What are special shaped bricks?

Wienerberger offer a wide range of special shaped bricks, including a bespoke service to meet more specific requirements. Find out more about Wienerberger specials.

Special shaped bricks are designed to specific shapes and sizes to help architects and builders create innovative designs in brickwork.

Special bricks are commonly used alongside standard metric or imperial bricks.

Using special shaped bricks gives architects the flexibility, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality, to create truly unique and visually spectacular designs.

As well as the aesthetic benefits, special bricks can also provide seamless functionality, adding extra durability and protection to brickwork. They can even reduce build time and waste on-site, in addition to addressing any skills shortages by removing the need for hand cutting expertise.

Special bricks can be used on virtually any project, from high-rise structures to bungalows. They provide design flexibility, speed of build, and a level of aesthetic detail that’s unachievable with standard metric or imperial bricks.

Special shaped bricks are generally made in two ways – manufactured as complete components or cut from one or more standard metric or imperial bricks.

When manufactured as complete components, special shaped bricks can be produced using three methods:

• Wirecut brick (extruded) - Manufactured by extrusion and then wirecut to size. The different special profiles are created using different shaped dies on the end of the extruder. These are usually perforated but can also be solid.
• Stock brick (moulded) - Manufactured using a mould. The clay is either hand or machine thrown into a sanded mould to create the profile.
• Waterstruck brick (moulded) - Manufactured using a mould, the clay is either hand or machine thrown into a watered mould to create the profile.

Profiles can also be created by cutting standard sized bricks. These fabricated specials can be cut, cut and bonded, cut and refaced, or cut and filleted.

Because of their versatility and variety, there are many ways special bricks can be incorporated into the brickwork of a project, whether residential or commercial.

Here are just a few examples of how special bricks can be used.