New brickwork that doesn't match the existing house is one of the most visible giveaways of a poorly planned extension or repair, and it's an area where a bit of extra effort at the sourcing stage makes a real difference to the finished result.
Brick colour, texture and size have changed over the decades, and the exact brick used on an older York property, particularly anything Victorian or Edwardian, may no longer be manufactured. Weathering also changes a brick's appearance over time, so even a brick that was originally identical may now look different simply from decades of exposure. Getting a genuinely close match usually means considering more than just colour: texture, size, and the mortar joint width and colour all contribute to how well new brickwork blends with old.
Reclaimed brick – salvaged from demolished period buildings, often the closest match for older properties since it's already weathered and was likely made using similar methods to the original
New brick from a matching range – some manufacturers produce ranges specifically designed to match traditional brick types and colours
Blending techniques – on larger areas, sometimes mixing a small proportion of a slightly different brick can help a new section blend in better than a large block of uniform, obviously-new brick
Mortar colour and joint size – matching the mortar isn't just about colour, joint width and pointing style both affect how closely new work reads against old
We'll always try to get as close a match as possible, but we won't promise a perfect, invisible match where one genuinely isn't achievable, particularly on very old or unusual brick. Being upfront about this at the quote stage means no unpleasant surprises once the work is finished.
We take brick matching seriously on every extension and repair project across York and North Yorkshire, sourcing reclaimed or closely matching new brick rather than defaulting to whatever's easiest to get hold of. Every quote is clear and written, and we'll show you samples before committing to an order wherever possible.
Excellent job from Phil and his team. Both external and internal works finished to an excellent quality. Happy to deal with changes and kept us informed on a day-to-day basis. Definitely recommend.
RW Builders directly on 01904 530941 to discuss brick matching for your project. Quotes are free and come with no obligation.