Selection of facing bricks, their size and types. How to choose a facing brick Which ceramic brick is better for cladding a house

Facing bricks can turn any house, a new building or an existing one, but a little neglected, into an attractive and elegant structure. Moreover, it does not matter what material the house is built from - brick or timber, concrete blocks or monolithic aerated concrete.

Facing brick, which one is better?

Looking at a hardware store various models facing brick, pay attention to its external parameters. Size facing stone, mostly hollow, the same as that of ordinary brick - 250x120x65 mm (85 mm). Products High Quality all stones are the same size, and no curvature of the sides and edges, delamination or cracks are observed.

Basic specifications that the best should have facing brick- high strength, low level of water absorption and frost resistance. The strength characteristics of the front element show the ability of the product to withstand variable loads arising from external temperature changes, shrinkage of the building or from microseismic influences.

The best facing brick is one that has increased density and frost resistance options, low level water absorption, and excellent texture. To finish the facade, three types of facing products are used:

Ceramic brick
Hyperpressed brick
Clinker brick

Ceramic brick has excellent thermal insulation properties, a long service life and a low price. However, its tendency to increased water absorption requires, at the end of the masonry, to carry out measures to waterproof the front surface of the brick. The excellent frost resistance of hyperpressed brick is explained by the high density of its structure, and the non-firing production technology makes it possible to obtain bricks with perfectly smooth surfaces.

Clinker brick is created from particularly refractory types of clay and is fired. Clinker stone has a wide range of colors, excellent design and performance characteristics, and a fairly high cost.

Which facing brick is better? Reviews

Judging by customer reviews, the leading position in the ranking of facing material brands belongs to clinker bricks. Decorating a house with facing bricks significantly reduces the level of heat loss in the building, gives the house architectural expressiveness and emphasizes its style features.

Enough a difficult situation arises when it is necessary to decide which brick to choose for cladding a house. The point is that such facade material includes several types that differ in composition and characteristics. That is why many factors need to be taken into account to ensure that the final result matches the desired one.

Facade brick also called facing or front, which explains the main purpose of the material - the external design of walls in order to give the house a more presentable appearance.

Although the decorative component is considered to be the main parameter of the product, we must not forget that it must provide reliable protection buildings from any influence. Such factors include preventing the penetration of moisture (parts must have a small percentage of moisture absorption) and protecting the structure from wind and temperature changes. The material must be strong and durable, and harmful influences must not reduce the visual appeal.

Choosing suitable option, take into account that there is also a simple one on sale building brick, the facade variety differs from such products in external parameters. Facing material is often divided into two groups: shaped (with complex geometry) and textured (having a relief side).

The choice of facing blocks is now quite large

Types of facing bricks

All types of facing bricks differ from each other in production technology and components included in the composition. This is what influences the final result, determining the properties of the material and its appearance.

The following types of bricks are found on the construction market:

silicate;
ceramic;
clinker;
hyper-pressed.

Thermal conductivity for any external cladding material is considered one of the main parameters

Each option has its pros and cons.

On a note! Silicate and ceramic products are divided into two categories: for the construction of houses and for cladding.

Silicate brick

This type is often used for exterior finishing, since the price of the material is considered one of the most affordable. The production technology is that a mixture of quartz sand, lime and special components is subjected to dry pressing with a gradual increase in temperature.

The standard color for this option is white, but by adding color it is possible to obtain a more diverse decorative component.

IN Lately diversity and the lineup silicate blocks have grown significantly

Advantages of the material:

Frost resistance. The product can withstand many cycles of freezing and defrosting.
Safety. The composition and manufacturing method do not affect environmental friendliness, so the products do not have a negative impact on health.
Availability. This is the most cheap option from existing ones.
Acceptable strength. The resulting surface can withstand various weather influences if installed correctly.

The following disadvantages cannot be ignored:

Considerable weight. Because of this, the load on the foundation increases, therefore, in order to cover the surface with a silicate variety, the structure must be carefully strengthened.
Low visual content. The coating lacks texture, and even tinting does not give the desired effect.
Thermal conductivity. This indicator for this option is high, so in difficult climatic conditions additional insulation is necessary.

