Choosing reclaimed brick lets you save money, reduce waste, and add genuine depth to your project’s design. These bricks lower demand for new manufacturing, keep usable materials out of landfills, and deliver the kind of natural patina and durability only time can create. You get stronger, denser, better-aged material that fits seamlessly into both historic restoration work and contemporary architecture.
If heritage, reliability, and speed matter to your build, partnering with a family-run supplier makes all the difference. New Orleans Brick & Stone provides hand-selected brick reclaimed from century-old structures, with real inventory in stock and fast nationwide shipping—so you stay on schedule without sacrificing authenticity.
Read on to explore how reclaimed brick supports sustainability, strengthens your budget, enhances design, and what to look for when sourcing materials, checking quality, and avoiding common pitfalls.
Reclaimed Brick
Reclaimed brick carries history, texture, and proven strength. It comes from old structures, often shows original mortar or weathering, and can change the look and feel of your project quickly.
Reclaimed brick is brick removed from existing buildings, streets, or industrial sites for reuse. It’s not newly made; each piece has decades or more of weathering, firing marks, and surface patina that new bricks just don’t have.
You get bricks fired in older kilns and often made from regional clays. That means irregular sizes, color variation, and a dense, durable body. Sellers test and sort bricks by condition, sometimes cleaning or cutting them into thin veneer for modern uses.
Reclaimed brick appeals when you want authenticity, texture, and proven longevity. It suits exterior walls, interior feature walls, fireplaces, and paving where historic character matters.
Common Sources of Reclaimed Brick
Most reclaimed brick comes from demolitions of 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, old warehouses, factories, and civic structures. Street paving and bridge abutments also yield large volumes of solid, century-old brick.
Salvage yards and architectural reclaim centers dismantle structures carefully to preserve whole faces. Contractors sometimes salvage brick during controlled deconstruction to keep mortar intact for easier reuse. Reclaimed thin brick and pavers may be cut from larger units to suit modern builds.
If you need reliable supply and quick shipping, family-run suppliers like New Orleans Brick & Stone keep inventory on hand and can ship nationwide within short lead times.
Differences Between Reclaimed and New Brick
Reclaimed brick shows variation in color, size, and surface wear; new brick is uniform and predictable. That variation creates the lived-in look you may want, but it requires more sorting during installation.
Reclaimed bricks are usually denser and have a history of weathering, which can mean better long-term performance in some climates. New bricks meet current manufacturing standards and often come with consistent strength ratings and warranties.
Cost-wise, reclaimed brick can be competitive once you factor in the long life and visual value. Installation labor may be higher because masons adjust to irregular sizes, but the final aesthetic—character, patina, and aged texture—often justifies the effort.
Environmental Benefits of Sourcing Reclaimed Brick
Sourcing reclaimed brick cuts waste, saves raw materials, and lowers the carbon released during construction. These gains come from reusing whole bricks from old buildings instead of making new ones.
Reducing Construction Waste
Reclaimed brick diverts solid materials from demolition sites and landfills. When you choose reused brick, you keep intact masonry out of waste streams that fill quickly after teardown work.
Using whole bricks also cuts the need for grit-filled waste from cleaning or breaking down old walls. That reduces hauling trips and tipping fees for contractors. Fewer truck trips mean lower on-site disruption and less dust and debris around your project.
You also avoid the energy and materials needed to produce new brick packaging and protective pallets. For renovation projects, matching original brick reduces demo work to remove and replace mismatched sections.
Saving Natural Resources
Brick production depends on clay, shale, and mined minerals. Choosing reclaimed brick lowers demand for fresh clay and quarried stone in your project. That means fewer open-pit excavations and less landscape disturbance near clay deposits.
Reclaimed brick keeps the embodied material value of century-old masonry in use. You benefit from durable, hand-fired bricks without using new raw materials. This matters most on large facade or paving projects where hundreds or thousands of units would otherwise be quarried and fired.
Selecting hand-selected reclaimed stock also supports careful reuse: bricks with sound cores, correct sizing, and historic texture get a second life instead of sitting unused.
Lowering Carbon Footprint
Making new brick involves firing kilns at high temperatures for long periods, which burns fuel and emits CO2. Reusing bricks avoids most of those emissions because the energy-intensive stage already happened decades ago.
You cut fuel use linked to manufacturing and reduce transportation emissions by sourcing reclaimed brick from regional suppliers. New Orleans Brick & Stone ships nationwide with fast turnaround, which can shorten project lead times and reduce extended storage-related trips.
On balance, reclaimed brick can lower your project’s embodied carbon by a noticeable amount, especially when combined with local sourcing and careful selection to minimize rework.
