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Bricks & Pavers - Australia's low maintenance building materials. Inspiring home designs & information.
Why Choose Bricks? Sustainability
Brick's unsurpassed life cycle, exceptional energy efficiency, natural materials, minimal waste and countless possibilities for recycling or 'down-cycling' are just some of the reasons that contribute to brick being a highly sustainable material.
Brick buildings are sustainable because they:
- Are energy efficient
- Provide thermal comfort
- Have an unsurpassed life cycle
- Are low maintenance
- Offer excellent durability
- Are recyclable
Longevity and life cycle are important factors in sustainability and brick structures last for centuries, sometimes longer, and need only minimal upkeep. In fact, the appearance of brick buildings is often enhanced with age. The flexibility of brick also makes it ideal for building renovation and alteration.
Clay bricks are 'of the earth' - they breathe and are inert. They're made from clay and shale, have virtually no emissions and are free of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can be released by man-made products and contribute to indoor air pollution.
The brick industry in Australia is working hard to improve manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency. Once brick manufacturing plants are closed, the mines are filled in and the site revegetated to its natural state, often to enjoy new use as public space such as parks and reserves.
Embodied Energy
'Embodied energy' refers to the amount of energy required to mine, manufacture and transport a material. Sometimes brick is described as a material with high embodied energy, however measures of sustainability must focus on the entire life cycle of a building material to provide an accurate assessment of their environmental cost, rather than simply looking at energy used in its manufacture.
The fact box below also demonstrates that the energy used in the manufacture of bricks is low when compared to, for example, air conditioning the average home.
- Average bricks in a Brick Veneer Home - 8,000 bricks
- Equivalent to 5.1 Tonnes CO2-e
- 2 Star air conditioner (10 years) 18 Tonnes CO2-e
- 4 Star air conditioner (10 years) 15 Tonnes CO2-e
- Changing from electric to gas hot water saves 30 Tonnes CO2-e over 10 years.
- Change one 100W standard globe with a 20W compact fluorescent saves 1.3 Tonnes CO2-e over 10 years
Whether you're an architect or prospective homeowner, register & stay informed about the new and exciting design varieties offered by face brick.
Climate Control
Based on decades of climate data, our interactive wizard helps you plan the most climate friendly building for your location.