Silicate finishing can be spectacular, but the brick itself is cold and heavy

On a note! Silicate decorative brick suitable for front finishing only if the base is made of a more reliable material, otherwise it will quickly become unusable.

Ceramic brick

This option is the main competitor of the previous one, so the question very often arises which brick is better: silicate or ceramic. Of course, the production of ceramics is a more complex process; the difficulty lies in choosing the right raw materials. Only high-quality clay with minor admixtures of other substances is used for work. Since the shade of the material is often red, the final product has exactly this color, although other varieties are also found. If necessary raw material can be tinted.

Ceramic blocks have the widest range of figured elements

The manufacturing technology is that the mass is molded and then sent to a well-heated oven. The final quality of the product depends on the correct preparation of the composition and its firing.

The material should have a rich red color with a brownish tint, and with a slight impact a characteristic ringing sound should be heard. It is worth considering that even minimal process violations lead to defects. Such deficiencies can be identified by appearance. If the parts have burnt areas, then they were kept at too long high temperatures oh, they will be fragile. At low temperatures and insufficient firing time, the fragments turn out faded, have high moisture absorption, and there is no ringing sound when struck.

Classic ceramics have good thermal insulation and can maintain their original appearance for decades

This decorative brick has advantages:

Appearance. Ceramic material includes varieties that differ in color, size and shape. This provides scope for implementing design solutions.
Durability. The service life of a surface made from such products is tens of years.
Heat and sound insulation. The products protect the house well from heat loss, cold penetration and extraneous noise.

The only significant drawback may be a violation of production technology. Therefore, when purchasing products, it is necessary to pay great attention to this factor.

If facing bricks are sold too cheaply, then there is a high probability of buying a fake, which will crack and crumble after a couple of seasons.

Hyperpressed brick

This decorative brick has a surface closest to natural stone. For production, a fraction of natural materials, shell rock, cement and mineral pigments are used. The mixture is pressed and exposed to high temperatures.

Hyperpressed blocks are close in their characteristics to good granite, but the material is heavy and quite expensive

Hyper-pressed facade facing bricks have a large number of advantages. Strength and durability stand out among the main ones; the coating can withstand many cycles of temperature changes. But due to the heavy weight and high price, the products are not widespread.

Clinker type

This finishing material is a bit like ceramic option, but for its production a more refractory type of clay is used, and firing occurs at very high temperatures. Due to this, the parts acquire excellent protective and decorative qualities. But this also affects the final cost: it becomes too high. Therefore, exterior finishing is often done using brick-like tiles, which are much easier and cheaper to cover the surface with.

Clinker finishing is an elite type and, according to most experts, is the highest quality and most durable

Which is better?

When choosing facing bricks for the facade, you should remember that the main competitors are silicate and ceramic types. Both options are quite popular, but the second one stands out the most. This is explained by its advantages:

Technical specifications. The material has high strength and low moisture absorption. It can withstand more than 130 cycles of defrosting and freezing; a lined house becomes durable.
Thermal insulation characteristics. Ceramics not only retains heat and keeps out cold, but also helps create a comfortable microclimate inside the building.
Highly decorative. There are many varieties available that differ in color, shape and texture.

Choosing between silicate and ceramic cladding it is better to give preference to good ceramics

Sand-lime brick has only one advantage over ceramic brick - more low price. If the budget is limited, this will The best decision. And the desired visual effect can be achieved by painting the surface.

The construction of a private house is accompanied by the desire to combine the comfort and practicality of housing with a presentable appearance. The facade of any building is its face, which is looked at every day by the owners of the house, their guests and random passers-by. Therefore, it is important to carefully approach the issue of finishing the building, because the wrong material a short time may become unusable or lose its attractive appearance.

Popular option finishing material is a facing brick, which is also called front or facade. It is often preferred in the construction of facilities of any level - from residential buildings to large cultural complexes of regional importance. On the market building materials There are many types of facing bricks, but which one should you choose? This is discussed in our article.