Economic Advantages of Using Reclaimed Brick
Reclaimed brick often costs less than new brick, can qualify you for tax benefits, and can raise your home’s resale value. These points affect project budgets, timelines, and long-term returns in clear ways.
Cost Savings Over New Materials
Using reclaimed brick can cut material costs because you avoid energy-heavy manufacturing and some markup tied to new production. Labor can be equal or slightly higher if cleaning and sorting are required, but overall project costs often drop when you factor reduced material price and lower disposal fees from demolition salvage.
You can also save on shipping when you source regionally; reclaimed brick nearby reduces long-haul freight charges. Buying inventory that’s ready to ship within days helps you avoid costly project delays and idle labor, keeping your schedule and budget tighter.
Potential for Tax Incentives
Historic-preservation tax credits and local incentives may apply when you reuse materials from eligible buildings. Federal and state programs differ, so check specific credits for rehabilitating historic properties or using reclaimed materials in preservation projects.
Document every reclaimed source and maintain invoices and condition reports. Clear records speed any tax-credit application and support claims during audits. If you work with professionals familiar with preservation rules, you reduce the risk of missing available incentives.
Increased Property Value
Reclaimed brick adds visible character that buyers often value, especially in older neighborhoods or high-end custom homes. The authentic patina and historic craftsmanship can justify higher listing prices compared with standard new brick finishes.
Appraisers may note the use of genuine reclaimed materials as a quality upgrade, particularly when paired with good craftsmanship. That can translate into stronger offers and faster sales for sellers who highlight provenance, durability, and the story behind the materials.
Note: New Orleans Brick & Stone keeps meaningful inventory on hand and ships nationwide within 48 hours, which helps realize these economic benefits quickly.
Aesthetic and Design Benefits
Reclaimed brick brings aged texture, rich color, and historic detail that change how a space feels. You get material with proven durability and visual depth that new brick can’t easily match.
Unique Appearance and Character
Reclaimed brick shows decades of weathering, firing variations, and mortar marks that give each piece a one-of-a-kind look. You’ll see subtle color shifts—warm reds, soft tans, and charcoal tones—that create natural variation across a wall or path.
The surface patina and chipped edges add tactile interest. Those irregularities catch light differently and hide minor imperfections from installation, so finishes look intentional rather than manufactured.
If you want a statement wall, fireplace surround, or courtyard paving with instant personality, reclaimed brick delivers. You get history and texture without needing special finishes or veneers.
Matching Historic Architecture
When you restore or add to an older home, matching existing masonry matters. Reclaimed brick comes from the same eras and kilns as the original materials, so you can match size, bond patterns, and weathered color more accurately.
You’ll avoid the flat, “new” look that can break visual continuity on a period façade. Using reclaimed brick helps maintain the original rhythm of windows, arches, and cornices.
Architects and preservation-minded builders use reclaimed brick to meet historic guidelines while keeping repairs discreet. That makes approvals and neighborhood fit easier.
Versatility in Modern Designs
Reclaimed brick fits many styles beyond restoration. You can pair it with steel and glass for an industrial loft, or use it with clean white trim for a modern farmhouse look. The texture grounds sleek materials and softens open-plan interiors.
You can cut, thin-slice, or lay the bricks in varied bonds for different effects—stack bond for a contemporary feel, Flemish bond for classic detail. Bricks work on floors, walls, backsplashes, and landscape features, giving you design continuity inside and out.
If you need reliable supply or hand-selected material, New Orleans Brick & Stone offers inventory ready to ship, so you can match your schedule and keep design momentum.
Durability and Quality Considerations
Reclaimed brick and stone often outlast new materials, resist weathering, and need less upkeep. You’ll learn how old materials perform, how past weathering can strengthen them, and what simple maintenance keeps them looking and working well.
Proven Longevity and Performance
Reclaimed brick comes from structures that stood for decades or centuries. Those bricks already proved they can bear loads, resist freeze-thaw cycles, and hold mortar. When you choose hand-selected reclaimed units, you pick pieces that passed real-life stress tests.
Ask your supplier for grade or inspection notes. Look for consistent dimensions, tight cores, and minimal hairline cracking. These details affect how well the bricks bond with new mortar and how uniform the final wall will be. If you need matching strength for floors or structural walls, test samples for compressive strength.
Weathered Strength
Decades of exposure often densify fired clay and compact stone faces. This makes many reclaimed pieces less porous than new, porous alternatives. Lower porosity reduces water absorption and lowers the risk of freeze-thaw damage in climates with cycles of freezing and thawing.
Inspect for salt damage, efflorescence, or deep spalling caused by chemical exposure. Surface patina and chips are normal and add character, but structural delamination is not. Salvaged roofing or exterior brick used in load-bearing places should be sorted and separated from decorative salvage.
