Just take a look around yourself! Are there endless buildings and offices around you?! Yes! So, what makes the buildings so strong? Their very basic foundation. Bricks! Bricks are used for construction all round the year! There is no specific season for construction. Bricks are of various kinds. Let's look into white bricks and red bricks today..

White bricks are cement bricks. They are made out of sand and concrete. Red bricks are made of burnt clay (see pics). They are commonly used since these are easily available everywhere. Do you know the differences between the varieties and their ideal uses? To help you choose between red clay bricks or Cement bricks, let’s go into some key factors that you want to be aware of.

1. Strength 

Generally, cement bricks have higher strength compared to red bricks. This is mainly because of the way concrete bricks are manufactured and the materials that are used to make them. That’s why cement bricks are mostly used in tall tower buildings as these will require higher concrete strength.

2. Sound proofing 

Red bricks are heavier than cement bricks, making them the ideal for noise reduction. Sound travels via vibrations, so with a heavier material like clay, less sound will come through a red brick wall.

3. Water proofing

Cement bricks have great waterproofing ability. This is especially helpful when the construction is being carried out in a damp and muddy environment. That is why most contractors prefer using concrete bricks.

Red bricks have poor waterproofing ability. When exposed to a damp or moisture environment, red bricks will be easily damaged, leading to the formation of mold.

4. Heat conduction 

Cement bricks have higher heat conductivity. When they are exposed to sunlight, they absorb heat easily and then release heat slowly too. This means your house will get hot when it’s sunny and you will still feel a little heat, as the day cools down. In the long run, this could increase your electricity cost as you will need to switch on your air conditioner to cool your house down. Red bricks are better at controlling the heat at home as they are more porous and so, they trap and release heat easily. The reason why not many developers or contractors use them is simply that they cost more. 

5. Environment friendly 

Cement bricks are considered friendlier for the environment, as most cement bricks are made using fly ash instead of stone aggregates. Fly ash is a byproduct or a waste product of thermal plants where electricity is made using coal.  Dumping the Fly ash is toxic to the environment. Brick manufacturers found a smart way to use them. Fly ash, when mixed with cement bricks can improve its strength significantly. And since fly ash is a byproduct, manufacturers can buy them at a lower cost. Manufacturing process of Red bricks is complex and harmful to the environment. That’s why many environmental experts don’t recommend buying them for your home. If you care a lot about mother nature, then you probably need to consider this before buying cement bricks. 

6. Aesthetic value

Putting aside the environmental concerns, red bricks have a really good aesthetic appeal. Structures built using red bricks are instantly striking and attractive to the eyes. Cement bricks are plain and sometimes boring, that is why many homeowners still choose red bricks. If you have an eye for design and want something different for your home, then you can probably add red bricks.  

However, the good news is that bricks, whether red or cement – are built to last. Now that you know the difference, advantages, and disadvantages of red bricks and cement bricks, which one would you choose?

Tags

• red bricks white bricks
• red brick and white brick

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