Welcome to Creative Brick Solutions’ pillar post, where we delve into all things brick slip, from the characteristics of the product to the best ways to use them in your next project.
Whether you’re specifying products for your next project, or simply want to learn more about brick slips, this guide can provide you with all the information you need.
Brick slips have emerged as a popular choice for architects and designers seeking to enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings. These thin slices of bricks offer versatility, ease of installation, and a range of design possibilities. Among the various types of brick slips, glazed brick slips have gained particular attention due to their unique characteristics and visual impact.
In this guide we cover all the information you need to know about these brick slips, and offer top tips on design considerations, to ensure you are informed on everything brick-slip related. We aim to cover a wide range of topics, from what colours brick slips come in to delving into the finer details such as the fire rating and system information of these products.
Here is the chapter layout:
- Brick Slip Design Trends 2023 – Learn of the latest trends in brick slip design for this year to make sure you’re up to date.
- The Benefits Of Installing Brick Slips Over Traditional Bricks – What are the differences between brick slips and regular bricks?
- Why Architects Are Using Glazed Brick Slips For New Facades – Come with us as we dig deeper into why architects are using this product to create distinctive façades!
- Which Façade Systems Are Compatible With Brick Slips? – It’s crucial to know what systems are available when choosing to work with brick slips, so what are they?
- Considering Cost When Specifying A Glazed Brick Slip Façade – As budget is a major decision maker in construction, it’s important to understand the cost of brick slips.
- What Shapes, Sizes & Colours Do Glazed Bricks Come In? – Looking to create something unique? This chapter delves into the design elements that help you to create your vision.
- 7 Key Design Considerations When Using Brick Slips – If you’re looking for some more direction, this chapter closes in on 7 things you need to consider for your brick slip design.
- What Makes Purpose-Made Brick Slip Cladding Sustainable? – Now that sustainability is a huge factor in all new structures, learn more about how brick slip cladding is adhering to new regulations.
- What Are Glazed Brick Slips And Are They A1 Fire Rated? – It’s crucial for building materials to be A1 fire rated if you want to use them for a large structure. Learn more about brick slips and how efficient they are in fire safety.
- How Can I Make My Building Stand Out With A Bespoke Brick Finish? – Once you know the design considerations of brick slips, how can you use them to make your building stand out from the crowd?
Looking for more information on brick slips? Click on each chapter title to view the full blog post where we expand on the section in this pillar post, helping you gain as much insight into brick slips as possible.
Brick Slip Design Trends 2023
In the world of architecture and interior design, brick slips have become a popular choice for adding a touch of timeless elegance to any space. In 2023, several design trends are emerging in the realm of brick slips.
One of the key design trends for this year is the use of textured brick slips. These slips offer a rustic and authentic look, providing a sense of depth and character to walls and facades. Another trend is the incorporation of vibrant colours, allowing designers to experiment with bold and eye-catching brick slip installations.
Additionally, there is a growing interest in the use of irregular brick slip patterns. By combining different sizes, shapes, and orientations, architects can create unique and visually stunning designs. The blending of brick slips with other materials such as wood or metal, resulting in striking contrasts and innovative aesthetics, is also a popular trend.
As we move further into 2023, we can expect to see an increased focus on sustainability in brick slip design. Eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes will play a significant role, ensuring that brick slips remain a responsible choice for environmentally conscious projects.
Long format brick slips are an upcoming trend in 2023.
The Benefits Of Installing Brick Slips Over Traditional Bricks
When it comes to building or renovating a property, many individuals and professionals are opting for brick slips as an alternative to traditional bricks. There are several notable benefits to choosing brick slips for your next project.
Firstly, brick slips offer a lightweight solution. Their slim profile makes them easier to handle and install, reducing labour costs and potential structural challenges. Furthermore, brick slips can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including plasterboard, concrete, and timber, allowing for greater design flexibility.
Another advantage of brick slips is their cost-effectiveness. Compared to traditional bricks, brick slips are more affordable, making them a budget-friendly option.
Brick slips also provide excellent insulation properties. Their natural thermal mass helps regulate indoor temperatures, reducing energy consumption and increasing overall energy efficiency. When used as part of a cladding system, more insulation is possible than traditional brick. This feature makes brick slips an attractive choice for environmentally conscious projects and those seeking to lower their energy bills.
Why Architects Are Using Glazed Brick Slips For New Facades
Architects are increasingly turning to glazed brick slips to create captivating facades that combine aesthetics and functionality. Glazed brick slips offer a range of advantages that make them an appealing choice for architectural projects.
