Too many times, a traditional brick is chosen for a façade system when the project requires a different construction method.

This can cause planning and cost issues.

How can you avoid making the same mistake?

Many architects are looking into ways to make their buildings unique, whilst still hitting all of the criteria for a successful build – which we covered in our latest blog.

Whether your projects are a high rise residential development, a modular housing scheme, or school with a tight build program, choosing the correct brick slip system for your projects needs to take into account many factors.

Many brick suppliers, such as Creative Brick Solution’s supply partner Rairies Montrieux, have a flexible approach to manufacturing. This allows an architect to choose a colour and finish, which is available on multiple facade systems, giving flexibility of construction methods when contractors are pricing the project.

The full range of finishes including natural terracotta colours, glazed brick slips, heavily textured products or special shapes can be applied but must be considered early in a project to understand the possibilities.

As façades are widely understood to be the main exterior design of a building, brick slips can be used as a type of cladding on the build to improve the overall function and aesthetics of the structure.

So, which façade systems are compatible with brick slips?

The 3 main types of facade systems are:

• Mechanically Fixed Brick Slips Systems.
• Precast Concrete With Bricks Slips.
• Adhesively Fixed Brick Slips Systems.

In this blog we discuss the what the benefits and considerations are of each system type.

Mechanically Fixed Brick Slip Systems

Brick slips can be used on brick cladding façade systems. Having a brick façade is unarguably traditional, which is why architects are exploring glazed brick slips in diverse colours and textures to add a unique touch to a traditional structure.

Specially shaped brick slips can fit into aluminium rails – creating a mechanically fixed brick slip system.

There are many benefits that using a mechanical fixed brick slips system offers, including:

• They are a1 fire rated.
• They create high quality and robust builds.
• Increased speed of construction.

Due to brick slips lightweight characteristics, less travel is involved during the manufacture of these products. This means less need for heavy machinery.

This type of façade is also beneficial in regard to energy usage, due to the extra room insulation brick slips create.

Precast Concrete With Brick Slips

For this type of façade system, the slips are extruded with a dovetail key already in the back.

This means less manufacturing processes and transport compared to traditional bricks being built for this construction method.

The slips are also made to tight tolerances suitable for Precast moulds. Precast concrete panels are prepared and manufactured off-site and delivered ready to install.

So, how can brick slips be compatible with this type of façade?

• Complex geometric patters can be created.  Different thickness of slips can be manufactured or combined with special shaped bricks.
• Strong, durable and mechanical fixed to the panels.
• Very fast speed of construction.
• Cost savings against cutting traditional bricks.

Brick slips can be fitted onto the panels to give the look and feel of brick. This widens the creative opportunities for your site, as the concrete precast panels can be made to fit any size and shape – just like the brick slips.

By using brick slips on precast panels, architects can create more intricate designs and explore different textures with their materials. For example, different shaped brick slips can be used to enhance arches or window frames.

Another benefit to precast panels with brick slips is that they are manufactured in large sizes which is beneficial to the environment and overall building process.

Adhesively Fixed Brick Slip Solutions

When a mechanical fix is not required, thinner slips can be applied to lightweight boards or directly to substates.

Some key benefits are:

• Low-cost point
• Flexibility of laying patterns
• Suitable for modular housing

Using adhesively fixed brick slips on a façade enables flexibility with design. Architects can experiment with the laying patterns of the design, which can completely transform a building.

Modular housing is becoming a popular option for large scale builds due to the components of the build being made in advance. This speeds up the time of a project and allows flexibility in design.

Why Should You Research Before Making Your Decision?

When deciding which finish and system is most suited to you project, it is important to engage early so that all factors can be considered.

As modern methods of construction become increasingly popular, the discussion about which façade construction method needs to happen earlier in the project life cycle.

Engaging with experts can avoid difficulties and ensures cost and timescales are met.

Creative Brick Solutions assist with these choices from design to delivery.

If you are considering using glazed brick slips to bring your façade to life, make sure to get in touch with those at Creative Brick Solutions gain further insight.