Frequently Asked Questions
Estimating Brick Masonry
There are various methods to estimate material quantities on a project. Hand calculations and computer programs have been used depending on the complexity of the building. Because of its simplicity and accuracy, the most widely used estimating procedure is the “wall-area” method. It consists merely of multiplying the net wall area (gross areas less areas of openings) by known quantities of material required per square foot (square meter).
Credit: Brick Industry Association
Credit: Brick Industry Association
Maintenance
If properly designed, detailed and constructed, minimal maintenance is required for thin brick applications. Brick veneer should be inspected periodically to ascertain performance and to identify any potential problems. Inspections are recommended on an annual basis at a minimum. Such inspections should address sealant joints, any loose units, plumbness of the wall, cracking, etc., to identify repairs and corrections before severe issues develop.
Product Samples
Often, a small sample board is sufficient for determining the final selection. However, when large quantities of brick are to be erected, the prudent owner, general contractor, mason contractor, a distributor should direct or request that the final selection be made from a field panel (also known as a field sample or mock-up). A field panel is typically constructed as a freestanding element that will later be torn down when the project is complete. Usually, a quantity of brick equal to approximately 15 square feet will be used for the construction of the freestanding field panel. Use our material calculator to purchase materials for this purpose.
Typically, the general contractor and mason contractor are responsible for preserving and maintaining the integrity of the field panel which is considered the project standard for bond, mortar, workmanship and appearance and as the standard for comparison until the masonry has been completed and accepted by the owner or the owner's representative.
Product Samples are available on our our website. You can also contact us for any special arrangements.
Each brick product page offers a place to order brick samples, and mortar color channel sample is located under the mortar tab.
Typically, the general contractor and mason contractor are responsible for preserving and maintaining the integrity of the field panel which is considered the project standard for bond, mortar, workmanship and appearance and as the standard for comparison until the masonry has been completed and accepted by the owner or the owner's representative.
Product Samples are available on our our website. You can also contact us for any special arrangements.
Each brick product page offers a place to order brick samples, and mortar color channel sample is located under the mortar tab.
Could this be installed as a floor on an exterior patio exposed to snow? If so how do you recommend it is installed?
Some bricks will do better than others in this condition. Some bricks will age differently and that is appealing to some clients. Wire cut or tumbled bricks in our floor brick category should be just fine. Typical installation is thin-set over a concrete slab. This is a none proprietary tile installation method, and details can be found online. Caution: do not use tile grouting techniques on bricks as most bricks might not clean as easy as tile and this might not produce desired outcome. Test your ideas and theories first one a test panels prior to grouting main wall.
I Need To Match a Brick. Can You Help?
We have a large library of bricks to choose from, but not all bricks are available in a thin brick. Thankfully we have the brick cutting option that is very helpful, and it allows us to cut any full brick into a thin veneer. The success of the match will depend on the criteria and material sent to us listed below:
- We'll need three photos of brick in the existing wall
- First photo - close-up to recognize texture (1-2 feet away)
- Second photo - close range to understand the variety of brick color variation (4-5 feet away)
- Dimensions of the brick (H x L x D)
- Quantity of brick needed
- Estimated project start date
How Do I Calculate Recycling Content in Brick Products?
Recycling Content for Brick products is 16% of the material value.
Details are in the link below:
https://brickit.com/files/product_files/BIA-Recycled-Content.pdf
What Is Slurry Brick?
A texturing process where a colored solution is applied, and kiln fired into the body of the brick to create a permanent, ceramic finish.
What is Paper Cut Brick?
Papercut brick is extruded real clay brick that is then covered by a sheet of kraft paper. Wire cutters are then used to cut right through the kraft paper and the brick material, creating individual bricks with an irregular edge shape.
What Is Molded Brick?
If you like soft, irregular shapes and a sand texture, then molded brick is right for you. Molded bricks are made by filling a box mold with brick material and then vibrating it and then releasing it.
What Is Extruded Brick?
To make extruded bricks, the brick material is pushed through a die under very high pressure. This long strip of material can then be sliced create the individual bricks. Extruded bricks have sharp, angled edges and are often texturized in a number of ways to give a more interesting look. If you have ever seen bricks with holes in the middle, you've looked at extruded bricks.
What is Tumbled Brick?
Tumbled bricks are actually extruded fired brick that is tumbled, or sometimes by a mechanized process that incorporates a diverse textured pattern onto extruded, pre-fired clay.
What Is Handmade Brick?
The old-world charm and quality craftsmanship of handmade brick creates an authentic look prefect for early colonial structures. Each brick is formed separately in wooden molds, and is therefore unique. No two are alike.
What Is Glazed Brick?
Glazed brick is extruded brick that has a glaze applied to it. Glazing is applied as a second step often by another vendor at different location. During firing, the glaze actually becomes a part of the brick, making it very uniform in color and highly durable. Glazed brick is available in a number of color choices and even speckled surfaces.
