Bricks or compressed earth blocks are used for building more frequently in industrialized society since the building blocks can be manufactured off site in a centralized location at a brickworks and transported to multiple building locations. These blocks can also be monetized more easily and sold.

Structural bricks are almost always made using clay, often clay soil is the only ingredient used, but other ingredients can include sand, lime, concrete, stone and otherbinders. The formed or compressed block is then air dried, fired, or kiln dried. Kiln fired clay bricks are considered a ceramic material. Clay bricks can be solid or have hollow cavities to aid in drying and make them lighter and easier to transport.

The individual bricks are placed upon each other in rows using mortar, grout, and clay slips. Successive rows being used to build up walls, arches, and other structures.

Brick walls can be built substantially thinner than cob/adobe while keeping the same vertical strength. They require more energy to create but are easier to transport and store, and are lighter than stone blocks. Romans were fond of building with brick. Building with brick gained much popularity in the mid-18th century and 19th centuries. This was probably due to the fact that it was much more flame retardant than wood in the ever crowding cities, and fairly cheap to produce. Another type of block replaced clay bricks in the late 20th century. It was the Cinder block. Made mostly with concrete.