Fly Ash Bricks vs Red Bricks: Differences, Choosing the Right Building Material

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When constructing a new home, you must make wise choices regarding materials to use. One of them is to choose the right type of bricks in the building. There are two types of bricks prominently available in the market: fly ash bricks and red bricks. The following sections will explain fly ash bricks vs red bricks to help you make an informed decision.

What are Fly Ash Bricks?

Fly ash bricks are constructed from industrial waste materials like fly ash, a by-product of coal-fired power plants. It is mixed with water, cement, and other materials to create a paste. Then, a fly ash brick making machine is used to pour the paste into molds and bake them at high temperatures to manufacture lightweight, durable bricks.

Properties: Primary properties of fly ash bricks include impressive compressive strength, high melting point, non-toxic nature, excellent sound insulation, high durability, and eco-friendliness.

Advantages: Some fly ash bricks advantages include the following:

Environmentally Friendly: Since they are made up of industrial waste materials, they do not burden the landfills.
Energy Efficient: These bricks require less energy for manufacturing
Light Weight: Their light weight makes them easier and cheaper to transport and install.
Cost-Effective: These are cost-effective bricks providing value for investment.
Good Insulation: They have remarkable insulation properties that regulate temperature and reduce energy consumption.

However, one of the major fly ash bricks disadvantages is that they have a lower bonding strength due to their smooth finish. Construction experts may correct it using cement and sand mortar in 1:4 ratios.

What are Red Bricks?

Red bricks, also known as clay bricks, are the building materials made of natural clay. They have been used in the construction business for centuries worldwide. However, they have some environmental issues because they create pollution, are against world food security standards, and cause the cutting of hills and agricultural land. Moreover, they have a heavier weight and non-uniform shape, making them more labour-intensive to transport and install.

Difference Between Fly Ash & Red Bricks

Now that you understand what these bricks are, let's look into the Fly Ash Vs Red Brick differences:

Parameter	Fly Ash Bricks	Red Bricks
Construction Material	Fly ash bricks are made up of cement, fly ash, and slag.	Red bricks are made up of clay soil.
Shape	Fly ash bricks have a uniform shape because they are cast in a machine mold using a fly ash brick making machine.	The shape of red bricks is not uniform because they are made with a hand mold.
Colour	Fly ash bricks have a cement grey colour.	Red bricks are red to light brown in colour, depending on the clay type used.
Compressive Strength	Fly ash bricks have a compressive strength of 75 to 100 kg/cm².	Red bricks have a compressive strength of 30 to 35 kg/cm².
Density	1700-1850 kg/m3	1600-1750 kg/m3
Onsite Wastage	Fly ash bricks have an onsite wastage of around 2-5%	Red bricks have an onsite wastage of more than 10%.
Water Absorption	Fly ash bricks have water absorption of about 6 -12%.	Red bricks have water absorption of approximately 20-25%.
Weight	2.6 kg	3.5 kg
Cost	Rs. 4 to 6	Rs. 5 to 8

Which is Easier to Install? Fly Ash Bricks or Red Bricks

Fly ash bricks are larger and lighter in size, making them easier to ship and install. It results in a faster installation process compared to red bricks. Comparatively, red bricks require more attention and skill to achieve a uniform and clean installation. Moreover, fly ash bricks require fewer materials for installation, which only includes laying a thin layer of cement mortar. On the contrary, red bricks need a thicker layer of sand-cement mortar due to their more absorbent and porous structure, causing them to crumble if they do not get the proper support.

Regulatory Standards and Certifications

Here are a few regulatory standards and certifications applicable to both types of bricks:

IS 1077: 1992 (Reviewed in 2021): The standard mentioned requirements for the clay used for making red bricks, their quality, and their size.
Land Acquisition: The fly ash brick industry should be located on land where industrial operation is allowed.
Environmental Clearance: Environmental clearance and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from relevant authorities are essential to assess the business’s potential impact on the environment.
Pollution Control Board Consent: The State Pollution Control Board must provide consent to ensure compliance with the pollution control regulations.
Industrial License: An industrial license certifies that the brick manufacturer has permission to operate a brick industry.
Fire Safety Approval: Ensure compliance with the fire safety regulations by implementing fire safety measures and periodic inspections.

Future Trends and Innovations

Mobile brick machines are the latest technological products that use less energy and water and produce less waste when making bricks. Some companies are also manufacturing automated brick making plants that use the latest technology to create bricks through robotic automated procedures. With proper research and development, more technological advancements are on the horizon to develop sustainable alternatives for traditional bricks.

FAQs About Fly Ash Bricks vs Red Bricks

1. Which type of brick is more commonly used in construction?

Burnt clay bricks or red bricks are the most common types of bricks used in construction.

2. Are fly ash bricks more fire-resistant than red bricks?

Fly ash bricks are more fire-resistant than red bricks due to their non-porous nature and high temperature resistance.

3. Are fly ash bricks stronger than red bricks?

Fly ash bricks are stronger, more durable, and more environmentally friendly than red bricks.

4. Are fly ash bricks better than clay bricks?

Both red fly ash bricks have pros and cons. However, fly ash bricks are better than clay bricks for many reasons, including their lighter weight, easier installation, higher strength, and eco-friendly construction.

5. What are the disadvantages of fly ash bricks?

One of the major fly ash bricks disadvantages is their lower bonding strength. That is because of their smoother finish.