What is facing brick, where to apply and how to choose the right one

The appearance of the facing brick is sometimes deceptive, so for proper use of the brick you need to know not only the technical characteristics. How to understand the application and subsequent use of the facing material?

Brick-facing revolution

The appearance of the facing brick radically changed the usual architectural and design solutions for facing the buildings.

The reasons for the brick-facing revolution can be called abundantly:
  • a variety of expressive colors of the front surface of the elements
  • Stunning material resistance to external negative effects
  • the ability to make the facing of various surfaces (cellular, lightweight, expanded polystyrene blocks)
  • profitable price.

Of course, the aesthetic characteristics of the facing brick come to the forefront. The face of the brick already represents an increased interest in its attractive appearance. The brick structures have a finished appearance after the masonry, therefore completely eliminate the additional operations associated with plastering or painting. And, finally, the field of application of facing bricks has significantly expanded.

To see today in the tundra a respectable house lined with the use of shaped or clinker bricks is no longer a problem. Therefore, if you dream of changing the appearance of a country house, a facing brick, a photo of which can be seen on the Internet, is at your service. The main thing is to make the right choice.
  Moreover, the video offered for viewing is simply inspiring.

Types of facing bricks

The following kinds of facing bricks are produced by industrial production:
  • Ceramic
  • hyperpressed
  • shaped
  • clinker
  • clinker tiles.

In form, the facing brick is a parallelepiped. Specific designations of the sides of such a parallelepiped are: a bed, a poke, a spoon. A bed is a pair of opposing sides (planes), a poke is a pair of opposing planes with the smallest areas. The spoon is responsible for the formation of the facade surfaces of the walls.

The sizes of facing bricks have a ratio of length, depth, height - 4: 2: 1. The most common standard sizes for facing bricks are RF and NF.
  The standard dimensions of the brick facing the simple geometric shape are: 250x120x65 mm. This brick format is designated RF, with the weight varying between 2.5 and 5.5 kg. The industry also produces products with a width of 50 to 71 mm in size 240x115x71mm. designation NF.

Brick facing one-and-a-half provides the opportunity to use it when facing built houses or buildings, practically not increasing and not strengthening the foundation.

ceramic

Ceramic facing bricks are used everywhere for facing facades, socles and exterior walls of buildings, as well as ornamental columns and arches.

What characteristics distinguish facing brick, the price of which will depend on these parameters? These are the following data:
  • ultimate compressive strength
  • frost resistance cycle
  • water absorption
  • Voidness
  • the weight.

For example, red facing brick, the most popular among cottage builders, has a compressive strength limit of (150-200) kgf / cm2, frost resistance of 100 cycles, water absorption of 8 (%), a voidness of 38 (%) and a weight of 2.2 kg . The cladding of cladding elements is made with simultaneous fencing of bricks from individual packs. Such an averaged color palette will give the lining of walls or facades a characteristic melange of color and pattern. Choosing a ceramic facing brick, it will be necessary to take care of the hydrophobization of the facade and anti-salt measures.

hyperpressed

Hyperpressed brick facing is the most affordable. Hyperpressed brick due to manufacturing technology has a significant coefficient of thermal conductivity and low coefficient of vapor permeability.

To produce this type of bricks use cement, limestone-shell, as well as pigments. In the process of pressing, the brick acquires a perfect shape for the cladding and a glossy surface.
  Hyperpressed brick is characterized by an increased compressive strength (more than 300 kgf / cm2), frost resistance over 100 cycles, water absorption less than 8%, weight 4.34 kg.

Of particular importance is the absence of chipping and efflorescence, as well as the percentage of calcareous inclusions. The beds of hyperpressed bricks are smooth in texture and dense enough. Therefore, the mechanical adhesion when laying mortar and the surface of bricks hyper-pressed is complex. When choosing bricks of this type it is necessary to give preference to bricks, in which through holes have a diameter of 2 to 5 mm, as well as grooves on the beds.

shaped

Brick shaped (figured) has, thanks to processing technology and molds of various configurations, a variety of shapes. From the purpose and scope of application it can be rounded corners, in this case the brick is used for framing arches, window openings and window sills. The quality of shaped bricks practically does not differ in technical characteristics from traditional bricks.

But the use of figured bricks avoids the clutter of labor-intensive operations associated with cutting. Moreover, the configuration of shaped bricks is an additional variety of tools for decorating arches and pillars.

Therefore, the shaped bender is successfully used where it is necessary to produce:
  • stylish solutions for framing window openings
  • interior design for design projects
  • the erection of masonry of various shapes
  • Facing the facades of the original shape.

clinker

And, finally, a sample of solidity of sintered structure and strength, we can confidently call clinker brick. A variety of colors and a multiplicity of options for texture have earned respectable respect from architects and designers.

However, a significant coefficient of thermal conductivity and a slight vapor permeability of clinker brick requires special attention.
  Brick clinker is indispensable in the construction of drains, terraces and in landscape design. The forms of clinker bricks are diverse:
  • V-shaped
  • square
  • Latticed.
  Thus, the choice of facing bricks must be built on the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation: you acquire a brick, and the facing brick starts working for you.

But this is how the facades of buildings are warmed with the use of facing bricks and modern technologies.