Facing brick vs ordinary brick, silicate brick vs ceramic

When choosing bricks for construction, the question often arises which of the presented types is better. But this formulation of the question is not entirely correct. There are many varieties of this building material, and each of them is different individual qualities and purpose.

On a note!
In Russia, the norms and technical rules for the manufacture of ceramic bricks are standardized by GOST 530-2012, which identifies separate categories of material depending on its performance properties. The document also stipulates minimum requirements requirements for strength, appearance and quality characteristics products.

For construction interior walls and partitions, as well as the external walls of the building, ordinary brick is used. Such a product, according to interstate and national standards provides performance characteristics brickwork. At the same time, unlike facing brick, the issue of external attractiveness of the material fades into the background.

Ordinary brick is not used for cladding the facade of buildings or its elements, since cracks and chips are often found on its surface. For ordinary bricks, appearance is not important. And the requirements in GOST 530 2012 for appearance are much lower. Therefore, when constructing masonry from such a material, the surface needs to be subsequently treated with plaster or decorative mixtures. Similarly, facing brick, as a rule, is not used for the construction of structural elements: in any case, the construction of a frame is necessary, and only after that the external finishing is carried out.

When producing facing bricks, chips longer than 1.5 cm and cracks are not allowed. In addition, such products may have a color tint or undergo additional texture processing. Therefore, they have a wide range of applications: cladding buildings, construction of fences, fireplaces, individual buildings. Therefore, the cost of facing bricks depends on the color and other appearance parameters.

Performance characteristics of bricks

Despite the large differences in terms of aesthetic appeal, facing bricks and ordinary bricks have common performance characteristics.

Strength . It lies in the ability of the product to withstand external loads without subsequent destruction. The strength indicator is expressed in the numerical part of the brick brand: for example, a product of the M100 brand is capable of withstanding a load of 100 kg per 1 cm 2.
Moisture absorption . It is expressed in the difference in the mass of dry and wet bricks, which is important to ensure the strength of the structure. For example, for use in environments with aggressive weather conditions, face clinker bricks are used, the moisture absorption rate of which should not exceed 6%. For other products, moisture absorption above 6% is allowed: for facing - 8–10%, for ordinary - 12–14%, for interior works- 16%. The water absorption level of ceramic bricks can range from 6–14%. The indicator is determined when the products are saturated in water at a temperature of 15–25°C at atmospheric pressure or under vacuum, as well as in boiling water according to GOST 7025-91. Ceramic and silicate bricks and stones. Methods for determining water absorption, density and frost resistance control.”
Emptiness. Taking into account this indicator, all products are divided into hollow and solid, depending on the presence of internal voids. Each type has different operational properties and range of applications. Hollow facing brick is lighter, retains heat better, but is less durable. Therefore, it is used for cladding to protect the building from cold and wind. For the construction of external walls, solid ordinary brick is used, which is highly durable but less heat-intensive. When producing solid facing bricks, more raw materials are consumed, so its price is much higher.
Frost resistance. This indicator is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the brick during freezing and thawing. If the frost resistance of facing bricks is low, its price per m2 will be lower, but after several cycles of temperature changes it will begin to collapse, peel off or lose color. The frost resistance indicator is directly related to the product’s ability to absorb water.

On a note!
Frost resistance in technical documentation is indicated by the letter F and a numerical indicator. It indicates the number of freezing and thawing cycles that the product can withstand. For Russian-made facing bricks, the indicator must be at least F50, but by agreement with the customer it can be reduced to F35.

Fire resistance. This indicator affects the temperature the facing brick can withstand. This characteristic is especially important when finishing fireplaces and chimneys. Silicate facing brick (sand-lime) can withstand temperatures of 300–600°C, for red ceramic products (made from clay) this figure is higher - 800–1200°C, for refractory bricks (fireclay and quartz) - 1300°C, for industrial refractory (lime-magnesium and carbon graphite-coke) - 2000°C.

