mattoni

Mattoni, or bricks, are modular units used in construction to form walls and other structures. They are most often made from fired clay, but bricks can also be produced from cement, calcium silicate, or concrete. Bricks are valued for their compressive strength, durability, and thermal mass, and they can be used in load-bearing walls, veneers, arches, and partitions. Brick sizes and shapes vary by region.

Production typically begins with clay or shale that is mixed with water and sometimes tempered with other materials. The material is formed by extrusion or molding into standard dimensions, dried to remove moisture, and then fired in a kiln at high temperatures. Firing vitrifies the material, increasing strength and weather resistance. Not all bricks are fired; unfired mud bricks and modern alternatives rely on different processes.

Common brick types include traditional burnt clay bricks, facing bricks (selected for color and texture), engineering bricks with high strength and low water absorption, perforated or hollow bricks to reduce weight, and calcium silicate or concrete bricks. Bricks may be used plain or laid with mortar in various bonds that provide structural and ornamental patterns.

Historically, bricks have been used since ancient times and spread with urbanization. Standardization of brick size and mortar in the 19th and 20th centuries facilitated mass construction. From a sustainability perspective, bricks are durable and often recyclable, but their production is energy-intensive; modern practice sometimes uses recycled or supplementary materials (for example fly ash bricks) to reduce environmental impact.