Which facing brick is better. Facing brick: so that the facade of the house is impeccable. Video - Important points when choosing a facing brick

The facade of the house can tell a lot. For facade cladding, siding, protective and finishing plasters, and heat-insulating boards are used in our time. But the rigor and completeness of the forms are given to the facade of the building only by facing with special bricks.

Most often in construction for facing works, three types of this material are used:

• Ceramic brick.
• Clinker brick.
• Hyper pressed brick.

Each type is good in its own way, with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will try to understand the question of what facing brick better. Each of the above types building material has significant differences that can affect the quality and service life of the masonry.

ceramic brick

Facing ceramic bricks are distinguished by the shape (and cross-sectional area) of through holes that connect the bedded surfaces. The size of the holes affects the consumption of masonry mortar. Experienced builders prefer to work with ceramic bricks, the holes in which have the smallest cross-sectional area.

Ceramic brick has a high degree water absorption. A large number of branched system of internal pores contributes to the normal ventilation of the inner wall, allows you to remove excess steam, i.e. allows the walls of the building to "breathe" normally. The disadvantage of this property ceramic brick is its ability to absorb atmospheric moisture. In the event of temperature fluctuations, wet ceramic bricks, if hydrophobization work is not carried out, will collapse. Therefore, after the masonry work is completed, it is recommended to carry out additional work on the waterproofing of the masonry.

The use of clay bricks in construction work is a centuries-old tradition. For most people, ceramic bricks are a symbol of completeness. The brick has a relatively low cost, has durability and excellent insulating characteristics.

This is the most popular type of brick for facing works. But it also has drawbacks: each batch of bricks has its own unique shade, so for work you have to select bricks from different batches

Clinker brick

This type of brick has a lower degree of water absorption, therefore, a hard masonry mortar with a low water content is used for its masonry.

At the moment it has the highest strength characteristics. This means that this brick will last much longer than other types of facing bricks. Absolutely does not need care. In some European countries, houses lined with clinker bricks retain an almost original appearance for a hundred years.

Manufacturers currently offer this product in various options, including a textured front side pattern and various shades of colors. Clinker bricks are more expensive than other types presented in the article.

This video presentation is dedicated to the advantages of clinker bricks.

Hyper pressed brick

If we talk about the advantages of bricks of this type, then hyper-pressed brick allows you to expand the limits of fantasy. Its front surface is often made textured. You could observe the walls of many cottages, laid out, as if from old, weathered bricks.

This type of brick has too dense and smooth bed surfaces. Therefore, experts recommend using bricks of this type, which have through holes of a small cross section.

Recesses in bed surfaces also increase durability. brickwork and increase the degree of adhesion of surfaces to the solution.

Brick of this type has a tendency to microcracks on the front side. Unfortunately, a façade made of unfired bricks of this type needs to be hydrophobized. The vapor permeability of this brick is very low, the thermal conductivity is high.

Hyper-pressed brick can rightly be called one of the most affordable. There are factories or just workshops for its production in almost every region. High competition usually stimulates a decrease in the selling price, the manufacturer offers various bonuses.

As a result, the facade, laid out of this brick, is quite democratic in cost, but additional costs will be required for the waterproofing of the brick and the installation of a normal, balanced mode of steam and thermal insulation.

In terms of operational properties, the best facing brick is clinker. By price the best way- hyper-pressed brick. But even a simple ceramic brick is a reliable material, time-tested.

And the final choice is still up to you.

It is used for finishing the facades of buildings and interiors, in the construction of fences, laying fireplaces and stoves. The strength and frost resistance of bricks depend on the method and material of manufacture - the strongest building blocks are obtained by pressing the material under high pressure at high temperature.

ceramic brick

Ceramic brick is solid or hollow. It is made from clay, which is subjected to heat treatment at a temperature of about 1000 degrees. Adding dyes to the composition of the clay allows you to get almost any shade - from classic red to black. The most common type of ceramic brick is with a smooth front surface, but embossed bricks are also in demand.

