Bricks and Blocks
Metric bricks are a little smaller than the old imperial one. New bricks can be bonded into old brickwork by slightly increasing the mortar bed joint.
There are a variety of sizes available and they differ from country to country. Brick sizes have remained fairly constant over the years although, in the UK, the depth used to be less (about 2 ins/51mm) whereas modern bricks are about 2.5 ins./64mm.
American bricks are about 8 x 4 x 2.25 inches (203 x 102 x 57 mm) South African 8.75 x 4 x 3 inches (222 x 106 x 73mm) and in Australia they are 9 x 4.33 x 3 inches (230 x 110 x 76mm).
Comparisons of metric and imperial bricks are as follows:-
Length of brick (excluding joint) | Width of brick (excluding joint) | Height of brick (excluding joint) | Typical Joint | |
Metric | 215mm | 102.5mm | 50mm | 10mm |
Metric | 215mm | 102.5mm | 65mm | 10mm |
Imperial | 225mm | 107.5mm | 67/68 mm | 10mm |
Imperial | 230mm | 110mm | 70mm | 10mm |
Imperial | 230mm | 110mm | 73mm | 10mm |
Imperial | 230mm | 110mm | 76mm | 10mm |
Imperial | 230mm | 110mm | 80mm | 10mm |
