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A Hunker report outlines reclaimed brick edging as a rustic alternative to mulch or gravel around a home. Reusing bricks may keep material out of landfills and reduce demand for new bricks, but availability, price and installation effort vary.
Reclaimed brick edging is being presented as a rustic alternative to mulch and gravel around homes, in a Hunker report that describes potential reuse and landscaping benefits. The approach can give old bricks a second use and create a defined border, but sourcing enough material and preparing and installing it can take more work than conventional edging.
The report says brick borders can help keep greenery from encroaching on a home and may remain neat longer than gravel landscaping. Reusing bricks also keeps them from being discarded, while reducing demand for new bricks. Hunker links that reduced demand to lower emissions because firing clay bricks produces carbon dioxide; the report does not quantify the emissions avoided by a particular edging project.
Reclaimed bricks vary in size, age and appearance, from older Victorian-style bricks to industrial and weathered farmstead examples. The variation makes it harder to estimate quantities than with standardized new materials. As a rough example, Hunker says a straight 50-foot facade could take about 150 bricks if the edging is one layer of two bricks and each brick averages 8 inches long. Actual needs depend on layout and brick dimensions.
Finding the bricks may require checking demolition sites, salvage yards and online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist and Facebook, according to Hunker. Some suppliers sell reclaimed bricks, but the report cautions that they can carry a premium tied to their history and appearance. Preparation can involve removing old mortar with a cold chisel and hammer, then brushing the surface. Hunker also describes an acid wash for stubborn residue; that step involves hazardous chemicals and should not be treated as a casual household task.
Reuse Benefits Come With Trade-Offs
For homeowners seeking to reuse building materials, reclaimed brick edging offers a practical way to give salvaged material a visible purpose. The potential environmental benefit is tied to reuse and reduced demand for new bricks, not to a measured emissions saving in the report. The environmental result of an individual project will also depend on factors such as how far bricks are transported and how much processing they need; Hunker provides no project-level calculation.
The choice also changes the labor and budget equation. Unlike loose mulch or gravel, brick edging requires a prepared base and careful placement. Hunker describes digging out soil, compacting paving sand, adding stone dust and laying the bricks, with mortar optional. That makes the option less suited to anyone expecting a quick, low-effort weekend task. Homeowners may save on sourcing by collecting and cleaning materials themselves, but the installation still may call for a contractor.
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From Salvaged Brick to Finished Border
The report frames reclaimed brick as both a landscape edging material and a reuse choice. Its visual character is not uniform: available bricks may differ in length, color and wear, so the final border will reflect what can be found rather than a perfectly standardized product. This variability is part of the rustic look, but it complicates planning and counting.
Hunker recommends counting and cleaning bricks before installation and notes that contractors may not have genuine reclaimed stock readily available. It suggests that homeowners could handle collection and cleaning themselves, then hire a professional for the groundwork and bricklaying. That division of work may reduce some sourcing costs, although the report says reclaimed bricks sold by suppliers can be expensive.
““firing clay bricks produces a lot of carbon dioxide.””
— Hunker report
Costs and Carbon Savings Vary
The report does not provide average project costs, measured emissions savings or a durability comparison for reclaimed brick edging versus mulch or gravel. It also does not specify how long a properly installed border lasts, or how performance changes with soil, drainage, climate and maintenance.
Availability and prices will depend on the local supply of salvage materials. The 150-brick figure is an estimate based on stated dimensions and a particular layout, not a universal requirement. Hunker describes muriatic acid cleaning as an option for remaining mortar or stains, but the supplied report does not give a full safety protocol or discuss whether every brick is suitable for that treatment.
Plan the Supply Before Installation
Homeowners considering the approach can first measure the intended border and inspect available bricks to estimate quantities, accounting for variation in length and condition. They can then compare salvage-yard and supplier prices and ask a paving contractor about the base preparation, installation method and total labor cost. The report does not identify a specific project, contractor or upcoming milestone; its practical next step is local sourcing and project planning.
For installation, Hunker advises leaving the bricklaying to professionals unless the homeowner has the relevant experience. Anyone considering mortar removal or chemical cleaning should follow product safety instructions and use suitable protective equipment; acid handling carries risks and should not be improvised. Local requirements may also apply to construction work, so homeowners should check with the relevant authority or contractor before proceeding.
Key Questions
Can reclaimed bricks replace mulch or gravel as edging?
Hunker presents them as an alternative for defining borders around a home. It says brick edging can help limit greenery encroaching on the house, but the report does not establish that bricks are suitable for every site or landscape plan.
How many bricks might a 50-foot facade need?
Hunker estimates about 150 bricks for a straight 50-foot facade using a single layer of two bricks with an average length of 8 inches. The actual count depends on the bricks and the chosen layout.
Where can homeowners find reclaimed bricks?
The report lists demolition sites, salvage yards and online marketplaces including eBay, Craigslist and Facebook. Some suppliers also sell reclaimed bricks, though prices may be higher.
Is reclaimed brick edging an easy DIY project?
Hunker says it is more involved than edging with loose mulch or gravel. The work can include excavation, compacting a sand base, adding stone dust and laying the bricks, so the report recommends professional installation for homeowners without bricklaying experience.
Does using reclaimed brick guarantee lower environmental impact?
No project-level reduction is established in the report. Reuse may keep bricks out of landfills and reduce demand for newly fired bricks, but Hunker gives no emissions calculation for a specific installation.
Source: hunker.com