Clinker brick

Clinker brick is made from refractory clay, which is fired at a temperature of 1040 to 1260 degrees. Its advantages: high density and a minimum of pores, which ensures low water absorption. Frost resistance of clinker bricks is much higher than any other - not less than F100. Its facing surface for a long time is not covered with chips, cracks and does not lose its appearance. The color range of bricks is practically unlimited.

Hyper pressed brick

Hyper-pressed brick is made from a limestone-cement mixture, pressed under high pressure. As a result, the brick acquires a texture similar to a natural stone surface - it can be used to build buildings with a very original design. Its advantages: high strength, frost resistance, low moisture absorption, almost perfect shape and ease of processing.

silicate brick

Like hyperpressed, sand-lime brick is made without firing, but does not contain cement. The product acquires strength during the hardening of slaked lime and silicate sand in an autoclave plant under high pressure and high temperature.

Silicate brick is not the most popular facing material, it is inferior to other types of bricks in many respects. Its main advantage is its low price. Compared to clinker brick, it absorbs moisture more, but withstands repeated soaking, freezing and thawing well.

Size

Single brick 1 NF (250×120×65 mm) has standard size, it is used for both masonry and cladding.

One-and-a-half brick 1.4 NF (250×120×88 mm) is used when laying massive buildings and saves time.

Double brick 2.1 NF (250 × 120 × 128 mm) is very rare, it is used for lightweight masonry.

Euro brick 0.7 NF (250 × 85 × 65 mm) and 0.9 NF (250 × 85 × 88 mm) is used for decorative purposes, as well as in structures where the use of bricks of other sizes is impossible.

Strength and frost resistance

Strength is the ability of a material to withstand a load without deforming. For example, a brick that can withstand a weight of 100 kg / sq. cm, corresponds to the M100 brand. Ceramic brick has a strength grade of at least M150; hyperpressed brick - M250; clinker - more than M250; silicate - not less than M150.

The index of frost resistance of a brick is designated as Мрз - it is measured in successive freezing and thawing cycles, after which the performance characteristics of the product do not change. For facing bricks, this parameter is at least F50. Most modern factories produce bricks with frost resistance cycles from 75 to 100.

Face type

Drawing on the surface of a brick can be applied in one of several ways. The standard method - at the molding stage, a stencil is applied to the wet surface. After firing, the pattern remains.

Torqueting - fine mineral chips are applied to the surface of the brick before firing. Under the influence of high temperature, the crumb melts and combines with the base material. The result is a beautiful contrasting texture.

Engobing - a thin layer of ceramics is applied to the dried, but not fired brick, after which it is sent to the oven. In this way, a wide range of surface colors can be obtained.

Glazing is similar to engobing, but instead of ceramics, glaze is used. The wall lined with such material resembles a glass surface.

Color palette

The color of the brick depends on the ingredients used in the manufacture. Ceramic bricks are processed with dyes in production. Silicate and hyperpressed bricks are colored when the components are mixed. Due to the large amount of dyes, the brick becomes brighter, but less durable. A brick can only be painted on the front side - this reduces its cost.

masonry mortar

On the appearance the facade or interior is affected not only by the color and texture of the facing brick, but also by the color of the mortar used for masonry. Use of colored solutions - interesting option for the implementation of any design ideas.

The construction of a private house is accompanied by a 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 daily by the owners of the house, their guests and bystanders. Therefore, it is important to carefully approach the issue of finishing the building, because the wrong material for a short time may become unusable or lose an attractive appearance.

A popular option for finishing material is facing brick, which is also called front or front. It is often preferred in the construction of objects of any level - from residential buildings to large cultural complexes of regional significance. There are many types of facing bricks on the building materials market, but which one to choose? About this - in our article.

Front brick vs ordinary, silicate vs ceramic

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

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

For erection internal walls and partitions, as well as the outer walls of the building, ordinary brick is used. Such a product, in accordance with interstate and national standards, provides the performance characteristics of brickwork. At the same time, unlike the front brick, the issue of external attractiveness of the material goes by the wayside.

