Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store heat. Heavyweight and dense materials, such as bricks have a very high thermal mass. When used correctly, thermal mass can work like a thermal battery with unlimited charge. It stabilises internal temperatures by holding heat throughout the day and releasing it into the building during the cooler parts of the night. Brick's exceptional thermal mass means that in summer it absorbs heat from the sun and keeps your home cooler and in winter it holds the heat longer to keep your home warmer.

Bricks can be reused or recycled in three ways. Firstly because of their longevity and durability, brick buildings can often be renovated for different purposes, removing the need to construct a whole new building with all its associated environmental impacts. Secondly bricks can be salvaged, cleaned and reused to build new buildings. Thirdly old bricks can be recycled into new bricks or into other building materials such as aggregate for concrete, for landscaping or as sub-base for pavements or roads.

Over the past thirty years the manufacture of bricks has improved dramatically, contributing to the inherent sustainability of the product. Manufacturing plants have been re-engineered to make use of highly efficient tunnel kilns, the use of natural gas, and all waste is recycled within the plant. Ongoing innovation in manufacturing processes means the energy required to make clay bricks is reduced every year.

Long before 'sustainability' become a consideration for most people, builders and home owners were using clay bricks because they last forever and require almost no maintenance over time.

Brick buildings are strong, durable, fire, wind and sound resistant and can therefore resist all of Australia’s unforgiving climates.

By using bricks in conjunction with good solar passive design and insulation, home owners can create a house that requires very little artificial heating or cooling in nearly all parts of Australia, significantly reducing energy use.

Brick walls can contribute to improved indoor air quality by eliminating the need for paints and thus prevents the resulting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that come from paints and eliminate a food source for mould.