Building a house with reclaimed bricks: benefits and possibilities
Reclaimed masonry bricks give a new home immediate character and an authentic appearance. Discover their benefits, different types and what to check when choosing a batch.
Why build a house with reclaimed masonry bricks?
The facade determines much of a home’s appearance. If you are building a new house but do not want the uniform look of new masonry, authentic reclaimed bricks offer an alternative.
Old bricks have previously been used in homes, farmhouses, churches and other historical buildings. Differences in clay, firing, age and years of use give every batch its own colour, texture and character.
That natural variation makes reclaimed bricks interesting for new builds. A home can be constructed entirely to modern building requirements while its facade immediately has the appearance of a much older property.
What are the benefits of reclaimed masonry bricks?
Authentic appearance
Appearance is the main difference from new facing bricks. Old bricks have natural colour differences, signs of use and irregularities developed over decades or sometimes centuries.
A reclaimed brick therefore does not simply have one uniform colour or texture. A batch can contain different shades, creating livelier finished masonry.
Every historical batch is different
Reclaimed bricks come from existing buildings. A batch cannot be reproduced indefinitely.
Origin, size, age, clay and production method together determine its appearance. One batch of Frisian yellow bricks, for example, can differ considerably from another.
This allows a very specific search for bricks that suit the intended architectural style.
Reusing existing material
Reusing old bricks preserves existing building materials instead of losing them after demolition.
The bricks are selected, cleaned of old mortar and prepared for use again. Existing material gains a new role in a home or another building project.
Suitable for different architectural styles
Reclaimed bricks are not used only in restoration. They can work particularly well in new builds.
From country-style or farmhouse-inspired new homes to modern houses combining old masonry with glass, timber or steel, the final appearance depends on the chosen brick and how it is laid.
Which reclaimed bricks can you use for a new build?
Handmade bricks
Reclaimed handmade bricks have a relatively lively, irregular texture. Available in various colours and sizes, they are widely used where a handcrafted facade appearance is wanted.
Moulded bricks
Reclaimed moulded bricks are generally more regular in shape than handmade bricks. They still include many historical colours, textures and sizes.
Frisian yellow bricks
Frisian yellow bricks are distinctive historical bricks in yellow and varied yellow shades. Strongly associated with old Frisian buildings, they can also work very well in new construction.
IJssel bricks
IJssel bricks are relatively small historical bricks known for their distinctive format and yellow, red and mixed colour ranges.
Their smaller size means considerably more bricks are needed per square metre than with a Waalformaat brick, for example.
Groningen bricks
Groningen bricks come in various red, orange and mixed shades and are characteristic of historical buildings in the northern Netherlands.
Ultimately, the best brick depends not only on its name or origin but particularly on the desired facade colour, size, texture and appearance.
How do you choose the right reclaimed brick for your home?
1. Decide on the desired appearance
Start with the overall appearance of the home. Do you want a light facade with yellow bricks, a warm facade with varied reds, or a darker brick?
Do not look only at a single loose brick. The final effect emerges when hundreds or thousands are laid together in a facade.
2. View a representative part of the batch
Old bricks have natural variations in colour and texture. Preferably compare several bricks from the batch side by side.
At Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen, you can view our batches in Bolsward and compare different bricks and sortings.
3. Check dimensions and required quantity
Size partly determines the number needed per m². A small IJssel brick, for instance, requires considerably more pieces than a larger brick.
Calculate the required quantity beforehand, allowing extra for cutting, breakage and selection.
Because a historical batch is finite, we recommend reserving enough material from the same batch.
4. Consider the bond and headers
The brick bond has a major influence on the final appearance, as well as the bricks themselves.
Certain traditional patterns need many sound headers. Damage to one side of bricks in an old batch may therefore affect suitability for the desired bond.
Take this into account before buying.
5. Choose joint colour and width carefully
The same brick can look completely different with another joint. Joint colour, width and finish strongly affect the overall appearance.
For historical-looking masonry, assess the brick, bond and pointing as a whole.
How are reclaimed bricks prepared for reuse?
When an old building is demolished, bricks often retain lime or cement mortar.
Usable bricks are selected from the demolition material and then cleaned of mortar, making them suitable for laying again.
They are then checked and sorted. Depending on the batch, this includes assessing size, colour, usability and sound visible faces or headers.
After sorting, the bricks are stacked on pallets and can be transported to a new project.
Are all reclaimed bricks consistent in size?
No. Old bricks can vary in length, width and height.
The degree of variation depends on type, production method, age and batch. A handmade brick may show noticeably more variation than a relatively consistent moulded brick.
This need not be a disadvantage in a new build. These differences contribute to authenticity, although the bricklayer must account for them during laying.
How many reclaimed masonry bricks do you need?
The quantity depends on brick size, intended joint thickness and the number of square metres of masonry.
With a Waalformaat brick showing a face of approximately 21 x 5 cm and a usual joint, the rough quantity is around 75 bricks per m². Smaller historical formats can require considerably more.
For more about formats and bricks per m², see our separate explanation.
For the total order, also allow extra material for cutting, breakage and selection.
Buying reclaimed masonry bricks for a new build
Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen offers a large, continually changing selection of reclaimed bricks for new builds, restoration and renovation.
This ranges from large batches for complete homes to smaller batches for extensions, garden walls and other uses. Because every historical batch is unique and finite, availability changes continually.
Browse our reclaimed masonry bricks or visit Bolsward to compare batches side by side. If you already have drawings, the required facade area or a particular size in mind, we can help you find a suitable batch. Our projects also offer inspiration.
