#1: Make the Right Choice: Brick

"Many of the villages of Mesopotamia are built of second-hand bricks of a very good quality, obtained from the ruins of Babylon, and the cement on them is older and probably harder still..."
-from Walden by Henry David Thoreau, 1854

The Brick on the Project House

People have been building with brick for thousands of years and as Thoreau pointed out, bricks are extremely durable and recyclable. The houses in those Mesopotamian villages that Thoreau refers to were built with brick dating to around 600 B.C.

We’re building the Project House to last for generations, so we’re building with brick. The specific brick we’re using is a brick from ACME called "River Road". We chose River Road because it’s a very sturdy brick with an antique look--a soft pinkish tone with subtle highlights of black and white.

There are thousands of possible combinations of brick and mortar colors and styles, and choosing the perfect look for your house can be a mind-boggling task. For that reason some companies, like ACME, have created computer software that can help you mix and match until you achieve the look that’s just right for your new house. ACME’s software is called "Masonry Designer", and is available, for free, at the acmebrick.com website.

The ACME brick on the Project House comes with a 100-year guarantee.

Why Brick?

Energy Efficiency

Other than beauty and durability, why brick? Brick walls are excellent insulators. We’re doing everything possible in the Project House to make it safe, strong and energy efficient, and a brick exterior fits perfectly into that plan. Studies have shown that the most energy-efficient walls are a combination of insulation and weight. Brick has a high "thermal lag" quotient, meaning that it naturally takes longer for heat and cold to travel through walls with the weight and density of brick.

Low Maintenance

Brick doesn’t require maintenance. Painting patching and restaining other kinds of exterior building materials every three to five years can cost thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the home. Brick costs more initially, but that extra cost will likely be recouped the first time you have to paint or stain other less durable exterior surfaces.

Good Resale Value

Brick homes almost always have a higher resale value. The look and durability of brick is a proven value enhancement to any new home.

Sound Insulation

Brick is a great sound insulator. The thickness and density of brick will deflect and deaden the noise from streets, neighbors’ homes, jet planes and other sounds that might disturb the peace and quiet in your home’s interior.

Lower Insurance Rates

Brick’s resistance to fire makes brick a safer risk for insurers, and that should be reflected in the rates you pay for homeowners’ insurance.

Contact Information:

ACME Brick
1-800-792-1234