How to Make Bricks from Concrete

Co-authored by Gerber Ortiz-Vega

Last Updated: July 10, 2022 Approved

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Bricks have been primarily used for wall coverings over the years, but they can be used for decorative purposes as well. Historically, the common brick has been molded from clay and fired in a kiln, but you can make bricks yourself by using concrete.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Brick from Concrete

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1
Make the forms you need to use for the concrete bricks. This requires basic carpenter tools and a sheet of .75-inch (19 mm) plywood along with 2 x 4-inch (5.1 x 10.2 cm) by 8 feet (2.4 m) lumber. Use 9 x 4 x 3.5 inches (22.9 x 10.2 x 8.9 cm) for your brick dimensions.^{[1]
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- Rip the sheet of 3/4 inch plywood down to 12-inch (30.5 cm) wide x 48-inch (1.2 m) long strips. This will give you 8 bricks per strip, and the entire sheet of plywood will give you a total of 64 bricks.
- Cut the side forms down to 2 x 4 inches (5.1 x 10.2 cm). You will need 2 pieces at 48 inches (1.2 m) long for each strip. There will be 9 pieces, 9 inches (22.9 cm) in length.
2
Assemble the forms with the two 48 inch (1.2 m) pieces laid parallel. Begin nailing the 9-inch (22.9 cm) pieces between the two 48-inch (1.2 M) strips using either double-headed 16 penny concrete form nails or 3-inch (7.65 cm) deck screws. When finished, you should have 8 spaces 4 inches (5.1cm) wide, 9 inches (22.9 cm) long, and 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) deep.
- Lay the strips of plywood on a flat level area and spread plastic sheeting over it to keep the concrete from bonding with the plastic. The work area will need to be left undisturbed for at least 24 hours.
- Place the assembled side form on top of the .75-inch (19 cm) plastic covered plywood strip. Either nail the side forms to the plywood or drive wooden stakes around the sides of the forms to keep the forms from shifting off of the plywood bottom strips.
- You can use screws for easier removal, if desired.
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3
Use a spray can of form release oil to aid in stripping the forms after pouring the concrete into the brick molds.^{[2]
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- Take care not to stain any concrete bricks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making and Pouring the Concrete into the Brick Molds

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This will most likely be the most physically challenging part of making brick from concrete. Using a commercially prepared dry mix of concrete materials is the easiest method. It is often referred to as Sak-crete and normally comes in 40-to-80-pound (18.1-to-36.2 kg) bags, which are then mixed in a wheelbarrow.
2
Put a bag of prepared concrete material in a wheelbarrow. Make a small hole in the middle of the dry mix using a shovel or a common garden hoe.^{[3]
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- Begin adding small amounts of water in that small hole, preferably from a bucket rather than a hose for better control of the amount of water that is added at any one time.
- Mix the dry material and water together with the hoe or shovel, adding water until you have a concrete consistency that is workable. Use a measuring device for the water to ensure each batch has the same consistency. Too wet and it will want to push up the side and run under the forms. Too dry and it will not want to consolidate, but rather it will leave air voids in your concrete brick.
- If desired, you can or rent a small cement mixer from a hardware or home improvement store.
EXPERT TIP

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC

Expert Warning: When you're making concrete from a mix, be careful not to add too much water or it won't set. If you're making it from scratch, don't add too much cement, sand, or gravel, or the concrete will break.
3
Use a shovel to put the concrete into the forms.^{[4]
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- Tap on the side of the forms with the brick forms filled. Tapping on the top afterward will force any trapped air out from inside of the concrete.
- Use a straight edge or 12-inch (30.5 cm) trowel to smooth off the top of the concrete level with the top of the forms. Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
- If using the brick to face an existing wall, use a scoring trowel to make groves in the brick. This will aid in mortaring the brick in place.
Stack the bricks in a cool area to cure a suggested 2 weeks. Cover them up with a mover's blanket while they are curing and keep the blanket wet and covered with plastic sheeting. This will keep the bricks from cracking during the curing process. Once they have cured, you are ready to use them.

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Question

How do I score and cut concrete blocks to make a square corner in a retaining wall?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

There are multiple ways you can do it. Trying using a masonry blade on a skill saw, hand grinder, or brick saw.

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I am doing an Eagle Scout project where I want to make cement bricks or blocks to create grave markers. It is for veterans, so we are hoping to include a small PVC pipe for a flag to go in. Would this method work for that?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

Install a schedule-40 rated PVC pipe in the form before adding concrete, and it should work well. Perhaps add another PVC pipe for floral arrangements as well.

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What is the difference between cement or concrete mixed with gravel?

Community Answer

Cement is the 'glue' that holds the sand and gravel, the aggregate, together; all forming concrete. Cement is made out of limestone that is heated to drive out the water and ground into a fine powder. Adding water causes a chemical reaction called hydrolysis, that creates heat and causes the whole mix to turn into concrete, basically a form of sedimentary rock like the original limestone. Concrete is man-made rock. Glass is also clear rock. The same cement is used with sand and water to make mortar used for laying brick. Cement by itself, mixed with water, will crumble and is not very useful.

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Tips

Concrete is naturally gray, but you can change that color by adding commercially available dyes.

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Making concrete forms for brick and then casting them isn't the only way you can make brick for a driveway or walkway. There are commercially available plastic polymer forms you can use, which will leave you with many different patterns or sizes of brick when you follow the manufacturer's directions.

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Save the forms you made for the concrete bricks and use them for future projects and repair work.

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Warnings

Concrete is corrosive and all manufacturer's instructions on safe handling during the mixing process should be followed.

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Wear proper protective clothing when working with concrete, such as gloves, eyewear, and a dust mask.

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