Sustainability - A Case Study - Reuse of bricks in a small extension
This is one of my favourite ways to reduce the impact of material supply and waste, especially with older or period properties.
We buy these houses because of the character, so (for me) its important to keep as much of that character and existing materials as possible. In this project, an extension was added to the back of the house, when the existing back wall was opened up the bricks which were removed to carefully and stored for reuse. The brick was cleaned and used to build a dormer upstairs, which would be a new bathroom. The brick dormer tied in seamlessly with the existing house, because the brick was the same.
We also found rounded bricks which were used at the fireplace, where an internal wall was removed. This process is more labour intensive, but the end result look great and is more sustainable.
Existing back of House
In this project, an extension was added to the back of the house, when the existing back wall was opened up the bricks which were carefully removed and stored for reuse.
Demoltion
During the demolition process, the bricks from the old kitchen were carefully removed to be restored and reused. The bricks were mostly still in excellent condition.
Cleaning
The builders painstakingly cleaned each brick and Bricks were cleaned and stored
Bricks reused in dormer
The salvaged brick was used to build a dormer upstairs, which would become a new bathroom. The brick dormer tied in seamlessly with the existing house.
Interior View
Interior view of brick dormer, this was internally insulated.
Room with a view
View of dormer brick through new rooflight.
Keeping the Character
Bricks tie in seamlessly with the rest of the house.
Bonus: Rounded Bricks
We also found rounded bricks which were used at the fireplace, where an internal wall was removed.
This process is more labour intensive, but the end result look great and is more sustainable.