Our Nicrete Traditional concrete brick series has a smooth matte finish and square edges for a clean, snug fit. It is also integrally colored, meaning…
Guilford Stone offers a unique and economic alternative to achieve a cut stone look in a concrete brick style. The exceptional quality and lasting beauty…
At Nitterhouse Masonry Products, we serve as a brick supplier and manufacturer to a range of contractors, construction companies and individuals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. We strive to be a comprehensive source for your brick needs. You’ll find a wide selection of clay brick, plus our own manufactured line of concrete brick — called Nicrete — that comes in a variety of finishes and colors while being economically friendly. When you choose Nitterhouse as your brick supplier, you can count on us to have the products you need at your specifications — when you need them.
We developed our Nicrete Thin Series for ease of renovations and transforming an existing wall, such as a fireplace or for other interior applications as well. This thin brick can be applied with an adhesive in a track-style or the traditional way with mortar.
NICRETE BRICK: GUILFORD STONE
Our Guilford stone Nicrete brick is a versatile and economical alternative to clay brick and offers a look similar to cut stone.
NICRETE BRICK: COLONIAL
Colonial Nicrete brick from Nitterhouse offers a slightly textured surface finish, as well as smooth, rounded edges that produce an antique look, as compared to our traditional Nicrete brick.
NICRETE BRICK: CLASSIC
Classic Nicrete bricks offer a fresh and clean textured finish that is unsurpassed when it comes to color selection, size, durability and aesthetics. You can choose from a variety of color options, ranging from caramel chip to pink mist to snow white brick.
NICRETE BRICK: TRADITIONAL
Traditional Nicrete brick offers a smooth, matte finish that includes crisp, square edges. These masonry bricks ensure clean lay lines and a snug fit.
CLAY BRICKS
We are a brick supplier for many different popular lines of clay brick products sold nationwide.
FIRE BRICK
We offer ceramic fire brick to withstand extremely high temperatures, which makes this product ideal for fireplace lining, kilns, furnaces, fireboxes and anywhere else you might expect extreme temperatures.
BRICK VS. SIDING AND STUCCO
Any siding option can be beautiful and budget-friendly, but clay and concrete brick offer several unique advantages over other popular construction choices like stucco and vinyl siding.
Many contractors agree stucco is a good short-term investment, but the long-term benefits of brick make it the most worthwhile choice in many construction applications. As one of the oldest construction materials in the world, brick offers superior longevity over stucco — which only lasts between 50 to 100 years before needing to be replaced. As a brittle material, stucco will also need far more frequent maintenance.
Similarly, many experts choose brick over vinyl siding due to brick’s increased longevity and little need for maintenance.
Brick offers superior durability in cold climates as compared to vinyl, which often cracks and breaks in severe weather and dents in windy conditions. Further, as a non-combustible material, clay or concrete brick is also far safer in fire-prone areas — experiments from the National Institute of Standards and Technology found a house with vinyl siding might ignite as a result of a fire inside an adjacent home six feet away in less than five minutes.
THE MANY USES OF CLAY AND CONCRETE BRICK
People have used clay and concrete brick in their construction and landscaping applications for thousands of years. Construction workers around the world still use masonry brick for a wide range of uses today.
Some of the most common applications of brick that have been passed down throughout its long history include:
Structural uses — From historic buildings to modern homes, masonry bricks are a staple in both commercial and residential building construction. Brick for storefronts also creates a polished, professional look. Brick walls have a reputation for providing a stable and long-lasting foundation, composing some of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The brick can either be concealed on the inside by another finished material like plaster or paint or can be exposed on both the interior and exterior for a traditional and elegant style. While less common, brick has also traditionally been used to construct the roofs and floors of some buildings.
Decorative uses — The elegance and simplicity of brick make it an exceptional choice for decorative use. It comes in many beautiful colors, shapes and textures for a variety of aesthetic designs. Our Nicrete products provide a beautiful alternative to clay bricks that can take on beautiful colors and textures, like thin bricks, white bricks and different brick finishes. Many high-end homes use masonry to line driveways and patios, and both residential and commercial buildings often use brick that’s cast to form arches, cornices and other decorative designs.
