t meant to be seen. Their compressive strength and frost resistance are lower, and their colour or texture is often patchy.
Where do they fit in? Internal walls that will be plastered over, blockwork hidden behind render or non-loadbearing partitions. Builders like them for their affordability and availability.
But using common bricks in the wrong place is asking for trouble. Put them on an external wall exposed to rain and frost, and they’ll quickly deteriorate.
Their porosity makes them unsuitable for damp areas. In short, they’re useful but only when hidden and protected.
Other Brick Categories Worth Knowing
Beyond the big three, a few niche brick types crop up regularly on UK sites:
- Reclaimed bricks : salvaged from demolitions, often weathered with a patina that new bricks can’t replicate. Popular for extensions on period homes where a seamless match is essential.
- Fire bricks : designed to withstand extreme heat, these are used in fireplaces, kilns, and pizza ovens.
- Concrete bricks : sometimes cheaper than clay, made from cement and aggregates. They’re uniform in size but often less attractive, so they are usually used in utilitarian builds.
Each of these has its place, though they make up a smaller slice of the market compared to engineering, facing, and commons.
How To Choose The Right Brick For The Job?
Selecting bricks isn’t just about what’s cheapest or what looks nicest. Several factors come into play:
- Structural performance : load-bearing walls need strength; retaining walls need low water absorption.
- Exposure : bricks in coastal areas or exposed elevations need to resist frost and salt.
- Appearance : matching regional styles or existing brickwork matters, especially in conservation areas.
- Cost vs value : Sometimes spending extra on facing bricks saves money on future remedial work or adds property value.
A common mistake is mixing brick types without thought. A wall with engineering bricks at the base and commons above might save money, but if the commons are exposed, the result can look patchy and fail prematurely.
As a rule of thumb: use engineering bricks for hidden strength, facing bricks for visible finishes, and commons for hidden infill.
Typical Costs In The UK (2025)
Prices fluctuate with supply chains, but ballpark figures help with budgeting. By 2025, the following averages are common across the UK (excluding VAT and labour):
- Engineering bricks : £600–£900 per 1,000 bricks.
- Facing bricks : £400–£1,200 per 1,000, depending on type (wirecut at the lower end, handmade or reclaimed at the top).
- Common bricks : £250–£400 per 1,000.
Labour is the bigger cost. A bricklayer’s daily rate typically runs £180–£250, with regional variations. Complex bonds, patterns, or awkward sites can increase costs further.
Common Pitfalls And Mistakes
Several missteps crop up time and again in UK projects:
- Using common bricks externally, only to watch them crumble after a couple of winters.
- Failing to match facing bricks on extensions, leaving a glaring visual mismatch.
- Skimping on quality in damp-prone areas leads to spalling (surface flaking) and expensive remedial work.
- Overlooking regional planning rules that dictate brick type or colour, especially in conservation zones.
Each mistake tends to cost more to fix than the savings made upfront. Choosing wisely the first time avoids that trap.
Tools And Resources For Builders And DIYers
Getting the right bricks is only half the job, laying them properly demands practice and skill. From brick trowels to line blocks, the tools are straightforward, but technique takes time to master.
For those learning or wanting to sharpen their skills, Tradefox offers a safe way to practise through simulation.
Tradespeople can explore techniques and scenarios without the risk of wasted materials or structural mistakes, making it a handy supplement to on-site training.
Conclusion
Bricks may look simple, but the differences between engineering, facing, and common varieties are critical.
Engineering bricks provide hidden strength and durability. Facing bricks brings character and curb appeal.
Commons fill gaps cheaply where appearance and performance don’t matter. Add reclaimed, fire, and concrete bricks into the mix, and the range of options covers virtually every need in UK construction.
Choosing the right brick means weighing strength, exposure, cost, and appearance together. Get it right, and you’ll have walls that not only stand firm but look good for decades.
Get it wrong, and you risk damp, mismatches, and unnecessary expense. In the end, bricks might be humble, but in the UK, they remain the very foundation of good building.
