Ballast Bricks
Downtown London and throughout old cobbled Europe, these clay bricks were
hand-crafted and fired under extreme temperatures to achieve their hardened
nature. Soon as the clay hardened they were sent to the local ports for their
Trans-Atlantic voyage. Used in the ‘hold’ of ships for ballast, the bricks
quickly became known as ‘ballast bricks’. After arriving at their destination
in the New England ports of Providence and Boston, the ballast brick were
unloaded and replaced with fine goods for the return trip to England. Some of
the bricks were used for the original construction of colonial homes on the
Eastern seaboard, while others were simply discarded into the harbors - never
to be seen again...
Recently, Ballast Bricks have been reclaimed from historical
building sites and excavated from the same harbors where they originally
arrived. Specialty markets are a significant home for the ballast brick and continue to see growth.
Though Colonial Ballast Bricks may be hundreds of years old, they are versatile
enough to be used in both traditional and contemporary applications. With its
natural aged look, irregular surfaces and dense nature, Colonial Bricks are
ideal for fireplaces, chimneys, restoration projects, surrounds and as pavers.
|