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 an ordinary brick, appearance is not important. And the requirements in GOST 530 2012 in 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, front brick, as a rule, is not used for the construction of structural elements: in any case, it is necessary to build a frame, and after that it is carried out exterior finish.

In the production of face bricks, breaks 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: building cladding, construction of fences, fireplaces, individual buildings. Therefore, the cost of facing bricks depends on the color and other appearance parameters.

Performance characteristics of a brick

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 index is expressed in the numerical part of the brick brand: for example, an M100 brand product can withstand 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 for ensuring the strength of the structure. For example, for use in an environment with aggressive weather conditions, face clinker bricks are used, the moisture absorption index of which should not exceed 6%. For other products, moisture absorption of more than 6% is allowed: for facing - 8-10%, for ordinary - 12-14%, for interior work - 16%. The level of water absorption of ceramic bricks can be in the range of 6–14%. The indicator is determined when products are saturated in water with a temperature of 15–25 ° C at atmospheric pressure or under vacuum, as well as in boiling water according to GOST 7025-91. Bricks and stones are ceramic and silicate. Methods for determining water absorption, density and control of frost resistance.
• Emptiness. Taking into account this indicator, all products are divided into hollow and full-bodied, depending on the availability internal voids. Each type differs in performance properties and range of applications. Hollow face brick is lighter, retains heat better, but is less durable. Therefore, it is used for cladding in order to protect the building from cold and wind. For the construction of external walls, a solid ordinary brick is used, which is characterized by high strength, but is less heat-intensive. In the production of 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. With a low frost resistance index of the facing brick, its price per m 2 will be lower, but after several cycles of temperature changes, it will begin to collapse, peel off or lose color. The frost resistance index is directly related to the ability of the product to absorb water.

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

• Fire resistance. This indicator affects what temperature the facing brick can withstand. This characteristic is especially important when decorating fireplaces and chimneys. Silicate front brick (sand-lime) withstands 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, the facing brick is 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, front 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, front brick (1.4 NF) - 250 × 120 × 88 mm;

For finishing work, ceramic and silicate bricks can be used.

Front 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 burned, it acquires a black tint, and when underburned, on the contrary, light, in both cases, the strength qualities decrease.

Ceramic face brick outperforms the others with its operational characteristics. With a weight of 1.7–3.1 kg, depending on which size of facing brick is chosen, it withstands 100 freezing cycles and provides 8–9% water absorption. The disadvantage is the price of facing bricks, which is higher than that of other varieties.

silicate brick

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

Due to the production technology without firing, sand-lime brick does not 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 facade decoration: does the miser pay twice?

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

Table 1. Characteristics of ceramic bricks

In the construction market, there are alternative materials for facade decoration, 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 with a brick.

Hinged ventilated facade

It is a metal frame on which a facing element is fixed: panels, siding, fake diamond. To preserve heat, a layer of insulation is laid between the wall of the house and the cladding. Such material has high strength, can be mounted in any weather, and broken elements can be replaced.

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

Wet plaster

Among the advantages of such a material are the possibility of choosing the color you like, ease of application and versatility for buildings of any complexity. In addition, the cost of facing bricks per m 2 is higher than wet plaster and insulation for a similar amount of work. But the service life of such a finishing material is about 30 years, which is very short compared to a brick facade.

If the technology for applying wet plaster is violated or if it is not treated in a timely manner with protective agents against aggressive weather conditions, moisture and fungal infections, the material may deform. After that, 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 provides high performance. 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 practically does not differ from its ceramic counterpart.

Advantages of clinker brick:

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

Among the shortcomings, there is a difference in the color of bricks even from one batch, as well as high thermal conductivity, which creates the need to additionally use a heater. But the high price of clinker facing bricks in comparison with the ceramic counterpart makes it not the most attractive option for use in facade decoration.

A natural stone

The material has a spectacular appearance, high strength and service life. A wide variety of natural stone for cladding is presented on the building materials market. Often it is used to finish individual surface elements, for example, simultaneously with white facing bricks or plaster.