Types of facing bricks

In turn, facing bricks are divided into types depending on the raw materials and production technology. The set of operational characteristics of each option is different; this must be taken into account when deciding which facing brick to choose for specific tasks. Typically, facing bricks are made in three sizes (formats):

Euro (0.7 NF) - 250×85×65 mm;
single facing brick (1NF) - 250×120×65 mm;
one-and-a-half, or thickened, facing brick (1.4 NF) - 250 × 120 × 88 mm;

For finishing works can be used ceramic and sand-lime brick.

Facial ceramic brick

It is made from clay purified from salts and impurities by shaping, drying and subsequent firing. The last stage of the production of ceramic facing bricks affects the quality of the product: when overburned, it acquires a black tint, and when underburned, on the contrary, it becomes light; in both cases, the strength properties are reduced.

Ceramic facing bricks are superior to others in their performance characteristics. Weighing 1.7–3.1 kg, depending on which size of facing brick is chosen, it can withstand 100 freezing cycles and provide 8–9% water absorption. The disadvantage is the price of facing bricks, which is higher than other varieties.

Sand-lime brick

Such products are made from a mixture of quartz sand and lime by autoclave synthesis, so they are not processed by firing. The main advantage of silicate facing bricks is their low price. At the same time, its service life, frost resistance and water absorption are significantly lower than that of ceramic. In addition, there is no way to give the brick a smooth shape or include decorative elements. Therefore, it cannot be considered the best facing brick for building a house.

Due to the production technology without firing, sand-lime brick cannot withstand prolonged exposure to moisture and high temperatures. Therefore, popularity among the population is due only to the cost of silicate facing bricks.

Alternatives in façade finishing: does the stingy pay twice?

If we compare which facing brick is better, ceramic products win in terms of performance and aesthetic characteristics. Even though the cost square meter This type of facing brick is higher than silicate brick; in terms of the price/quality/durability ratio, it is the best option (see Table 1).

Table 1. Characteristics of ceramic bricks

There are also alternative materials for facade finishing on the construction market, which are also popular among the population. To understand what to give preference to and not overpay in the future for unforeseen repairs, let’s compare each material to brick.

Hinged ventilated facade

Represents metal carcass, on which the facing element is fixed: panels, siding, artificial stone. To retain heat, a layer of insulation is laid between the wall of the house and the cladding. This material is highly durable, can be installed in any weather, and broken elements can be replaced.

Despite the difference in price, the service life of facing bricks for facades is longer (over 100 years versus 30). In addition, the brick finish is not subject to deformation and does not require additional processing and application of protective agents.

Wet plaster

Among the advantages of this material are the ability to choose the color you like, ease of application and versatility for buildings of any complexity. In addition, the cost of facing bricks per m2 is higher than wet plaster and insulation for a similar amount of work. But the service life of such finishing material is about 30 years, which is very short in comparison with a brick facade.

If the technology for applying wet plaster is violated or not processed in a timely manner protective equipment from aggressive weather conditions, moisture and fungal infections, the material may become deformed. After this, you will have to apply a new layer to the entire facade, since a partial repair will show a difference in color.

Clinker brick

It is made from special types of clay, which ensures high performance characteristics. The addition of minerals from the silicate group to the mixture is responsible for the spectacular appearance and strength of the products. The production of such facing bricks is practically no different from its ceramic counterpart.

Advantages of clinker bricks:

resistance to aggressive weather conditions;
long service life;
does not require cleaning or special care;
high water resistance;
resistance to mechanical damage.

Disadvantages include differences in the color of bricks even from the same batch, as well as high thermal conductivity, which creates the need to additionally use insulation. But the high price of clinker facing bricks in comparison with its ceramic counterpart makes it not the most attractive option for use in facade finishing.

A natural stone

The material has an impressive appearance, high strength and service life. The building materials market offers a wide variety natural stone for cladding. It is often used for finishing individual elements surfaces, for example, simultaneously with white facing brick or plaster.

In terms of performance properties, natural stone is comparable to ceramic brick, but its price is much higher, and the material itself is heavier. Therefore, the main argument in choosing between these two materials is the low price of facing bricks.

