Moulded bricks

Antique moulded bricks

At Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen, we have a passion for reusing building materials with a rich history. Our antique moulded bricks come from old and historic buildings and are carefully cleaned of old mortar, sorted and prepared for reuse. In this way, characterful old bricks get a second life in restorations, renovations and new-build projects.

What are moulded bricks?

Moulded bricks (vormbakstenen) are machine-moulded masonry bricks that were produced in the Netherlands from the second half of the 19th century. In the traditional moulding process, a wooden mould box was moistened and often sprinkled with sand, after which the clay was pressed into the mould by machine. After moulding, the bricks were dried and then fired.

The sand prevented the clay from sticking to the mould and at the same time gave the brick its characteristic sand-faced surface. Because of this production method, moulded bricks are generally cleaner-lined and more dimensionally consistent than handmade bricks, while still having a natural texture and colour variation.

Our antique moulded bricks have gained extra character through their age and previous use. Traces of the original brickwork, natural ageing and the careful cleaning of old mortar mean that every batch has its own appearance. This makes old moulded bricks very suitable for restorations, renovations and new-build projects where an authentic appearance is desired.

What is the difference from other masonry bricks?

The main difference between moulded bricks and handmade bricks lies in the production process and the appearance. With old handmade bricks, the clay was originally thrown into a mould by hand, whereas with moulded bricks the clay was pressed into a mould box by machine. As a result, moulded bricks are usually cleaner in shape and more consistent in size.

The surface differs too. Moulded bricks often have a relatively even or sand-faced surface, while handmade bricks are characterised by more folds, irregularities and size differences. Because we work with antique building materials, differences in size, colour and texture remain present in old moulded bricks as well. It is precisely this combination of a relatively clean-lined brick with the natural ageing of old material that creates the characteristic facade.

The advantages of moulded bricks

Old moulded bricks combine the dimensional consistency of a relatively cleanly produced brick with the appearance of a historic building material. This makes them suitable for restoration and renovation as well as for new builds with old materials.

After cleaning of old mortar, subtle traces of lime and cement may remain on some batches. Combined with the natural colour variation of the bricks, this can add extra shading to the brickwork. If you prefer a cleaner look, old facing bricks can be (sand)blasted after laying.

The main advantages of old moulded bricks are:

• relatively clean-lined and dimensionally consistent;
• natural variation in colour and texture;
• often of a hard quality;
• relatively easy to lay thanks to the limited size differences;
• suitable for restoration, renovation and characterful new builds alike;
• reuse of existing historic building material.

Buying antique moulded bricks

At Van Dillen Antieke Bouwmaterialen, you will find a wide range of old moulded bricks in different colours, sizes and grades. From red and reddish-brown moulded bricks to dark, varied and sand-faced batches: every old batch has its own character.

We are happy to help you find a suitable batch for your facade, restoration, renovation or new-build project. By choosing antique moulded bricks, you give existing materials a second life while creating a facade with an authentic appearance. Please contact us for advice on a suitable batch for your project.