Facing brick: what it is, types, how to choose

Facing bricks are used for finishing the walls of buildings. Other names of this material: face or facade brick. It is difficult to choose from a large and diverse range of products that differ from each other in type, shades and textures without prior knowledge. The same variant of cladding brick looks different in daylight or artificial light. When choosing from several sample options that differ in color and texture, it is best to see how the brick looks on the building.

Facing bricks are classified by size, method and material of manufacture. Its filling, colors and shades, texture and shapes differ. Let's consider the classifications of facade bricks.

Dimensions of the facade brick

Standard sizes at the products are regulated by the standards adopted in the state. Often, their parameters are 250x120x65 mm. Some manufacturers produce facade bricks of reduced width 250x85x65 mm.

When facing private houses in addition to the single format of bricks often use thickened half and half and double bricks. The choice is made according to personal preferences. What should be taken into account when choosing the width of the brick:

• The standard format is accustomed to pavers - many projects are created under it.
• The choice of one and a half and double bricks increases the speed of laying and reduces mortar consumption.

Methods and materials of manufacturing facing bricks

In the manufacture of bricks, cement, clay and limestone are used. For the color and shades are responsible for the added pigments. The physical and mechanical properties of bricks are influenced by special additives. According to the methods of manufacture, a distinction is made between ceramic, clinker, hyperpressed and silicate bricks. Also these types of products differ in the material from which they are made:

• Ceramic bricks are made from clay by plastic molding and subsequent firing.
• Clinker bricks are made from special types of clay by complete sintering at a temperature within 1200 C. It has high strength and frost resistance. It has high strength and frost resistance, low water absorption threshold and increased wear resistance.
• Hyperpressed bricks are made of cement, limestone and coquina. It is produced by high-pressure pressing, no firing is used. Products are dense, strong, frost-resistant, practically do not absorb water. Disadvantages: heavy weight and high price.
• Silicate bricks are made of lime, sand and additives. It is inferior in all characteristics to other types, but sold at low prices.

Types of facing bricks by filling

Distinguish between hollow and full-body bricks. In the hollow (slotted) building material on the technology of manufacture are provided voids. It weighs less and is much warmer than the full-body version. The hollowness is measured in percent, it reaches 45%, which makes the product less durable, compared to the hollow.

Types of bricks according to the texture of the product

Facing brick with relief textured pattern is simple and affordable. Drawings are applied to wet molded billets before drying and firing. Moreover, the patterning does not affect the strength of the products. More complex methods are also used to create texture. These include: torrefaction, engobing and glazing.

Brick shotcreting consists of applying mineral crumbs to the face surface of the brick before firing. The particles fuse with the surface and create an original texture. This method is only applicable to clinker products in terms of firing temperature.

Angobizing consists in applying a liquid mass, the engobe, to the brick surface. After firing, the brick receives an additional ceramic coating. To obtain different effects and color transitions, the coating is partially applied. Such products require careful handling during laying.

The brick is glazed before firing. The surface is covered with a special glaze. As a result, a moisture-resistant product is obtained.

Choice of bricks by color and shades

Clinker and ceramic bricks due to the peculiarities of firing can differ in the shades of the resulting color. In order not to get striped or spotty cladding of the house bricklaying is carried out simultaneously by products from different batches, take alternately bricks from different pallets, as a result, the differences in shades are almost invisible. Hyperpressed bricks have a uniform color of all units of products. The presence of cement in the composition reduces the brightness of the color.

When choosing a facing brick, first of all consider the technical and operational properties. Then already pay attention to the external parameters. In any case, the possibilities for facade design are limited by the budget allocated for this.