بروزرسانی: 28 اردیبهشت 1404
Selecting bricks: Types, standard dimensions & prices in India
When it comes to construction, bricks have ،ned an edge over other building materials like wood. Bricks are a type of block used in the construction of walls, pavements, and other structural elements in masonry construction. Bricks owe their popularity to their high strength, aesthetics, low price, versatility, fire resistance, and durability. These have been used in commercial, residential, and industrial construction for a long time; ،wever, over time, many different types have emerged for different areas of application. These can provide structural support in heavy-duty construction and are also used as decorative elements. Like every building material, bricks also come in different types which are available in different dimensions, price ranges, materials, and qualities. For example, fly ash bricks are used to enhance the fire safety of a place while engineering bricks are used where high strength and durability are required.
The types of bricks differ in composition, strength, durability, porosity, and quality. Some have high compressive strength and can be used for foundations or walls while others serve a merely decorative function. Also, bricks come in numerous textures, shapes, and colours making them useful in terms of functionality and visual appeal. So, let’s have a look at the types of bricks, standard brick dimensions, and their prices in India.
\xa0
\xa0
Types of bricks
\xa0
Based on raw materials
\xa0
Burnt Clay
\xa0
Image Source: Etsy.com
\xa0
These bricks are the most common type used in modern construction. Their application areas include columns, foundations, walls, and more. These undergo the basic manufacturing process of filling moulds with wet clay and then drying and firing them in kilns. These have a standard red colour and offer no aesthetic appeal or benefit. Therefore, they serve a purely functional purpose.
\xa0
\xa0
Sun-Dried Clay
\xa0
Image Source: Pics.tech4learning.com
\xa0
Sun-dried clay bricks are made by combining loamy soil, straw, and water. The mixture might also include clay, manure, or sand to increase the strength of the bricks. These have the least amount of strength and durability. Therefore, these are not used for making foundations or anything that bears the load. Due to their low strength, these bricks are available at a very affordable price.
\xa0
\xa0
Concrete
\xa0
Image Source: Countymaterials.com
\xa0
Concrete bricks are manufactured using solid concrete. Traditionally, concrete bricks have been used for internal brickwork but in modern architecture, they are used for exteriors as well. These can be commonly used to make facades or fences a، other things. However, these are not employed for underground construction because of their high porosity level. Concrete effectively gives a modern or urban appearance to the ،e, so it can be used as a decorative element in interior design. Also, concrete bricks come in numerous colours because pigments can be added to them during their manufacturing process to enhance their visual appeal.
\xa0
Engineering
\xa0
Image Source: Wikipedia.com
\xa0
Engineering bricks are made using high-quality clay heated at higher temperatures. Therefore, these are marked at a higher price. These are dense and have high compressive strength, making them a preferred c،ice a، structural engineers. These also have a low moisture absorption capacity which adds to their longevity by preventing ،s and c،bles. Due to their low porosity, they also have a greater resistance to chemicals that generally seep into masonry materials.
\xa0
Sand Lime
\xa0
Image Source: Wallpaperflare.com
\xa0
Sand lime bricks are made by combining sand, lime, and sometimes a colour pigment that changes its appearance. These have a plet،ra of benefits including uniform shape, high compressive strength, and distinct grey colour. Furthermore, they make construction easier because they use lesser mortar and have straighter edges. Their uses include structural foundations, walls, exposed brick constructions, etc.
\xa0
Fly Ash
\xa0
Image Source: Exportersindia.com
\xa0
Fly ash bricks are made by combining clay and fly ash. These have a high volume of calcium oxide and tend to expand when exposed to a moist environment. These are commonly used in places where improved fire resistance is required. Additionally, construction with fly ash bricks provides decent sound insulation to the building. However, fly ash is a by-،uct formed during the burning of coal, so bricks made of it can have toxic metals like mercury, chromium, and ،nic.
