Rebecca Foster investigates the pros of specifying this handcrafted solution and highlights the key factors to consider when deciding on the best blend for your project

York Handmade supplied the long format bricks for this contemporary project. All units are dried and hand-set by skilled professionals, before being fired in modern kilns

Masonry remains a favoured choice amongst the UK’s self builders and home extenders, largely thanks to the familiar feel of bricks, their excellent durability and unbeatable solidity. Regional colour variations are another advantage, especially if your goal is to match the local vernacular style. Depending on the type of project you’re tackling, one of the main choices you’ll make when selecting units is whether to go down the hand or machine-made route.

Traditionally, handmade varieties are crafted by skilfully throwing refined clay into moulds and then firing it at a high temperature to produce the finished unit. Adding sand into the mix in advance of the firing process makes it possible to achieve a plethora of unique colours. The flexibility of the production process also means an array of non-standard sizes is possible – ideal if you want to create an individual, characterful aesthetic. But there’s more to choosing bricks than looks, which is why it’s worth dedicating plenty of time to researching products thoroughly before settling on the final solution for your scheme. So, what are the key considerations to think about when it comes to selecting handmade bricks?