Why Is Brick Red?

During firing, the minerals in the clay give colour to the brick as they absorb oxygen. Iron oxide is one of the most important minerals in clay for giving colour. It is what gives that typical red colour of a brick.

What is the natural color of brick?

Most bricks burn to various hues of red: as the temperature increases, this red may progress from dark red, to purple, to brown or grey. Similarly, naturally pink bricks are usually the result of high iron content, while naturally white or yellow bricks are the result of high lime content.

How does brick get its color?

Clay gives brick the classic red color that can range in tone from scarlet to deep burgundy. The longer the clay is heated, the darker the red tone becomes. Darker brick tends to have a more uniform tone. The best composition of brick elements usually yields deep red brick.