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 it comes to old buildings made of wood, wood-based materials or porous blocks made of lightweight concrete (foam concrete, aerated concrete), the 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 different operating conditions. 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 (various types of ceramic and clinker) and without firing (hyperpressed and silicate), which gives the material completely different qualities. For the choice of material for external wall cladding, 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).

The clinker manufacturing process uses special shale clays, additives of only mineral composition, manual molding or extrusion and a large amount 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.

Nevertheless, silicate bricks are actively used for wall cladding due to their good geometry, a fairly wide range of colors and low cost.

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

Sand-lime brick without the addition of dye is white with a slight grayish tint - this is the most economical option for obtaining a 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 are folk methods for dealing with 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.

The cheapest option is facing with a 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. Answering the main question: what is facing, we answer with confidence: necessity and decoration.

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

Requirements for a brick

Before starting a review of the main parameters, it is necessary to decide - what should it be?

Today, we can formulate a list of several requirements:

• First of all, the material is simply obliged to have an attractive appearance. Exterior decoration is carried out to improve the aesthetic characteristics of the house, and therefore the blocks must be quite beautiful.

• The requirement for color fastness is a direct consequence of the previous one, since it is weather and UV resistance that determines how a house will look a few years after finishing.
• The low water absorption of the material is also very important. Due to this, dampness does not penetrate into the thickness of the wall, and a normal level of humidity is maintained in a room finished with such a brick.

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

Product range

Main types of material

The choice of a facing brick begins, as a rule, with the definition of its type. In principle, the exterior decoration of buildings can be carried out using almost any brand of building material, but, nevertheless, some varieties are better suited for this task than others.

According to the production method, facing blocks are divided into:

• Roasting. This category includes ceramic and clinker bricks. The raw material for their production is clay, which is subjected to heat treatment to give the building block strength and resistance to various external factors (moisture, ultraviolet radiation, chemicals, etc.).
• Ceramics and clinker most often produced without the addition of artificial pigments, because their color range is limited to different shades of clay used.

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

• Silicate building bricks are more often used for the construction of the structures themselves, and not for their external decoration. And yet, some brands of silicate blocks, which are made from a mixture of lime with carefully sifted quartz sand, can be used as cladding.

As for the cost, unfired models are definitely more affordable. It costs more and may not be affordable for everyone. And yet, if possible, then it is worth dwelling on the last two options, since, subject to the laying rules and proper care, fired clay is able to maintain its appearance for decades.

Strength and frost resistance

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

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

• For example, if we mention double silicate brick M 150, then this means that its strength is 150 kg / cm 2.
• is determined by the number of freezing-freezing cycles that a brick can withstand without the appearance of signs of destruction, and is indicated by the index F (from the English Frost - frost). So, the F50 brick withstands at least 50 such cycles, and at the same time does not lose its characteristics.

Note! The frost resistance of the finish is important not so much in cold latitudes as in the temperate zone. It is in the middle lane that winter is characterized by a multiple change in temperature, which leads to a rapid failure of the cladding with insufficient frost resistance.

Shape and type of surface

The configuration and features of the front surface of the decorative masonry is another parameter that needs to be considered. And if only specialists-masons can know the functional difference between a silicate block and a hyper-pressed decorative panel, then you can quite decide on the appearance yourself.

As for the shape, everything is quite simple here: a brick is either rectangular or shaped. Rectangular models are used both for laying walls and for facing large planes, while shaped ones (with beveled or rounded edges) are used for finishing decorative elements. Most often, these details are included in the design of arches, parapets, window sills, etc.

The surface of the material can also be different:

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, we got acquainted with the main characteristics of the material. But how to choose a specific batch so that the brick lasts as long as possible, and laying it with your own hands goes without unpleasant surprises?

The following is a kind of instruction that will help you significantly reduce the risks when purchasing a brick:

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

• Pressed Models are produced with a very smooth "bed" - the widest plane. To ensure effective adhesion of the block and mortar, choose a brick from the "young lot". This is due to the fact that immediately after production, unreacted Portland cement remains in the composition of the material, which plays the role of a good binder.
• In order to guarantee the uniformity of the color of the entire lined surface, material should be purchased from one batch. Otherwise, the façade can be “spotted” as it is virtually impossible to avoid slight changes in pigment concentration during production.

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

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

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

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

Perimeter chamfer - protection against chipping

Conclusion

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

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

Brick facing, which is better?

Considering various models of facing bricks in a hardware store, pay attention to its external parameters. The size of the facing stone, mostly hollow, is the same as that of ordinary brick - 250x120x65 mm (85 mm). In high-quality products, all stones are of the same size, moreover, the curvature of the sides and faces, delamination or cracks are not observed.

