|
However, you may find it hard to match bricks at a yard other than
that where they were made. Different factories use different machinery
in making bricks and masonry units, for not all of them have as yet
conformed to the modular size advocated by the industry. It will be well
to check the sizes of the bricks in your present construction, if you can,
before ordering to see if you can obtain new ones from the same source.
In all our charts and plans, therefore, we give approximate measurements, the ones which the industry has approved as standard. If yours
do not conform, make allowances as necessary.
. . . kinds of brick
. COMMON BRICK is made from ordinary clay with no coloring added,
and no texturing or other processing. Bricks will vary in color and
texture even in the same baking batch. This is something which some
builders deplore and others prize, according to individual tastes and
the purpose for which the brick is to be utilized. Many degrees of hardness and softness are to be found in the category embraced by the name
"Common Brick." Those nearest to the baking fire are hardest, those
farthest from it are softer, more likely to chip, and less resistant to
weather and moisture conditions. The hard-burned bricks are sometimes
called "Clinker" in the trade nomenclature, or "Hard-burned" in some
sections of the trade. Where non-load-bearing walls are built with
bricks to be kept from weather or from moisture and freezing, the
cheapest common brick may be used. These are usually called "Salmon"
brick (although the color may be anything but salmon). For all other
outdoor work and for load-bearing walls, Clinker or Hard-burned
bricks are the best to use. Most common brick is rough in texture,
relatively porous, and probably will have a slight bow in the lengthwise
measure. Always place the bow on the lower side when laying up a wall.
.PRESSED BRICK is more uniform in size, with well-squared corners, and
is altogether smoother and finer in texture. These bricks are usually
used for facing walls, since they are more weather-resistant and also
are likely to run more uniform in color. They may be used for facing
any wall except one exposed to fire (such as in backing-up a fireplace)
in which case use
. FIREBRICK, which is a specially-made unit somewhat larger than the
standard-sized brick, running to a size of about 21/2X4X8 inches. It is
made of a specially selected fire-resistant clay, and it is coarser in quality
and in finished texture than other bricks. Hearths and flues or fire-
places may be lined and floored with this brick. It will resist the
hottest of fires.
|
