A hand-moulded brick is a brick formed by throwing or pressing wet clay into a mould, after which the brick is dried and fired. The result is a brick with a lively, irregular surface and slightly rounded edges. Today most hand-moulded bricks are made mechanically in a way that imitates the handwork, so the characteristic appearance is retained.
Characteristics
The hand-moulded brick owes its popularity to its natural, craft-like look:
- Irregular surface — no two bricks are exactly alike, giving a lively façade
- Slightly rounded corners and edges — from the moulding process in the form
- Colour nuances — the firing produces warm, varied tones
- Folds and unevenness — small irregularities that reinforce the handmade character
Applications
Hand-moulded bricks are used mainly where atmosphere and appearance matter:
- Façade masonry of houses, especially in traditional or rural architecture
- Restoration — to match existing old masonry
- Garden walls, chimneys, and decorative masonry
- New construction with a classic appearance
Difference from other bricks
The hand-moulded brick differs from the extruded (wire-cut) brick, which is pressed through a die and is crisper and more regular. Hand-moulded bricks are usually somewhat more expensive, precisely because of their appearance. When laying them, the irregular character is emphasised through the choice of pointing and joint colour.
Related terms
- Brick
- Masonry
- Façade
- Joint
- Mortar
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