Bricks are one of the oldest building materials used in Pakistan and throughout the world. It is one of the most essential materials used in the construction industry. Bricks are the building blocks of any concrete structure. Various types of bricks are used in construction, and they vary based on the components used in their formation.
Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has compiled a list of the types of bricks used in Pakistan.
What are Bricks?
Bricks are composed of clay which is moulded to desired sizes and forms. These moulds are first dried in the sun and then burnt in the furnace. They are burned until they gain the required durability and strength.
Bricks in general are rectangular shaped, because the shape is easier to work with. They are mostly made using the following three substances:
- Clay
- A mix of lime and sand
- Portland Cement Concrete
All Types of Bricks
| Type/Categories | Description |
|---|---|
| Concrete Bricks | Bricks made from concrete, providing strength and durability. |
| Fly Ash Bricks | Environmentally friendly bricks made from fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion. |
| Burnt Clay Bricks | Traditional bricks made by baking clay in a kiln, widely used in construction. |
| First Class Bricks | High-quality bricks known for their uniformity and minimal defects. |
| Sand Lime Bricks | Bricks made from sand, lime, and fly ash, offering good bonding properties. |
| Extruded Brick | Bricks formed by extrusion, resulting in a consistent and precise shape. |
| Facing Brick | Bricks designed for visible exteriors, chosen for their aesthetic appeal. |
| Common Bricks | Standard bricks used for general construction purposes. |
| Firebricks | Bricks resistant to high temperatures, suitable for use in fireplaces and furnaces. |
| Backing Brick | Bricks used as a structural support for facing bricks. |
| Calcium Silicate Bricks | Bricks made from sand and lime, known for their strength and durability. |
| Clay Bricks | Bricks made from natural clay, a common choice for construction. |
| Brick Appearance | Variations in the visual characteristics of bricks, including color and texture. |
| Hollow Bricks | Bricks with cavities, reducing weight and improving insulation. |
| Brick Veneers | Thin slices of brick used for decorative purposes, often applied to existing walls. |
| Bullnose Brick | Bricks with a rounded edge, often used for decorative purposes. |
| Cream City Brick | A type of brick known for its cream-colored appearance, popular in construction. |
| Curved Sector Bricks | Bricks shaped for curved structures, offering flexibility in design. |
| Jhama Bricks | Bricks with a high proportion of impurities, used in areas where strength is crucial. |
| Categories of Red Brick | Various classifications of red bricks based on color, texture, and manufacturing processes. |
| Brick Hardness | Measures the resistance of a brick to abrasion and damage. |
| Channel Brick | Bricks with indentations or channels, providing better mortar grip and bonding. |
Types of Bricks Based on Chemical Properties
Based on their chemical properties, bricks can be classified into the following categories.
- 1st Class
- 2nd Class
- 3rd Class
- 4th Class
1st Class Bricks
- These bricks are burned for a long time
- They are mostly found in deep red colour.
- Have a fine rectangular and smooth surface, and the corners are not chipped.
- They have steady texture
- A fingernail scratch leaves no impression on their surface
- When two bricks collide, they produce metallic sound
- When immersed in water for approximately 24 hours, the water absorption should be 12-15% of its dry weight.
2nd Class Bricks
These bricks have almost similar requirements as those in first class bricks, expect that they have:
- Minute cracks and contortions
- Water absorption is a little bit higher than that of first class bricks. It is 16-20%
3rd Class
- Third class bricks are not properly burned
- They are not as sturdy and can break easily
- Upon colliding against each other, they do not produce a metallic sound.
- They are dull in colour
- Their water absorption rate is 25% of their dry weight
4th Class Bricks
- These bricks are overly burnt
- They are usually chipped and their shape is not uniform
- They are brittle
Types of Widely Used Bricks in Pakistan
Following are the most widely used types of bricks used for building houses and structures in Pakistan.
Burnt Clay Bricks
Talking about the commonly used bricks in Pakistan, burnt clay bricks come at the top of the list. They are composed of wet clay, which is mould pressed, dried, and eventually backed in the furnaces.
