Clay bricks are one of the most popular building materials in South Africa. They are durable, energy-efficient, and offer excellent aesthetics. However, not all clay bricks are the same size, and this can significantly impact building costs, including cement, sand, labour, and total bricks required.
In this article, we compare two common clay stock bricks:
Standard Clay Stock Brick: 223 mm long × 73 mm high × 104 mm thick
Cheaper Clay Stock Brick: 220 mm long × 70 mm high × 100 mm thick
We’ll explain how these dimensional differences affect your construction budget.
The size of the brick determines how many bricks are needed per square meter. Using a standard 12 mm mortar joint:
| Brick Type | Bricks per m² (Single Wall) | Bricks per m² (Double Wall) |
|---|---|---|
| 223 × 73 × 104 mm | 55 | 110 |
| 220 × 70 × 100 mm | ~60 | ~120 |
Key Insight: Smaller bricks require more bricks per square meter, increasing material and labour costs for large projects.
Mortar is made from cement and building sand. More bricks mean more mortar joints:
Smaller bricks → ~9% more bricks per m² → more cement and sand required
Larger bricks → fewer bricks per m² → lower mortar consumption
Example: For a 100 m² single-wall structure:
Standard brick: 5,500 bricks needed
Cheaper brick: 6,000 bricks needed
Extra 500 bricks → more mortar → higher total cost
Labour time increases with the number of bricks:
More bricks → longer installation time
More mortar joints to fill
Higher risk of errors or misalignment
Even if the smaller bricks are cheaper per unit, labour costs and time may offset initial savings.
Cheaper bricks may seem cost-effective at first glance. However:
Higher quantity required → more cement and sand
Increased labour → higher overall cost
Potential for misalignment or inconsistent wall thickness
Tip: Always calculate total construction costs, not just price per brick.
Calculate total bricks required for your project.
Estimate mortar (cement + sand) for all joints.
Consider labour time for bricklaying.
Compare total cost, not only unit price.
Using correctly sized, high-quality bricks can reduce hidden expenses and avoid budget overruns.
| Factor | Standard Brick 223×73×104 mm | Cheaper Brick 220×70×100 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Bricks per m² (single wall) | 55 | 60 |
| Bricks per m² (double wall) | 110 | 120 |
| Mortar required | Lower | Higher |
| Labour | Less | More |
| Total construction cost | Potentially lower | Potentially higher |
When choosing clay bricks in South Africa, consider size, quality, and consistency in addition to price. Cheaper, smaller bricks may increase total material and labour costs, making them more expensive in practice. Proper planning ensures accurate budgeting, reduces waste, and keeps your project on schedule.
We carry over 20 000 sq/m in of cladding brick tiles in stock and deliver nationwide direct to your door.
