What's actually different, what it costs, and which one is right for your project.
Handmade bricks are individually formed by hand or hand-operated mould, giving each brick natural texture and colour variation — they cost more, but suit period, restoration and character-led projects. Machine-made bricks are pressed or extruded by machine for a more uniform finish, cost less, and suit most standard new-build and extension work where consistency matters more than character.
Handmade bricks are formed by throwing clay into a sanded mould by hand (or with a hand-operated machine that mimics the traditional process), rather than being pressed by heavy machinery. This means every brick comes out slightly different — small creases, textured surfaces and subtle colour shifts that machine processes iron out. It's the same method that's been used on historic buildings for centuries, which is why handmade bricks are the natural choice for extensions to older properties, restoration work, and anywhere you want a building to look like it's been there a while.
Machine-made bricks are produced by extruding or pressing clay through a die under high pressure, then wire-cut or moulded to a precise, repeatable shape. The process is faster and more consistent, which is what keeps the cost down and makes it easy to order a large quantity that all matches exactly. Most standard new-build homes and commercial developments in the UK use machine-made bricks for exactly this reason.
This is the biggest practical difference. Handmade bricks have a soft, irregular texture and natural colour variation from brick to brick — no two are identical, which is what gives a wall built from them visual depth and warmth. Machine-made bricks have crisp, uniform edges and consistent colour throughout a batch, which reads as clean and contemporary rather than characterful.
If you're matching an existing period wall, or want a new-build to look established rather than brand new, handmade is usually the right call. If you want a crisp, modern, uniform finish, machine-made is the better match.
Handmade bricks typically cost more per pack than machine-made equivalents, generally because the process is slower and more labour-intensive, not because the raw material is different. Expect to pay a noticeable premium for handmade over standard machine-made facing bricks of a similar size — but for a project where the front elevation is what everyone sees, most self-builders and homeowners find the difference in kerb appeal is worth it.
Both handmade and machine-made bricks used for facing work in the UK are fired to the same frost-resistance standards, so durability isn't really the deciding factor between the two — it comes down to look, budget and whether you're matching existing brickwork. Always check the frost rating on the specific brick you're ordering (we list this on every product page) rather than assuming based on handmade vs machine-made alone.
As a rough guide: choose handmade if you're extending or restoring a period property, want a characterful front elevation, or are matching existing handmade brickwork nearby. Choose machine-made if you're working to a tighter budget, want a clean contemporary finish, or need a large quantity that matches precisely batch to batch.
Not sure which fits your project? Order a free sample of a couple of options before committing — seeing and holding the actual brick is the fastest way to decide.
It's unusual and generally not recommended for a single elevation, since the contrast in texture and uniformity tends to look unintentional rather than deliberate. They can work well used separately for different parts of a project, such as a handmade brick front elevation with machine-made brick used for boundary walls.
If the extension is visible from the street or needs to match existing period brickwork, yes — it's usually a relatively small cost difference across a small extension's total brick quantity, and it protects the kerb appeal and resale value of the property.
See handmade and reclaimed bricks in stock now, or order free samples before you decide.