Finding the Perfect Match: A Comprehensive Guide to Brick Matching for Your Next Project

When undertaking a brick project, whether building an addition or repairing existing brickwork, finding bricks that match your current bricks is vital for a seamless unified look. Properly matched bricks will blend right in, whilst poorly matched bricks will stand out. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about identifying and sourcing the ideal brick match for your upcoming construction or repair job.

An Overview of Brick Types

There are two main categories of bricks to consider when matching: reclaimed bricks salvaged from old structures, and new bricks freshly manufactured. Within these categories exist various classic brick types, each with its own subtle aesthetics.

Reclaimed Bricks

Reclaimed bricks are bricks salvaged from demolished or reconstructed buildings and construction sites. They provide an authentic, historic appearance since they originally were used to construct buildings decades or centuries ago. Common types of reclaimed bricks include:

• Yorkstone: A distinctive brownish-purple brick found in Victorian-era Yorkshire buildings made from local stone. Has irregular dimensions and unique worn textures.
• Tudor Reds: A classic red brick dating back to Tudor-period buildings of the 1500s-1600s. Often has irregular shapes and dimensions along with a slightly distressed texture.
• Yellow Stocks: Salvaged pale yellow bricks originally used to construct older British buildings and walls. Provides a classic, vintage look.

New Bricks

For a more uniform, consistent look, you can opt for new bricks freshly manufactured. Some common new brick options offered by LRBM include:

• London Stocks: Known for their distinctive yellowish hue, resembling aged bricks. Durable and reliable with consistent sizing.
• Sussex Soft Reds: A lightly reddish, eroded-looking brick designed to imitate aged soft reds. Provides an antiqued appearance.
• Tudor Reds: Freshly made bricks that emulate the classic shapes and rich red hue of antique Tudor bricks found in medieval structures.
• Glazed Bricks: Bricks featuring an exterior enamel coating for a shiny, sleek appearance to add decorative flair. 

The Brick Matching Process

To achieve a seamless integration of new and existing brickwork, careful brick matching is crucial. Follow these vital steps:

Secure a Sample Brick

Start by cautiously removing a whole exemplar brick from a subtle corner of your building away from the main sightlines. This will function as your reference sample.

Thoroughly Examine the Sample

Rigorously analyse the colour, texture, dimensions, markings, and shape qualities of your sample brick. Note tiny details – these subtle visual indicators will dictate what replacement bricks can adequately match your existing set.

Contact Brick Suppliers

Reach out to specialist brick suppliers like LRBM with your sample brick and recorded specifications in hand. Ask if we currently have stocks offering a nearly identical match to your provided sample’s aesthetic properties. Be ready to share photos of your overall project area to provide context.

Request a Match Test Set

Before placing a final order, request a test set of 5-10 bricks from our proposed matching stock to physically compare side-by-side against your actual in-situ bricks. This allows you to intricately evaluate the match quality beyond just the initial sample.

Review the Test Bricks Onsite

Scrutinise the test bricks against your wall’s original bricks in the intended project location at various times of day to judge colour consistency in different lighting. Gauge the blending capacity based on real-world appearance.

Confirm the Final Match

Once you’ve ultimately selected the closest possible match across our available inventory – whether reclaimed or fresh new LRBM stocks – place a final order for your entire required brick quantity, plus 10-20% overage for cutting and damage buffer.

For further assistance identifying, sourcing, and confirming a properly matched set of bricks for your upcoming project, please contact LRBM‘s brick-matching consultants. Our experts can connect you with our full inventory to find your perfect brick match!

FAQs

How do I calculate the bricks needed?

It’s tricky! Best to measure all the space you’ll be covering in square footage, then add 15% extra for cutting waste and breakages. More for reclaimed bricks since they’re less standard in size. I find 20% overage better for those.

Should I blend old and new bricks?

You can blend some new and reclaimed bricks if you want to stretch your budget but keep an old-fashioned style. Just be picky to match the textures and colours closely. Too much obvious new brick next to crumbly old stuff looks weird. Mix it up evenly along the wall instead.

Can new bricks mimic old ones?

Some special new bricks sort of fake an aged look which helps them blend with actual antique bricks. Check that fake worn-down colour and texture closely though to see if it really looks believably old. If not, you might need to stick with real reclaimed bricks for a convincingly weathered and aged vibe, even if pricier.

What if I can’t find a close-reclaimed match?

Really precise matches of super old bricks are hard to find! But you can likely dig up close enough bricks with really similar shades and textures that will look nice next to your old bricks. For tiny remaining differences, just tweak the mortar colour a bit to help it all blend together nicely.

How do I match brick-and-mortar colors?

When combining used old bricks with fresh new ones, obsessing over perfectly colour-matching the bricks themselves gets frustrating. Instead, make sure your mortar colour provides a solid, continuous backdrop. Keeping the joints looking cohesive helps unite unmatched brick colours and fading levels.