It’s a good question and we have a highly credible answer based on thorough research and real life experiences.
Bricks of course have been around for centuries proving their long lasting and durability attributes. But there are many other benefits that have stamped bricks as the premier building product for future housing construction. There have been many products that have come and gone after claiming to be worthwhile replacements for bricks.
So what is it about clay bricks that make them such a successful building product?
Brickwork is Cost Effective
Did you know that brick is one of the most cost effective methods of building? Brickwork doesn’t need any coating to preserve it’s good looks and durability, unlike other materials that require expensive finishes such as render and paint.
Aesthetic Qualities
Put simply, the natural colours of bricks look good in your home. By investing in new technology Austral Bricks have been able to introduce new kiln firing techniques to produce bricks with a variety of surface finishes, exciting colours and different sizes.
The result is a wonderful range of bricks for you to build a stylish contemporary home.
Thermal Mass – Warmer in Winter, Cooler in Summer
By incorporating thermal mass into our buildings, including our homes, in combination with passive design principles, we can reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
For instance, a passively designed full brick home will deliver many benefits - including maximum thermal mass due to the internal walls being built with brick. We know it as sustainable housing and we will hear more about that term.
Probably the best way to understand brick’s thermal mass is to think of brick as a thermal battery.
Thermal mass acts as a ‘thermal battery’. During summer it absorbs heat, keeping the house comfortable. In winter the same thermal mass can store the heat from the sun or heaters to release it at night, helping the home stay warm.
Noise Reduction
Bricks will also reduce external and internal noise making life quieter and more pleasant for family members. If you build in full brick, where the external and internal walls are constructed of brick, the reduction in noise is even greater.
Imagine being able to cut down on noise from the teenager’s rock music or the traffic noise from outside!
Minimal Maintenance
It doesn’t get any easier to maintain than brick. Apart from occasional cleaning, bricks require no maintenance or repairs thanks to their durability. This saves time and money and importantly, eliminates additional costly maintenance. The natural brick texture actually hides dirt and grime, unlike paint finishes which highlights it.
Termite Resistant
Bricks are termite resistant because termites can’t eat bricks. If you build a full brick home, with a steel roof frame, on a concrete slab which has the recommended indentation on the slab, your home will be termite resistant to all structural elements.
Solid, Safe and Secure
They’re solid, safe and secure according to families who live in a full brick home. This is the most mentioned benefit when talking to families who live in a full brick home.
Investment
Bricks are a good investment thanks to all the properties we have already mentioned. You make the savings on maintenance and there is less need for heating and cooling so your home costs less to run. And, if you build in full brick, the resale value of your home is likely to be at least 10 per cent higher.
Environmental Sustainability
Sustainably designed homes are the way of the future as we seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions harmful to our precious environment as well as cut the cost of running our homes.
Bricks can play a key role in sustainable design thanks to their thermal mass. The best way to illustrate this is to think of bricks as energy savers. Bricks’ thermal mass can help reduce energy dependency.
Heating and cooling is the largest energy component in an average Australian house. We can reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling by harnessing natural energy, by incorporating thermal mass into your sustainable design.
Bricks don’t require painting, they will last indefinitely, can contribute to energy efficiency and can be fully recycled. Over it’s long life brick is an investment in a sustainable future.
If you would like more information about the technical qualities of Austral Bricks just contact one of our consultants who will be pleased to assist you with your enquiry.