Transitional Exterior

composition of block colour (incl. garage door) and face brick facade

Better bricks We love bricks: they’re durable, maintenance-free, and affordable. Their high thermal mass helps to regulate internal temperatures, delivering more energy-efficient homes. Bricks are traditionally made from a mixture of clay and shale, sourced from quarries around Australia and overseas. Their earthy, textured aesthetic is increasingly sought after by designers and demand is at an all-time high; in fact, one of Australia’s largest brick manufacturers currently has 200 million bricks on order. With these sorts of numbers in play, it makes sense to up the eco-quotient by choosing bricks made with recycled content. Boral FireLight bricks contain 75 per cent waste product (ash from power generation) and 5 per cent recycled concrete. Tasmanian manufacturer Island Block & Paving have several lines of bricks and pavers made with recycled glass aggregate. Both these products offer the same performance, strength and durability as traditional clay bricks, but with a less energy-intensive manufacturing process, and reduced draw on the earth’s resources.