What bricks? - Bricks for retaining wall

[jamesn6]

The builder who is going to build my 2ft retaining wall has told me to choose the bricks but I am at a total loss. I have seen some FLB Danehill Yellows (are they stocks?) but the end face doesnt seem very nice and I am having a bonded double wall (ie not two single walls tied together). My flags are Bronte acorn brown (only brown when wet - more mauveish really).

I know that I need frost resistant bricks and I was considering having either 300 x 600 flags or blue engineering bricks on end at the top.

On another matter, I need to replace some bricks from a small wall that divides my drive from next door. The bricks look like they were once red - they are smoothish and solid looking and one of them seems to have pimples (rather than dimples) on its bottom edge. Any ideas?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Tony McC]

Is the house brick built? If so, I'd try to match that. At only 600mm high, there's no great need to rely on engineering brick, even though they would be best, so as long as you choose summat that is frost- and salt-rated, you'll be ok.

Any chance of a photie of the smooth reds that need matching?

[jamesn6]

I will try to take a piccie of the red brick.

Regarding the retaining wall - I was afraid that you would say that! My house bricks are heather - the extension is something else.

I went to Jewson in Leytonstone and I was just overwhelmed.

I can see that I need an F2S2 brick but do I need a wirecut, a stock? I have some London Brick bricks lying around and they sont seem to be the right type of brick for a wall as they feel too 'flimsy'.

The builder said any London facing or hard red bricks????

I think that I will have to make him choose.

[lutonlagerlout]

DO NOT USE LONDON BRICKS in a retaining wall,as sure as eggs is eggs they will fail,i would say class *B* engineerings in red then a brick on edge in staffordshire blue
regards LLL

[bobhughes]

You can get Bronte acorn brown walling blocks - why not use them?

Bob