The main technical characteristics that the best facing brick should have are high strength, low water absorption and frost resistance. The strength characteristics of the front element show the ability of the product to withstand variable loads that occur: during external temperature changes, shrinkage of the building or from microseismic effects.

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

• ceramic brick
• Hyper pressed brick
• Clinker brick

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

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

Which facing brick is better. Reviews

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

A beautiful and durable house is the dream of any owner. At present, any residential object can be made attractive externally, thanks to its cladding. Reliable facing material is brick. Gone are the days when people sheathed the facades of their houses with white or red brick. Now there are several types of this material, various in color. On the one hand, this is good, since you can pick up products of the desired shade and texture and line the house with them, and on the other hand, an inexperienced owner can get confused in the variety of materials offered by the market.

A house built from unsightly material can easily be given a beautiful look with the help of facing bricks.

Although there are technical specifications for each type of brick, which describes in detail its characteristics, not every person who wants to buy facing material will study these documents for a long time and painstakingly. What are the pros and cons of types of bricks and how to choose the best material to clad a house with them?

Types of brick

There are several types of bricks for cladding: ceramic, hyperpressed and clinker.

Types of ceramic facing bricks: A - seven-slot light; B - nine-slit light; B - ordinary semi-dry pressing; G - a variant of light seven-slit; D - light nine-slit block; E - red seven-slit.

Ceramics is the most common type of cladding. This is a classic brick made from clay by firing it. But now they have learned to produce facing material of various shades. Colored products are superficially and volumetrically colored.

To obtain volumetric coloring, red-burning clay is used, which gives the product a red tint, and white-burning clay, bricks of white, yellow and peach color are produced from it. To obtain a facing material of other shades, when kneading the raw mass at the first stage of the production of products, coloring compositions with special pigments are introduced into it. Surface staining - processing of finished products with various dyes, then the bricks are coated with metal polymers.

In addition to Russian and Ukrainian ceramic materials, Korean face bricks are very popular. The raw material for it is refractory shale clay mined in the quarries of South Korea. The clay does not contain chalk and salt, it is highly plastic. Korean material is considered a very high quality facade ceramics.

Shell rock or crushed limestone is the basis of hyper-pressed facing bricks.

Hyper-pressed facing brick is obtained from crushed limestone or shell rock. They are bound with a 12% solution of Portland cement and water, and dyes are added to obtain color shades. It is produced not by firing the material, but by hyperpressing raw materials under high pressure.

It is obtained from a special type of plastic clay, which is first pressed and then fired at high temperatures before baking. Already in the process of firing, the products acquire various color shades, but dyes, mostly natural, are often added to the mass.

Advantages and disadvantages

Having decided to revet the house with ceramic bricks, the owner will do the right thing, because ceramics has a number of excellent qualities. Such a brick is very durable in its structure and tolerates mechanical stress well. It is resistant to ultraviolet, and even the color of the southern facades lined with it does not fade in the sun. Facing brick has good frost resistance and withstands low temperatures. Manufacturers produce ceramic products of a wavy and even shape, with a smooth and rough surface, which allows you to turn an ordinary house into a work of art. Another plus of the face brick is low water absorption, thanks to which moisture is not absorbed into the product, and water vapor freely escapes from the room to the outside, that is, the walls of the building can “breathe” and do not become damp.

To prevent water from freezing on the facade in winter, it is necessary to cover it with water repellents. But do not choose among them those that form a vapor-tight film on the surface of the cladding. It will block the release of steam to the surface, and when the temperature drops, the water under it will begin to condense in liquid form. When the temperature drops below zero, the water will freeze, expand and destroy the cladding. It turns out that ceramic bricks have only one minus, the action of which can be prevented in a timely manner by purchasing the right water-repellent agent.

Hyper-pressed materials

The advantages of hyper-pressed products are obvious: excellent frost resistance and resistance to moisture. They are strong and durable in use. The advantage of such materials is considered to be low cost compared to ceramics, since their production is low-cost. There are many different colors of this material, and thanks to various molds, hyper-pressed bricks are produced hollow and full-bodied, as well as chipped, figured.

Hyper-pressed brick has excellent frost resistance, as well as resistance to moisture.

Along with the pros, this product also has its cons. Thus, facing hyperpressed brick has a very smooth surface, which makes it difficult to adhere the solution to the product itself. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a material that has at least small indentations or holes in the beds, which will improve the adhesion of products to the solution. The mortar adheres well to “young” bricks produced less than a month ago.