Attempts to save on building decoration can result in even greater costs associated with constant repairs and restoration of the appearance of the facade. In addition, not every material can boast of high performance characteristics. For many, natural stone still remains an attractive option, but its high cost and heavy weight often stop buyers.

How to choose facing bricks for your home?

The best facing brick is the one that will last a long time and provide comfortable conditions for living and will be inexpensive. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the characteristics of the product, taking into account weather conditions and terrain features. In case of high seismological activity, it is better to choose a durable brick, and for areas with sudden temperature changes, it is better to choose a product with high frost resistance.

To save on facade finishing, it makes sense to purchase facing bricks from the manufacturer through official distributors, the price of which will almost always be lower than that of dubious intermediaries. In addition, this way you will receive an additional guarantee that they will not try to sell you “fake rejection”, “substandard”, or products that obviously do not comply with GOSTs.

Failure to comply with production technology at least at one stage becomes the reason for the product’s non-compliance with GOST requirements. On the scale of an entire batch, such a mistake will cause great losses. Therefore, reputable manufacturers who care about their reputation exercise strict control over the production process at all stages. National and interstate standards contain quite stringent requirements; accordingly, products manufactured in accordance with GOST standards are preferable to those manufactured in accordance with specifications and sometimes in fact are “rough” material.

Each batch of bricks must have a passport, which contains information about the product’s compliance with the requirements of regulatory and technical documents. However, it is known that construction markets, in “garage cooperatives” and roadside warehouses, small sellers often present false passports and sanitary and hygienic certificates, written out, as they say, “on the knee”, where, among other things, instead of the word “facing” the word “facade” may appear, for example. .

Although brick is not subject to mandatory certification, self-respecting manufacturers undergo it on a voluntary basis, so inquire about the availability of certificates of conformity.

Many people are interested in the question of what color of facing brick to choose for finishing a house. More recently, yellow facing bricks were popular, the cost of which is higher than products of other colors. But times change, and what was once fashionable is becoming a thing of the past. Therefore, in order for the facade to always have a presentable appearance, preference should be given to classic version- red facing brick and its shades. This color will never go out of style and will look like new.

So, the external decoration of the facade is one of the most important tasks when building a house. It's not even about aesthetic beauty and the ability to stand out from the crowd. Correctly selected facing material will provide a comfortable environment in the house, and also protect the walls from the negative effects of weather conditions. Therefore, even at the design stage, you should decide on the finishing material. And it is important not to make a mistake, so that an attempt to save does not turn into even greater expenses.

Where can I buy facing bricks from the manufacturer?

About where to buy facing bricks good quality, we talked with Igor Kabanov, general director BRAER company:

“We are often asked which facing brick is best to buy. It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally, since many factors must be taken into account: construction climatology data, terrain features, characteristics of the facility under construction and the buyer’s budget. We recommend, first of all, to take care of the quality of building materials and not strive for false economy, making a choice in favor of frankly budget finishing options.

The BRAER company produces facing bricks using individual production technology. This approach allows you to preserve the rich and lasting color for a long time, as well as provide excellent geometry. finished products. We carry out strict product control at every stage of production, so the release of a defective batch is excluded. In addition, we use modern technology Applying texture to the front surface of the brick allows our clients to create an individual façade style.

Editorial opinion

Building a house is an expensive business, and it is not always possible to find the necessary budget for the purchase of expensive materials. Therefore, when finishing a facade, it is recommended to determine its cost not only per square meter, but also per year of operation. To do this, you will need to divide the cost per square meter of material, taking into account logistics and construction work, by the number of years of the declared service life. In this case, comparison of profitability indicators, or cost of ownership, for various products and materials will be more correct and will allow you to make an informed choice.

Brick can be used for construction and facing. Why should you use it for cladding? special type bricks? Because he's playing important role in construction - it gives the building a beautiful, finished look, and also additionally protects the house from weather influences, retaining heat.

