Amerimix
CrewTracks
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
PROSOCO, Inc.
SOLA/Keson
SPEC MIX LLC
Stabila
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide

Brick

Types and Sizes

Clay brick is one of the oldest building materials used by man. Brick is manufactured from naturally-occurring surface clays, shales, and fire clays. Fired to a high temperature, brick is inherently resistant to moisture attack, fire, and insects.

Brick may be completely solid or have cores or cells for reinforcement placement.

Typical brick sizes include (width x height x length):

  • Modular: nominal 4 x 2 1/3 x 8, actual 3 5/8 x 2 ¼ x 7 5/8
  • Utility: nominal 4 x 4 x 12, actual 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 11 5/8
  • Engineer: nominal 4 x 3 x 8, actual 3 5/8 x 2 5/8 x 7 5/8
  • King: nominal 4 x 2 1/3 x 10, actual 3 5/8 x 2 ¼ x 9 5/8
  • Hollow (reinforceable): nominally 4” high x 12” and 16” long, widths of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches.

Actual brick sizes are slightly less than nominal sizes to account for the mortar joint thickness; mortar head and bed joints are normally specified at 3/8” thick for brick masonry.

Colors, Surface Textures

Brick come in a wide range of colors and textures. Many brick colors are derived from the source materials and color is consistent through the entire brick section. Some manufacturers get color variations by applying a surface slurry or sand coating to the exposed brick face.

ASTM Requirements for Brick

A series of ASTM specifications list required properties for solid building brick, veneer brick, and hollow reinforceable brick. Brick durability is ensured by requirements for minimum compressive strength and maximum absorption.

Weather Exposures

Brick with greater resistance to freezing damage are required for use in exterior applications throughout much of the U.S. Use Grade SW brick for severe weather exposures and Grade MW brick for moderate weather exposure and interior applications. See ASTM brick standards for more information on weather regions throughout the U.S. and the proper type of brick to use on your project.

Surface Finish Grades

Some variations in brick dimensions are expected and ASTM brick specifications include limits on uniformity, acceptable chippage, and cracks. Standard veneer brick designations, for example, range from Type FBS (general use) to intentionally roughened (tumbled brick) Type FBA to high precision, very uniform Type FBX brick.

Brick Tests

ASTM C67, Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile, contains a series of tests used to measure brick strength, absorption, dimensions, and durability properties.

Specifying Brick

Companies Offering Brick

Company City State
MCAA Member NevilStone ANNA TX
MCAA Member Bon Tool Company Gibsonia PA
MCAA Member Cultured Stone San Marcos CA
MCAA Member Deep Draw Products, LLC Crossville TN
MCAA Member Eldorado Stone, LLC San Marcos CA
MCAA Member General Shale Brick Johnson City TN
MCAA Member Interstate Brick West Jordan UT
MCAA Member Mortar Net Solutions Portage IN
MCAA Member Story-Rite Calumet MI
MCAA Member The Belden Brick Company Canton OH
MCAA Member ACME BRICK COMPANY FORT WORTH TX
MCAA Member Ernest Maier, Inc. Bladensburg MD
MCAA Member Georgia Masonry Supply Lawrenceville GA
MCAA Member Mutual Materials Company Bellevue WA
MCAA Member Premier Masonry & Building Supply, LLC Martinsburg WV
MCAA Member Triangle Brick Company Durham NC
MCAA Member Willocks Brothers Co., Inc. Maryville TN
MCAA Member York Building Products Co., Inc. York PA
MCAA Member Acme Brick Company Euless TX
MCAA Member Acme Brick Company St. Rose LA
MCAA Member Belden Tri-State Building Materials New York NY
MCAA Member Block-Lite Co. Inc. Flagstaff AZ
MCAA Member Chicago Block and Brick, Co. Mundelein IL
MCAA Member Gagne & Son Concrete Block Belgrade ME
MCAA Member Glenwood Mason Supply Co., Inc. BROOKLYN NY
MCAA Member Illinois Brick Company Palos Heights IL
MCAA Member Lurvey Supply Des Plaines IL
MCAA Member ORCO Block & Hardscape Stanton CA
MCAA Member RCP Block & Brick, Inc. Lemon Grove CA
MCAA Member Thompson Building Materials, Inc. San Diego CA
MCAA Member Tucker-Kirby Co. Charlotte NC
MCAA Member Waldo Bros. Company Boston MA
MCAA Member Yankee Hill Brick and Tile Lincoln NE
MCAA Member Yavapai Block & Precast Prescott AZ
FERO Corporation Edmonton AB

“We are a passionate group that can solve challenges through our dedication.”

Brian Grant
Grant Contracting Co., Inc.
MCAA member since 1996

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