Due to the relaxation of stresses in the material, which arise in it even during the pressing of products, cracks may form on the front side of the bricks over time. And the “rock” texture imitating natural stone, which is obtained as a result of a split of a solid brick, the surface is completely covered with small microcracks. So that the front layer does not collapse even more, such a lining, like ceramic, should be treated with water repellents. And then the house, which is lined with hyper-pressed brick, will delight the owners with a beautiful view for a long time.

Clinker lining

Scheme of insulation and clinker wall cladding

Facing has excellent sound and heat insulation. Good frost resistance ensures a long service life of the material. Like ceramic bricks, clinker bricks are waterproof and have the ability to pass water vapor. The house, which is lined with such a brick, is very durable, because this material is exposed to high temperatures during firing. Its remarkable quality is its high resistance to mechanical damage and the effects of precipitation. Cladding the facades of houses with clinker is worth it because of its rich color range.

Clinker facing brick has not only pluses, but also minuses. Due to the low moisture absorption of the material, the water of the mortar is slowly absorbed into the bricks, and when laying each row of finishing, it is necessary to wait for it to set. Therefore, it is better to clad the house, fastening the clinker masonry with special hard mortars produced in Germany. They flow little into the voids of the beds, but over time, the clinker masonry acquires the necessary strength. Another disadvantage of the material is the high cost, 2 times the price of ceramic products. Thus, facing clinker is the most expensive brick.

The choice of material for cladding

If the owner has figured out which brick is better to veneer the facades, he still faces the task of how to purchase a quality product. What should I pay attention to when buying a brick lot?

1. What size of brick is best for facing work? A product with dimensions of 250x120x65 mm is considered standard. It is universal, as it is suitable for decorating facades and for building main walls. 250x60x65 mm - these are the dimensions of a narrow brick, which is cheaper than a standard one and is used only for cladding. Thin brick has dimensions of 250x22x65 mm. This material is more like a tile. If you choose such products, remember that they are lined with perfectly flat surfaces. Facing with thin bricks will be identical in appearance to brick coatings of other sizes, but it is better to finish the corners of the house with standard or narrow products, since the thickness of any brick is noticeable at the ends.
2. What color are ceramic or clinker bricks? If the brick is of a pale pink natural color, the conditions for its production were violated, that is, it is not burned. Such a product will get your hands dirty, absorb water strongly, and make a dull sound when struck. This material can only decorate the house inside. If the surface of the brick is glassy and cracked, it is burned out and will not be suitable for finishing. Choose a quality red brick, it will make a clear sound when struck.

When choosing a facing brick, you should focus on the chips, they should be without any inclusions, only of a uniform color.

Already in the process of short-term operation, spalls and efflorescence may appear on the lining. The first occur if lime is contained in the brick mass. When buying, you should make sure that there are no white blotches on the chip of the product and that it is homogeneous. Such material should not be chosen for facade cladding. Efflorescence - white stains on the surface of a brick are its defects and indicate an excess of salts in its mass. If you choose a material with the presence of efflorescence on some bricks, then the houses that are lined with them will look sloppy.

How to determine the thermal properties of the product? There are 5 groups of bricks depending on its thermal conductivity: the efficiency of products is high, increased, normal, conditional and ordinary. It is not difficult to determine it by eye: the more cavities in a brick, the warmer it is, the full-bodied material is less heat-efficient.
How to determine the strength of a material? This can be done by hitting the brick with a hammer or by looking at its markings. The low-quality product M25 will break into rubble at the first blow. Medium-strength brick M50 will shatter into several pieces after 2-3 blows, and high-strength brick M150-M300 will spark from blows and only small pieces will break off from its faces.

Frost resistance of a brick is from 6 to 14%. It is indicated in the marking with the letter F. The larger the number behind it (from 35 to 100), the greater the frost resistance.
Last tip for those who wish: you need to buy material, calculating its quantity in advance and purchase a little more than required. Indeed, when re-purchasing, it may turn out that different batches of goods differ in shades of colors. Now each owner will choose the right facing brick and decorate the house beautifully with it to the delight of himself and others.

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 can become unusable or lose its attractive appearance in a short time.

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, the norms and technical rules for the manufacture of ceramic bricks are 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 the construction of internal walls and partitions, as well as the external walls of the building, ordinary bricks are 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, external finishing is carried out.

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 presence of 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 finishing 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 performance 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. Despite the fact that the cost per square meter of such a facing brick is higher than that of silicate brick, it is the best option in terms of price/quality/durability ratio (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, artificial stone. 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 heavy weight often stop buyers.

How to choose a facing brick for the house?

The best facing brick is the one that will last a long time, provide comfortable living conditions and 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?

About where to buy good quality facing bricks, 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 finishing options.

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, the modern technology used by us for applying texture to the front surface of the brick allows our customers to create an individual style of the 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.