How to pick the right brick for any project.

Old Chicago bricks and thin bricks with flooring bricks.

How to pick the right brick for your house.

A helpful guide on all types of bricks and brick veneers.

Old Chicago bricks or reused bricks.

If you are selecting a building material for your home or the business there are basically four factors you have to consider. Esthetics, economics, design properties and how the selected material will have to perform when its installed. Besides natural stones, probably there is no other building material that is as time tested as bricks.

Brick is a very durable building material.

It can add unsurpassed beauty and long lasting value to any home.

The type of bricks you may consider using on your home.

There are a wide variety of brick on the market. Here I am explaining the differences of the most commonly used bricks on today's construction projects. You don't have to settle for ugly stucco around your house any more. If you wish to install brick on your own or have a brick layer who is doing it for you, this is the page to educate yourself about the different types of bricks and brick veneers.

Salvaged bricks:

As the name applies salvaged bricks were used before and had been cleaned and inspected for future use. Because bricks are very durable it can be salvaged and used again. However, there are some code requirements regarding to the usage of salvaged or second hand bricks. Used bricks has to be clean, approved as to quality condition and compliance with the new masonry units. Salvaged bricks shall be of whole, sound material and free from cracks and other defects that would interfere with its proper laying or future use.

Salvaged bricks or so to say reclaimed bricks often has a bit rustic appearance. Since these bricks were used, it is not uncommon to see mortar, paint and minor defects on the bricks. However, many homeowners and architects are choosing salvaged brick because of its appearance and it's lower initial cost.

Old Chicago bricks.

Also called Antique Chicago Common Brick. Old Chicago bricks are basically salvaged bricks. Some of these old Chicago bricks are more than a hundred years old. Despite of their age they are as strong and aesthetic as the day they were fired. No matter if you have a new construction and you wish to incorporate the timeless beauty of the old Chicago brick or a restoration project where the appearance of the bricks has to be as close to the old one as possible, old Chicago brick are an excellent choice.

New bricks:

New Clay bricks replicate oldchicago bricks.

If you don't have salvaged or reclaimed bricks available in your area the second option is new bricks. Many of today's brick manufacturers produce or replicate the Chicago Common Brick. These bricks are brand new and designed to match the look and feel that of the old Chicago bricks.

Approximately 8" L X 2 1/4" H X 4"W

The last brick type I need to mention is paver brick. Please note that these bricks are not made of concrete. These are real bricks made of clay and fired. All the above mentioned bricks can be used as paver bricks. Projects can range from brick driveways, brick walkways, brick patios, brick pool decks and more.

Paver old chicago bricks.

If you have issues with the height the best solution is the thin sliced floor bricks. These are real old Chicago bricks sliced to a 1 inch thickness. It can be installed on top of any concrete slab, both indoor and outdoor.

Cultured stone brick veneer. Cultured brick.

Cultured or "man made" brick veneer.

In this instance the differentiation is not correct since all bricks were man made. What I intended to point out is that there are two types (or categories) of thin brick veneers on the market today. One is the type shown on this picture. These types of brick veneers are casted in molds and made to look like original bricks. Approximately 8" L X 2 1/4" H X 3/8"T

There are many cultured brick veneer companies out on the market. The biggest one is Owens's Corning or Cultured Stone company. The second is Eldorado stones and last but not least veneer stones. Among these three manufacturers the option range between around 20 different shades, styles and colors. If you have a project that involves the installation of these veneers, just give us a call I will go to your house with all the samples and show you the different types available on the market today.

Real thin brick veneer.

The second type is the real brick veneer. It is rightfully called real because it was saw cut from reclaimed Old Chicago brick to a veneer ( 3/8^{th
-}1/2"of an inch) thickness. These thin brick veneer tiles are made by slicing the sides off of real antique reclaimed “Old Chicago” common brick. Color ranges from terra-cotta, to salmon, rose and pink, with
touches of buff, gold and black . You can off course purchase the "L" shaped 1/2" thick thin brick veneers for corner pieces. Approximately 8" L X 2 1/4" H X 1/2 "T.

Saw cut thin brick veneer tiles. Real brick veneer.


Fire bricks. Refractory bricks. Fire resistant or refractory bricks are most commonly installed inside of fireplaces, fire pits, furnaces, boilers or other high temperature equipment to protect adjacent walls from the extreme heat.

It is always a good idea to order a few bricks (10%) more than you need in case if it brakes.

As an average, for the installation of 120 of the 2"x 4"x 8" bricks you will need about ten bags 60lbs of mortar

Wish to do it on your own? Go to our detailed guide on how to install brick veneer around your house. At this page you will find how to tips, time and money saving recommendations and entertaining videos on how to install any type of brick veneer.

Does it have a price? For availability and pricing please contact us anytime. We have most of these bricks on stock. Free delivery and professional brick installation is also available.

Read on to find out how our brick layers can help you save money on your next brick installation project.

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Not a DIY? Don’t feel to build brick columns on your own? Fear not, if your project is located in our Florida service area just send us an email and or call us we will give you a free price quote on any sized job.

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