|
The Cushwa plant of Redland Brick Inc. has been making handmade brick in the
present location along the Potomac River since 1872. The process used at
the plant to generate the unique folds, colors, and texture that comes with
a handmade brick has remained relatively unchanged since that time.
While
the preparation of material, transport, and packaging of the brick has
become more automated, the activity that makes a Genuine Handmade Brick
involves the process of gathering prepared clay and forming it into a mud
ball by hand to a size just a little larger than the wooden mould that the
clay will occupy. This process involves rolling the clay in sand which
coats the outside of the mud ball. The artisan forming this clay ball
includes wrinkles and folds that are impossible to recreate with any
machinery. These balls can be rolled in one or any number of sands
individually to create unique coverage and ultimately color.
The
next key component to an Authentic Handmade Brick is
placing this carefully made ball into a wooden mold coated with yet another
sand. Inserting the mud and using varying hand techniques to compress the
clay into the mold engages different particles and leaves air pockets and
creases that will take on gentle differences in heat resulting in each
unique brick.
Redland
Brick produces a wide variety of colors, many of which cannot be duplicated
by any process without the human intervention required to generate such an
exceptional example of individuality and beauty. In fact, every other brick
produced today is an attempt to either reproduce or improve on the timeless
classic of handmade brick.
In
addition, the Cushwa plant features the premier special shape making
facility in the world. Using state of the art software to design details
for windows, doors, steps, entrances, and any other conspicuous detail, the
plant produces these products, also by hand, to meet the same color and
texture that enhances the natural beauty of handmade brick.
For
those who want the original, there is no other than an Authentic Handmade
Brick from the Redland Brick Cushwa plant.
Click
here for more information about
Redland Brick Inc.
|