One significant benefit of glazed brick slips is their versatility in design. They are available in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and colours, allowing architects to achieve their desired aesthetic vision. The glossy finish of glazed brick slips adds a modern touch and enhances the visual appeal of a building’s exterior.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, glazed brick slips offer practical advantages. The glazing process provides an extra layer of protection, making the slips more resistant to stains, moisture, and UV rays. This durability ensures that the facade maintains its original beauty over time and reduces the need for frequent maintenance.
Architects also appreciate the fire-resistant properties of glazed brick slips. With their A1 fire rating, these slips offer enhanced safety and compliance with building regulations. This quality is especially crucial in commercial and public buildings, where fire protection is of utmost importance.
By utilising glazed brick slips, architects can achieve stunning facades that not only catch the eye but also offer long-lasting durability and peace of mind.
Eye-catching designs such as these red brick slips can be used on your façade.
Which Façade Systems Are Compatible With Brick Slips?
The 3 main types of façade systems are:
- Mechanically Fixed Brick Slips Systems
Bespoke shaped brick slips can fit into aluminium rails – creating a mechanically fixed brick slip system. This type of façade also brings benefits towards energy usage, due to the extra room for insulation brick slips create.
- Precast Concrete With Bricks 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 cut for this construction method. Precast construction offers benefits of offsite panelised construction and complex brickwork being achievable.
- Adhesively Fixed Brick Slips Systems
When a mechanical fix is not required, thinner slips can be applied to lightweight boards or directly to substrates. 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.
Caught in action: mechanically-fixed cladding system being fitted.
Considering Cost When Specifying A Glazed Brick Slip Façade
When deciding on your material budget for a glazed brick façade, it’s important to stay focused on the main drivers for your project.
When costing a project, specifiers must consider:
- Speed Of Build
Considering deadlines and completion dates will influence the product and system that are right for the project.
- The Finishing Touches – colour, shape, and texture
Aesthetic elements are often what draws architects to using glazed brick slips. Specific shapes and finishes might add to the price of your build due to extra time and labour costs to get the bricks to look as required.
- Project Location
In a situation where your building site has limited access, you would need to carefully plan how your materials and equipment will be delivered to the site.
- Sustainability Expectations
Lowering carbon emissions, promoting waste management, and reducing air pollution are all ESG (environmental, social and governance) initiatives that projects should be striving to follow. It’s important to do your research into the sustainable options available for your project, so you can incorporate these products, systems, and costs into your budget.
By carefully considering these factors and obtaining quotes from reliable sources, you can develop a comprehensive cost estimate for your glazed brick slip facade project.
What Shapes, Sizes & Colours Do Glazed Bricks Come In?
Glazed bricks come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colours, offering architects and designers endless possibilities for creative expression. Understanding the options available allows you to choose the perfect glazed bricks for your project.
Regarding shapes, glazed bricks can be found in brick slip form, or in long format. Note that slips come in various lengths and heights, allowing for versatility in design.
In terms of sizes, glazed bricks offer flexibility to suit different applications. They range from standard dimensions, similar to traditional bricks, to larger formats that create a more dramatic visual impact. The choice of size depends on the desired scale, proportion, and architectural style of the project.
Colour options for glazed bricks are virtually limitless. From classic earth tones to vibrant hues, glazed bricks can be customised to match any design vision. Architects can choose from a range of glaze colours, including glossy or matte finishes, to achieve the desired aesthetic effect.
When selecting glazed bricks, it’s important to consider the overall design concept, the surrounding environment, and the desired mood or atmosphere. By exploring the vast array of shapes, sizes, and colours available, architects can create stunning designs that leave a lasting impression.
This wave design creates a stand-out façade.
7 Key Design Considerations When Using Brick Slips
Before specifying brick slips for your building, it’s important that you research the key challenges of brick slip specification.
For example, is the aesthetic you require available on your preferred brick slips system?
Here are 7 key design considerations:
- Project Design And Location Considerations
Quite often, architectural design will be inspired by the surroundings of the building. The colours, shapes, landscape and climate around the structure will determine what type of design will suit the project.
- Project Size And How It Affects Brick Slip Design
The size of your project will significantly affect the type of system you want to use, which in turn has an impact on the aesthetic choices. For example, if a project is over 6 storeys high, you would usually need a different building system to the one used for a smaller structure like modular houses.
- Project Complexity
When considering your design, are there any elements that will make your build more complex?
For example, if your project has a complex window design using glazed bricks with multiple special shaped requirements or curved areas, your options will be limited.
- Brick Slip System Choice
Is the system predetermined by your client, developer, or contractor?
It could be possible that existing relationships or supply chains determine the system that you are specifying. This means that only certain aesthetics would be available.
- Colour Of Brick Slip Design
The colour of your building is often what makes it stand out from surrounding architecture at first glance, so choose this wisely. This is why it’s crucial to make your decisions early in order to find a manufacturer that can provide your desired material.
