Whether restoring a historic building, repairing damaged brickwork or extending a period property, matching new bricks to the existing structure can make a significant difference to the finished result.

The simple answer is yes, old brick can often be closely matched. However, successful brick matching involves much more than finding a similar colour. Age, manufacturing methods, clay composition, dimensions, surface texture and natural variation can all influence the appearance of an existing brick.

At Sussex Handmade Brick, we work with architects, contractors, surveyors, conservation specialists and property owners to identify handmade bricks suited to the character of existing buildings.

What Is Brick Matching?

Brick matching is the process of identifying a new brick that complements existing masonry as closely as possible.

On historic and traditional buildings, this can be particularly important. Older bricks were often produced using locally sourced clay and traditional manufacturing methods, creating natural differences in tone, texture, shape and surface character.

A modern, uniform brick may therefore stand out noticeably when introduced into historic brickwork.

The aim of brick matching is not necessarily to create a completely identical brick. Instead, the focus is on understanding the characteristics of the existing masonry and selecting or producing a brick that sits naturally within it.

What Do We Look At When Matching Old Bricks?

Several characteristics need to be considered when assessing an existing brick.

Colour and Tonal Variation

Existing walls rarely contain one completely uniform colour. Individual bricks may include variations in red, orange, brown or darker tones, while weathering can further change their appearance over time. Understanding this tonal range is often more important than matching one isolated colour.

Size and Format

Historic bricks can differ significantly from standard modern brick dimensions. Accurate measurements of the existing brick, including length, width and height, help determine whether an existing product is suitable or whether a more specialist solution may be required.

Texture and Surface Character

Surface finish has a major influence on how closely new brickwork relates to the original building. Sussex Handmade Brick produces authentic handmade bricks characterised by natural variation, including soft creasing and hand-thrown finishes.

Manufacturing Character

The way a brick is made affects its overall appearance. Traditional handmade bricks naturally carry subtle differences between individual units. This variation can be particularly valuable when working with historic buildings, where existing brickwork may have been laid many decades or even centuries ago.

How Does our Brick Matching Process Work?

The process normally begins with examples or photographs of the existing brickwork. Where possible, providing an original brick sample allows its colour, dimensions, texture and finish to be assessed more closely.

From there, we can compare the existing material against our range of handmade bricks and advise on suitable options.

In some cases, a single brick may provide the required appearance. In others, blending complementary brick types can help recreate the broader range of tones visible within established masonry.

For more technically demanding restoration work, handmade specials may also be required to reproduce particular profiles or architectural details. Sussex Handmade Brick’s combination of natural brick earth and traditional brickmaking expertise supports both detailed specials and precise heritage matching.

Why Is Brick Matching Important for Historic Buildings?

For conservation and restoration projects, replacement materials should respect the character of the existing building and its surroundings.

A poorly matched brick can make repaired or extended sections of a building visually prominent. A carefully considered match allows new masonry to relate more naturally to the established brickwork while retaining the building’s individual character.

This is particularly relevant for listed buildings, conservation areas, historic estates and sensitive restoration projects, where colour, surface texture and natural variation may all form part of the architectural character.

Find the Right Brick Match With Sussex Handmade Brick

Handmade since 1896, Sussex Handmade Brick produces authentic bricks from natural brick earth using traditional British brickmaking processes.

Our team can support you with brick matching for conservation, restoration, extensions and other projects where existing brickwork needs to be carefully considered.

Need help matching an existing brick? Contact Sussex Handmade Brick to discuss your project and send us photographs or a sample of the brickwork you need to match. We can help you explore suitable colours, textures, sizes and handmade options for your building.