What does ‘gaar en gaaf’ mean?

‘Gaar en gaaf’ was once said of bricks that were both well-fired (‘gaar’) and undamaged or whole (‘gaaf’). The term refers to bricks of high quality with optimal strength and durability.

Origin and meaning

The expression comes from traditional brickmaking. A brick that was fired too briefly or at too low a temperature remained too soft and was therefore not ‘gaar’. Such a brick absorbed too much water and was vulnerable to frost. A brick that cracked or was damaged during firing, transport or storage was not ‘gaaf’. Only bricks that met both requirements earned the label ‘gaar en gaaf’ and were considered reliable building material.

Well-fired bricks have a denser structure, a higher compressive strength and better frost resistance. Because they absorb less water, they are more resistant to weathering. The combination of firing and soundness therefore directly determined how long a wall would last.

Application

Bricks classed as ‘gaar en gaaf’ were used for the most critical parts of a building, such as outer facades and water-repelling masonry heavily exposed to rain and frost. Poorly fired or damaged bricks were used for less loaded or interior parts, or rejected. The term lives on as a vivid expression for solid, dependable quality.

Related terms

• Brick
• Clinker
• Bricklaying
• Hand-moulded brick

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