With government plans to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, the housebuilding sector must balance quantity and quality. Developers should prioritise well designed homes that meet the needs of residents and enhance wellbeing. As pioneering housing minister Nye Bevin once said, ‘We will be judged not by the number of homes we have built but by their quality.’ This is why enduring and strong building materials that stand the test of time such as clay brick have proven themselves century after century. Brick manufacturers refuse to stand still and are committed to continuous investment programmes, actively driving innovation and sustainability, positioning clay brick as the solution to future construction.
A change of government and evolving regulations due to net zero targets, is putting pressure on the sector to get the country building again. It needs to react quickly but also ensure compliance with the upcoming Future Homes Standard in 2025. Couple this with the fact that buildings need to align with the requirements of the Building Safety Act, then it’s easy to see why one of the most adaptable and versatile building materials available, clay brick, can also help with compliance and sustainability.
Adaptability
Whether traditional or rural, historic or urban settings, clay brick will complement and seamlessly blend with a range of architectural styles. While other building materials and design trends may fade in and out of popularity, clay brick remains timelessly beautiful and durable. Clay brick’s classic beauty is matched by its incredible versatility, making it the ideal building material for homes across styles and eras. Clay brick also pairs beautifully with many other building materials and systems.
Innovation
Expanding design possibilities, new clay brick products offer even greater versatility. The brick industry continues innovating new products and systems to create any architectural detail. In addition to conventional clay brick, architects and contractors have access to versatile brick slip façade systems in a variety of textures and colours. These brick slip solutions provide an authentic brick finish but due to their light weight, they ensure ease of installation, less waste and can significantly streamline the construction process. Furthermore, pre-manufactured lintels and arches and modular non-structural components such as chimneys and balconies can all be pre-manufactured offsite with exemplary craftsmanship.
Investment in the future
The clay brick sector’s ability to meet future demands is typified by its members, including Ibstock, whose Atlas Pathfinder Factory in Walsall will produce significantly lower carbon emissions per product than the previous factory – estimated at 50%. It will manufacture the first-ever CarbonNeutral® certified bricks as part of the new ‘Pathfinder’ range. The manufacturer has also built the UK's first fully automated brick slip manufacturing centre at its Nostell factory in West Yorkshire. This facility will produce around 50 million brick slips annually, increasing Ibstock's presence in fast-growing markets for brick slips, façades, and walling system solutions.
Another example is BDA member Ketley Brick, which has made significant investments in expanding its range of special and bespoke brick shapes and sizes. This reduces the need for on-site cutting, streamlining the construction process and increasing design possibilities. Additionally, their new planter brick helps housebuilders meet Building a Greener Britain (BNG) requirements, contributing to the creation of greener, more pleasant environments.
Next generation
Recognising the importance of the need for a skilled and sustainable workforce, Michelmersh is investing in the next generation of bricklayers by donating 100,000 products to educational facilities across the UK as part of its Pledge 100 Initiative. By helping the talented bricklayers of tomorrow, this ensures that clay brick will continue playing a vital role in our built environment.
Faced with the challenge of getting Britain building again and increasing our housing stock, clay brick endures as a sustainable, adaptable building material. The brick industry’s commitment to innovation including carbon neutral products and brick slip systems, coupled with investments in manufacturing and skills development, will successfully position clay brick as the material of choice for the homes of tomorrow, and homes that will stand the test of time.
