Modern manufacturing excellence recreates the beautiful bricks of yesteryear

August 12th, 2015

Also known as solid bricks, Dry Pressed bricks are a traditional style of brick. In ancient times, bricks were made using mud and straw that were pressed into moulds and dried for weeks in the sun. With advancements in brick manufacturing technology, Dry Pressed bricks can be made within days by pressing clay into individual moulds at a very high compression rate.

Natural products, clays and shales are extracted from the earth, and then crushed, blended, grinded and screened before being transported to a pressing plant. A minimal amount of water is then added to the clay mix from which the bricks are then shaped by a mechanical process. PGH Dry Pressed bricks undergo a careful drying process, including 48 hours in a drying chamber, which is essential to achieve a high quality surface finish and properly prepare the bricks for the firing process.

The bricks are then fired at between 1,000 and 1,200 degrees Celsius depending on the clay and colour. All Dry Pressed bricks are fired in batch kilns to maintain precise control of the firing conditions and atmosphere. This also allows PGH the flexibility to produce individual batches to meet unique specifications.

This meticulous drying process is the key to creating the grainy, yet smooth and velvety appearance that PGH Dry Pressed bricks are known for. A beautiful meld of colour together with the bricks’ extremely square arris is an important component of their aesthetic appeal. Dry Pressed bricks age gracefully, with a palette that is designed to match the bricks of yesteryear as closely as possible.

Dry Pressed bricks are more than a renovation brick used to match existing brickwork; they can be used to create contemporary showpieces and feature walls.

The collection consists of nine colour choices in a range of shapes for a unique architectural signature. Colours include Gledswood Blend, Macarthur Mix, Hawkesbury Bronze, Mowbray Blue, Belgenny Brown, Megalong Valley Grey, Livingston Gold, McGarvie Red, Grantham White and Wolverton Cream.

To learn more about the Dry Pressed collection, visit the PGH Bricks stand at Sydney Indesign from August 13–15

PGH Bricks
pghbricks.com.au

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