Common Brick

[DevilsBrew]

Spent a couple hours trying to find common brick. I thought this would be an easy product to pick up. Where can I buy the stuff?

 

[fossil]

Home Depot (etc.), local hardware stores, landscape/nursery supply stores, directly from the brickmaker (if there's one local)...holy smokes, they oughta be really easy to find.

 

[DevilsBrew]

I made a mistake. I want face brick. The solid bricks.

I have been coming across a lot of pavers and patio brick today. I don't think that is the same thing. It all looked like a concrete mix of some kind.

 

[Dave A.]

Anywhere near Bristol, check out Lucisano Bros. Looked a long time for solid brick pavers (not concrete) myself years ago and ended up there.

 

[DevilsBrew]

Thanks for the input, Fossil and Dave, since I am so new at this. There was a ton of pretty patio items in various colors of faux brick and stone but I want something more basic. I'm going out tomorrow morning to search again.

I did some online research. There are concrete and clay pavers so I would have to be careful which one I got. I really want to start playing around with little stove designs tomorrow night.

 

[semipro]

I really want to start playing around with little stove designs tomorrow night.

Will the brick be exposed to high heat. If so, you'll need "fire" brick.

 

[DevilsBrew]

I am going to be making outdoor brick ovens and brick rocket stoves. Also, I am planning on one brick tandoor grill for the heck of it. All mortarless.

 

[Grisu]

Maybe google-search for "masonry supply" in your county?

 

[fishingpol]

How about trying Craigslist and see if anyone is giving any away, or post asking for free bricks? +1 on the soft bricks as they can absorb water and crack with high heat. Firebrick costs can add up quick. With free bricks you won't feel so bad cutting them if needed or if a few crack.

Just a quick CL search here showed several free postings. Some had mortar on the edges that can get knocked off with a hammer and chisel.

I think a member on here just tore a chimney down and those bricks are the type I would look for. Post some pics when you get things built.

 

[jharkin]

Go to a masonry supply. The big box stores around me have only concrete pavers these days.


Firebrick would work for sure, but don't forget that people built chimneys and fireplaces from plain old clay brick for centuries, and most of them didn't die

 

[DevilsBrew]

This will be outside so cheap will work. I just don't want to make a mistake and get concrete. I did a quick search on craigslist early yesterday but the only free bricks were about 1 1/2 hours from me.

 

[DevilsBrew]

The big box stores around me have only concrete pavers these days.

That is what I am discovering.

 

[basod]

Post a CL wanted ad.
Never know what someone has laying around.

 

[Ashful]

Landis Block in Souderton

 

[DevilsBrew]

I would like to get the brick asap. Today looks as though it is going to be a total washout with rain called for all day. I will stop by landscape supply companies tomorrow to see if they are open.

 

[ScotO]

why not check out local demolition/salvage companies? Our local salvage dealer has TONS AND TONS of antique brick in very nice condition, very cheap to boot!

 

[DevilsBrew]

I will try to find one near me. (I live in the boonies.)

 

[ScotO]

I will try to find one near me. (I live in the boonies.)

Lots and lots of dealers out there, any 'urban' areas should have a salvage dealer nearby.....

 

[Ashful]

You will have trouble finding clay brick at a landscape supplier. They often only stock concrete bricks. For clay brick, you usually need to find a masonry supplier.

What was once the only type of brick, is now a specialty item.

 

[semipro]

Don't be afraid to try and reclaim brick yourself should you have the opportunity. I've torn down brick walls and recovered the brick for other use. The mortar is relatively easy to remove with a brick set, hammer, and patience.

 

[ScotO]

Don't be afraid to try and reclaim brick yourself should you have the opportunity. I've torn down brick walls and recovered the brick for other use. The mortar is relatively easy to remove with a brick set, hammer, and patience.

I agree.....that's why I mentioned salvage. And you just can't match those old skool bricks for authenticity...

And if you reclaim the really old ones yourself, the mortar of yesteryear isn't like the mortar of today. Back then it was more or less a mix of sand and lime....very easy to get off with a hammer and brick chisel or mason's hammer. What would be really awesome is if she was able to find someone removing one of those old herringbone patterned brick sidewalks....that'd be easy pickins....

 

[DevilsBrew]

You will have trouble finding clay brick at a landscape supplier. They often only stock concrete bricks. For clay brick, you usually need to find a masonry supplier.

What was once the only type of brick, is now a specialty item.

Yes, I thought this was going to be relatively easy. Strange. I'm guessing this concrete brick is more popular because it is cheaper for the companies to manufacture.

 

[BrotherBart]

Take a trip by your local landfill. So far I have built three walkways around this place with common brick found when I went to dump the trash at different times. All of it brand new and unused. Another with round pavers from the same place.

 

[tekguy]

keep an eye on craigslist, I bought 400+ clean used solid red brick for $100 last year,, just had to pick them up
guy threw in yard of sand too (not fun shoveling that into the old powerjoke on 90 degree day)

 

[Ashful]

keep an eye on craigslist, I bought 400+ clean used solid red brick for $100 last year,, just had to pick them up
guy threw in yard of sand too (not fun shoveling that into the old powerjoke on 90 degree day)

I suspect most of what you'll find on Craigslist is concrete brick, and it sounds like the OP is specifically seeking clay brick. There's tons of clay brick around, if you live near an older town / city, but most newer stuff is that ugly (and useless for high heat) concrete brick.