Brick: It”s built to stand test of time

What never needs to be painted, lasts forever and rarely requires repair? Yep, you guessed it. Brick.

If you’re planning to build a home, you might want to consider using brick for part, if not all, of the exterior. More durable than other exterior finishes, brick will save you money in the long run.

Bricks are made from clay in two ways: by pressing or by extruding. In pressing, large high-pressure presses compress clay into brick moulds, while in extruding, water is added to the clay mixture and extruded through a die under extreme pressure.

Bricks come in two types: face or building. Face bricks are uniform in size and color and are used for most building projects, while building bricks are slightly imperfect and off-grade and are used for less important projects.

Brick will cost 3 to 5 percent more than vinyl siding, but the slight increase will be worth it with all of the money you will save in the long run. Because it is so durable and a good thermal insulator, you will save on maintenance and heating and cooling costs. Brick will also increase the value of your home.

Other Benefits of Brick Include:

•Resistance to animals and insects

•Resistance to sound

•Resistance to weather

•Resistance to fire

Brick is available in a wide range of tones, colors and textures. However, because it is permanent, you should be careful when choosing brick for your home. Whatever you select you will have to live with for a very long time. Because of this, many homeowners today rely on software to help them choose. Many programs are available that will enable you to try on different bricks on a home that is similar in style to yours. For more information on the software that is available, check with your builder.

Brick also dates well, so whatever type you select will look beautiful for years to come.