Home Depot is the leading supplier of building materials such as bricks and mortar for any home project. With a Home Depot Money Off Coupon from We Are Coupons you can save money on all the building materials you need, but do you know the history of bricks and mortar?
Ancient Egyptians used sun-dried mud bricks to build their homes. Then, the Flemish bond became popular in the 18th century. Then came kiln-fired bricks. And now, bricks are combined with a web presence to be sold online. What's the history of bricks and mortar? What makes bricks unique? And how do bricks and mortar help our modern lives?
Ancient Egyptians used sun dried mud bricks as building materials
Originally, Ancient Egyptians used sun dried mud brick as building materials. They may have incorporated plaster, which served as a protective layer against the bricks' degradation over time. Because bricks were exposed to the fertile Egyptian environment, they also needed to be able to deflect light and heat. This type of building material was particularly popular during the New Kingdom. Today, it can be found in archaeological sites such as Karnak and Luxor.
In the ancient period, mud bricks were used as the main building material for homes and tombs. They were a renewable and cheap building material. Egyptians used cob walls to divide rooms, mud bricks for external walls, and rammed earth to reinforce and insulate their homes. These techniques were used throughout the Ancient Egyptian era, so that homes were comfortable even during the hottest days of summer.
Flemish bond was commonly used in the 18th century
Until about 1790, Flemish bond was one of two common brick bonds used in Colonial Virginia. This style was first used in the early settlers, and was popular in brick buildings during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Flemish bond pattern features courses of alternating stretchers and headers. The headers on one course align with the center of the stretchers on the next. Each alternating course starts with a header.
Brickwork in the 18th century had a remarkably high standard of quality. By the end of the century, most houses had walls at least one brick thick, with the thickness of the walls decreasing at each upper storey. Flemish bond was most commonly used for grand structures, such as Government buildings and formal buildings in Hanover County, Virginia. It was also common on the exteriors of some early Victorian houses.
Kiln fired bricks
The process of manufacturing dense fire bricks requires extreme temperatures. As the bricks absorb heat, they expand and contract, which can cause one-eighth inch differences in height and width. As a result, the bricks are shipped with a coating of sand. In addition, the bricks that are expected to measure three inches will be two to seven-eighth inches high instead of three to one-eighth inches high. Also, bricks placed on one side of the kiln will not be level.
Building bricks are composed of clay, sand, and water, sometimes with organic matter added. They are then kiln-fired to develop the desired color, texture, and strength. Many types of bricks are available, including silicate clay, alumina, and lime. These bricks differ in their consistency. Salmon bricks are generally softer than bricks taken from the center of the kiln. Because of their lower quality, they are typically used for interior walls.
Online retailers combine brick and mortar with a web presence
As e-commerce has changed the competitive landscape of retail, brick-and-mortar stores are also evolving. While many people believe that brick-and-mortar retail will soon go the way of the dinosaur, this is not the case. Retailers are combining the best of traditional brick-and-mortar with the best of online sales to achieve omnichannel success. Many online-only companies have launched initiatives to increase their physical presence in the United States while extending their virtual presence into physical locations. This combination can lead to higher conversion rates and profit margins for both brick and mortar businesses.
Combining brick-and-mortar stores with a web presence has many benefits. This approach allows online retailers to create a unified customer experience. A consistent cross-channel brand representation builds brand loyalty and increases conversions. According to the Adobe Digital Index, online shoppers are nine times more likely to purchase a product if the same retailer provides it across all channels. Therefore, it is imperative for brick-and-mortar stores to make their online stores customer-friendly, especially in terms of brand commitment.
