Facing bricks vs engineering bricks: which do you need?

2 min read

It’s one of the most common questions we’re asked, and picking the wrong one is an expensive mistake. Facing bricks and engineering bricks look similar on the pallet but are made for completely different jobs.

Facing bricks are about looks

A facing brick is the brick you see — the outer skin of a wall, chosen for its colour, texture and character. Durability matters, but appearance drives the decision. If you’re building an extension, a garden wall or a new house elevation, this is almost always what you want.

Because the look is everything, it pays to choose carefully. Our guide to choosing the right facing brick colour walks through matching new brickwork to an existing building.

Engineering bricks are about strength

An engineering brick is dense, low-absorption and very strong. It’s specified where performance matters more than appearance — below ground, in damp-proof courses, retaining walls, manholes and foundations. They come in two strength grades, and our post on Class A vs Class B engineering bricks explains which one a typical project actually needs.

Can you use one for the other?

You can lay engineering bricks on show — some builders like the crisp blue or red look — but they’re pricier and the colour range is limited. Using facing bricks below ground, however, is a false economy: they absorb more water and won’t stand up to frost or ground salts the way an engineering brick will.

The quick rule

• Above ground, on show: facing brick.
• Below ground or structural: engineering brick.
• Not sure? Check the specification or ask building control — and browse our full bricks & blocks range.

Once you’ve settled on a brick, work out quantities with our guide to how many bricks you need per m².