In terms of performance properties, natural stone is comparable to ceramic bricks, 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 money on finishing the building can end up with even higher costs associated with constant repairs and restoration of the appearance of the facade. In addition, not every material can boast of high performance. For many, natural stone still remains an attractive option, but its high cost and big weight often stop customers.

How to choose a facing brick for the house?

The best facing brick is the one that will last a long time, 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. With high seismological activity, it is better to choose a durable brick, and for areas with sudden temperature changes - a product with high frost resistance.

To save on facade decoration, 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 “false culling”, “substandard”, products that obviously do not comply with GOSTs.

Failure to comply with the production technology at least at one stage causes the product to fail to comply with the requirements of GOST. On the scale of the whole batch, such a mistake will bring big losses. Therefore, reputable manufacturers who care about their reputation exercise strict control over the production process at all stages. National and interstate standards contain fairly stringent requirements, respectively, products manufactured in accordance with GOSTs are preferable to those manufactured according to specifications and sometimes in fact are "draft" 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 in construction markets, in "garage cooperatives", roadside warehouses, small sellers often present false passports and sanitary and hygienic certificates, issued, as they say, "on the knee", where, among other things, instead of the word "facing" may appear , for example, the word "front".

Although the brick is not subject to mandatory certification, self-respecting manufacturers pass it on a voluntary basis, so be interested in the availability of certificates of conformity.

Many are interested in the question of what color of facing brick to choose for finishing the house. More recently, yellow facing bricks were popular, the cost of which is higher than products of other colors. But times are changing, 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 the classic version - red facing brick and its shades. This color will never go out of style and will look like new.

So, the exterior decoration of the facade is one of the most important tasks in the construction of a house. It's not even about aesthetic beauty and the ability to stand out from the crowd. Properly selected facing material will provide a comfortable environment in the house, as well as save the walls from the negative effects of weather conditions. Therefore, even at the design stage, it is necessary to decide on the finishing material. And it is important not to miscalculate so that the attempt to save money does not turn into even more expenses.

Where can I buy facing bricks from the manufacturer?

Where to buy facing brick good quality, we talked with Igor Kabanov, CEO of BRAER:

“We are often asked which facing brick is better to buy. It is difficult to answer this question unambiguously, since many factors must be taken into account: building 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 to strive for false savings, making a choice in favor of frankly budget options finishes.

BRAER manufactures facing bricks according to individual production technology. This approach allows you to maintain a rich and lasting color for a long time, as well as provide excellent geometry of finished products. We carry out strict product control at each stage of production, so the release of a defective batch is excluded. In addition, we use modern technology applying a texture to the front surface of a brick allows our customers to create individual style facade.

Editorial opinion

Building a house is a costly business, and it is not always possible to find the necessary budget for the purchase of expensive materials. Therefore, when finishing the facade, it is recommended to determine its cost not only per square meter, but also per year of operation. This will require dividing 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, comparing profitability indicators, or cost of ownership, for various products and materials will be more correct and will allow you to make an informed choice.

The outer walls of the house are protection from the weather, the walls themselves also need protection. Most often, this role is played by brick cladding, and the main thing here is to choose the right type and brand of material.

Any homeowner wants the house to serve for a long time with minimal repair and maintenance costs. Of course, if the cottage is built according to the latest building codes, insulated in accordance with climatic standards, lined with clinker tiles or plastered, then it does not need additional protection.

When we are talking about old buildings made of wood, wood-based materials or porous blocks of lightweight concrete (foam concrete, aerated concrete), protection of the outer surface is a must. Made of brick, the exterior cladding performs several functions:

• protection from adverse climatic factors (precipitation, high and low temperatures, wind);
• improvement of thermal characteristics;
• improvement in appearance.

The industry produces several types of bricks with different characteristics, designed for various conditions operation. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you should study their main properties.