Fire-resistant uses — For centuries, people have used fire bricks to build fireplaces and chimneys due to their exceptional temperature tolerance. The material is non-combustible, making it an excellent choice for withstanding a fireplace’s heat.
HOW MANY BRICKS DO I NEED?
If you’re looking to take advantage of these unique features of masonry bricks for your next construction application, you might be wondering how many bricks you’ll need to purchase.
The number of bricks you’ll need for your project depends on your project area’s square footage. After you find the square footage, use the following calculation to determine how many bricks you’ll likely need. Because this equation involves finding the dimensions of the brick, you can use it for any size bricks, thin or thick. Don’t forget to include a percentage of overages in case of an error or breakage — many professionals add between five and 10 percent to the square footage to account for these situations.
Measure the length and height of one brick — or length and width if you will be getting your bricks installed with the broad face up, as with patio pavers — and multiply the two numbers together to get its total square inches. Then, divide the number of square inches by 144 — the number of square inches in a square foot. The result will help you determine how many bricks you’ll need per square foot.
For example, say the brick you’re using to build a wall is eight inches long by three inches tall. Multiply eight and three to get 24. Then divide 144 by 24 to get six, which is the number of bricks you’ll need per square foot.
Once you know how many bricks you’ll need per square foot, determine how many bricks you’ll need for the whole job by multiplying the square footage of your project area by the number of bricks you’ll need per square foot, which you calculated using the formula above.
Let’s use the above example and say that you want to build a wall that’s 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide — or 100 square feet. Multiply 100 by the six bricks you need per square foot to get 600 — the number of bricks you’ll need for your entire application. However, remember to purchase more bricks than necessary in case of damage or error.
BENEFITS OF CONCRETE AND CLAY BRICK
Clay and concrete brick offer a host of excellent, unique benefits that make it one of the most popular structural, decorative and fire-resistant building options today. Some of these advantages include:
1. LONG LIFE EXPECTANCY
Masonry brick has an extraordinarily long life expectancy, making it one of the most popular choices in building construction. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders, masonry is one of the home’s most durable elements and can last more than 100 years with proper care. In many instances, brick has even maintained its integrity for hundreds of years beyond its life expectancy with little extra maintenance. Some types of brick finishes even allow concrete bricks to retain their color and texture in the presence of any cracking.
Masonry can withstand a high load-bearing capacity throughout its lifetime with little noticeable wear and tear. Unlike other construction materials, it won’t rust, peel, tarnish, rot or erode. This durability contributes to its long lifespan.
2. INCREASED THERMAL MASS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Clay and concrete bricks offer natural thermal qualities that absorb heat and slowly release it at a later time. During the summer, brick helps to keep a building cool during the warm part of the day, while during the winter, it absorbs heat energy in the air to radiate to the interior.
Combined with insulation, this is a highly energy-efficient solution that can save home and business owners money over time, since they have less need to run air conditioners or heating devices throughout the year. The U.S. Department of Energy even outlines brick as one of the most common thermal mass elements in passive solar home design.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLINESS
Masonry is famous for its environmental friendliness and sustainability, making it one of the best building options for anyone looking to go green.
Constructed from some of the most readily available organic materials on earth, brick doesn’t use up valuable non-renewable resources during its construction. It’s also non-toxic and brick suppliers don’t produce much environmental pollution during manufacturing, and its long lifespan and energy efficiency ensure ongoing green benefits throughout its lifetime.
4. FIRE RESISTANCE
Fire brick is non-combustible — which makes it a popular choice for use around fireplaces — but its excellent thermal properties also make it an exceptional option for buildings in areas prone to wildfires. The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists masonry as one of the best exterior wall materials for home builders constructing in wildfire zones due to its fire resistance.