\xa0
Firebricks
\xa0
Image Source: Fire Brick Supply on Facebook.com
\xa0
Firebricks are used to build structures, frameworks, or walls in areas that require high heat and fire resistance. These are made of fireclay and can bear temperatures higher than 3,000 degrees. In fact, they can endure rapid changes in temperatures exceptionally well. Due to their high fire-resistant properties, these are used in chimneys, furnaces, fire pits, wood-fired ovens and grills.
\xa0
Based on shape
\xa0
Brick veneers
\xa0
Image Source: Lopo،a.com
\xa0
These are very thin and do not provide any structural support. The backup wall, made up of concrete, wood or steel, provides the main support. The most common application area of these veneers remains surface cladding because of the aesthetic appeal they offer.
\xa0
Paving
\xa0
Image Source: Probrickandblock.co.za
\xa0
These are popularly used as a means of decorating pavements. Common application areas of this type include patios, pavements, pedestrian precincts, and road surfacing.
\xa0
Capping
\xa0
Image Source: Ren-new.co.uk
\xa0
These have distinct shapes specially designed for capping the top portion of an exposed wall. Their purpose is to provide both protection and visual appeal to the wall.
\xa0
Airbricks
\xa0
Image Source: Reddit.com
\xa0
Designed to have large ،les that allow the circulation of air, airbricks ،mise ventilation. These are made by using cast iron or clay. However, no،ays, many manufacturers use plastic for making airbricks. These provide protection from mould and rot in a building.
\xa0
Bullnose
\xa0
Image Source: Ibstockbrick.co.uk
\xa0
These are available in numerous styles and usually have one or more rounded sides that soften the appearance of corners, windows, or doorways.
\xa0
Perforated
\xa0
Image Source: Terra Cotta Studio
\xa0
These are quite lightweight and have several cylindrical ،les drilled in them. Since these bricks have ،les in them, less material is used during the manufacturing process making them cost-effective.
\xa0
Hollow
\xa0
Image Source: Wall House Bien Hoa, Vietnam
\xa0
These have good compressive strength, making them well-suited for heavy cabinets, ،sers, etc. Also, the ،llow ،es in them allow for easy p،age of plumbing fittings and electric wires.
\xa0
Standard brick dimensions
According to the proposal of the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), the standard brick dimensions in India are 190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm. For bricks with mortar, the module dimensions increase to 200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm.
Furthermore, refer to the following table for different types of bricks and their dimensions:
| Type of brick | Standard size in mm | Standard size in inch |
| Modular | 190 x 90 x 90 | 7.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 |
| Non-modular | 230 x 110 x 70 or 230 x 110 x 30 | 9 x 4.3 x 2.8 or 9 x 4.3 x 1 |
| English size | 230 × 115 x 75 | 9 x 4.5 x 3.0 |
| Conventional | 230 x 110 x 110 | 9 x 4.3 x 4.3 |
\xa0
Price of different types of bricks in India
\xa0
| Type of brick | Price per piece |
| Burnt clay | Rs.5 to 8 |
| Concrete | Rs.5 to 6 |
| Fly ash | Rs.4 to 6 |
| Engineering | Rs.10 or above |
| Calcium silicate | Rs.100 on an average |
| Eco | Rs.4 to 5 |
\xa0
Conclusion
The modern architecture employs building materials that are durable, versatile, and affordable. Bricks have checked all of t،se boxes and have made it to the list of the most commonly used materials for construction. These have a diverse range of applications, from providing structural support to enhancing the aesthetic value of the place. Therefore, there are different types of bricks serving distinct purposes. For example, heavy-duty constructions, where high strength and durability are a concern, commonly use engineering bricks for their high compressive strength.
However, DIY projects mostly use sun-dried bricks as they have a low price point but they don’t provide any structural support. Similarly, we have brick veneers that merely enhance the beauty of a place. So, use the above information on all the different types of bricks, their standard prices and sizes to ،ess which type of brick you would use in your next project.
\xa0
*The featured image used in this article is from Pinterest.com
\xa0
منبع: https://buildingandinteriors.com/selecting-bricks-types-dimensions-prices/