Special shaped bricks
There’s far more to bricks than just the standard shapes! Imagine how monotonous architecture would be if all buildings were constructed from standard bricks.
Arches and curves wouldn’t be achievable to the same degree as they are with the incorporation of special shaped bricks and some corners or ends wouldn’t look as neat either.
Special shaped bricks are the unique design elements that really bring brickwork together, making architecture look more elegant and interesting. They give architects and designers with the ability to renovate or restore the historic buildings, keeping our architectural heritage alive for future generations to enjoy. Special shaped bricks also give the architects and builders the freedom to create totally unique buildings and provide endless design possibilities.
Special shaped bricks can be incorporated into any development to provide either a practical function, or to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the building project and really showcase the projects individuality and unique appearance.
We offer a vast range of British Standard, non-standard and bespoke special shaped bricks. This range of special shaped bricks can mean the difference between a building and an outstanding building. Special shapes may be frogged, perforated or solid. Perforation patterns may vary for any particular special shape. These are available in cut and bonded, or refaced finishes to enhance the external appearance of your building project.
Special shaped bricks for that unique look
- Plinth special shape bricks: Offers a professional face finish to a double skinned brick wall.
- Radial Bricks: These bricks allow for a subtle curve in any brickwork structure without leaving any sharp brick edges protruding from the mortar.
- Bullnose special shape bricks: These special shape bricks offer a rounded finish to piers and external wall corners.
- Special shape brick slips: These give a defined pattern or a random placement of a different coloured brick within the main building structure.
- Angle and Cant special shape bricks: These bricks complete a run of bricks on the final course.
- Bonding special shaped bricks: These special shaped bricks are similar to the Bullnose special shape brick, only with straight edges.
- Arch special shape bricks: For the perfect brickwork arch that will have a really professional appearance and finish.
- Coping and capping special shape bricks: Completes the tops of walls, giving them a truly professional look.
- Soldier special shape bricks: Allows the perfect top course finish to a wall with a chamfered end on the facing edge. This is more desirable than using a standard whole brick on end.
Special shaped bricks for a truly bespoke look
The many special shape bricks we stock allow the builder to change the surface alignment of a wall by forming non-right-angled corners, adding curves and forming plinths. In short, the special shape bricks will enable a totally bespoke look to any building as the rules on construction can be skewed to meet the Architect’s vision.
Special shaped bricks are also used to finish off a wall or complete a run of bricks in a refined and aesthetically pleasing way, rather than the wall simply finishing with a squared off run of bricks.
There is nothing new about special shaped bricks, as they have been around for centuries and have featured heavily in some of the greatest architecture around the world. Curved and protruding brickwork under windows is a very common feature on a lot of buildings and some have very defined conical protrusions to show off the more visually stunning parts of architecture. These features and many more are made possible by the special shaped brick.
Like all things, fashions and fads come and go. What is desirable in building styles today may not be as in vogue tomorrow. One only has to look at the massive art deco movement, particularly in America. Iconic buildings were constructed in this style and we wouldn’t have the Empire State or the Chrysler building without the special shaped brick. Fast forward to the sixties and the seventies and the architectural style was now heading down a simpler design route, rather than the ornate and decorative aesthetics of the more art deco buildings that came before.
Certain brick features can be achieved by using cut standard bricks, but cut brick surfaces rarely have the correct or desired texture and colour of the other bricks being used in the rest of the construction. Even if a brick feature can be produced without revealing any cut surfaces, the build will prove more problematic for builder, and unless the builder is particularly skilled, the construction could lack structural strength. For the construction to show exactly the right shape, with the desired strength and texture, special shaped bricks offer some distinct advantages.
Uses for special shaped bricks
Special shaped bricks can be used in a number of ways. Besides the clear aesthetic advantages, special shaped bricks can also be used to renovate, restore and protect sections of brickwork. Special shaped bricks are often used to add durability to a pre-existing brick structure, improve the actual bond between new bricks, and prevent any mortar issues.
Special shaped bricks can save a lot of time and money too, as they remove the need to cut standard bricks so they fit a particular measurement. When the building team order the special shaped bricks in advance, all the materials will arrive ready to mortar, no fussing and cutting will not only speed up the build, but the end result will be more professional too.
For individual projects, special shaped bricks are a fantastic way of creating a very specific look that sets the brickwork apart from other buildings. They can also highlight the original brickwork by introducing plinth special shaped bricks that have a different colour or texture. Sometimes the renovating architects will choose to upgrade the current bricks with special shaped bricks that match the colour and texture.