Recycled Bricks | Reclaimed | Elephant Brick Co

Reclaimed Bricks

We currently offer a number of reclaimed bricks, these include Cottage Reds, Prague Greys, Missionary Greys, Sculptured Reds, Wellington Multis and Original Fire Bricks. These should not be confused with our new handmade bricks.

Reclaimed bricks are just bricks that have been used previously and have be salvaged during building demolition, for this reason they offer both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits, making them a compelling option for those looking to build sustainably. According to ‘Emissions Estimate Technique Manual for Bricks, Ceramics & Clay Product Manufacturing’ commissioned by Environment Australia there is 1.65 kg of carbon dioxide emitted for each tonne of bricks produced from a gas-fired kiln each year. Every time you use a reclaimed brick you are helping to reduce the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Reclaimed bricks are still just bricks and can be used for both the construction of brick walls and for paving. All our reclaimed bricks have a P5 slip rating.
Residual mortar on reclaimed bricks is normal; and part of the charm of reclaimed bricks, but please be aware that the amount of residual mortar is entirely random.
Reclaimed bricks will have an aged and tumbled appearance, however, the intensity of this effect is random. Reclaimed bricks will be perfectly imperfect and will include cracks, chips, an aged/weathering patina, residual mortar and in some cases residual paint which they have acquired from their prior use.
Reclaimed bricks may contain residual calcium sulfate which appears as a white powdery residue on the brick surface. This residue is harmless and will wash away over time.
Loose demolition dirt/lime will also be present on reclaimed bricks, this is normal and is washed off during the brick cleaning stage using standard washing techniques. All pictures seen on our website of our reclaimed bricks have been washed, washing is done during brick wall construction, our reclaimed bricks do not come pre-washed.
Due to reclaimed bricks coming from different buildings, blending from multiple pallets when building is important for managing variations in colour, residual mortar and patina intensity.
All our reclaimed bricks can be cleaned via low or high pressure washing techniques. Acid washing can also be done but please be aware acid washing will remove some of the residual/original mortar on the bricks and much of the original lime. As this residual mortar is for many a large part of the appeal of using recycled bricks, we typically advise against acid washing for this reason, however, if you want them with less mortar....go for it.
If you are concerned about using reclaimed bricks, you may wish to use our "reclamation style" bricks, which are new bricks made to look like reclaimed bricks.