Types of material, which is better to choose

Facing bricks are produced by firing ( different kinds ceramic and clinker) and without firing method (hyperpressed and silicate), which gives the material a completely different qualities. To select material for outer cladding walls, the following characteristics are important:

• weight - affects the power and thickness of the foundation;
• strength grade;
• frost resistance mark - the number of freeze-thaw cycles that the material withstands for 1 season, for external cladding, according to building rules, cannot be less than Mrz 35 for walls and Mrz 50 for the basement, cornice and parapet;
• water absorption - shows how much moisture the material absorbs for 24 hours when completely immersed in water, materials with a high level of water absorption are not suitable for, cornice and parapet, since when the material is frozen with moisture, the front surface of the masonry is destroyed;
• thermal conductivity - is needed to calculate the required thickness of the masonry or the thickness of the insulation.

When choosing a cladding and buying a material, you should familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's passport for a batch of goods, which indicates these indicators. A high-quality bar has a uniform color throughout its thickness, without damage to the integrity of the edges and the front layer. The pink tint of ceramics is a sign of underburning; too dark or black color (except for colored and clinker) indicates burnout.

Ceramic

Ceramics is the oldest invention of mankind in the field of artificial building materials. An ordinary ordinary brick is produced by the method of semi-dry or plastic pressing from clays with various additives, followed by firing at t = 900-1000 ° C. Unlike ordinary, facing material must have:

• increased frost resistance - the minimum value of Mrz 35;
• minimal moisture absorption - 2-6%;
• increased strength - from M 75;
• vapor permeability - ceramics have the property of "breathing", that is, releasing excess moisture into the atmosphere.

Ceramic facing bricks are made with different finishes of the front surfaces; it can be textured, glazed or engobed. By applying the front decorative layer, the brick is given a wide range of colors - from white to black.

Ceramic bricks are produced solid and hollow with a different number of voids. The voids reduce the weight of the masonry and thermal conductivity, but make it more vulnerable: in a harsh climate with a large number of freeze-thaw cycles, a brick with a low frost resistance grade quickly collapses, and the front surface peels off in the area of ​​the outer row of voids.

The weight of a corpulent bar is 1650 kg/m3, a hollow one is from 1350 to 1480 kg/m3.

Clinker

Clinker bricks have been made for over 200 years from special fireclay clays with various mineral additives at elevated temperatures (up to 1300°C) and continuous firing. Available in full-bodied and hollow, single, euroformat, narrow, thin or curly. Clinker differs from conventional ceramics in its enhanced characteristics:

• it is stronger (from M 150);
• heavier (1800-2000 kg/m3);
• has minimal water absorption (2–3%);
• increased frost resistance (from Mrz 75).

In the process of making clinker, special shale clays are used, only mineral composition additives, hand molding or extrusion method and a large number of energy. The production method makes the cost of the material much higher than conventional ceramics.

The appearance of clinker depends on the method of production and additives: made by hand and fired in authentic kilns, it has uneven edges and an interesting texture, spectacular color transitions.

The clinker produced on modern lines is distinguished by its ideal geometric shape. The color range depends on the mineral pigments included in the composition of the mass for pressing - from almost white to dark red, brown and black.

Clinker brick is a real aristocrat in the world of facing materials.

Silicate

Sand-lime brick is made from a mixture of quartz sand, lime and additives by the autoclave method, which makes the cost of the material much lower than that of ceramics. According to its characteristics, silicate brick is significantly inferior to clinker and ceramic:

• frost resistance - Mrz 25 - 35;
• water absorption - 13-15%;
• greater weight - 1800 kg / m3.

ATTENTION: Due to low frost resistance and high water absorption, silicate brick is forbidden to be used when laying and facing the most loaded and weather-prone structures - plinth, cornice, parapets, various protruding elements.

However, silicate bricks are actively used for wall cladding due to their good geometry, wide enough color scheme and cheapness.

hyperpressed

The material obtained by hyperpressing surpasses even clinker in its characteristics: strength is higher than natural stone, zero water absorption, fire resistance.

The technology of hyperpressing consists in exposing the molded mixture to high pressure at an elevated temperature, due to which the components are fused at the molecular level. The production uses a large amount of electricity, which leads to a high cost of the product.

