First-class bricks (awal) — bulk supply in Lahore

First-class bricks, called awal eent, are the standard choice for load-bearing walls and exposed brickwork in Lahore houses. Buying the right class, and checking that you actually received it, makes a visible difference to wall strength, plaster use and finish.

Types and specifications

The AJ&K Planning and Development Department's General Technical Specifications (Version 2014, Chapter 11) give a clear published benchmark for brick classes (brickwork specification). Your own contract or engineer's specification governs your site.

Other points in the same specification:

• Nominal size 225 × 113 × 75 mm (9 × 4½ × 3 in).
• A frog on one flat face; each brick carries the maker's mark or initials.
• Average weight of 10 bricks at least 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) each.
• No single test brick more than 20% below the class minimum strength.
• The whole consignment may be rejected if more than 10% of bricks in the stacks fail.

What each is used for

• First class: load-bearing walls, columns in masonry, exposed or fair-faced brickwork, boundary walls.
• Second class: plastered internal walls where your spec allows.
• Jhama: brick soling, rubble, fill under floors. Not for exact masonry.

Quality checks on delivery

1. Shape. Pick bricks at random from different parts of the load. Corners should be sharp and faces flat.
2. Colour. Uniform colour suggests even burning. Pale, yellowish bricks are often under-burnt.
3. Sound. Strike two bricks together. A clear ring is a good sign; a dull thud suggests under-burning or cracks.
4. Scratch test. A fingernail should not easily mark a well-burnt brick.
5. Size. Measure a few bricks against the nominal size. Big variation makes uneven courses and more mortar.
6. Breakage. Set aside broken bricks and agree how they are counted.
7. Count. Count on unloading, not from the driver's slip.
8. Lab test for large orders. Send samples for strength and water absorption testing.

How much you need

The number of bricks depends on wall thickness, wall length and height, openings and wastage. We do not give a rule of thumb because published figures vary with brick size and joint thickness. Ask your contractor or engineer to calculate from your drawings and add an agreed wastage allowance.

Bulk-buying tips

• Delivery. Ask how many bricks fit in each truck or trolley and plan trips around street access.
• Unloading. Agree in advance whether unloading is included. Hand unloading reduces breakage compared with tipping.
• Stacking. Stack bricks on firm, level ground close to where they will be used, with space for counting.
• Soaking. Bricks are normally wetted before laying so they do not suck water from the mortar.
• Invoices. Get a bill showing class, quantity, rate and transport for each delivery.
• Payment staging. Pay per delivered load against signed delivery notes rather than all upfront.
• One source. Buy the whole order from the same kiln where possible for consistent colour and quality.

What affects the price

Houseplot construction rate data records Lahore bricks at about Rs 17,463 per 1,000 (January 2026 government data reported by The News). This is a dated reference; get fresh written quotes. Price is affected by:

• Class and uniformity (exposed-work bricks cost more)
• Kiln season and fuel costs
• Distance from kiln to site
• Order size and number of trips
• Unloading and carrying to upper floors
• Demand during peak building months

FAQs

How can I tell awal from doem bricks on site? Awal bricks are regular in shape, uniform in colour and ring clearly when struck. Doem bricks show slight irregularities and colour variation. Check several bricks from each load.

What is the standard brick size in Pakistan? The AJ&K specification we reviewed gives a nominal 9 × 4½ × 3 inches. Actual kiln sizes vary, so measure a sample.

Should bricks be soaked before use? Yes, wetting bricks before laying is normal practice so they do not draw water out of the mortar.

What if part of the delivery is lower class? Separate them, record the count, and raise it with the supplier before signing the delivery note.

How long should brickwork be cured? The AJ&K specification calls for keeping brickwork moist for at least seven days.

Sources