Choosing the Right Anchor for Brick, Concrete and Hollow Block

Brick, concrete, and hollow block are all strong construction materials, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to attaching walls, ceilings, floors, machinery, or fittings, the right anchor choice is essential to ensure safety and durability.

Bricks and Mortar

The earliest building blocks were made from mud mixed with straw, later evolving into baked bricks for greater strength. Standardised sizes made bricklaying faster and easier, but bricks alone weren’t enough—cement became the binder that transformed brickwork into a lasting building solution. The development of Portland cement in the 19th century further enhanced brick construction, providing stronger adhesion and durability.

Along Comes Concrete

Concrete changed the face of construction, enabling skyscrapers, foundations, and massive infrastructure. Its strength, versatility, and ability to be moulded into any shape made it invaluable. Whether poured on-site or pre-cast into blocks, concrete provided strength and efficiency that revolutionised the industry.

The Drawback: Anchoring in Drilled Holes

Despite their strength, brick, concrete, and hollow block share one weakness—anchoring fixings. Unlike wood, which grips screws, drilling into these materials creates a hole with little to no natural holding capacity. Brick is softer than concrete and more prone to crumbling, while hollow block has even less material to grip due to its internal voids. Without the right anchor, screws and bolts quickly lose traction.

The solution is an anchor system designed to expand or bond inside the hole, gripping tightly against the wall and securely holding the fastener in place.

Split Drive vs Wedge Anchors

For concrete, wedge anchors are one of the most reliable options, while split drive anchors can also perform well depending on the load. In high-stress situations, epoxy anchors may be required for maximum hold, supporting loads up to 100kg. In brick, sleeve anchors are often the best choice, as they spread pressure evenly within the softer material.

For light-duty applications, such as hanging frames or shelves, plastic or nylon wall plugs (rawl plugs) are usually sufficient. However, for heavier applications, expert advice is essential to choose the right type and size of anchor. Best practice includes drilling to the correct depth, cleaning out dust, and matching anchor size to load requirements.

At Bricon Industries, your trusted anchor bolt supplier, we supply anchors for every application—from light domestic jobs to heavy industrial projects. Contact our team today for advice on selecting the right anchor for brick, concrete, or hollow block, and get it right the first time.