7 Types of Brick to Know for Home Renovations and Projects

Choosing the right material for your next masonry project starts with learning about the different types of brick. Whether you’re building a brick fireplace, an outdoor pizza oven, a retaining wall, or a strong foundation for an outbuilding, each masonry project calls for a specific type of brick.

There are seven main types of bricks, and each one is specifically suited for different kinds of projects. Before your next DIY masonry job, ensure the longevity and performance of your structure by choosing the right type of brick.

Types of Brick

From the material it’s made of to how it’s molded and hardened, the formulation of a brick determines what it can be used for and how long it will last in a given setting.

Some bricks are stronger than others, some have more resilience to elements like fire and water, and some serve only as a facade or veneer rather than in a structural setting. Learning how each type of brick is made helps you determine which you should use. Here are seven common types of brick and what they’re best used for.

1. Burnt Clay Brick

Best for: Foundations, columns, walls, and fireplaces

Burnt clay bricks are what most people picture when they hear the word “brick.” They’re one of the oldest building materials still in use, and they can be seen in ancient structures around the world. As the name suggests, burnt clay bricks consist of wet clay that has been molded and fired in a kiln to produce a hard brick with a rectangular shape. Typically, burnt clay bricks maintain the classic red brick look.

2. Sun-Dried Brick

Best for: Temporary structures

Sun-dried bricks have been dried naturally by the sun rather than fired in a kiln. Additionally, sun-dried bricks use mud and straw for construction rather than clay, but they may also include clay, manure, or sand in addition to the mud.

Because of the simple construction and drying process, anyone can make sun-dried bricks, making them an accessible DIY brick route. However, the simple construction comes with flaws, as sun-dried bricks are the least durable type of brick.

3. Fly Ash Brick

Best for: Walls and structures, pillars and columns, foundations, fire-resistant structures

Fly ash brick is made up of a combination of fly ash (coal byproduct) and clay that is then kiln-fired at nearly 2,000°F. Because fly ash contains a high level of calcium oxide, fly ash bricks tend to expand when exposed to water, which has led to them being described as self-cementing bricks. While this is usually seen as an advantage, too much expansion can cause fly ash brick to pop out, compromising the brick structure.

4. Sand Lime Brick

Best for: Foundations, walls, columns, facades, exposed brick, ornamental uses

Sand lime bricks are formed by combining sand, lime, and fly ash, and then placing the mixture in a pressurized mold to create a brick. Unlike a kiln-dried brick, which uses heat drying to create the hard brick, sand lime bricks harden due to a chemical reaction encouraged by the heat and pressure of the mold.

5. Concrete Brick

Best for: Exterior brickwork, landscaping, retaining walls, fences, facades, walkways

Concrete brick is concrete that has been poured into a brick-like mold. Like concrete, concrete bricks sport supreme durability. However, because they are often porous, concrete brick isn’t used in underground settings. While concrete bricks are typically covered with a veneer or facade, they can also be left exposed to lend a modern, industrial look.

6. Engineering Brick

Best for: Civil engineering uses, maintenance holes, foundations, tunnels, other underground uses

Engineering bricks are extremely strong and durable. Consisting mostly of clay, engineering bricks can include other materials in their mixture. Their high-temperature firing results in incredible hardness, which translates to high strength and resilience.

However, the most crucial attribute of engineering brick is its low porosity, which makes these bricks ideal for underground use or any use where water exposure is of concern.

7. Fire Brick

Best for: High heat exposure, fire exposure, outdoor ovens, outdoor kitchens

Fire brick is exactly what it sounds like. It is brick intended for use around fire. Their silica and aluminum oxide content and high-temperature firing give the end product superior heat and fire resistance. You’ll find fire brick lining chimneys, brick ovens, fire pits, furnaces, and anywhere else that will see heat and potential fire.

How to Choose the Right Brick for Your Project

When deciding which brick to use for your DIY masonry project, sort through each type of brick’s strengths and weaknesses and the areas in which they perform the best. When choosing brick for your project, consider the following:

• Appearance
• Location
• Strength and durability
• Structural requirements
• Fire/heat-resistance
• Water/frost-resistance
• Longevity

If your project sits underground, choose a strong, durable brick with low porosity, such as engineering brick. If your project will be exposed to heat or fire, choose fire brick. If you’re looking to make the brick yourself, try your hand at making sun-dried bricks. For home improvement projects and extensions of existing brick structures, burnt-clay bricks and sand lime bricks will likely be the right pick.