Embracing tradition with reclaimed materials such as bricks or tiles

In the pursuit of timeless architectural beauty, the use of reclaimed materials such as bricks and tiles holds an obvious appeal. These materials bring with them a patina of age, a sense of history, and a sustainable approach to building. Yet, this choice demands careful consideration, balancing aesthetic allure with practical implications and ensuring that the materials align with the project’s goals and values.

Key Points:

• Sustainability and aesthetics: reclaimed bricks and slate offer sustainability and an instant patina that appeals to many, but require careful consideration beyond aesthetic allure.
• Cost implications: understanding the nuanced cost implications, including potential wastage and additional labour for sorting reclaimed materials.
• New vs. reclaimed debate: The prevalent debate between new handmade bricks and reclaimed bricks creates significant choices in architectural aesthetic and performance.
• Quality and assurance: reclaimed materials lack guarantee of performance, posing risks to project longevity, such as potential deterioration and costly repairs.
• Impact on craftsmanship: the choice impacts craftsmanship, particularly in achieving traditional joint sizes and aesthetic quality, where new bricks may offer more consistency and reliability.
• Weathering of slate tiles: reclaimed slate tiles can be more costly and are already subject to weathering effects, raising concerns about their long-term durability.

The allure of reclaimed bricks and slate tiles lies in their ability to instantly imbue a property with a sense of history and character. These materials, sourced from bygone eras, carry with them the marks of time, providing a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing option for discerning homeowners and designers. However, the decision to use reclaimed materials involves more than just a nod to tradition; it requires a thorough understanding of the implications and challenges that accompany their use.

Sustainability and instant patina

Reclaimed bricks and tiles offer a sustainable alternative to new materials, reducing the demand for new resources and minimizing waste. Their weathered appearance and unique imperfections can add an instant patina that appeals to those seeking to create a timeless aesthetic. Yet, this choice demands careful consideration beyond their visual appeal. Ensuring that these materials will perform well in their new context is crucial for the longevity and success of the project.

Cost implications

One of the primary considerations when using reclaimed materials is the cost. While reclaimed bricks and tiles can be similar in price to their new counterparts, the hidden costs can be significant. Sorting through reclaimed bricks to find those suitable for use can result in substantial wastage, often upwards of 10%, which adds to the overall cost. Additionally, the labour involved in selecting and preparing these materials must be factored into the budget.

New vs. reclaimed debate

The choice between new handmade bricks and reclaimed bricks is a topic of considerable debate among designers, specifiers, and clients. New bricks offer consistency in size and quality, facilitating easier and more precise construction. In contrast, reclaimed bricks can vary significantly, complicating the achievement of traditional joint sizes and overall aesthetic quality.

Quality and assurance

The use of reclaimed bricks comes with inherent risks. Without warranties, these materials offer no guarantees of performance. One of our clients, for example, insisted on using reclaimed bricks for a major project. Sadly, those bricks started to blow within a few years, requiring significant repairs in refacing and replacement. This underscores the importance of weighing the potential longevity and durability of reclaimed materials against their aesthetic benefits.

Impact on craftsmanship

Achieving the desired aesthetic with reclaimed materials can be challenging. The inconsistency in brick sizes can disrupt the traditional look, particularly in achieving tight tolerances and level courses.

The irony is that while reclaimed bricks are sought for their period look, the varying sizes often necessitate larger joints, detracting from the historical authenticity. For example, a Period Georgian house has 5mm bed joint size (vs modern day 10mm). The horizontal bed joint when laying bricks provides tolerances in brick size to get level courses in brick height. The only way you can ensure a tight tolerance is by the same batch of bricks with same bed joint. New handmade bricks, however, are typically quality controlled, providing the consistency needed for high-quality craftsmanship.

Infusing history and character

The desire to use reclaimed materials is often driven by the aim to infuse a project with an immediate sense of history and character. This goal must be balanced with practical considerations to ensure that the material choice aligns with the project’s overall objectives. The charm of reclaimed bricks lies in their imperfections, but these must be managed to avoid compromising the structural integrity and aesthetic cohesion of the build.

Weathering of slate tiles

Reclaimed slate tiles, while offering historical appeal, come with their own set of challenges. These tiles have already been subjected to weathering, raising concerns about their long-term durability. Chemical weathering, water absorption, and freeze-thaw cycles can cause deterioration, scaling, and delamination over time. Reclaimed slates containing impurities like calcite and iron sulfides are particularly susceptible to these processes. Ensuring a steep roof pitch can help prolong the lifespan of slate tiles by promoting faster water runoff and reducing moisture penetration.

Embracing tradition with reclaimed bricks and slate tiles involves a careful balance of aesthetic desire, practical considerations, and long-term planning. By understanding the costs, quality implications, and craftsmanship challenges, homeowners and designers can make informed decisions that honour the past while ensuring the durability and beauty of their projects.

The next article will focus on the art of Mechanical and Electrical Design in country houses.