Brace yourself. We at Bricks R Us are about to present to you some hardcore facts and figures about different types of bricks. Did you know that bricks were first developed more than six millennia ago? Workers took straw and grass and mixed it with clay to help prevent cracking under the sun.
Conventional bricks, the rectangular ones, were formed some 4,000 years ago when brick makers began using fire to dry their products. Fires in kilns reached 2,000 degrees and made brick formation so much easier and faster, compared to the slow heat of the sun.
Since we’re discussing hard facts (pun intended), it takes cement 30 days to dry completely, although it’s dry enough for pedestrians after two days and motorists in seven days.
There you have it – some brick background. Now we’re going to tell you about the bricks we make for you.
Bricks R Us Cast of Characters
The most popular brick is the “finished brick.” It has a smooth surface and beveled edges with space bars on the sides. This is our “pretty brick,” which comes in matching sizes of 4×8 and 8×8 inches. Its sand base has a 2 ¼ inch thickness.
The “belden brick” is also popular, but not quite as purty. This brick, which comes in the same sizes as the “finished brick,” has rough surfaces and straight or beveled edges.
The “standard brick” – which only comes in the 3 5/8 x 7 5/8 inch size modular, – is the plain Jane of the bunch. It has a rough surface and looks like your typical outdoors type.
When it comes to talking strictly bricks, the “concrete brick” comes in a rough surface with spaces on the side. It is available in matching sizes of 4×8, 8×8 and 12×12 inches. In fact it is the only brick we sell in the 12×12 inch size. It is used on a sand base with a ½ or 2 ¼ inch thickness.
Now for the tiles: The “alfagres tile” is used mostly for walls or on the ground. It comes in matching 4×4, 8×8 and 12×12 inch sizes with a ½ inch thickness. These tough guys can be used indoors or outdoors.
Alfagres’ close cousin is the “Quarry tile.” It is used the same way and comes in matching styles of 3 5/8 x 7 5/8 inch.
The “marble tile” doesn’t have to compete with the concrete brick for smoothness. This marble tile has a reputation of its own and is used primarily as a wall surface. It comes in 4×8, 8×8 and 12×12 inch sizes with a ½ inch thickness. We recommend against using marble tiles outdoors as a ground surface. It can be very slippery.
The “granite tile” – a close associate of the marble tile – should be used mostly for walls. It comes in the same sizes as the marble tile and tends also to get slippery outdoors.
We hope you enjoyed meeting our cast of brick characters. We guarantee you’ll be satisfied with their performance at your fundraiser. Contact us and let us know how we can help you with your brick fundraiser. We’d love to hear from you and help you along the way.
