Apart from the obvious things such as texture and colours, what are the differences between the cheapest and more expensive Face bricks?
Are some easier to work with than others? Do the cheapest ones crack easily?
Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jun 13, 2009 11:35 pm Apart from the obvious things such as texture and colours, what are the differences between the cheapest and more expensive Face bricks? Are some easier to work with than others? Do the cheapest ones crack easily? Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 2Jun 13, 2009 11:38 pm Imho popularity plays a big part in brick price. A bit like supply and demand. Expensive bricks from boral etc still have problems. In fact cheaper and more basic bricks and brick colors are sometimes easier to work with. A thing to note is that the same brick from two different batchs could have different characteristics when it comes to chipping breaking etc. Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 3Jun 14, 2009 5:32 am I used to work for a brick manufacturer. The price depended on the availability of clay and what they had managed to negotiate with a clay supplier. Sometimes more work was done to get a different effect. However the price is not related to quality, unless you're talking about "seconds" or "common" bricks, which may be overcooked or cracked (or some other fault), so are intended to be plastered or rendered. Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 4Jun 14, 2009 9:15 am We where talking to a builder on Friday, he said all the bricks coming out at the moment are sheit. He doesn't know what they have done, but they have curves in them and they are rounded. He showed us two different bricks on two houses right next to each other, and neither house had a true 'straight' brick line. His brickies had done a great job, the work was very clean and neat, but because the bricks where all curved and odd shaped they couldn't get a truely straight line. The bricks that have got 'stuff' on the front of the brick, like the Austral Nougat and Almond can not be acid washed. So the bricklayer has to be very clean when laying them, so you need a good brickie. The other bricks that have colour all the way through, like the heritage reds etc can be acid washed, and so they tend to come up better and look nicer and forgive the mistakes of the brick layer. We still went for a brick with a 'painted' on type face because we liked the look of it, I just hope our builder employs a good brick layer. Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 5Jun 14, 2009 9:35 am I was always told that the quality within one company was basically the same but the price could vary due to ingrediants. For example, magnesium (I think??) went up considerably around 12 months ago and the bricks that used this had a surcharge applied and that in turn put them up quite a few categories with the builders. I'd just pick the brick you love. Sometimes the lower category, cheaper bricks can be lovely. Just depends on what look you are after. netadelle The bricks that have got 'stuff' on the front of the brick, like the Austral Nougat and Almond can not be acid washed. So the bricklayer has to be very clean when laying them, so you need a good brickie. They can be acid washed but they need to then have a neutralising solution applied to stop the green tinge that comes through. I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 7Jun 14, 2009 8:23 pm netadelle We still went for a brick with a 'painted' on type face because we liked the look of it, I just hope our builder employs a good brick layer. Dont blame the bricklayer, blame the builder for employing the brick cleaner who blows the face off the brick because they dont know the correct cleaning technique. I tried to post a pic of badly cleaned brickwork but the forum owners havent paid enough for hosting to allow attachments so I cant. Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 8Jun 15, 2009 12:12 am Just came back from Bor#l yesterday. There is a lot more to bricks than meets the eye. I think the popularity as mentioned is a key factor in the price. As a bricks on the way out it will drop in price before it’s discontinued. Also the additives like glass to get the different affects. The color & batch is my main concern. Man, the color can vary heaps from batch to batch that much you would think it’s a differnt brick. Also was surprised on the price, how low they would go for O.B. house lots of 8000 up. They have a rating for each delivery/batch 1-5 being a range of variation in color, shape & texture from the norm, before it becomes a common. I came across some commons for 35 cents I used to get some from a mate on site, just to clean them up, I understand why they liked me cleaning them up for them, it cost more to remove them than to buy them. KW………… “It's just as unpleasant to get more than you bargain for as to get less” George Bernard Shaw. Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 9Jun 15, 2009 12:53 am Quote: I tried to post a pic of badly cleaned brickwork but the forum owners havent paid enough for hosting to allow attachments so I cant set up a free account with photobucket or imageshack and you can post pics - there are many pics posted on this forum Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 11Jun 15, 2009 9:04 am Hey Brickie, I know you will not agree with me. However here is goes. The picture you have shown is not an issue with the Brick cleaner. If it was an issue with the brick cleaner you would see a different type of symptom. You will more likely see the orange coming through in a circle motion. I have worked with these bricks before. A bet you could see the orange come through before they where even layed. Perhaps they where not the noticeable when the brick is dry and 'dusty". When you wet the bricks(even with water) the orange is more obvious. If you look on the photo the worst brick in the middle has more issues on the top and bottom of the brick which leads me to believe that is was there before it was laid. Also on your previous comments you mention how poor brick cleaner often pull out big chucks of mortar due to powerful cleaning. From my some what limited experience it has always been because there are a) impurities in the sand mix. (for example small stones or loose object or even mud) b) because the mortar has not been mixed correct. Given a good bricklayer should be able to mix decent mortar the problem is usually related to point A which admittedly is very hard to monitor. Also since flush mortar is weaker that roller you are also more likely to see issues (with this mortar) when brick cleaning. The only way to minimize the orange coming through. (cleaning will always show a little orange come through like the top layer of bricks) is to ensure you bricklayer cleans the bricks which a brickies brush and water. This will ensure that only dust is left on you bricks in which case only a smaller amount of acid and low pressure cleaning is required I also notice Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 12Jun 15, 2009 9:48 am Great to find these posts as Im at choosing brick stage. I was told if they use to much asid it can discolor the brick generaly leaving it black or much darker, like, burning it. Bor#l told me they have seen bricks blasted that hard that the mortar comes clean out from the walls. I guess its like all things "what ever happened to having pride in you r work and doing it well". Would anyone up with bricks & bricking like to give me a point by point guide to checking if the laying and bricks are up to standard. I mean how do you tell if they are OK when they are delivered. How can I tell if the mortar is the correct mix? Why do they wash them down so hard, is it just a clean up process? Thanks to all. Regards KW............. “It's just as unpleasant to get more than you bargain for as to get less” George Bernard Shaw. Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 14Jun 15, 2009 5:04 pm borg only a smaller amount of acid and low pressure cleaning is required You need to talk to the brick cleaners....lol..... small amount of acid, and low pressure, ....please......it takes longer doing it that way. Most brick cleaners apply the acid without even wetting the wall first, they start at one corner of a house and apply the acid to the whole house, in the mean time the acid has been on the wall 15 minute. Next they get out the pressure washer and blast away from all 50mm off the brick surface, the recommended minimum distance is 600mm from the brickwork. Haha, I just did a search and the brick manufacturers have changed the specs from 600mm to 300mm.. http://www.australbrick.com.au/national ... bricks.php Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 15Jun 15, 2009 5:09 pm borg is to ensure you bricklayer cleans the bricks which a brickies brush and water. Ive never seen that done in all my time in the trade? Washing fresh brickwork with water will only erode the joint and make more mortar smears on the face of the brickwork, whats the point of that? Its always fascinated me just how many ppl are bricklaying experts. Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 18Jun 15, 2009 7:57 pm Brickie Casa2 Come on guys, be extra nice to Brickie. We need his expertise. Thanks Casa2, once it all stops being fun Ill just stop posting.. Let me know when the fun runs low and I'll put on my comedy act. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Difference between cheap and more expensive Face bricks 19Jun 15, 2009 9:30 pm Brickie borg is to ensure you bricklayer cleans the bricks which a brickies brush and water. Ive never seen that done in all my time in the trade? Washing fresh brickwork with water will only erode the joint and make more mortar smears on the face of the brickwork, whats the point of that? Its always fascinated me just how many ppl are bricklaying experts. He brickies i am just as amazed that you dont believe. Yes there are not that many old school bricklayers out there. But i did find one. Perhaps you should walk into bunnnings and have a look at the brickies section. There is a thing called a "brickies brush" you will notice that it is very soft and has fine bristles. Is it possible that you have been simply taught differently. Basically what the brickies brush does is takes off all the dags and thins out the motar on the brick face. This way not to much pressure is required. ot I will dig up a photo for you to show you what bricks can look like even before they are cleaned. 1. Roof cleaning and paint - which colour do you recommend? I often see black/ dark grey in use these days but I would prefer… 0 8310 The engineering is the engineering. It's irrelevant how much material you have. Unless it fits the requirements of your design the engineer can't "make"it work. You might… 7 9619 |