Facing brick, unlike building brick, has a beautiful appearance, a wide variety of colors and textures, which allows you to give the building a unique design. The building materials market offers a wide variety of cladding materials. We invite you to get acquainted with the best options.

Ceramic brick - the best in terms of price/quality ratio

Made from high-quality clay by molding and firing in special ovens. Most often, such brick has a characteristic red-brown color, but there are other shades and textures. For example, as the name implies, it is formed by hand, due to which it acquires a unique shape and can imitate aged brick. That's why it is so valued by designers.

● environmental Safety;
● good heat and sound insulation;
● wide range of strength grades - from M125 to M800;
● more affordable price compared to, say, clinker bricks.

● lower frost resistance compared to clinker - 50 cycles. However, treatment with water repellent agents will significantly increase the service life of such bricks.

There are practically no downsides to this material; the main thing is to give preference to products from trusted manufacturers. This the best option in terms of price-quality ratio.

Do you want a great façade? Choose clinker brick

Clinker is made from special refractory, carefully selected types of clay. The production technology, verified to the smallest detail, allows us to create very durable, low-temperature resistant, heat-resistant bricks. If we compare it with sand-lime brick, which collapses under the influence of fire after just two hours, clinker will retain its strength two or even three times longer.

● excellent aesthetic characteristics;
● average strength - M350;
● high frost resistance - 150 cycles;
● low water absorption 2-5%
● environmental friendliness.

● high cost.

Perfectly suitable for cladding both residential buildings and office buildings. Without exaggeration, we can say that clinker brick is the most beautiful facing material. The variety of its color palette and textures is highly valued by designers. If you are not limited by your budget and you are willing to pay for the best, choose clinker brick - it will delight you for many years with its constant beauty and durability.

Hyperpressed brick - an original and reliable facade

Its texture resembles artificial stone, and it is made from limestone, marble, shell rock using iron oxides and other components to give it different shades.

● frost resistance - up to 150 cycles;
● low moisture absorption;
● high strength (150-300 kg per 1 sq. cm);
● strength of masonry (outperforms ceramic brick in this indicator).

● high cost;
● heavy weight;
● high thermal conductivity.

In terms of its characteristics, this material is not much inferior to clinker, but in general it is somewhat cheaper. Therefore, if you want to create a textured facade, but at the same time save a little, choose hyper-pressed brick.

Brick House brick - beauty and amazing simplicity of masonry

It combines impeccable appearance, strength and, at the same time, ease of installation. Its main feature is the possibility of dry laying. This possibility is ensured by the presence of special chamfers that imitate seams.

● lightness - it is a hollow brick that can be filled with insulation;
● strength M150;
● frost resistance - 200 cycles;
● no need for additional thermal insulation.

● cost.

Brick House brick has the appearance of polished marble, giving the building a clean, sophisticated appearance. Due to the simplicity of masonry, even a non-professional can lay out a flat wall with such material. If you want to clad your house with your own hands, Brick House brick is the best choice.

Sand-lime brick - a simple and affordable material

Sand-lime brick is very often used in the construction of residential buildings and summer cottages in our latitudes. It has a simple appearance, most often White color, and deserved its popularity, first of all, due to its affordable price.

● environmental friendliness;
● low cost;
● good frost resistance and strength.

● heavy weight;
● fragility;
● high thermal conductivity;
● low moisture resistance.

Although sand-lime brick has more disadvantages than advantages, this material should not be discounted, especially if the budget is very limited. If you are looking for which brick is best for lining a garage, fence, or outbuildings, this material will be the best for the price. In addition, even an amateur can do masonry with it.

What to look for when choosing facing bricks?

