Bricks – the basic building unit of a construction, similar to living cells of a human body. Bricks of different types are available in our country. Normal bricks, wire-cut bricks, semi-wire cut bricks, terracotta hollow block and interlocked bricks are its common derivates. Bricks should be chosen as per soil characteristics and its availability.

A few derivatives of bricks

Except interlock bricks, all bricks are made from clay. They are prepared by mixing the clay well, molding into desired shapes and burnt later. Soft clay is used in the production of bricks. Interlock bricks are prepared from a desired proportion of cement and soil by pressing them together at high temperature into moulds.

To construct one or two floor building the cheapest product used is brick. A 1000 square feet house needs approximately 20,000 bricks. Dimension of most common bricks is 21x10x10 and each brick may cost around 3rs. It’s commonly available everywhere in our country.

Wire cut bricks follow all dimensions of bricks fully. It will be uniform. Dimensions of wire-cut and semi wire cut bricks are same as normal bricks. If you use wire cut bricks, no need for extra finishing or polishing. It reduces construction cost considerably. As they are burnt bricks, irregular patters on bricks give a design and natural look to your walls. Wire cut bricks cost 10 rupees or more for a single piece.

If dimensions of wire cut bricks are changed a little bit, it’s known as semi wire cut bricks. For constructing homes, both wire cut and semi wire cut bricks are used. Semi wire cut bricks are most commonly used to reduce concrete work. As their dimensions are almost uniform, budges and curves are low and less concrete and finishing work needed later. It costs 5.5 to 6 rupees per piece. For all the described above pieces it’s easy to pierce on the wall to hang something.

Hollow block and interlock bricks

In addition to normal bricks, wire cut bricks and semi wire cut bricks, terracotta hollow bricks, natural bricks mined from earth and interlock bricks are also used for constructing homes.
When soil is placed in desired and fixed frames and heated terracotta hollow bricks are produced. These bricks are hollow inside – the peculiarity of hollow bricks. So, terracotta hollow bricks can play an important role in reducing heat inside homes. According to the temperature of furnace its colour shades may vary from yellow to red and often, we can see these two colours mixed in a piece. Terracotta hollow bricks used for constructing walls of homes are normally in the dimensions, 14x7x6 and 12x6x6 inch sizes. If you use 14x7x6 inch pieces a square feet of construction requires 16 hollow bricks. If 12x6x6 inch dimension pieces are used it may require 21 bricks and its prize varies from 30-35 rupees.

Natural mined rock obtained from coastal areas of Kerala is also used for constructions. These natural minerals, off-white in colour are stronger than normal bricks. Its prices are high too. They are found in certain areas under earth and obtained through mining. They are cut into desired pieces to be used later as bricks. They are rare and most precious natural gifts too!

Waste powder of naturally mined rock is used along with cement for manufacturing inter lock bricks. On each corner of interlock brick a lock is provided and while constructing walls, these corners are interlocked. Hence these bricks got the name ‘interlocked bricks’. Its advantage is that no concrete needed to join bricks while constructing the walls. It reduces production cost and heat inside your home as well. Interlock bricks are bigger than normal bricks and they are available in six and eight inch pieces. It costs up to 18 rupees per piece. Walls constructed using terracotta hollow bricks or interlocked bricks need no furnishing and finishing.

Mud blocks are prepared by mixing mud and dried under sun. If you go through old homes of peasants and workers, you can see a lot of constructions made this way. As these bricks are not burnt in furnace they are less stronger than normal bricks and hence most commonly used by poor people one or two decades back. But mud blocks have an advantage while comparing them with other bricks. As they are eco-friendly and natural homes constructed using mud blocks give you a cooling effect comparing other constructions. As soil can be taken anywhere from your courtyard, it gives less construction cost only.

Conclusion

So, we have come to the end of this article. I have given a brief idea of different types of bricks that can be used in your construction. It depends up on you to choose one that suits your construction most and that is easy available.  Hoping it will be helpful.