Clay bricks: A reassuring and sustainable building material

Wirecut (also known as extruded) bricks are made by forcing prepared clay through an extrusion die to create a column of clay. This is then subjected to a range of different processes to create a variety of finishes and textures, including smooth, sandfaced, textured and tumbled, suitable for buildings ranging in style from classic to contemporary. Forterra’s range of wirecut bricks  are sold under the Butterley brand, a name synonymous with brickmaking for over 150 years.

Forterra manufactures three types of soft mud bricks: pressed, thrown and waterstruck. Pressed and thrown are made by “pressing” or “throwing” clay containing a high percentage of water into sanded moulded boxes – the sand allows the bricks to be released easily from the mould. Pressed bricks have a smooth, sand faced finish and thrown bricks have a traditional, handmade appearance. Waterstruck bricks have a smooth but irregular surface created by the use of water to release them from their mould. Available in a variety of colours, Forterra’s soft mud bricks are sold under the Ecostock brand.

London bricks, or Flettons as they are also known, are a semi-dry pressed brick formed from clay with a low water absorption. The clay is compressed into a mould to form the finished brick shape before being fired in a traditional Hoffman kiln. It’s a method of production that has changed very little since the first London Brick was made back in 1877. It’s why finding a brick match for an existing building built from London brick is relatively easy. London brick is available in a wide range of colours and textures.

Special shaped bricks can be introduced to give your building kerb appeal. Plinth, bullnose and angle and cant bricks are among the most common, but special shaped bricks can be tailor-made to almost any specification, enabling the construction of unique features. At Forterra, we have a factory dedicated to producing special shaped bricks, including British standard, non-standard and bespoke. Special shaped bricks can be manufactured to complement Forterra’s range of standard bricks.

Blending brick colours and textures is an effective method of achieving a bespoke aesthetic that satisfies architects and planners. Bricks can be blended to produce an even distribution of colour or texture across the whole facing brick façade, or to create intricate brick patterns typical of the Victorian era. Forterra’s blended brick service allows you to create your own bespoke combination of brick colours and textures from our Butterley, Ecostock and London Brick ranges.