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For one reason or another, brick walls need to be repaired, replaced or extended every so often. Of course, you want to use exactly the same type and style of bricks that were used in the original structure, but this is easier said than done.

There are a couple of reasons why the original type and style of brick used may no longer be available. One reason is that the clay deposit that was used for the original bricks may have been depleted. The second reason is that the brick company that you dealt with before may no longer be in business, or may have discontinued that line of bricks. Though you may think that bricks have little style to them, it is actually quite common for subtle, fashionable changes to be made to them over time.

It is possible that you may get lucky and find perfectly matching bricks at your local brick merchant. However, for the most part, the solution is not so easy to come by. Hopefully, one day there will be a national database of brick colors and textures but, for the time being there is not, so you will have to do some investigative work.

The first thing that you should do is take some high resolution pictures of the original bricks, as matching from memory is impossible. Mail these photographs to brick distributors who will be more than happy to help you if they can. Give them as much detail as you can about the originals, such as the year they were bought, where they were bought from, dimensions, etc.

If perfect brick matching is not an option, then a color match is the next best thing. Whatever, a brick salesman says to the contrary, this is the best way forward. It might take a little bit of looking around, but finding an identical color match is definitely possible. Always opt for color matches over texture matches. You should not ignore texture altogether, but bear in mind that differences in brick textures cannot be seen from a distance. Color differences in bricks can clearly be seen from any distance.

Once you have found some potential matches, get some samples and take them back to your home for a proper evaluation. You need to compare the bricks from different distances. Look up close, then from 10 feet away, and then from the opposite side of the road. Do not make the final decision on yourself - ask for a second opinion from a family member or neighbor.

As a final point, do not forget about also matching the mortar. Examine the sand particles in the existing mortar; paying attention to the size and color of them. Matching the mortar is not to difficult, but will probably require you to prematurely age the new mortar. You can do this with a brick cleaning chemical.
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Find Out More - Brick Matching

Though they may look the same to the uneducated eye, each type of brick its own characteristics and properties…

1) Common Bricks

The term ‘common brick’ comes from the fact that, although they are fired hard enough to use for most purposes, they are of a lower quality than most other types of brick. Little attempt is made to have them look good, so bricks in the same batch may differ in color, and the edges of them may be uneven or chipped.

2) Engineering Bricks

Commonly thought of as the toughest brick available, an elaborate process is required to make engineering bricks. The process delivers a brick which has very high compressive strength with very low water absorption. As they are the least vulnerable to damp, they are nearly always used in preference to other brick types for any part of a structure that falls below ground level.

3) Facing Bricks

Facing bricks are those which make up the external face of a structure i.e. those you see when you look at it. They are hard burned to give them strength and durability, which they need to withstand varying temperatures and extreme weather conditions. There are several sub-types of facing bricks, so you will need to do a little research before purchasing them. The climate that you live in will make a difference to which sub-type you need.

4) Special Bricks

These bricks are used to add finishing touches to a building or structure. If you are prepared to pay a premium, then you can get a brick in practically any shape that you want it. As well as shape, you can also specify what color you want special bricks to be.

5) Concrete Blocks

Not a brick as such, but concrete blocks are an alternative that can be used to get the same result. Plain concrete blocks can be used when a wall is to be rendered and / or painted, trench blocks are a good and cost-saving choice for foundation courses, and ‘Thermalite’ blocks can be easily shaped into whatever form you want. If you need a stylish finish, then they are widely available with a natural stone look.

As which type of brick is best to use, there is no single answer, as it depends on what you are building and the location you are building it. Rather than just guess, you should ask a senior employee at your local brick merchant what they would advise. They should be able to talk you through which combination of bricks is best for getting your job done.