To choose the right facing brick, first of all, you need to decide on the construction budget, and then, within your budget, choose the most best option brick, given it:

1) aesthetic characteristics. The most beautiful masonry is created by clinker, hyper-pressed brick. For technical buildings, you can choose simpler and cheaper ceramic or silicate bricks;

2) strength grade. It is not always advisable to buy the most durable material - consider the characteristics of your building. So brands M75 - M125 are well suited for the construction of private houses up to 3 floors, M150 - for foundations country houses and walls apartment buildings. Higher grades are used for the construction of foundations of apartment buildings;

3) frost resistance - for Ukrainian winters an indicator of 50 cycles is more than enough;

4) brick filling - it can be solid or hollow. Solid bricks are more durable, but also heavier and more expensive. They are best suited for building a foundation, but also require additional thermal insulation. Hollow ones have holes or chambers inside, thanks to which they provide good thermal insulation. This is an ideal option for cladding facades.

We hope our tips will help you make an informed choice. Let your home reliably protect you and delight you with its beautiful appearance!

The question of how to choose a facing brick is simple only at first glance. This is due to the fact that in addition to appearance (and this parameter, naturally, is the key one), there are many factors that determine the suitability of a finishing material for use in a given situation. In our article we will try to analyze these factors in as much detail as possible so that you can approach the issue of selection and acquisition decorative stone maximally informed.

Brick requirements

Before you start reviewing the main parameters, you need to decide - what should it be?

Today we can formulate a list of several requirements:

First of all, the material simply must have an attractive appearance. Exterior finishing is done to improve the aesthetic characteristics of the house, and therefore the blocks should be quite beautiful.

The requirement for color fastness is a direct consequence of the previous one, since it is resistance to weathering and ultraviolet radiation that determines how the house will look a few years after finishing.
Low water absorption of the material is also very important. Thanks to this, dampness does not penetrate into the thickness of the wall, and in a room decorated with such bricks, normal level humidity.

We will talk in more detail about the compliance of facing bricks with these and other requirements in the relevant sections.

Product range

Main types of material

The choice of facing brick usually begins with determining its type. Basically, exterior finishing buildings can be carried out using almost any brand of building material, but, nevertheless, some varieties are better suited for this task than others.

According to production method facing blocks are divided into:

Roasting. This category includes ceramic and clinker bricks. The raw material for their production is clay, which is subjected to heat treatment to give building block strength and resistance to various influences external factors(humidification, ultraviolet radiation, chemical substances etc.).
Ceramics and clinker Most often they are produced without the addition of artificial pigments, therefore their color range is limited to the various shades of the clay used.

Unfired. The unfired category includes pressed, hyperpressed and silicate bricks.
Pressed and hyper-pressed facial blocks contain Portland cement. This component when exposed to high pressure ensures the connection of limestone raw materials into a single monolith. The resulting block can be used without additional heat treatment.

Silicate building bricks are more often used for the construction of structures themselves, rather than for their external decoration. And yet, some brands of silicate blocks, which are made from a mixture of lime with carefully sifted quartz sand, can be used as cladding.

As for cost, non-fired models are definitely more affordable. It costs more, and may not be affordable for everyone. And yet, if possible, then it is worth focusing on the last two options, since if the rules of installation and proper care are followed, baked clay can maintain its appearance for decades.

Strength and frost resistance

If we talk exclusively about functional indicators, then two parameters are critical for cladding - mechanical strength and resistance to low temperatures:

The strength of the facing brick primarily provides the wall with resistance to mechanical stress, and also reduces the risk of cracks and deformation of the masonry under its own weight. The strength grade is indicated using an index in which the number shows the permissible load in kilograms per square centimeter of surface.

For example, if we mention double sand-lime brick M 150, this means that its strength is 150 kg/cm 2.
is determined by the number of freezing-thaw cycles that a brick can withstand without signs of destruction, and is designated by the index F (Frost). Thus, F50 brick can withstand at least 50 such cycles without losing its characteristics.

Note! Frost resistance of finishing is important not so much in cold latitudes as in the temperate climate zone. Exactly at middle lane Winter is characterized by multiple changes in temperature, which leads to rapid failure of cladding with insufficient frost resistance.

Shape and surface type

The configuration and features of the front surface of the decorative masonry is another parameter that needs to be taken into account. And if the functional difference between the silicate block and hyperpressed decorative panel Only expert masons can know, but you can easily decide on the appearance yourself.

