Historically, masonry facing bricks were often limited to single colours and a smooth finish, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. This is no longer the case. AG has significantly expanded its range, offering multiple distinct face finishes and a wide choice of colour options within each finish.

Available finishes include smooth, antique, and creased 😀, with over 30 colour blends, including many popular multi-blend options. Our proven production methods allow us to manufacture three-colour marble blends, helping establish AG as the largest manufacturer of facing bricks in Ireland, supplying major projects across the UK and Ireland.

Clients can explore the full range using the AG Product Visualiser, which clearly demonstrates how colour, mortar choice, joint finish, and bond pattern influence the final appearance. Mortar alone can account for up to 15% of a finished wall, making it a key design consideration.

In addition, AG offers a comprehensive range of brick specials, carefully matched to all colour blends for complete design consistency.

While cement does have a relatively high embodied carbon, it makes up only a small proportion of the overall product, meaning its impact on the total carbon footprint is limited. This is especially true when compared with the energy-intensive firing process required for clay bricks, which involves continuous kiln operation at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C.

On average, AG masonry facing bricks have 30–40% lower embodied carbon than a typical clay brick. In addition, AG bricks continue to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere throughout their service life, further reducing their overall environmental impact – something clay bricks do not do.

Historically, AG masonry facing bricks were produced as solid units, without a frog or perforations. As a result, they could occasionally float on the mortar bed, which affected buildability.

Today, this is no longer the case. All AG masonry facing bricks are now manufactured with either a frog or dual perforations, significantly improving stability and ease of laying on fresh mortar. This design enhancement has transformed on-site buildability.

The lower water absorption of masonry brick – typically 6–8% is also a key advantage. One of the primary functions of facing bricks on the external skin of a building is weather protection, helping to prevent water ingress into the cavity. Lower absorption supports this performance.

By contrast, highly absorbent clay bricks, some exceeding 20% water absorption, may initially feel easier to lay as they rapidly draw moisture from the mortar. However, this can compromise the curing process, as cement-based mortars require sufficient moisture to achieve their designed strength. In many cases, the long-term durability of mortar joints is adversely affected by overly absorbent clay bricks.

AG supplies millions of facing bricks each year, and feedback from bricklayers consistently shows that 18–21 courses per day can be achieved under normal site conditions, demonstrating that AG masonry facing bricks are easy and efficient to build with.

In the past, some concrete and masonry bricks were manufactured using low-quality pigments, which could weather poorly over time. This is no longer the case.

Over the last 30 years, AG has made significant advances in its facing brick production technology. Today, only high-quality iron oxide pigments are used, which become an integral part of the brick’s matrix rather than a surface coating. As a result, AG has case studies dating back 20–30 years that clearly demonstrate the long-term colour fastness of its masonry facing bricks.

It is important to note that all building materials weather over time, both clay and masonry bricks will naturally change in appearance due to prolonged exposure to UV light and the environment.

For complete peace of mind, AG supports its products with a 60-year guarantee.

There is no compromise in performance. In fact, performance is often superior to that of clay brick alternatives. AG masonry bricks benefit from a less energy-intensive production and curing process, with no kiln firing at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C around the clock. This significantly reduces production energy while maintaining excellent performance characteristics.

All AG masonry bricks are F2 rated for severe weather exposure, with low water absorption of 6–8%, significantly reducing the risk of freeze–thaw damage, spalling, and efflorescence. Their negligible soluble salt content helps maintain a clean appearance with minimal long-term maintenance.

Produced using computerised, laboratory-controlled mix designs, AG bricks offer consistent, repeatable colours and excellent dimensional accuracy, making them ideal for precise brickwork such as stack bond. They achieve tighter tolerances under BS EN 771-3 (D2) than clay bricks.

Manufactured to an optimal strength for their application, AG bricks exceed 22 N/mm², delivering durability without the brittleness and wastage often associated with fired clay bricks.