Burnt clay bricks have been used in the construction industry since ancient times, and are found in various historical buildings throughout the world.
Talking about their appearance, they come in regular rectangular shapes. As they are burnt in a furnace, the clay solidifies, giving bricks a deep reddish colour.
These types of bricks usually have no flaws, and are more costly than other options. These bricks are used in the construction of masonry walls, foundations, and columns.
Sand Lime Bricks
The other name for sand lime bricks is calcium silicate bricks. They are composed of sand, lime, and fly ash. These three are mixed together and then mould pressed. These types of bricks are not formed using the same method as in the formation of clay bricks.
Unlike Burnt clay bricks, sand clay bricks are grey in colour. Their structure and shape is regular and smooth.
Talking about the qualities of sand lime bricks, they provide amazing strength to the structure and are ideal for the construction of load-bearing structures. Sometimes, pigments are added to them so they can be used for aesthetic purposes.
If these bricks are used for construction, less mortar will be required.
Moreover, the presence of salt and other minerals in the atmosphere will have little to less effect on these bricks.
Sand lime bricks are used for the formation of:
- Structural foundations pillars and walls
- Used for the construction of exposed brick walls and pillars
- Ornamental uses (with the addition of pigments)
Engineering Bricks
Another commonly used brick that is used in construction is known as engineering bricks. They are used to add strength to a structure. Due to their low water resistance, they are used for the construction of damp-proof paths.
Sturdy engineering bricks are formed in the presence of high temperatures. This is the reason why they have the capacity to stand really high temperatures.
In addition, a high temperature will not have any adverse effect on the size, shape, and sturdiness of the bricks. These bricks are considered one of the most commonly used bricks in Pakistan.
They are mostly used to lay foundations of buildings, line of furnaces, ovens, and chimneys.
Concrete Bricks
One of the strongest types of bricks used in Pakistan is concrete bricks. In terms of long-lastingness, concrete bricks come after burnt clay bricks. As the name suggests, these bricks are made using solid concrete.
Moreover, they are widely used to form facades and fences. Besides providing sturdiness to the structures, they provide aesthetic appeal to them. During their formation, different pigments are added to the bricks.
Concrete bricks are suitable for the construction of underground structures.
Fly Ash Clay Bricks
As we can tell by seeing the name, these bricks are made using clay and fly ash. Fly ash is an industrial byproduct that is produced when coal is burnt at about 1000 degrees celsius.
Fly ash bricks contain a huge chunk of calcium oxide, which is the reason these types of bricks have self-cementing qualities. In the presence of moisture, these bricks swell easily, which is not a positive quality, as it can weaken the structure.
However, they also have various pros, and some of them are that they are light in weight. Fly ash bricks are used for the construction of structural walls, foundations, and pillars.
Bricks Rate in Pakistan | June 12, 2022
| Quantity | A Garde | B Garde | C Garde |
| One Brick | Rs. 14 | Rs. 12.5 | Rs. 11 |
| 1000 Bricks | Rs. 14,000 | Rs. 12,500 | Rs. 11,000 |
| 3000 Bricks | Rs. 42,500 | Rs. 37,500 | Rs. 33,000 |
How Many Bricks Are Used in the Construction of a House?
The area of most houses in Pakistan is 5 marla. In case you are wondering how many bricks would be required to construct one, the following is the breakdown of the information.
Bricks for 5 Marla House (2-Story) = Estimated Cost Rs 53,000
8 Marla house (2-Story) = Estimated Cost Rs 70,000
10 Marla House (2-Story) = Estimated Cost RS 90,000
1 Kanal House (2-Story) = Estimated Cost Rs 135,000
Alternatives of Bricks for Construction
Bricks are the commonly used building blocks however, there are other materials that can be used as alternatives, which are as follows:
- Cement Blocks
- Hollow Concrete Blocks
- AAC Blocks
- CLC Blocks
Humans have been producing and using bricks since prehistoric times. Their wide use tells us a lot about their sturdiness and the advantages that they provide to the structure.
In this blog, Graana.com covered different aspects of bricks and their uses. For more information like how to obtain construction permit in Pakistan visit Graana blog.