- Brick Slip Size And Laying Pattern
Up and coming trends, such as the use of long-format bricks for a façade, can completely change the look of a building, so this will need to be considered and only certain systems will accommodate this.
- Choosing The Right Brick Slip Shape
Creating popular designs on building façades by using various shaped bricks, such as sawtooth, triangular or wave bricks, is only possible with varying shaped bricks being available. Thinking about your design goals, and matching them to the system you’re working with, is a key design consideration.
This dark building is striking to the eye.
What Makes Purpose-Made Brick Slip Cladding Sustainable?
Buildings that use brick slip cladding are hitting both aesthetic and sustainability requirements, making it a popular topic in the industry.
So, what makes brick cladding sustainable?
- 1. The Life Cycle Of Brick Slip Cladding
When taking the life cycle of clay brick slips into account, there is a low level of carbon footprint involved in producing them. This positions clay bricks and slips as a sustainable option when choosing the products to involve in your next project.
Furthermore, bricks are abundant.
2.4 billion bricks are used in the UK alone. This means that there is a constant demand for these products, which will stand the test of time.
- Advances In Manufacturing And The Quality Of Design
Purpose-made brick cladding systems can be tailored to any design required by the specifier or architect.
Large projects can benefit from the consistency of the quality and size of brick slips, depending on the design chosen. For example, now that brick slips are lighter and more durable, they are beneficial to those looking for a building that needs to resist external factors.
- Improvements To Project Efficiency
Project efficiency is something that many architects are now striving to achieve in their work, which means that any product that is used in modern methods of construction is welcomed.
As brick slips are thinner than regular bricks, more slips can be fit into a kiln for production. Ultimately, less energy is needed to create the product, which reduces the embodied carbon and CO2 output.
Sometimes, foundations can also be reduced due to the lightweight properties of brick slips.
What Are Glazed Brick Slips And Are They A1 Fire Rated?
Glazed Brick Slips such as the Creative Brick Solutions range from Rairies Montrieux, are A1 fire rated, making them a popular choice for projects after the updated regulations came into effect.
Achieving the highest classification in fire safety standards, A1-rated materials offer a range of unparalleled benefits. Being non-combustible, they prevent the spread of flames, supporting the containment of fire within designated areas.
The use of non-fire-rated products in construction can have severe consequences in the event of a fire, which is why A1 fire-rated brick slips offer numerous advantages over traditional brickwork, making them a preferred choice to combat any concerns around fire safety.
Toy Box, Birmingham
How Can I Make My Building Stand Out With A Bespoke Brick Finish?
The exterior aesthetics of a structure play a significant role in leaving a lasting impression and setting it apart from its surroundings. When it comes to achieving a distinctive look, bespoke bricks can work wonders.
The textured surfaces, varied colours, and authentic brick patterns add depth and character to the façade, creating an architectural statement that stands out.
- Colour
By carefully selecting brick colours that complement the overall design concept and surrounding environment, you can create a visually striking and harmonious aesthetic that sets your building apart.
Suppliers, such as Creative Brick Solutions, also offer brick blends. This enables you to explore not only block colour but blending of different shades.
- Embracing Texture in Bespoke Brick Finishes
The choice of texture can depend on the desired effect – a smooth finish may enhance a contemporary design, while a sawtooth finish can add character and appear more traditional. Texture adds depth and visual interest to a bespoke brick finish, which helps your building to stand out from the crowd.
- Exploring Different Types of Bespoke Brick Finishes
Brick slips, for example, offer a lightweight and versatile option that can be easily applied to different surfaces. Whether you’re looking to use mechanical fixing, adhesively fixed cladding or even a precast system, it’s important to engage with an expert to determine the type of brick finish you can achieve.
- Incorporating Design Trends into Bespoke Brick Finishes
Keeping an eye on brick slip design trends allows you to leverage current styles and preferences. For example, combining brick with other materials such as wood, metal, or glass can create striking contrasts and add a touch of innovation to the overall design.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive pillar post, we have explored the world of glazed brick slips and their application in modern architecture.
From design trends to sustainability considerations, we have covered a wide range of topics. Glazed brick slips offer architects versatility in design, lightweight construction, and the ability to transform structures without extensive renovations. With sustainability in mind, purpose-made brick slip cladding stands out for its resource efficiency, energy performance, durability, and recyclability.
By integrating glazed brick slips thoughtfully into projects, architects can create visually appealing spaces that stand the test of time.
By partnering with a reputable brick provider such as Creative Brick Solutions, you can benefit from expert knowledge and support from a member of the team to be confident in using brick slips for your next project.
From booking a brick consultation, to receiving a brick sample or providing an on-site visit, Creative Brick Solutions are here to help you perfect your next brick design. Whether you have questions relating to aesthetic elements, or need some technical advice, Robin or another member of the team can work alongside you and give expert advice.