Hyper-pressed bricks are produced in a wide variety of shapes, textures and colors. It is used both in the exterior and interior of buildings. It can be used for lining stoves, fireplaces and chimneys.

Main dimensions

The dimensions of the facing bar of domestic production are determined by GOST 530-2007, which subdivides the dimensions of the products as follows:

• single brick- 250x120x65 mm;
• one and a half - 250x120x88;
• double - 250x120x138;
• narrow - 250x60x65;
• thin - 250x22x65.

The document gives the manufacturer the right to produce products of other sizes as agreed with the buyer. In addition to rectangular bars, cladding material is produced in various figured rounded shapes for laying out arches, frames, fillets.

ATTENTION: The EU countries produce products according to their own standards, the brick is distinguished by a thickness reduced by 0.7.

Popular colors

The color of the front surface depends on the degree of firing, the composition of the initial mixture, the dyes used, the method of finishing. Different batches of material even from the same manufacturer differ in color, so you need to purchase bricks from one batch, and if this is not possible, then when facing, the master must mix bricks from different batches.

TIP: Body-dyed brick is preferable, because even if the face layer is damaged, the color will remain unchanged.

In addition to colored, facing bricks can have a smooth or chipped surface.

Red

Brick facing red - ordinary clay ceramic or clinker brick, and the longer the firing time, the more saturated the red color. A silicate or hyper-pressed bar can turn red when a dye is added. Red color is obtained by applying glaze or engobing.

Yellow

Red ceramic bricks with a glazed or engobed front surface are also produced in yellow. Silicate, clinker or hyper-pressed material is made yellow by the corresponding mineral dyes introduced into the mixture. Bricks of yellow color are produced in different shades - from light to rich ocher.

White

Silicate brick without the addition of dye is white with a slight grayish tint - this is the most economical option receiving white facade. Pure white can be hyper-pressed material, clinker with special additives, red ceramics with a painted front layer.

How to get rid of efflorescence

Efflorescence - a whitish coating on the front surface of the masonry, has nothing to do with the quality of the brick. The appearance of efflorescence is determined by additives introduced into the masonry mortar, most often during winter masonry.

Eliminates efflorescence from laying masonry on hard solutions with a low moisture content. The use of hard mixtures is mandatory when finishing with a material with low moisture absorption - clinker or hyperpressed.

The possible appearance of plaque prevents the use of water repellents - organosilicon compounds that give the masonry water-repellent properties. Penetrating into the pores of the material, the water repellent creates a film that prevents the movement of moisture, but at the same time depriving the brick of the ability to breathe.

Special building washes have been created to remove salt deposits. There is folk methods fight against efflorescence: washing stains with a 5% solution of vinegar, hydrochloric acid or ammonia.

How much does it cost

The cost of facing material depends on the type, characteristics and location of the manufacturer.

Most cheap option- cladding with white silicate bar: raw materials for production are available everywhere, the steaming plant does not take up much space, and electricity costs are low. The price of white silicate brick starts from 9 rubles / piece.

Ceramic facing bricks have a wide variation in cost: the products of the factory in Revda (Urals) from 8 rubles / piece. up to 78 rubles / pc. imported production.

The cost of clinker starts from 70 rubles / piece. production of the Russian Federation up to $ 254 per m2 of Quebec clinker, size 230x105x71, white.

Prices for hyper-pressed material start from 12.5 rubles / piece. for a narrow format (actually a tile with a thickness of 22 mm, up to 71 rubles / piece for a one and a half format product.

Conclusion

The house, lined with brick, gives the impression of a solid, well-groomed dwelling. By choosing a combination of products of different colors and textures, you can turn a simple box into a building with spectacular architecture. The main thing is to take into account all the characteristics when choosing a material. Responding to main question: what is facing, - we answer with confidence: necessity and decoration.

Such a building material as facing brick is universal. It is endowed with strength, moisture resistance and durability.

The main characteristics that you should pay attention to are its frost resistance, water absorption and geometry. We give preference to the brick, the characteristics of which have the best performance.

Features of the front brick

Unlike the usual one, the finishing one has its significant advantages. Its smooth surface and artistic features allow to give brick houses beautiful appearance. What is facing brick? This is a building material that has the following characteristics, namely:

• the absence of all kinds of flaws on the surface, including shells, cracks, etc.;
• precise geometry of corners and edges;
• texture and color variety within even one type.

For example, the color of a ceramic brick, depending on the color of the clay, is orange, yellow, brown, but when a dye is added to the initial raw material, it is possible to achieve the desired shade for the product.

Brick for facing the house should protect the structure from natural factors that affect him negatively are:

• temperature fluctuations;
• wind;
• rainfall, etc.

If you veneer a building with a good quality product, then it will look simply amazing. The corners of this building material are:

• straight and even;
• bevelled;
• rounded.

Products differ in structure. There is a full-bodied material and a hollow one, more often called effective slotted material.

Varieties of facing bricks

Before choosing a facing brick, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with its varieties. All this variety has its advantages and a certain purpose. They are classified by:

• production method - manual production and with the use of equipment;
• technologies - hollow and full-bodied;
• colors;
• surface features, etc.

The surface of bricks for finishing can be different: smooth, matte or for all kinds of textures - wood or stone. Thanks to special technologies, the entire mixture or a certain side is colored.

The process in which only the front part is stained is called engobing. The front side of the glazed bricks is covered with a special glaze, thanks to which the finished product shines. This brick is used for interior decoration, for example, with its help, designers create mosaics, panels.

Today, the combined product is the most popular. It combines the features of several types of material. For example, brick for interior decoration may have a chocolate color with an oak texture. Interest in this finishing material is caused by:

• originality;
• refinement;
• the possibility of forming individual decoration.

The main thing is that the brick for interior decoration should be used carefully and correctly. Its features are:

• fortress;
• durability;
• resistance to fire, all kinds of aggressive conditions.

Many types of facing bricks are good at keeping cool in the summer months and warm in the winter. They are distinguished by increased aesthetic properties and resistance to abrasion.

Brick for interior decoration is used for decoration:

• canteens;
• bathrooms;
• bedrooms
• kitchen rooms;
• offices;
• hallways.

The stoves and fireplaces lined with it look very elegant. For finishing houses, there are various types of these building materials:

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

Which brick is better for facing a house can be determined only by getting acquainted with their characteristics. The fact is that they have a different composition of the feedstock, manufacturing technology and cost.

Brick sizes

Brick dimensions are very important when finishing works. This primarily applies to cases where it is necessary to implement a certain architectural idea, which requires the use of various textures and colors. If the size of the facing brick is different, then the completed work does not look very nice. In the presence of uniform values, it is possible to combine different textures and colors in the decoration.

At present, there are possible values modern material. Linear dimensions divide products into three types:

• single;
• one and a half;
• double.

Gradually, this series is replenished with the fourth type - eurobrick, which is somewhat smaller in width than a single one.

As a rule, the size of facing bricks is standard. The length and width of all products is 250x120 mm. They only have a different thickness, which is:

• standard single facing brick is 65;

• one and a half - 88 mm;
• double - 138 mm.

The weight of a brick depends on:

• the material used;
• appointments;
• forms;
• size.

silicate brick

Silicate facade brick consists of:

• purified quartz sand;
• moisture;
• lime.

The last two components make up approximately 10% of the total mass. In order for the product to turn out to be of high quality, there is a main condition, namely, the solution must be prepared from components purified from:

• manganese;
• clay;
• organic impurities.

In lime, which must not be burnt, a large amount of calcium oxide should not be present. The production process of the silicate product is carried out under high pressure. Its characteristics are as follows:

• high coefficient of moisture absorption;
• weak frost resistance;
• significant weight.

The thermal conductivity of a brick is average. It is noted that under adverse operating conditions, it quickly becomes unusable. Its weight varies depending on the type used. One and a half facing weighs from 3.7 kg to 4.2, double view - from 5 to 5.8 kg.

