A history of bricks 

Although you may not think about it every day, the common house brick forms a major part of building trends and the communities around us.

Bricks have been used in buildings for thousands of years, so you can only imagine just how many have been made in that time. The history of bricks tells us a lot about the different materials and manufacturing methods used in construction, which has helped us make bricks that are stronger and more sustainable.

So, we thought we'd cover the history of bricks, including how they’re made and how they influence modern architecture.

When were bricks invented? 

Bricks have been around for thousands of years, so it’s hard to pinpoint when and where they were invented. However, we know that bricks date back as far as 7000 BC, when they were discovered near the walls of Jericho in Turkey. 

How were bricks made without fuel?

The earliest known bricks were made in warmer climates, where people would mix clay and straw before placing them in the sun to harden. If you visit the Egyptian ruins of Harappa Buhen, then you’ll be able to see how these bricks were used. 

The fortress was built around 1860 BC and is still visible today, so it’s a real testament to how strong original bricks were.

When did we start firing bricks?

The first known use of fired bricks dates back to 4400 BC, where they were used in Chinese settlements as flooring and road paving.

In the settlement, people moulded red clay before heating it in a kiln to make bricks. They discovered that the heating process strengthened the bricks, making them stronger and more durable.

As you can imagine, this method made it easier to make bricks for people in cooler climates who couldn’t rely on the weather for sun-drying.

How did the Romans change brickmaking?

Although the Romans didn’t introduce new ways of making bricks, they made it easy to produce them across the entire country.

They created mobile kilns, meaning they could make bricks wherever they wanted. The efficiency of mobile kilns made it possible for the Romans to build fortresses, walls and other buildings in a relatively short period of time.

Alongside mobile kilns, the Romans were the first people to introduce something called standardisation. Bricks were mass-produced using standard sizes and were even stamped to help with quality control, meaning bricks were consistently made to a high standard.

These bricks, like many things made by the Romans, have really stood the test of time. A great example of these bricks being used can be found in the Herculaneum gate of Pompeii, which consists of three arches.

When did we start using bricks in the United Kingdom?

Brickmaking in the UK dates back to AD 43, when the Romans successfully invaded Britain. Using their mobile kilns, the Romans created the foundations for the Britain we know today.

Roman landmarks are still standing today, including the Roman Baths and the Balkerne Gate, in Colchester, which is a real testament to the durability of Roman bricks. 

Things changed around 400 years later, when the Romans left Britain to defend Italy against the barbarians, meaning the use of bricks stopped until they gradually resurfaced in the 13th century.

Examples of UK bricks through the ages

As you can imagine, bricks have been used in many different ways throughout the ages, with each period of time becoming known for a style that can still be seen today. 

Tudor 

Brickwork regained nationwide popularity during the Tudor period of 1485 to 1603, when a shortage of resources, like timber and stone, meant builders had to look for alternative materials. In the early stages, bricks acted as a status symbol for wealthy families, who wanted them for their decorative appearance.

Tudor bricks were known for being irregular sizes because they were handmade, meaning they often look thinner or rougher than modern bricks. They are usually pale pink or deep red, but some look grey or dark purple because they were overburnt in the kiln.

The red and burnt appearance is a classic look for modern brickwork in the UK and can be seen in a variety of projects, including the new build property project we supplied in Durham.

Stuart

Throughout the Stuart era of 1603 to 1714, bricks were no longer reserved for luxury homes and, instead, became a common building material. In fact, bricks really rose in popularity following the Great Fire of London in 1666 because they were a safer alternative to traditional timber and pitch (tar).

Like the Romans, standardised bricks became normal during production, meaning people could build houses quickly and efficiently. Flemish bond also became popular during this period, which is where the bricks are laid so that they alternate between the long side (stretch) and short side (header) facing outwards.

Flemish bond isn’t as common as regular bricklaying, but it’s still used in some modern projects, such as the residential property we supported at the Laurels.

Georgian 

During the Georgian era of 1714 to 1830, brickwork became more of a talking point in everyday buildings. Symmetry and refined Flemish bond patterns were two of the main characteristics of the Georgian period, which also introduced brownish-grey and yellow London stock bricks.

Decorative features, like arches around windows, were also introduced during this period, which is a design that’s still used in some buildings today.

You can see how we’ve used symmetry and a yellow-style brick in our new build project in Merrick Road.

Victorian 

By the time we’d reached the Victorian era of 1837 to 1901, the Industrial Revolution was well underway. Bricks were mostly made by hand until 1885, when the introduction of machines made it faster and cheaper to produce bricks from that point onwards.

Thanks to the use of machines, it was now possible to make a variety of bricks in different colours, which is why multi-coloured brickwork is a characteristic of some Victorian buildings. They also introduced something called corbelling, a technique where bricks are "stepped out" from the wall to create a decorative shelf.

Modern projects rarely use methods like corbelling anymore because cheaper alternatives exist, but the use of different brick colours is still a common sight, as seen in this new build project we supplied in Guildford.

How are bricks used in modern buildings?

Modern technology has made it easier to produce bricks with different textures that can be used for a variety of purposes. As you can imagine, bricks are made to a higher standard these days, meaning new buildings are likely to stand the test of time if they’re cared for.

Manufacturing aside, another big change includes the introduction of hollow habitat bricks, which offer a way of tackling the decline of cavity-nesting birds by giving them somewhere safe to nest.

At AAB, we take inspiration from all eras when designing bricks, which is why we offer them in a range of colours and textures. We also offer bricks for a variety of different uses, whether it’s for wall capping or plinths.