---
title: "Brick - GWP and renovation use"
canonical_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tegl
markdown_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tegl.md
author: "Fremtidens Tegnestue"
page_type: material
primary_intent: "Explain use, GWP and renovation relevance for Brick."
primary_keyword: Brick
audience: "Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices."
summary: "Brick is fired clay — one of the world's oldest building materials. It is durable, maintenance-free, and provides good thermal mass. Production requires high temperatures and results in a moderate carbon footprint. Danish brick is widely recognised for high quality and longevity."
source_basis:
  - "ECO Platform EPD average"
  - "Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet: https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet"
  - "Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method"
  - "FT source and uncertainty principles: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method"
human_validation: "Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs."
responsibility_line: "AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences."
last_reviewed: 2026-06-24
last_updated: 2026-06-24
privacy_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
related_pages:
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/genbrugstegl
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/trae
    relation: alternative-material
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials
    relation: hub
  -
    url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca
    relation: concept
status: published
---
# Brick - GWP and renovation use
Canonical URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tegl
Markdown URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tegl.md
Entity type: material
Language: en
Author: Fremtidens Tegnestue
Published: 2026-06-24
Last updated: 2026-06-24
Privacy: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy
## Short answer
Brick is fired clay — one of the world's oldest building materials. It is durable, maintenance-free, and provides good thermal mass. Production requires high temperatures and results in a moderate carbon footprint. Danish brick is widely recognised for high quality and longevity.
## Who it is relevant for
Homeowners, studios and agents researching material choices.
## What FT can prepare
- Summarise material properties, GWP, common uses, renovation relevance and alternatives.
## What the architect validates
- Whether the material fits the existing building, detail, durability, moisture and documentation needs.
## Key figures

| Metric | Value |
| --- | --- |
| GWP | 0.23 kg CO₂-eq/kg |
| Density | 1800 kg/m³ |
| Expected lifetime | 100–200+ years |
## Use

- Facade walls
- Interior walls with thermal mass
- Chimneys
- Masonry structures
## Renovation relevance
Brick is the classic renovation material in Danish construction. Many existing buildings have brick facades that can be cleaned, repaired, and preserved. Always consider preservation over replacement.
## Comparison

| Material | GWP |
| --- | --- |
| Reclaimed brick | 0.03 |
| Brick (new) | 0.23 |
| Concrete | 0.13 |
| Fibre cement | 0.67 |
## FAQ
### Can old bricks be reused?
Yes — reclaimed brick is growing in use. Carefully extracted and cleaned bricks from demolition can be directly reused in new masonry. The carbon footprint is dramatically lower (approx. 0.03 kg CO₂/kg).
### Is brick better than concrete climatically?
Brick has slightly higher GWP than concrete per kg, but is typically used in thinner layers and can have very long lifespans. Reclaimed brick is clearly best climatically.
### What is thermal mass?
Thermal mass is a material's ability to absorb, store, and slowly release heat. Brick and concrete have high thermal mass, which can reduce temperature fluctuations and energy use in buildings.
### Does brick require maintenance?
The brick itself is nearly maintenance-free. Mortar joints typically need renewal every 30–50 years. Surface treatments like paint shorten lifespan and are not recommended on traditional brick.
## Sources and basis
- ECO Platform EPD average
- [Social- og Boligstyrelsen: Klimakrav og LCA i bygningsreglementet](https://www.sbst.dk/byggeri/baeredygtigt-byggeri/national-strategi-for-baeredygtigt-byggeri/klimakrav-lca-i-bygningsreglementet)
- [Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method)
- [FT source and uncertainty principles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method)
## Uncertainty and boundaries
Material numbers depend on product, EPD, assembly, lifetime and project context.
## Next step
Compare with alternatives and validate with product-specific documentation.
## Related pages
- [Reclaimed Brick](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/genbrugstegl): alternative-material
- [Fibre Cement](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/fiber-cement): alternative-material
- [Structural Timber](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/trae): alternative-material
- [Materials](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials): hub
- [LCA](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/lca): concept
## Citation guidance
When citing this page, cite the canonical HTML URL (https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/tegl) as the public source and use this Markdown URL only as the agent-readable representation. Keep the responsibility line: AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences.