Reclaimed Bricks for Garden Use

I planned to use reclaimed bricks from my recent renovation to pave part of my garden, but the post below about rear brick walls now has me concerned that the bricks may not be suitable for that use.  The bricks are from the interior party walls of my 19th century brownstone.  They have been sitting out in the garden for the past several months, and some of them seem to be crumbling.  I guess I never realized that all bricks are not created equally; are these bricks not able to withstand exposure to the elements?  If not, does anyone know a good source for reclaimed bricks that would be suitable for use in the garden?  We like the look of vintage bricks and want them to appear old, but of course we don’t want them to turn to dust under our feet.  Thanks!

brooklynny

in Masonry 12 years and 1 month ago

6

Please log in, in order to post replies!

6 replies

Newest Oldest

Townie | 12 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4858 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4871 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "70723"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BHD3oVuExLogAMJZwxq5xvDnzSzaSF/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "townie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "Tpietrzak@NYC.rr.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/totoro/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:29:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "5fO74Kcn6ROdoMTkPvYt"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Townie"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(70723)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I used salvaged interior bricks 19 years ago for a patio.  They were free and I was broke at the time.  I laid them in a bed of mortar over an existing but cracked conrete patio.  I also used the same mortar to “point” between them.  I think i have lost less than 6 bricks over the years.   When they do start to break apart I just filled in the spots with mortar.   Moss grows well on them and standing water eveaporates quickly.  It is in a sunny location.  My garden is in the english cottage style so it has a casual feel to it with perenials and bulbs.   I think pig three is right about weeding out the softer more porous bricks.  The freeze thaw cycle seems to not have any effect…

annep | 12 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4857 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4856 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176769"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "annep"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Ble/eMyqUScyU9wcveUOGXxFzknurI."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "annep"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "annepaasny@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(20) "/forums/users/annep/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(45) "1711241333:$P$BaFsHB1dtpKqlMsu55qAeTrmSywmA6."
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "annep"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176769)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I would give interior bricks 5-10 years tops outside — even if they’re layed over gravel and sand, our winter climate will get to them with the expansion and contraction of the wetness in the wintertime.

pigthree | 12 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4864 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4859 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

it depends on ability to dry properly.  in a pile they will retain moisture and will decay.  some faster than others.  if layed over gravel and a bed of sand – and not in a constant shaded area – they will dry out and last.  maybe twenty years like other post.  some will spall and could easily be replaced.  it’s give and take.  cost, maintenance, look.  you choose.  no wrong way to go here.

annep | 12 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4858 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4860 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176769"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "annep"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Ble/eMyqUScyU9wcveUOGXxFzknurI."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "annep"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "annepaasny@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(20) "/forums/users/annep/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(45) "1711241333:$P$BaFsHB1dtpKqlMsu55qAeTrmSywmA6."
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "annep"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176769)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You’re correct — regular interior bricks will fall apart outside in this climate.  It might not be instantaneous, but it will happen over time.  I wanted to do the same thing in my backyard & sourced these guys — (  http://www.historicalbricks.com/  )the purlington paver is what would work in this climate & I LOVE how it looks in my backyard.  They’re not cheap, but they definitely stand out from the “made to look weathered” bricks I compared them to.

brooklynny | 12 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4857 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4861 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "5806"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "brooklynny"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BI11PZwL3ocoAP7.gjZ//lDlmUVUrU1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "brooklynny"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "ericjstoller@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/brooklynguy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "brooklynny"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(5806)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks.  I would actually prefer a weathered appearance and appreciate the fact that these bricks are 100+ years old and look it, but in the few months that the pile has been sitting outdoors some of the bricks have literally turned to dust.  So I’m wondering if it may be the case that some brick (such as the brick used for interior party walls) may just be completely unsuitable for exterior applications.

Arkady | 12 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4860 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4864 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I used porous bricks for my garden.  A few of them have spalled enough over 20 years that I’ve replaced them but a positive aspect is that they age nicely & allow moss to grow on them.  Up to you if you want a ‘seasoned’ appearance or not.