As for the shape, everything is quite simple: the brick can be either rectangular or shaped. Rectangular models used for both wall laying and cladding large planes, and shaped (with beveled or rounded edges) are used for finishing decorative elements. Most often, these parts are included in the design of arches, parapets, window sills, etc.

The surface of the material can also be different:

Smooth- the most common type. This variety is one of the most affordable, because its low price is determined by the ease of production. At the same time, you should not assume that “cheap” means “ugly”: a wall decorated with small bricks with a smooth front side looks quite presentable. The main thing is to choose the masonry pattern and arrange the seams correctly.

Advice! For smooth brick masonry, experts recommend using a contrasting compound for grouting joints, otherwise the wall relief will be lost.

Textured the surface gives the masonry the appearance of natural stone, wood, marble, etc. The texture of the brick is laid down at the molding stage, and during the hardening process (temperature or hydraulic) it is only fixed. Textured masonry can be used both for cladding planes and for decorating individual elements - plinths, corners, slopes of windows and doors, etc.
Glazed. To give the block a glossy shine after firing, a special glaze is applied to it, and then the product is fired again, but at a lower temperature. Only ceramic and clinker varieties of stone are subject to glazing, since hyper-pressed models cannot withstand the temperatures required for baking the glaze.

Note! The glaze layer gives the masonry frost resistance and allows it to withstand up to 100 freeze-thaw cycles without signs of degradation.

Engobed. This type of surface is typical for the most expensive models, which are used in finishing design projects. When engobing, apply to the dried workpiece decorative composition, which is then fired. When fired, the mixture polymerizes, giving the surface a matte texture.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of options. And if you take into account that each of them is available in many color variations, then it becomes even more difficult to decide. That's why, before choosing a brick to build a house, you should have it in your hands finished project. Thanks to this, you will be able to get an idea of what the building will look like, which means you will make a choice not at random, but guided by clear appearance criteria.

So, we have become familiar with the main characteristics of the material. But how can you choose a specific batch so that the brick lasts as long as possible, and laying it with your own hands goes without any unpleasant surprises?

Below is a kind of instruction that will help you significantly reduce the risks when purchasing bricks:

Perforation. Majority facing grades(both fired and unfired) are made hollow. To save solution without damage thermal insulation characteristics it is worth choosing varieties with the maximum volume of internal voids and minimum size one hole. That is, many small cavities are better, several large ones.

Pressed models are produced with a very smooth “bed” - the widest plane. To ensure effective adhesion of the block and mortar, choose a brick from a “young batch”. This is due to the fact that immediately after production, unreacted Portland cement remains in the material, which plays the role of a good binder.
To ensure uniform coloring of the entire coated surface, material should be purchased from the same batch. Otherwise, the facade may end up “spotty”, since during production it is almost impossible to avoid minor changes in the pigment concentration.

Advice! Almost any material fades under the sun during the first year of use. Take this into account and when deciding which brick to choose, give preference to brands that are half a tone or a tone darker than originally intended.

To check how the cladding behaves over time, you can take one block from a test batch and boil it in tap water until it evaporates completely. If the stains remain and are not removed with a damp cloth, the same will happen to the walls of your house in a couple of years.

Check the geometry of several pieces of material taken from the batch at random. For cladding, it is very important that both the shape and dimensions of the bricks match as much as possible. If there are deviations greater than those allowed by GOST (4.5 mm in length, 3.3 mm in width, 2.3 mm in thickness), the purchase should be abandoned.

It is also worth carefully examining the surface of the products and the condition of their edges. There should be no white spots on the planes that indicate the presence of lime, and the edges should be smooth, straight and without chips. Some manufacturers make face blocks with a chamfer, which not only protects the ribs from damage, but also gives the masonry a more attractive appearance.

Perimeter chamfer – protection against chipping

Conclusion

When deciding which facing brick to choose, you should not limit your criteria only to the type of material, shape or surface texture. A complex approach, taking into account the maximum number of parameters and strict selection of the purchased batch are the key to ensuring that the decoration of the house will be beautiful and durable. In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic.