Which brick is better for building a house. Lightweight fireclay brick - features of the material and its scope Lightweight facing brick

The debate about which material is best suited for building a house can be considered finished. Everyone was reconciled by the facing brick, which pleases the developer with high strength, a variety of color palettes, shapes and textures.

The inner part of the load-bearing wall can be folded "from anything": ordinary clay or silicate bricks, arbolite or shell blocks, foam or aerated concrete. In any case, the appearance of the facade will be ideal if facing bricks are laid in the outer verst of the masonry. The gap between it and the main wall is filled with effective insulation. So it turns out a three-layer constructive "pie" that does not require additional external finishing.

Agreeing with the arguments of the builders, the customer has to make a difficult choice: which facing brick for the facade is better to buy. We will help clarify this issue, and introduce you to the varieties of this finishing material.

Facing brick classification

The gradation of the facade cladding is determined by the technology of its manufacture.

There are four categories of facing bricks:

1. Ceramic.
2. Clinker.
3. Hyperpressed (concrete).
4. Silicate.

Brick in each of the listed categories is available in two versions: solid and hollow. The weight of a hollow brick is on average 25-35% less, and its resistance to heat loss is approximately 10-15% higher.

Ceramic facing brick

It is produced by firing a raw mixture consisting of red low-melting clay, organic and mineral additives that regulate plasticity. In this capacity, coal dust, slag, fireclay, sawdust, ash and quartz sand are used. The initial mixture sequentially goes through the processes of molding, drying and firing. The main difference between the front ceramic brick and the ordinary one is the careful preparation of the components before molding. Therefore, it does not contain foreign inclusions and cracks.

The material obtained at the outlet of the firing chamber is resistant to moisture, high strength and good energy-saving properties. Types and colors of ceramic facing bricks are diverse.

On sale you can find not only ordinary, but also shaped material (for laying complex architectural elements). To expand the color gamut, manufacturers use mineral dyes (chromium oxide, finely ground iron or manganese ore), adding them to the composition of the feedstock.

Decorating the surface of ceramic bricks is performed in several ways. In addition to the smooth matte and glossy surface, finishes are available that give this material a resemblance to wild stone.

Clinker brick

The closest "relative" of ceramic bricks. The main difference between them lies in the feedstock and firing temperature. For the production of clinker, medium and refractory clays are used. Accordingly, they are fired at a higher temperature. The result is a very dense and durable face brick with minimal water absorption. These qualities make it possible to use it not only in facade decoration, but also for facing the basement of the foundation, building fences and paving paths.

The thermal conductivity of clinker stone is higher than that of ceramic stone. This disadvantage is compensated by its high resistance to cracking at low temperatures.

The color palette and texture of clinker stone are extremely diverse, since each manufacturer offers customers their own collections. The size range of this cladding can also not be called boring. In addition to the standard single version 250x120x65 mm, you can buy a brick of reduced thickness and height, as well as a long clinker (528x108x37 mm).

Hyper pressed brick

Clay firing is an energy-intensive process and not very cost-effective. Therefore, many manufacturers are switching to pressed non-fired bricks. Its basis is granite screenings, water and cement. At its core, it is ultra-dense concrete, which was shaped like a masonry brick.

The main requirement for facade decoration is weather resistance. According to this indicator, hyper-pressed brick is perfect for finishing exterior walls.

In terms of strength and other quality characteristics, it is practically not inferior to clinker. Thanks to the textured surface (under the rock, torn stone) and the use of persistent dyes, this material looks great in masonry.

Finishing the facade with hyper-pressed brick looks elegant, solid and reliable.

silicate brick

Belongs to the category of non-firing materials. It differs from hyperpressed brick in its raw material composition. It does not contain cement. High mechanical strength is achieved here by hardening a mixture of silicate sand and slaked lime in an autoclave (high temperature and pressure).

Nowadays, silicate facade brick as a facing material is losing its former popularity. In the struggle for the buyer, manufacturers have developed several color options for the silicate mixture. Unfortunately, they all look rather pale and cannot compete with the rich colors of ceramics and clinker.

In the cladding of the building, this material behaves well. Compared to clinker bricks, it absorbs moisture more strongly, but at the same time, it is better than ceramics to withstand repeated soaking, freezing and thawing.

You can choose a facade brick that matches the color, texture and, of course, the price without leaving your home. To do this, just go to the website of a reliable supplier and choose a quality facing brick for your taste and budget. If necessary, you can order a consultation of a specialist by phone and finally make a choice.

Figured (shaped) brick

Today, no one is satisfied with the straight lines of the facade, so each type of face brick is complemented by a wide range of shaped elements. Using them, you can lay out complex architectural elements without time-consuming tees and cutting, dressing up the house in a beautiful “stone lace”.

Popular colors, textures and shapes

A brick building should look brick, sorry for the tautology. Therefore, the peak of the popularity of consumer demand falls on the colors and shades characteristic of baked clay.

It is not difficult to diversify the flat surface of firing bricks (ceramic and clinker). To do this, it is enough to apply a textured pattern to the raw clay and send it to “fix” in the oven.

Some color and texture options for clinker and ceramic bricks

In addition to "wet embossing", manufacturers use the following decorating technologies:

• gunning (application of mineral chips);
• engobing (a composition is applied that forms a vitreous film during firing);
• glazing (similar to engobing, but the front surface of the brick is treated with a composition that creates a thicker and more durable “crust” when melted).

Masonry section made of shotcrete bricks

The engobed coating attracts attention with smooth color transitions. They are obtained by applying a decorative layer not to the entire brick, but to its individual sections.

Glazed bricks are excellent not only for facade masonry, but also for laying stoves and decorating indoor walls.

It is advantageous to use shotcrete, engobe and glazed bricks as accents in facade decoration (corners, corbels, window frames). This technique brings a pleasant variety to the monotonous row of facial masonry.

Dimensions of facing bricks and approximate prices for 1 piece

The dimensions of the facing brick are established by GOST. The table shows the standard dimensions of this material.

Table #1

In addition to domestic GOST, the European standard operates on the market. He divides finishing blocks into two additional categories:

• NF - normal format dimensions 240x115x71 mm.
• DF - thin 240x115x52 mm (corresponds to architectural classics).

When buying, you should choose the material of only one standard (domestic or "euro"). Otherwise, the dressing of the seams will be broken and there will be problems with styling.

An example of a non-standard brick for facing 0.5 NF (250x60x65 mm)

Deciding for yourself which facing brick is better, you have to take into account the price factor. By tradition, prices for foreign products significantly exceed the cost of domestic building materials. The price increase is primarily played by the characteristics of the brick (size, strength, frost resistance), its decorative qualities and, of course, the prestige of the brand.

The cost of facing hollow ceramic bricks of a standard format (250x120x65 mm) is in the range from 12 to 20 rubles per 1 piece. For one and a half ceramic bricks, sellers ask from 20 to 28 rubles.

Clinker brick with a size of 250x85x65 mm (0.7 NF) with a smooth surface costs no less than 29 rubles per piece. For the same material, but with a textured edge, you will have to pay at least 34 rubles.

The price of a smooth hyper-pressed brick of a standard size starts at 23 rubles per 1 piece. You will have to pay a little more for textured material - 25-30 rubles / piece.

For one colored silicate brick (250x120x88 mm) with a smooth surface, sellers ask an average of 15 rubles. For a material with an embossed texture, you will have to pay 24-26 rubles.

The difference in prices for a domestic and imported product is impressive, the cost of some types of foreign blocks from the category of "elite" can reach 100-130 rubles. a piece.

An important issue that has to be addressed when buying is how many facing bricks are in 1m2 of masonry. You can easily decide on your order if you use our table.

Table number 2. The number of bricks for facing 1 m2 of the facade (thickness 0.5 bricks)

The material for most types of bricks is clay. Clay is kneaded to the desired consistency, various additives and additives are added, the required amount of water is molded, dried at a temperature of 200 degrees until completely dry, and subsequently the brick undergoes final firing already at higher temperatures (sintered to a ceramic state). Without firing, raw brick is nothing - just a piece of dried clay.

There are varieties of bricks that are not made of clay, for example, silicate. There is no clay in the hyper-pressed brick either. It is, in fact, a stone.

The main types of bricks:

1. Building bricks.

Plain fired clay ceramic red brick. As a rule, it is single, one and a half, double in size. And in terms of filling - full-bodied and slit. The surface of the brick is usually rough or ribbed for better grip in the masonry. Solid brick is the most expensive, as it takes more material.

2. Brick facing.

Already by the name it is clear for what purpose it is intended. It is applied to facing of external surfaces of buildings thanks to good operational properties. Mainly due to frost resistance, moisture resistance and wear resistance, it is used for facing purposes.

In addition, it is used for the construction of heavy fences, foundations, walls, restoration work.

The surface of the brick is perfectly smooth with even edges and edges. Not subject to fading. Due to the different firing times and temperatures, the shade of the facing brick can be set. The color can also be changed by adding additional dye, which greatly expands the range of color shades. Perhaps one of the most expensive types of bricks.

3. Silicate brick.

The cheapest type of brick. This is due to a fundamentally different brick manufacturing technology (without firing). Silicate brick is made from quartz sand (about 93%) and lime (about 7%). Brick setting is carried out by a chemical reaction of lime slaking. To speed up the process, an autoclave is used, where the products are steamed at a temperature of about 200 degrees under pressure.

It happens ordinary (for laying load-bearing walls) and front (for exterior cladding).

Silicate brick does not "like" exposure to high temperatures (over 500 degrees Celsius) and chemical influences. Therefore, it is not used in oven masonry, as well as for basements, where contact with water (and chemicals dissolved in it, especially acids) is possible. In addition, due to the high thermal conductivity, they try not to use it in the monolithic masonry of external walls, but are used only for cladding and masonry of internal walls.

Frost resistance can vary widely from F 15 - F 50, which is not very much.

The strength is high: from M 75 to M 300. Therefore, buildings made of sand-lime bricks are not limited in number of storeys.

Density from 1300 to 1900 kg/m 3 .

For cladding, rusticated silicate brick with an artificial uneven surface is very good.

As a rule, it happens single, one and a half. Full bodied. Masonry smooth, facing smooth, facing rusticated. The color can be from white to black (and in general - any color). Without dyes - white.

4. Hyper pressed brick.

By and large, this is not a brick, but a concrete stone block, as it contains clay. Contains 85% limestone, 10% cement, 5% dye. It has a very long freezing cycle - 150. It has low moisture absorption - up to 6%, increased strength. Ideal for facing plinths, facades of buildings, decorative finishes, facing fireplaces. The finish looks very presentable. Expensive type of brick.

5. Clinker brick.

Clinker bricks are made from special refractory clay at temperatures above 1100 degrees Celsius. From the total mass of the brick at this temperature, all voids and crevices disappear. The brick becomes, as it were, burnt and monolithic. It may be specially grooved. The color of this brick can be, as it were, a gradient - the color changes from red to dark gray burnt within one brick.

Brick is used for lining stoves and fireplaces. It has a large number of freezing cycles - about 100. It is also used for laying outdoor chimneys, outdoor stoves, barbecues, sidewalks.

As a rule, it happens one and a half and double. The most expensive type of brick.

6. Kiln brick.

This brick is not used for building purposes. It happens fireclay refractory and furnace smooth.

Chamotte brick. The heat resistance of this brick is about 1700 degrees Celsius. It is used for the installation of stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, autoclaves, gas boiler furnaces and similar high-temperature structures. It is made from grinding refractory clay and fireclay powder by sintering. It has a characteristic granular structure. It is molded in any shape, you can even lay out a round oven and for this there is a special circular-shaped brick.

Furnace brick - used for laying stoves and fireplaces, walls in direct contact with fire. Withstands lower temperatures than fireclay, but for ordinary stoves and fireplaces - just right.

7. Porous brick.

Perhaps the most promising type of brick. It just looks like it's expensive. Yes, one such brick costs from 107 to 205 rubles apiece. However, there are only 35-48 such bricks per cubic meter. As a result, a cubic meter of such a stone will cost the same amount as a cubic meter of a conventional ceramic brick. But, the advantages of this brick are immediately obvious. The thermal conductivity of a porous brick is from 0.14 to 0.26 W / m * o C (the larger the block, the lower the thermal conductivity of the block). What is already comparable with wood, foam concrete or even gas silicate! (A gas silicate block has a thermal conductivity of 0.14 W / m * o C.) And the advantages of masonry are obvious - no external wall cladding is required. That is, with a half-meter brick, you can immediately lay out the given thickness of the bearing wall. Putting such large blocks is a pleasure. The house is being built very quickly. In addition, there are special channels in the brick for pouring vertical reinforcement, which can be convenient for construction in seismically hazardous regions. The standard size of this type of brick is very diverse.

What is the reason for such low thermal conductivity? In the technology of manufacturing porous bricks. Wood sawdust is specially added to the clay batch during the manufacturing process. During the firing of a brick block, sawdust burns out, as a result of which an air pore is formed in the brick, which prevents the spread of cold in the brick. The amount of sawdust in the batch regulates the thermal conductivity and strength grade. If you decide to build a house of brick, then you should definitely pay attention to this particular type of brick.

By what other signs distinguish a brick. To size. There is a standard for basic brick sizes. Each country has its own standard.

Main sizes:

1. Single. Brick size: length 250 mm, width 120 mm, height 65 mm. (250x120x65).

2. One and a half. The brick size is 250x120x88.

3. Double. Double brick size 250x120x138.

There are also exotic brick sizes. These sizes are used for so-called warm ceramics or porous bricks. These sizes are easier to install.

Here are the dimensions:

4. Facing. 80x500x219. Used for interior wall cladding.

5. Partition. 120x500x219. It is used for laying internal partition walls.

6. Masonry. 250x380x219. Used for interior masonry with additional cladding.

7. Masonry main. 380x250x219. It is used as the main masonry stone.

8. Thickened masonry. 440x250x219. Allows you to build walls without additional cladding.

9. Thick masonry. 510x250x219. Allows you to lay out a full-fledged brick wall.

10. Dressing. 380x250x219. Serves for dressing masonry layers.

11. Doborny. 440x250x219. Serves for dressing purposes. Form without side ribs.

12. Dressing elongated. 510x250x219. For dressing walls when using thick masonry bricks.

Brick is still classified according to the nature of the filling brick body holes. Determine if there are heat-insulating holes in the brick.

1. Full bodied. If there are only a couple of large holes in a brick, this does not mean that it is slotted - it is also a solid brick. Solid brick is the coldest, in contrast to the slotted one.

2. Slotted. There are a great many varieties and spatial arrangement of holes in slotted bricks. From round to rhombic and rectangular. The nature of the location of the holes determines how this type of brick will give off heat. The more intricate the holes in the brick are, the warmer it will be, the more difficult it will be for the cold to pass through these ornate passages - bridges of cold. An increase in the number of holes in the body of a brick reduces its strength characteristics.

By appearance brick is divided into:

1. Masonry. As a rule, the brick is the most ordinary, which is used for general laying inside the wall, without putting it on display.

2. Smooth. At least one of the longitudinal sides of the brick has an attractive appearance and such a brick is used for facing purposes.

3. Rusticated brick. Convex irregularities are created in a special way on the brick. This type of brick is used for decorative and facing purposes.

4. Corrugated. Another type of facing brick, but here the form of irregularities is of a depressed type.

5. Broken. A type of decorative brick facing form, obtained by chipping or breaking. Usually, hyperpressed bricks are made in this way. A house lined with such a brick looks like an old stone house. Very beautiful.

Classification of bricks by color. Today, color additives are not added only to masonry building bricks. All other types of bricks can take on all sorts of shades. Silicate brick, for example, can be from white to black. Hyper-pressed brick - in general, it can be of any color, since it is not fired and is painted with color. Facing ceramic brick in color is usually in the red range - from pink to dark brown and is quite beautiful in itself without additional colors. However, during firing, special methods of coloring are used. Additives are added that change color when exposed to elevated temperatures. The brick house is now a beautiful work of art. Times change, manufacturing approaches too.

Consider the table of thermal conductivity of various types of bricks.

A wide range of ceramic products manufactured today by the industry for the construction of houses, depending on the purpose, can be divided into wall, cladding, roofing, flooring, road, heat-insulating, refractory, acid-resistant and sanitary. The most versatile among them is ceramic brick. This traditional wall material is also used for laying stoves (refractory bricks), fireplaces and chimneys, as it retains its strength at high temperatures. Acid-resistant bricks are not affected by alkalis and acids, clinker bricks have increased wear resistance, so open areas, paths, steps, etc. are laid out with them. Another type of ceramic brick - facing - has a beautiful appearance, sometimes even a decorative pattern on the surface. It is characterized by low moisture absorption and high frost resistance, which is very important for a material used for outdoor decoration.

Like any other ceramic product, a brick is made from clay (by plastic molding or semi-dry pressing), and then fired in a kiln, after which a baked clay bar is obtained. Experts note that not every building material that looks like a bar is a brick. So, for example, white silicate brick, which is obtained from sand (90%), lime (10%) and a small amount of additives, is not a brick as such.

Ordinary red brick (corpulent, construction, ordinary). Today, most of all bricks produced are solid bricks, produced by semi-dry pressing. It is used for laying load-bearing (external and internal) walls, internal pillars, fireplaces and stoves (for parts not in contact with open fire), chimneys, as well as load-bearing structures that fully utilize the strength of bricks.

A solid red brick of classic dimensions (length - 250, width - 120, height - 65 mm) weighs from 3.5 to 3.8 kg. It can contain 8-13% of technological voids, has a density, as a rule, 1600 kg / cu. m, which ensures maximum strength of brickwork. Its main disadvantages are its heavy weight and high thermal conductivity. As a result, the outer walls, completely laid out of it, have to be made 2-2.5 bricks thick, which is not advisable from the point of view of strength, and the large weight of the walls creates a significant load on the foundation. The color of the brick - from light red to brown - is due to the presence of iron oxides in the clay.

Note

Strength and frost resistance are among the main technical characteristics of solid bricks. Marking M reflects the degree of strength of the brick. Solid bricks are produced in the following grades. 76, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250 and 300 (the figure shows how much compression pressure per square centimeter the product can withstand).

The frost resistance grade is determined by the number of cycles of alternate freezing and thawing that a brick can withstand while in water for more than a day. The marking for this parameter contains the letter F (existing frost resistance grades: F15, F25, F35, F50). In warm regions, as a rule, building bricks of the F15 brand are used, in colder regions - F35. Of no small importance is such a characteristic of a brick as water absorption, which should not be lower than 6 and not higher than 16%.

When buying building bricks, you need to know that the presence of some defects is not considered a marriage for it: broken corners 10-15 mm deep and damage to ribs up to 10 mm deep, 10-15 mm long (two defects per piece); cracks up to 30 mm long (one each for the spoon and bond faces); spalls of the surface with a depth of 3-10 mm (up to three pieces per brick).

Outside, walls made of building bricks can be lined with facing bricks or covered with plaster.

hollow brick (hole, slot, effective, self-supporting - from the names it follows that it is used mainly for unloaded structures). Bulk density of effective brick does not exceed 1500 kg/cu. m. It is not recommended to use it for laying foundations, plinths and walls of damp rooms. Due to the fact that its voids make up more than 20-45% of the volume, the weight and thermal conductivity of the wall are significantly reduced, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness by half a brick while maintaining thermal insulation properties and, accordingly, reduce the load on the foundation. A hollow brick can have through holes, as well as holes closed on one side. They can be round, square, rectangular, oval and arranged vertically or horizontally. Bricks with horizontal holes are less durable (M 25 - 100).

When laying walls, care must be taken to ensure that the voids are not clogged with mortar, otherwise the wall will be “cold”. Therefore, when building country houses, they often try to use bricks with voids of small diameter and thick mortar. Hollow brick can be single, one and a half (250 x 120 x 88 mm) and double (250 x 120 x 103/138), as well as in the form of large-format ceramic blocks.

Light brick (porous, ultra-efficient) is lighter than hollow, its density is less than 950 kg / cu. m. It has a porous structure, which is formed during production. To obtain pores, sawdust, coal, peat, finely chopped straw are added to the raw mass, which, burning out during firing, form small voids - micropores - in the clay massif. Due to the porosity, the heat-shielding properties of the brick are significantly increased and its weight is reduced. Its main advantage is that it has the lowest thermal conductivity among the materials of the group under consideration.

Facing brick (front, front) are used for laying external and internal walls with high requirements for surface quality (they usually lay out the outer, visible layer of masonry). Although the cost of brick cladding exceeds plastering work, the clad facade will not require renovation for a long time.

The front brick has the correct shape and a flat surface of the outer walls. Its standard dimensions are the same as those of an ordinary soldier: 250 x 120 x 65 mm. Some manufacturers make it in a smaller width - 85 mm. The front brick is distinguished by a better execution of the surface of the spoon and bonder faces. Some of its types have chamfers on the front edges, which ensure accurate seams. Facade brick is mostly hollow, has good frost resistance, beautiful appearance. It comes in various colors (from almost white to dark brown) and shapes (rounded, wedge-shaped, trapezoidal, etc.).

A kind of facing - a brick with an external glazed or engobed coating. In the first case, it has a shiny colored surface - glaze, which is a waterproof layer with increased frost resistance. Decorative color coating engobe - smooth, opaque, matte layer. It consists of white or colored clay brought to a liquid consistency. Glazed engobed brick is used for original design cladding of external and internal walls. A wide range of colors allows you to implement virtually any design idea.

A variety of face brick is textured, with a relief pattern on the surface, and shaped (figured, profiled), which is used for laying complex shapes. The shaped brick has smoothed corners and edges, beveled or curved edges. With it, it is much easier to build arches, round columns, decorative window sills or cornices. The use of shaped bricks makes it possible to avoid the laborious operations of cutting ordinary or facing bricks and provides architects with additional options for decorating walls.

When buying a front brick, you need to make sure that there are no sags, cracks and bubbles on the colored surface. It should also be taken into account that the colored layer of glazed and engobed coatings is quite fragile, so such products require careful handling.

When buying a front brick, you need to make sure that there are no cracks and delaminations on the surface, and also that the color is even, the edges are smooth, and the shape is accurate. On the surface there should be no "dutiks" - particles that swell and burst under the influence of moisture, forming holes. Walls made of bricks with such a defect turn out to be pockmarked, so they will have to be plastered. It is necessary to pay attention to the packaging of the front brick: each row must be laid with sheets of thick paper or polyethylene. Failure to comply with this requirement leads to the formation of scuffs during transportation. Bricks are delivered on pallets. Delivery in bulk and unloading by dropping are not allowed. Facing bricks are recommended to be purchased with a margin of 15-20%, since its shade may change from batch to batch, and if you have to buy more bricks, this will affect the facade of the house.

History reference

The history of the use of bricks in construction goes back to ancient times. Dwellings were built from it in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia: the fat clay of the local soil was molded into large pieces or cut into regular bricks. They were dried in the air under the scorching rays of the sun or burned on fire. Somewhere even glazed. Unlike modern bricks, Mesopotamia pottery was square and flat. Later, this form was borrowed by Iran, Central Asia, as well as the countries of the Middle East.

The architects of Ancient Greece and Rome also did not ignore brick, despite the fact that they preferred natural hewn stone - marble, tuff, travertine, etc. But it was in ancient times that brick acquired a more familiar modern oblong shape.

In Byzantium, baked brick was the main building material for many centuries. Masonry was done on lime mortar with the addition of crushed brick chips. In some places brick rows alternated with stone ones.

A similar method of masonry can also be observed in ancient Russian buildings, where plinth bricks were widely used, which were made from kaolin clays. For laying pilasters, cornices, and octagonal pillars, patterned segmental bricks with pointed and semicircular ends were used. The outer side of the masonry was treated with grout with cutting seams.

A few centuries later, ceramic bricks became outwardly similar to modern ones, and from the 17th century the word “brick” came into use (allegedly borrowed from the Volga Tatars). A lot of time has passed since the construction of the first stone-brick building on the territory of Kievan Rus - at the end of the 10th century, but despite this, brick as a building material has not lost its popularity.

Clinker brick used for paving roads, streets, recreation areas. In its production, refractory clays are used, and firing takes place at higher temperatures than for ordinary bricks. The result is a building material with a high density, suitable for coatings with harsh operating conditions. It is produced not lower than M 250. It can withstand at least 50 cycles of alternating freeze-thaw.

fireclay brick made from chamotte - refractory clay. It is made in a classic, trapezoidal, wedge-shaped and arched shape, and is used in places of masonry in contact with open fire, as it can withstand temperatures over 1600 degrees Celsius.

Marriage are all deviations of brick sizes from the standard. They should not exceed: ±5 mm in length, ±4 mm in width, ±3 mm in thickness. For facing bricks: ±4 mm in length, ±3 mm in width, 2 + 3 mm in thickness. The appearance of the product is also compared with the standard: the surface of the faces should be flat, the edges should be straight (for building bricks, rounding of vertical edges with a radius of up to 15 mm is allowed).

Defective brick is easy to identify by color. For example, a pale pink or brownish mustard hue indicates underburnt. Such a brick is fragile, and strongly absorbs water, is not frost-resistant, and makes a dull sound when struck. It can only be used in places not in contact with precipitation.

Dark brown color or black marks and swollen, broken shape indicates that the brick is burnt. Builders call it iron ore. Such a brick is very hard, has a vitreous surface with deep cracks, almost does not absorb water, therefore it does not fit well with the mortar. It is not afraid of exposure to water and frost, while it has increased thermal conductivity. If the burnt brick has a black core and the shape is not broken, it is used for laying foundations, floors and basements.

Efflorescence is another evidence of marriage.- white spots and stains on the surface of a brick wall. They don't show up right away though. The reason for their formation is salt, which is part of the raw material for the manufacture of bricks or mortar, as well as the inconsistency of the masonry mortar with the composition of the clay from which the brick is made. Under the influence of atmospheric moisture, salt crystals grow inside the material, filling microvoids, and coming to the surface in the form of efflorescence. The best remedy for efflorescence is special preparations that treat walls. They can be purchased at hardware stores.

Any quality brick should ring when struck, on its surface there should be no cracks, spots, efflorescence, broken and blunt corners. Marriage can appear as a result of not only production errors, but also due to improper transportation. Brick is recommended to be transported on special pallets. The manufacturer, as a rule, releases its products to the consumer in a similar way, and either sells or leases pallets. Bricks should not be unloaded in bulk, like crushed stone from a dump truck (as a result of such unloading, marriage can reach 20%), but extremely carefully.

When buying a brick, check its technical and environmental certificate to know its characteristics. The front brick must be bought of the same brand as the building one, so that the entire wall is of the same strength.

The controlled environmental parameter is the specific effective activity of natural radionuclides, which should not exceed 370 Bq/kg (it depends on the geographic location of the clay deposit used for brick production).

! Thematic articles and materials posted on the site www.site are for informational purposes only and in no way are a guide to action. Please, when building a house, repairing and decorating, contact the professionals!

Light building brick

Light (porous) brick is made from ordinary clays with the introduction of burnable additives into them, as well as from diatomites (tripoli) or from mixtures of diatomites and clays. Light brick has the following dimensions: length 250±8, width 120±6 and thickness 88±4 mm. Larger porous bricks are also produced - 250X120X140 mm. The lower the volumetric weight of a light brick, the lower its thermal conductivity. Depending on the volumetric weight, light building bricks are divided into three classes - A, B and C in accordance with the accepted classification of wall materials. Depending on the compressive strength - on grades 50, 75 and 100. The frost resistance of light bricks (Mrz 10) is significantly lower than that of bricks of other types discussed above. In table. 8 shows the indicators of the tensile strength of bricks in compression and bending.

The use of large-sized bricks is much more profitable than conventional ones, since the number of seams in the masonry walls is reduced and, consequently, the consumption of binder is reduced and labor productivity is increased. The use of porous bricks reduces the thickness of the outer walls and reduces their cost by about 10%. However, due to its reduced strength, it is not used for the construction of walls that carry heavy loads. It is not used for foundations and plinths of buildings and for walls of damp rooms due to low frost resistance, and also because in these cases its heat-insulating properties are not used.

Vibrobrick panels

Vibro-brick panels are large-sized building parts made of cement mortar bricks with insulation. To ensure the necessary strength and solidity, a reinforcing mesh is laid between the bricks. Mineral wool boards, foam glass, fibrolite, etc. are used as a heater when assembling panels. Loops are laid to lift the panel to its entire height.

Panels are made in two ways - horizontal and vertical masonry, horizontal masonry is the most effective. The technological process consists of the following main operations: preparation of material - brick, mortar and a metal frame, molding (assembly) of panels, compaction by vibration, finishing of panels and processing them in steaming chambers for 8-12 hours at a temperature of 80 ° C (to speed up the process hardening). The structural strength of the panel during installation and transportation is ensured by laying reinforcing wire meshes in horizontal joints, and vertical reinforcing cages are installed on both sides of the opening.

The panels are produced in two-layer and single-layer 26. Wall with wines. Double-layer brick panels and insulated brick panels can be lined with ceramic tiles, which gives the panel a beautiful look. A wall assembled from such panels does not need additional finishing - cladding, plastering and painting. 26 shows a general view of a vibro-brick wall panel lined with tiles. The total thickness of the two-layer panel is 260 mm, including brick 120, insulation 100, facing ceramic tiles 4 and 36 mm of three layers of mortar. The dimensions of the produced panels are 2670X3180x260 mm.

Brick is the most popular and reliable material not only for construction, but also for building cladding. Thanks to the variety of colors and sizes, you can create a unique design. And most importantly, such a finish will last a very long time, unlike other facing materials. In addition, the cladding will serve as additional insulation for the house. We will talk in more detail in this article about what types of facing bricks are, what sizes exist.

Cladding a house with bricks

Any owner of a new or old home wants to give their home a presentable look. Best of all, facing brick will help him with this.

It is perfect for finishing both stone and wooden houses. Before facing the house with bricks, you need to make sure that the foundation and roof are reliable. If the foundation is not reliable, it must be strengthened by pouring an additional layer. After all, the weight of a building with an area of ​​​​about 100 square meters can increase by 40 tons due to the cladding. As for the roof, a 25 cm long visor should be provided. It will protect the wall from moisture and destruction. Therefore, if necessary, it is necessary to extend the overhang of the eaves. The durability of the building cladding depends on this.

For example, for facing a house, you can pick up yellow and brown facing bricks. The bulk of the wall is made in a light tone, and the corners of the building, the perimeters of windows and doors are highlighted in brown. This lining looks very warm and cozy.

You can choose a red material and overlay the whole house with it. The result is a building in a classic English style. This is a fairly simple and stylish solution.

Types of facing bricks

Depending on the materials of manufacture, bricks can be divided into the following types:

• silicate;
• hyperpressed;
• clinker;
• ceramic.

silicate brick this is the most budgetary cladding option, but is significantly inferior in appearance to other varieties. Its advantages include lightness relative to other analogues.

hyperpressed. It is made from limestone, cement additives and dyes using a high pressure method. Firing is not applicable to these products. This is a very durable material that is not afraid of strong temperature changes. Thanks to the manufacturing process, the chipped brick is textured and resembles natural stone. This is often used by designers to decorate houses.

Clinker brick is a type of ceramic, which we will discuss below in more detail. This material is made using a special grade of clay and at higher temperatures. Thanks to this technology, the product is obtained with a high density, which contributes to low water absorption. And this means that such a lining will last a long time without cracks and chips. This brick can be produced in different sizes, shapes and colors.

Brick ceramic facing

This brick is the most common type. It is made from clay with the use of various dyes. The positive qualities of ceramic bricks include:

• low thermal conductivity;
• frost resistance;
• heat resistance.

Ceramic brick has precise proportions and a smooth surface. It can be used in any conditions. In addition to the standard form, the product is made in several versions:

• glazed - has a transparent, shiny coating that not only improves the appearance, but also increases durability;
• engobed - covered with a matte, opaque glaze (the so-called engobe), this allows you to expand the palette of colors and serves as additional protection;
• textured - the surface of the brick imitates various textures: tree bark, leather, etc .;
• shaped - the surface is artificially aged and has cracks and chips on the surface of the brick.

This material has an affordable price and looks great on the facade of buildings.

Facing brick dimensions

Brick, like other building materials, must have dimensions determined by the standards. But it was not always so. Until 1927, each manufacturer produced bricks in their own sizes, and there were no specific dimensions for this material, resulting in many inconveniences. But in 1927 standard brick sizes were established. In a practical way, the most optimal brick sizes were established:

• length 250 mm;
• width 120 mm;
• thickness - 65 mm.

These dimensions correspond to a single brick. Construction technologies do not stand still, and soon there was a need to produce bricks of other sizes. So the following dimensions appeared:

• double (l 250*w 120*h 140 mm);
• modular (l 280*w 130*h 80 mm);
• Euro brick (L 250*W 85*H 65 mm).

There is also another variety, the so-called one-and-a-half brick. Let's talk about it in more detail.

one-and-a-half facing brick

Of course, during construction work it is important to meet certain deadlines. In order to save time on masonry, a one-and-a-half brick was invented with dimensions:

• length 250 mm;
• width 120 mm;
• thickness 88 mm.

It is larger than the standard one, which means it will be faster to make masonry out of it. So, for example, for laying out 1 cu. m of a single brick will require 512 pieces, while only 378 of a one-and-a-half brick. And this is 26% less. From this it is necessary to draw conclusions:

1. laying time is reduced;
2. less material is required;
3. spending less money too.

If, in terms of its physical characteristics and appearance, a one-and-a-half brick is in no way inferior to its counterparts, while saving money and time, you can give preference to it in facing the house.

Brick facing red

Basically, ceramic and clinker bricks have this color. They are made of clay with metal impurities, which give the product various shades of red. For example, iron in the composition gives a rich red color. Also, the color of the finished product depends on the firing, the longer the product is fired, the darker the tone is. With such a brick, you can veneer both all the walls, and lay out individual elements from it.

Brick yellow facing

Yellow brick is made from a mixture of cement and limestone - shell rock with the addition of natural dyes. Most often, pressing technology is used, as a result, a durable and environmentally friendly material is obtained. Yellow brick is offered in several shades:

• pale yellow;
• straw;
• amber;
• golden.

This brick has good technical characteristics and is suitable for finishing the facades of buildings even in regions with a harsh climate.

White facing brick

White brick is one of the varieties of silicate brick. It is environmentally friendly and much cheaper than its ceramic counterparts. The only drawbacks are the large weight and intolerance to excess moisture. From an aesthetic point of view, this is an excellent option for cladding a house. Laying from it looks very neat and stylish. It can be supplemented with material of a different color, creating interesting patterns. Thanks to the production capabilities, the brick can be given a grayish or creamy tint.

How much does facing brick cost

Before proceeding with the facing of the house, it is necessary to calculate the required amount of material and the approximate cost. So, the price of ceramic bricks ranges from 9 to 44 rubles apiece. Material with a textured surface or glaze will cost more. The price of silicate brick varies from 8.5 to 22 rubles per piece. Hyper-pressed brick, depending on the color and texture, costs from 8 to 38 rubles apiece. The most accessible of all types of materials is silicate brick. It has good physical characteristics and attractive appearance. With the acquisition of bricks should not be difficult. Now many hardware stores sell a wide range of facing bricks. If desired, you can place an order with the manufacturer with delivery to your destination. The only thing you need to correctly calculate the amount of material and best of all with a margin so that you do not have to buy more bricks.

This article describes the types and sizes of facing bricks. Also give advice on facing buildings. Using the material of the article, you can easily select the type of facing brick you need and calculate the approximate cost of the material. Good luck with your home improvement.