Old handmade bricks - susceptible to frost?

[Kallebo]

I have acquired a pallet of antique handmade bricks that I plan to use to build a nice wall around a greenhouse.

Now, a neighbor said that it won't withstand frost... apparently, you need new specially frost-resistant bricks.

Anyway, how dangerous is frost for these bricks? They've probably been on a house before.

What is the risk with bricks that are not frost-resistant? Should I consider anything special when building with them?

 

[Marcussjogren]

I'm not at all an expert in the area, but if you don't get a better answer:

The brick should probably manage fine as long as it is positioned a decimeter above the ground. However, it cannot withstand lying directly on the ground due to frost damage that occurs.

Chimneys are, as far as I know, made of the same type of brick, and they're perfectly fine, but there's not much water on them when the frost comes.

 

[ArneTW]

Keep water away from the teglet and it should work.

/ATW

 

[Johan Gunverth]

The handshake only talks about how it is shaped. It's the firing with subsequent sintering that is important. Try gently hitting a stone with a hammer. If it sounds "pling-pling," it's hard-fired and probably frost-resistant. If it sounds "plock-plock," it's fired like baktegel/murtegel and absorbs moisture which then causes frost damage. I have handshaped chimney brick lying outside. This is hard-fired and withstands frost. Under the roof, I have baktegel that withstands frost because it is not exposed to direct rain or ground moisture.

 

[justusandersson]

The bulk density increases with the firing temperature. By measuring the brick's bulk density, one can get an approximate idea of how hard-fired the brick is. If it is solid brick (i.e., without holes) and the bulk density is around 1.8 kg/dm3, you can assume it is not particularly frost-sensitive brick. All bricks have the ability to absorb moisture, so it's important to limit the risk. Distance from the ground and adequate eaves usually suffice.

 

[Kallebo]

Thank you so much for your answers! I will investigate the volumetric weight tomorrow. We'll see how much eave overhang I can arrange, but I can try to place a proper drip plate under the glass.

An acquaintance suggested that I lacquer them on the outside to improve drainage even further. Maybe boiled linseed oil...