When constructing, The decision made by architects in Chennai, between clay bricks and concrete blocks can influence the project’s stability, appearance, and cost. The building material greatly impact the structure’s strength, endurance, appearance, and overall expense. While both concrete and clay bricks are great for commercial buildings, each has its pros and cons. In this blog, let’s look at the important differences and the benefits of each material.

What Are Clay Bricks?

Clay bricks are made by combining clay and water in a correct amount which is then hardened by drying in sun or with industrial ovens by pressing wet clay into a mold, then drying and firing it in a kiln, which increases the bricks lifespan and strength. These bricks are among the oldest building materials globally, found in ancient structures known for their visual appeal and fire resistance, making them a popular choice for homes and other structures. Clay bricks vary from the traditional red brick to specialized engineering bricks and custom glazed bricks. Brick walls act as a structure, weather barrier, soundproofing, and sometimes the interior finish. Clay tends to retain its color and appearance for a longer period of time than cement.

• Advantages:
  • Long life time: The color of clay bricks offers an aesthetic look which can stay for a long time.
  • Exceptional Fire Resistance: Clay bricks increase the safety of buildings by offering exceptional fire resistance to building.
  • Require Less Maintenance: Clay bricks require very little maintenance which is ultimately giving a cost-effective option.

What is a Concrete Brick?

A concrete brick is made with Portland cement, water, and other appropriate aggregates which are pressed into shape, then dried and hardened. After some curing process, these concrete bricks are ready for construction use which is less expensive than clay bricks but are very strong. Concrete can also be textured which adds a unique visual appearance to the building. The average compressive strength ranges from 3,000 to 4,000 psi. Due to changing weather, building materials move. In a clay structure, this movement is a slow expansion over time, whereas concrete tends to gradually shrink. These movements may be triggered by various factors, including ground movement and thermal expansion. Construction using blocks is much faster, which saves time and money. They are suggested only for base structures not recommended for partition walls due to their weight, steadiness and load-bearing ability.

Comparing Concrete Bricks and Clay Bricks

• Structural appearance: Clay bricks are limited to traditional shapes like rectangles only whereas concrete blocks come in numerous shapes, from squares and triangles to octagons and trapezoids.
• Absorption rate: Clay bricks absorb approximately 15-35 grams of moisture per minute, whereas concrete bricks absorb 40 to 80 grams per square inch. So, absorption rate in concrete bricks is more compared to clay bricks. This means your concrete bricks could be better for heavy rain.
• Compressive Strength: Clay bricks are 2.5 to 3 times stronger than concrete bricks. However, the strength of any brick or concrete wall depends on the mortar holding it together. For example, mortars that are high in lime can sustain only 350 psi, whereas a high-cement mortar may hold 3,000 psi. Average compressive strength is from 8,000 to 10,000 psi. The compressive strength of a brick is an important factor in large buildings where the bricks need to withstand heavy loads on their own. Fortunately, modern commercial buildings often incorporate expansion joints, which account for the natural forces on building materials, preventing this from causing any issues for building owners.
• Color and Texture: Both clay and concrete bricks come in a wide range of colors and textures. Often, many textures are available, including internal holes for reinforcement. However, the colour of clay bricks stays for a long time compared to concrete bricks.

Conclusion

Clay bricks which are durable and stay for a long time are great to assure an aesthetic look with exceptional fire resistance option whereas Concrete blocks are more budget friendly and provide higher load bearing capacity for large projects. Choosing between clay bricks and concrete blocks completely depends on your locality, needs and expectations. At KP Civil Construction, a leading house construction company in Chennai, with their experience backed by years and commitment to quality materials in projects make them a better construction company in Chennai. Choosing KP Civil Construction for your dream home project will result in a higher-quality outcome. If you seek a better house construction company in Chennai, contact us today to schedule a site visit. Let’s build the foundation for your future together.