There are over 1.5 trillion bricks made every year and 87% of those are made in Asia, most of which comes from China. Year to year there is about a 6% growth in demand for bricks for new construction. Sand and clay make up over 80% of the composition of brick. Clay is most commonly sourced from the US and China. Sand is most commonly sourced from the US and the Netherlands both making up just under 50% of global exports. In recent years Japan has been the top destination for bricks at just under 10% of global imports. 15% of the bricks that get traded originate from China. The global trade for bricks amounts to over 200 million dollars annually.

After the raw materials arrive at a brick factory, the clay is crushed and then water is added. The moisture content depends on the forming process. Most modern bricks are extruded from a continuous flow of wet clay mixture, but bricks can also be made by molding (soft clay shaped by a mold) or pressing (thicker clay compacted into a die with greater force). Texture may be added to the bricks as they are extruded, or after they are formed but still wet. Once formed, bricks are dried slowly in a chamber with hot air to remove excess moisture and begin their solidification. Next, bricks are fired in a gas or coal fired kiln. Once the bricks have cooled, they are stacked, then wrapped and packaged for distribution.

Depending on how the brick is manufactured, the properties of the brick can change such as strength, color, etc. The first and most reputable characteristic of brick is its strength. It can withstand immense amounts of pressure which is why it is very commonly used for structural load-bearing walls. The most common color of brick is a burnt red which is a result of iron oxides within the clay the brick is made of. In order to get brown bricks, manganese oxide is needed. However, with recent manufacturing methods, bricks can be produced in a wide range of colors. When manufactured correctly, brick is very durable and can stand the test of time. This is why it is not uncommon to see older buildings still standing made of brick. Brick is also very energy efficient. Since bricks have a high thermal mass or the ability to absorb and retain heat, it allows for less energy consumption due to heating; keeping an internal space warmer for longer in cooler climates. 

To install brick there are several different ways to lay the bricks to get a different appeal. These methods include, a running bond, stretcher bond, English bond, Flemish bond, garden wall bond, herringbone bond, and basket-weave bond. However, the running bond or staggering the bricks with overlapping joints is the strongest and creates a structure that is more resistant to severe weather occurrences. To install any of these methods of brick laying, mortar must be sandwiched between all sides of the brick to ensure a strong bond to each other.