Ceramic products

To obtain ceramic bricks, the solution is prepared from clay High Quality without sulfates and marl. After molding the product, it is left to dry, and then the mixture is sent for firing. If underburning or overburning is allowed during the production process, this will adversely affect the quality.

In the overburned state, it will acquire a black tint, and if underburned, it will look light. He considers it good if the surface is semi-matt. When choosing a ceramic material, you need to know that its structure is porous at a break and makes a ringing sound when struck. Facing ceramic one and a half can weigh from 1.32 to 1.6 kg, and double 2.7-3.2 kg.

Hyperpressed brick

The solution for obtaining this type of product includes all kinds of screenings:

• dolomite;
• shell rock;
• marble;
• lime rocks.

The solution is made with the obligatory addition of high quality Portland cement, which is an astringent component. Then the solution is brought to the state of the mixture, which is subjected to pressing and steaming. As a result of the fact that there is little water in the raw material, there are no cavities in the product even after firing. Such types can be faced with the walls of buildings. They have a smooth surface or one that is called "torn stone".

Hyper-pressed products in their properties are close to natural stone, and therefore they are quite massive. Before using, you need to find out how much one product for the facade of the house weighs. Facing weight:

• standard single - 4.2 kg;
• half block - 2 kg;
• shortened "under the stone" - 4 kg.

Clinker models

In the manufacture of clinker facing bricks, special clay is used. Firing is carried out at a high temperature, giving the final product different shades.

Characteristics of the clinker material:

• increased strength;
• frost resistance;
• environmental friendliness;
• heat resistance;
• ease of maintenance.

If you choose a full-bodied clinker facade material, then you must take into account that sufficient strength and density increase its weight. Strength is determined by weight. Certain dimensions must correspond to the specific weight of the brick. This type of building material is available in various configurations and colors.

It must be borne in mind that, regardless of the manufacturing technology, all facing bricks and its types: clinker, ceramic and others are mainly produced hollow. Due to this, they become lighter, less thermally conductive and inexpensive.

Solid material is produced in the form of a parallelepiped, and may also have a non-standard configuration, which is called shaped or curly. For facing bricks, the dimensions and geometry can be completely different. The most popular are:

• semicircular;
• trapezoidal;
• twisted;
• wedge-shaped.

Judging by customer reviews, the highest rating belongs to the clinker building product.

Variety by color

Facing brick for the facade is available in various colors. The most common:

• Red;
• yellow;
• White.

Brick red owes its color to the iron contained in the clay. This universal building material, as a result of firing at a high temperature, becomes:

• reliable;
• durable;
• durable.

Basically, clinker and ceramic bricks have this color.

For the manufacture of white building products, lime and sand are taken. Such a brick for interior decoration has excellent aesthetic qualities and performance:

• high strength;
• frost and water resistance;
• resistance to temperature changes.

Can be used for interior wall decoration decorative types that mimic natural stone. For these cases, silicate species of various colors are chosen. The facade of the house, finished with a special type of such a building material, the texture of which resembles a chipped stone, takes on a delightful appearance.

For those who love colored walls, manufacturers are ready to offer a smooth, hollow face brick, painted in different colors. The pigment used in silicate products is very resistant. Therefore, for facing bricks, the sun's rays are not terrible.

Full-bodied and hollow types

The brick front unary corpulent is applied to facing of walls of buildings, socles, fences. The thermal performance of buildings will improve significantly if construction works made using a hollow building product.

The front hollow single brick is endowed with thermal insulation qualities and good technical properties. The front hollow single material, having perfect lines and internal cavities, will lighten the weight of the structure.

If the further operation of the material is associated with a high load, it is necessary to use a full-bodied one. It will give the design greater reliability and safety. The full-bodied has no voids and cracks. This material is characterized by strength, the indicators of which may be different.

The walls of buildings laid out using a single cladding product will make the building warmer and more beautiful. Decorating buildings with such building products emphasizes the style features of the house and gives it architectural expressiveness.