From The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in St Petersburg, Russia to the Green Point Lighthouse in Cape Town, South Africa, clay has stood the test of time as the building material of choice around the world, making it a cornerstone of architectural heritage and reliability.
Durability
Clay masonry does not rot, tarnish, fade, burn or scuff, allowing it to maintain its strength and beauty. The average clay brick structure lasts over 100 years, with many of the world’s oldest buildings having been made from clay, preserving both heritage and fortitude for generations.
Fire resistance
Fired at over 1000 degrees Celsius, clay bricks and masonry units are incombustible and are capable of withstanding similar temperatures without sustaining damage. As they have already been burned, they also cannot contribute to the start or acceleration of fire.
Waterproof
Clay bricks are water resistant and able to withstand saturation without being structurally affected. They are able to withstand severe climate zones without sustaining significant damage.
Weather resistance
Clay bricks can withstand extreme temperatures, helping to prevent deterioration. Additionally, they resist erosion caused by wind and precipitation, ensuring long-lasting structural integrity in various climates.
Structural capacity
Clay brick structures have high load-bearing capacity, dimensional stability and compressive strength. This lowers cracking over the lifespan of the brick, with compressive strength ranging from a 7MPa minimum to over 50MPa.
Low thermal movement
The thermal expansion and contraction of clay bricks is lower than that of other materials, lowering the potential of stress cracks developing over time. This means that bricks are less likely to separate from mortar or plaster, maintaining the beauty of your building for longer.