When it comes to building homes, there are many different materials to choose from, such as concrete, wood, steel, stone, textiles, glass, brick, bamboo, carbon fiber, and more. If you’ve been to Texas or planning to visit soon, you will notice that most of the homes there are built using bricks. For years, brick architecture has been shown to create beautiful structures.

There is just something about the classic look of a brick home that captures the imagination of many people. This is why a lot of prospective home buyers are attracted to brick houses. They are known to be sturdy and reliable. While it is a fact that brick is among the strongest materials for houses out there, why do you think most houses in Texas are built using this material? If you have the same question in mind, you’re in the right place. Today, we are going to give you more information about why brick is commonly used for building homes in Texas.

Why are Most Texas Houses Built of Brick?

The reason behind why most houses in Texas are made of brick is due to geography and geology. The soil in most parts of Texas is rich in clay. This is not great for gardening, but it is perfect for brickmaking. There is a big vein of clay that stretches across the United States from Central Texas, across Arkansas and Oklahoma, going to Maryland and Virginia. 

The soil, in varying degrees, has the right combination of clay, sand, and silt for brickmaking. Within the belt is an ideal band referred to as the Wilcox formation, which does not contain iron, making it more perfect for brickmaking. This runs from San Antonio to Arkansas. This makes North Texas sit in the middle of the mother lode of brickmaking clay. Since the resources for making brick are easily found in Texas, this makes it a readily available material in the state, which makes most houses there made out of brick. 

Advantages of Owning a Brick Home

Aside from Texas, some people from other parts of the country are also choosing brick as the material for building their homes. Even if it is not a readily available material in other states, other people are choosing to ship them as there are lots of benefits that you can get from brick homes. If you are wondering what these are, below are some of the advantages of owning a brick home. 

Brick homes are eco-friendly.

Bricks are made using clay and shale, which are some of the most plentiful materials here on Earth. In addition to that, they absorb humidity better than other building materials, minimizing the chances of mold, mildew, and dust mites. It is a reliable material that is compact and can be repurposed for retaining walls, paths, and grounds up to smaller pieces for permanent mulch or sub-base materials. Bricks and the elements that make them up can be easily found in many places. Also, unlike lumber, bricks are not required to be replenished when used.

Brick homes are fire and weather-resistant.

It is a fact that bricks are flame retardant and noncombustible. In case of fire, brick walls will keep it mostly contained to one specific room or part of the house. In addition to that, brick houses can also handle high-speed objects flying into them from high winds, like tornadoes or hurricanes, better than other building materials. 

Brick homes are easily maintained.

Brick houses do not take a lot of upkeep due to their color retention and durability. It also won’t rot and is not required to be painted after installation. Aside from the occasional drainage problem, brick houses are easy to handle. All you need to do is power wash the bricks and repair any cracks in brick walls. You also don’t have to worry about termites or carpenter ants. This means that brick houses can age well without too much maintenance.

Brick houses are more soundproof than other materials.

Due to the thickness, brick can block more sound from outside compared to vinyl and wood sidings, even if these have insulation as a buffer. This is perfect for people who like their privacy, light sleepers, and for those who love to hold parties but do not want to disturb their neighbors. 

Bricks can stabilize temperature, making a home energy efficient.

If brick walls are combined with insulation, they can stabilize the inside temperature and delay the movement of heat through the wall. During summer, the heat will stay outside, and in winter, the heat will stay indoors. This will help you save money on your utilities. 

Bricks can increase the value of a home.

Brick houses surely cost more, but bricks also bring up the value of a house. And since you can save on maintenance costs, it makes your purchase worth it. A lot of people love the look of brick, and it also brings up the curb value of your house and neighborhood. It catches people’s eyes, making brick homes more attractive. 

Bricks can provide you with endless design possibilities.

Bricks come in many different shapes, colors, and styles. They give every brick structure its own stylish look. Depending on the style that you are searching for, you can definitely find it in brick, whether it is modern or classic. 

Disadvantages of Owning a Brick Home

Like many other things, owning a brick home also comes with a few disadvantages. Here are some of them:

Bricks are quite expensive.

It is a fact that brick homes are more expensive. This is due to the fact that people want brick houses. With higher demand comes increased prices. But they are less expensive to insure due to their durability. Brick houses also have higher resale value compared to non-brick homes. 

With bricks, color choices are limited.

While there can be several hundred colors to choose from with brick, they all come in earthy colors, such as brown, beige, and red. If you do not like those colors, you can have your brick house painted or whitewashed. 

Remodeling is challenging.

If you want to remodel a brick home’s exterior, like adding a room, it will be difficult to match the original brick. In addition to that, new wiring, plumbing, and windows will also cost more. 

Conclusion

Brick houses are indeed among the most favored type of houses in the United States, particularly in Texas. It is because bricks are easily sourced and also because brick is a strong material that can withstand different weather conditions. We hope this post helped you learn more about why brick is commonly used for building homes in Texas.