The material can withstand these extreme levels of heat because each brick gets fired to temperatures above 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit during production. It’s so well-known for its ability to withstand brush fire that some insurance companies even offer discounts for brick-made homes and businesses.
5. RAIN AND WIND PROTECTION
Along with its resistance to fire, clay and concrete brick structures are also excellent at protecting those inside from wind and rain. While not completely waterproof, brick and brick veneer walls can control moisture better than other external materials. Not only does this water resistance effectively protect the building and its inhabitants from the elements, but it also ensures little damage due to mold or corrosion.
Likewise, brick offers far more protection from wind-blown debris than vinyl siding or similar materials. It exceeds Florida’s impact resistance requirements for facilities in hurricane-prone areas and is the material of choice for builders in wind-prone regions around the world.
6. COST-EFFECTIVENESS
Bricklaying is not inherently expensive, like many other construction materials. And, unlike with timber constructions, brick installers can do their work directly on site, which means fewer trips to transport materials and less money spent on installation.
But not only is brick more cost-effective during installation, but it also reduces a building’s cost throughout its entire lifetime.
Because the material won’t rust, warp, peel or undergo other adverse reactions over time, brick needs little to no maintenance throughout its lifecycle. It won’t require painting to maintain its aesthetic appeal, nor will it need to be sealed or protected from pests. You’ll likely only need to clean your brick structure every so often with a soft brush to maintain its looks. Because it won’t require expensive maintenance, you’ll discover your masonry brick structure has an exceptional return on investment.
7. BEAUTY
Many home and business owners opt for a brick building for a straightforward reason — brick is beautiful. Traditional brick has graced the exteriors of stylish homes, splendid mansions and classic storefronts for generations, while non-traditional alternatives to clay bricks provide an unbeatable sleek, modern aesthetic.
Many distinctive colors and styles are available to meet the needs of many applications. At Nitterhouse Masonry Products, we offer an array of color options in each of our Nicrete product lines. Whether you’re searching for a traditional look, white bricks, thin bricks or something more out of the ordinary such as bricks that look like stone, you’ll be able to find an available color and style suited to your unique application.
Likewise, you can choose from several texture options and brick finishes, including smooth, matte surfaces or textured bricks that add a decorative layer to an otherwise dull building. With so many different designs at your fingertips, you’re sure to find something that will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your project.
If you’re interested in buying our premium-quality concrete or clay bricks, you don’t have to look far. We have an extensive network of Nitterhouse Masonry Products dealers throughout the East Coast and beyond who will provide you with everything you need for success in your construction or landscaping applications, with a variety of masonry bricks at your fingertips. We’re proud to be your brick supplier throughout Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and more. View our “Locate a Dealer” map to find a dealer near you who offers clay or concrete brick products.
ABOUT NITTERHOUSE MASONRY PRODUCTS
At Nitterhouse Masonry Products, we emphasize quality in everything we do, from the products we manufacture to the customer service we provide. As a brick supplier with a commitment to well-made products, we focus on the quality and integrity of each individual brick as it travels through the manufacturing process. This commitment shines through in your project, as you use clay and concrete brick that meets the highest standard to achieve outstanding results at your home or for your own clients.
Nitterhouse brick finds use in projects of all scopes and applications. It performs under pressure and over the long term, thanks to the quality we’re committed to as a brick supplier for end users who are also committed to quality.
Our founder, William L. Nitterhouse, first started the company by manufacturing his own blocks at night after laying blocks and bricks all day. He thought he could improve upon the processes and customer service competing masonry suppliers were providing at that time. His emphasis on meeting the highest standard in quality products and outstanding customer service helped his business grow into a regional block and brick supplier, and these characteristics are what still drive us today.
ORDER YOUR CONCRETE BRICKS TODAY
Masonry brick is an incredibly useful tool in a wide range of construction applications. If you’re ready to transform your next construction project using clay brick products or alternatives to clay brick with our innovative line of concrete brick products, we’ll be glad to help. Please browse our selection of bricks for sale in the categories above, then contact us online or call us for more information.
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