Low Maintenance Needs
Reclaimed brick and stone usually need only basic care: periodic gentle cleaning, repointing when mortar fails, and checking for settling. You won’t need paint or sealers in most cases; leaving the material breathable helps moisture escape and prevents trapped dampness.
Keep a small supply of matching reclaimed units for repairs. That makes patching easier and keeps color and texture consistent. If you use materials from New Orleans Brick & Stone, ask about spare units and shipping options so you can plan for future maintenance.
Supporting Sustainable Construction Practices
Reclaimed brick lowers waste, reduces demand for new quarrying, and keeps durable materials in play. You get materials with history, tested strength, and a smaller carbon footprint than new production.
Promoting Circular Economy
Using reclaimed brick keeps solid building materials out of landfills and in the supply chain. When you choose hand-selected brick from century-old buildings, you stop the need for new extraction and save energy used in firing new units.
You also extend the life cycle of high-quality masonry. Bricks with proven durability can be reused for facades, patios, or interior walls, reducing material purchases over time. That saves money and cuts embodied carbon from manufacturing and transport.
Practical steps you can take include specifying reclaimed brick for visible masonry, salvaging onsite materials during demolition, and working with suppliers who test and grade stock. These actions make your projects more efficient and more resilient.
Meeting Green Building Certifications
Reclaimed brick helps you snag credits in programs like LEED, Living Building Challenge, and plenty of local green standards. You can claim materials reuse, regional sourcing if the bricks come from nearby, and a smaller embodied carbon footprint than new brick.
Keep track of chain of custody and testing results—they’ll make your paperwork easier and speed up certification reviews. Hang on to records about where the bricks came from, what percentage of your project uses reclaimed materials by weight, and any lab reports on strength or contamination.
Pairing reclaimed brick with other strategies—like low-VOC mortars, good insulation, and waste diversion—can really boost your shot at certification. If you get your specs sorted and talk to your certifier early, things tend to go a lot smoother. New Orleans Brick & Stone can supply tested, hand-picked inventory and shipping details to help with your documentation when you need it.
Reclaimed brick does more than support sustainability or strengthen a budget. It brings real history into a project. Every color shift, worn edge, and weathered surface carries the memory of the place it came from, giving your work a depth you simply can’t get from new materials. When you build with reclaimed brick, you’re choosing longevity, character, and a story worth preserving.
If you want authentic reclaimed brick that’s hand-selected, tested, and ready to ship without slowing down your schedule, New Orleans Brick & Stone is here to help. We offer meaningful inventory, fast nationwide delivery, and a family-rooted approach that keeps your project moving with confidence and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reclaimed brick can save you money, shrink your project’s carbon footprint, and add authentic character. It’s also great for historic preservation and can improve thermal mass when used right.
How do reclaimed bricks contribute to sustainability in construction?
Reclaimed bricks reuse material from old buildings, so you cut down on new manufacturing and raw material extraction.
You also reduce demolition waste going to landfills and avoid the emissions tied to firing new bricks.
What makes reclaimed bricks a cost-effective building option?
You often pay less than for custom new brick styles because the material already exists.
Lower embodied carbon can also help with green building credits and reduce long-term maintenance costs due to proven durability.
Are there unique aesthetic advantages to using reclaimed bricks?
Yes. Reclaimed bricks carry decades of wear, color variation, and texture you can’t replicate with new units.
They bring a layered, lived-in look that adds instant character and visual depth to walls, fireplaces, and paving.
How does the use of reclaimed brick promote historical preservation?
Reusing bricks preserves pieces of buildings and places their story into new projects.
This practice keeps regional materials and traditional craft alive, linking your work to local architectural history.
Can reclaimed bricks enhance the energy efficiency of buildings?
Reclaimed brick adds thermal mass that evens out temperature swings when used as part of a well-designed wall assembly.
Combined with proper insulation and detailing, reclaimed brick can lower heating and cooling loads over time.
What are the environmental impacts of choosing reclaimed bricks over new ones?
When you pick reclaimed bricks, you’re not just saving some old materials—you’re actually cutting down on the need for fresh clay and all the energy-hungry kiln firing that comes with it. That means less energy burned, fewer emissions, and honestly, a bit less guilt about resource use. Plus, using what’s already there keeps construction waste out of landfills. It’s a pretty solid move if you care about sustainability, though it’s not always the easiest route.
New Orleans Brick & Stone finds and preps reclaimed brick and stone from buildings that have stood for a century or more, and they’ll ship what you need anywhere in the country—usually within 48 hours if you’re in a hurry.
