Banded Pressed Red

Banded Pressed Reds are richly characterful bricks that celebrate the natural variation and warmth of traditional brickmaking. Their predominantly earthy red and terracotta base is interrupted by distinctive bands and flashes of cream, buff, ochre, deep brown and blue-black, giving every brick an individual appearance.

The banding is the defining feature. Rather than presenting a flat, uniform red, the bricks display soft sweeps, patches and irregular markings created through variations in the clay and firing process. Pale cream and buff areas sit alongside deeper fired sections, producing a layered and naturally aged appearance.

Particularly distinctive are the blue-black and charcoal firing flashes. These darker areas develop where the bricks experience different atmospheric and temperature conditions during firing, creating smoky tones that can range from soft charcoal through to deep blue-black. Against the warmer reds and oranges, these flashes introduce striking contrast and give the finished brickwork considerably more depth and visual movement. Some bricks may carry only a trace of darker colour, while others can display much stronger bands and flashes.

The pressed manufacturing process gives the bricks a relatively defined overall form while retaining plenty of surface character. Fine creases, pressure marks, small pits, subtle impressions and softened edges prevent the brickwork from appearing overly manufactured or uniform.

Ultimately, variation is an essential part of their character. When bricks are properly blended from multiple pallets, the reds, pale bands, ochres, browns and blue-black flashes become distributed naturally throughout the wall, creating brickwork with genuine depth, movement and an unmistakable old-world quality.