The Traditional Red Brick Making Process That Still Survives Today

Despite the constant advancement of construction technology, traditional red brick remains one of the most popular building materials in Indonesia. Its high durability, sturdy nature, and ability to maintain room temperature make red brick still widely used, especially for the construction of houses and high-rise buildings.

Interestingly, most red brick manufacturers in Indonesia still maintain the traditional manufacturing process passed down through generations. Let's see how these red bricks are made manually while still producing superior quality!

1. Clay Selection and Processing
The first step in making red bricks is selecting good-quality clay—usually one with a smooth, sticky texture and not too sandy.
The clay is then processed by mixing it with water until it forms a smooth, moldable mixture. In the traditional process, this mixing is often done manually with a hoe or by being trampled by workers.

2. Brick Molding
Once the mixture is ready, the clay is molded using rectangular wooden or iron molds.
The molds are usually coated with sand or ash to prevent the mixture from sticking. The molded bricks are then arranged in an open area for the initial drying process.

3. Sun-Drying
This stage is crucial for reducing the water content in the bricks.
The red bricks are dried in the sun for 2–4 days, depending on the weather. In the traditional method, the drying takes place on a large area and is arranged neatly so that the entire surface of the bricks is evenly exposed to sunlight.

4. Firing in a Traditional Kiln
Once dry, the raw bricks are arranged in a kiln (usually made of bricks and clay).
The firing process uses natural fuels such as firewood, rice husks, or straw, and lasts for several days until the bricks turn their characteristic brick red color.
This stage determines the final strength—the firing temperature must be stable to prevent the bricks from cracking or becoming brittle.

5. Cooling and Sorting
After firing is complete, the bricks are allowed to cool naturally.
Then, the sorting process takes place, which involves sorting the bricks based on their hardness, color, and shape. Red bricks that pass the selection process are then marketed for construction purposes.

6. Advantages of Traditional Red Brick
Although made using simple methods, traditional red brick has many advantages:

• Durable and strong enough to withstand heavy loads.
• High adhesion to cement and mortar.
• Provides natural thermal insulation for rooms.
• Environmentally friendly, as the raw materials are derived from nature without the addition of harmful chemicals.

Conclusion
The process of making traditional red brick is a cultural heritage that still survives today. With its simple yet effective method, this material remains the primary choice for constructing houses and buildings in various regions of Indonesia.

If you are looking for SNI-certified red bricks for your home, building, or infrastructure project, PT Intisumber Bajasakti (ISBS) is ready to be your trusted partner in procuring the best building materials.

💬 Contact Us Now!
📞 Phone: 021-66675999
🌐 Web: intisumberbajasakti.com
✉️ Email: info@intisumberbajasakti.com

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