FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ...

Q: HOW LONG LASTING ARE BRICKS?

A: The Great Wall of China, Rome's Coliseum and the Pyramids are all built from Clay bricks. They still stand because of the strength from being fired under extreme temperatures, then being fixed into position. Bricks arrived in Australia on the First Fleet, along with a number of brick moulds.

Q: ARE BRICKS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?

A: Bricks are made from nature's clay and shale. They are manufactured using clean, natural gas. They are 100% recyclable and will last for hundreds, even thousands of years. BrickHomes need no coatings, claddings or chemicals. Less chemicals and less processes mean building in brick is safer for the Australian environment.

Q: HOW MUCH OF MY TIME & MONEY DO I NEED TO MAINTAIN MY BRICK HOME?

A: A brick home doesn't need regular re-painting. Bricks never rot, fade, peel or dent. Any painted surface needs repainting every 3-5 years for a regular quality paint, 7-10 years for an expensive grade paint. The average cost to repaint a rendered or timer house is $7,000 each time.

Q: DO BRICKS SOUNDPROOF A HOME?

A: A brick home offers acoustic advantages over other building materials, reducing the intrusion of external sounds and allowing some peace and quiet for relaxation. Internal brick walls can also reduce the transmission of noise in the house - a blessing for parents.

Q: HOW WELL DO BRICKS SUIT THE AUSTRALIAN CLIMATE?

A: Wherever you live in Australia you'll know that our climate can be quite extreme. With cold winters and hot summers we need to be able ot keep our homes comfortable throughout the year.

Bricks have high thermal mass. High thermal mass means the material stores energy for a long period of time. Thermal mass therefore, helps a home to remain cool in summer and warm in winter. Appropriate use of thermal mass throughout a home can make a big difference to comfort (heating and cooling).

Correct use of thermal mass in double brick design can delay heat flow through the building envelope by as much as 8-10 hours. This process is called thermal lag, and can produce a warmer house in winter and cooler house during summer. And great savings in air-conditioning and heating costs.

Q: WHAT ARE VOC'S AND WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?

A: Clay bricks are 'of the earth' they have virtually no emissions and are 100% safe. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) can be released by new man-made products such as particleboard and fiberboard, as well as the many solvents, paints, strippers, glues and preservatives used in their manufacture and erection. These can all contribute to indoor air pollution. Clay bricks are inert and allow a home to "breathe", creating a healthier environment for you and the family.

Q: WILL MY BRICK HOME HOLD ITS RESALE VALUE BETTER THAN OTHER MATERIALS?

A: As a rule, a brick home is worth more when you come to sell it. And when you take into account maintenance needs of non-brick homes over the years, you'll be in a better position when you are ready to sell your brick home.

SOURCE:
http://www.thinkbrick.com.au/