Brick is one of the oldest manufactured building materials. Clay is shaped into rectangular blocks, dried, and fired in a kiln until it hardens. The result is strong in compression, weather-resistant, and modular — easy to stack, easy to cut, easy to replace.

Bricks are laid in mortar, a mix of cement, sand, and water. The pattern of overlapping units, called a bond, distributes loads and ties the wall together. Common bonds include running bond, English bond, and Flemish bond. Each has a different look and structural behavior.

Modern brick veneer is a single wythe of brick tied to a structural frame, with an air cavity and waterproofing behind it. The brick carries no building load; it is a rain screen. Solid brick walls, common before the 20th century, carry their own weight and often the floors and roof as well.

Brick's appeal is not just structural. It ages well, comes in countless colors and textures, and requires little maintenance. A well-built brick wall can last centuries.