Why do bricks have different colors?

I’m doing research on the invention of the brick. Now I am very curious how it is that bricks have different colors.

Asker: Sophie, 8 years old

Answer

Best,

The color of bricks mainly has to do with the composition of the clay from which they are made. If there are a lot of iron minerals in the clay, the bricks will turn red sooner, if the clay contains a lot of lime, for example, the bricks will turn yellow more quickly after firing. In the Middle Ages you have another special phenomenon on the coast of Flanders. If the fuel you use to fire the kiln contains salts, it sometimes happens that the bricks are spontaneously covered with a glaze that is sometimes green in color. There are undoubtedly other chemical elements that play a role in the color that a brick eventually gets.

kind regards,

Marnix Pieters

Answered by

Dr Marnix Pieters

archaeology, maritime archaeology, soil science

Immovable Heritage Agency
Koning Albert II-laan 19 box 5 B-1210 Brussels
https://www.onroerenderfgoed.be/

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