I was installing thin brick and now I have some cement smears on the face of it. How do I clean it off?
When installed properly and needle, your veneer shouldn’t need any cleaning. Occasionally some brick might require light rinse with light to mild strength cleaning solutions. Please follow the cleaner’s manufacturer recommendations.
We do offer some of the products here: https://brickit.com/products/other-products?categories%5B%5D=91
For further information I’d like to refer you to the leader of that industry – Prosoco. Their website address is www.prosoco.com
Caution! - please follow manufacturer’s recommendations but before applying any chemicals to your veneer please test the results and a mocked-up wall to make sure you’re satisfied with the results. Most applications are irreversible.
We do offer some of the products here: https://brickit.com/products/other-products?categories%5B%5D=91
For further information I’d like to refer you to the leader of that industry – Prosoco. Their website address is www.prosoco.com
Caution! - please follow manufacturer’s recommendations but before applying any chemicals to your veneer please test the results and a mocked-up wall to make sure you’re satisfied with the results. Most applications are irreversible.
Does Thin Brick Require Maintenance?
Generally, Brick It does not require any maintenance. If any cleaning is needed, please follow the cleaner’s manufacturer recommendations. For further information I’d like to refer you to the leader of that industry – Prosoco. Their website address is www.prosoco.com
We do offer some of the products here: https://brickit.com/products/other-products?categories%5B%5D=91
Caution! - please follow manufacturer’s recommendations but before applying any chemicals to your veneer please test the results on a mocked-up wall to make sure you’re satisfied with the results. Most applications are irreversible.
We do offer some of the products here: https://brickit.com/products/other-products?categories%5B%5D=91
Caution! - please follow manufacturer’s recommendations but before applying any chemicals to your veneer please test the results on a mocked-up wall to make sure you’re satisfied with the results. Most applications are irreversible.
I Would Like To Paint My Thin Brick After Installation. What Do You Recommend? Can I Use The Cheapest Brick For This Reason?
When choosing brick for our projects we always choose brick texture and color. In case where the veneer is meant to be painted, color is irrelevant, but texture is still very important. Please choose wisely as customers often overlook the choice of texture.
I’d Like To Paint My Brick Wall. What Can I Use?
When it comes to painting brick, we advise customers to seek painting expert’s opinion. Many paint manufacturers offer paints specifically for this purpose. Your local paint retailer can be a good resource but depending on your application you should consider and ask for/about: water repellent, breathable, mildew resistance.
What Is The Insulation Value Of Thin Brick?
Unfortunately, Thin Brick by itself will only add insignificant amount of approximately 0.05 of thermal resistance (R value).
Does Brick it Sell Fake, Faux Imitation Bricks?
No. All Bricks Shown that we offer are real kiln fired units.
What are the Applications For Thin Brick?
Thin brick is often used as wall and ceiling veneer of restaurants, amusement parks, kitchens, chimneys, fireplaces, signage and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
What Thin Brick Sizes Are Available At Brick It?
Below is a table of most brick sizes that exist. Thin brick is not manufactured in all these but with our brick cutting service we can produce almost anything in the table below.
In the brick product page is a tab with a particular’s product size availability. Please scroll and find the “Shapes And Sizes” Tab.
In the brick product page is a tab with a particular’s product size availability. Please scroll and find the “Shapes And Sizes” Tab.
| Brick size | Height | Length | Bricks In Square Foot |
| Modular (MOD) | 2 1/4 | 7 5/8 | 6.68 |
| Standard (STA) | 2 1/4 | 8 | 6.55 |
| Norman (NOR) | 2 1/4 | 11 5/8 | 4.57 |
| Saxon (SAX) | 2 1/4 | 15 5/8 | 3.43 |
| Modified Standard (MST) | 2 1/2 | 8 | |
| Modified Norman (MNR) | 2 1/2 | 11 5/8 | |
| Queen (QUE) | 2 5/8 | 7 5/8 | 5.5 |
| King (KIN) | 2 3/4 | 9 5/8 | 4.55 |
| Engineer Modular (EMD) | 2 3/4 | 7 5/8 | 5.76 |
| Engineer Standard (EST) | 2 3/4 | 8 | 5.5 |
| Handmade Oversize (HMO) | 2 3/4 | 8 1/2 | 5 |
| Kingston (KGS) | 2 3/4 | 11 5/8 | 3.84 |
| Closure/Econo (CLO) | 3 5/8 | 7 5/8 | 4.5 |
| Utility (UTI) | 3 5/8 | 11 5/8 | 3 |
| Titan (TIT) | 3 5/8 | 15 5/8 | 2.25 |
| 8-Square (SQU) | 7 5/8 | 7 5/8 | 6.94 |
| Double Utility (DUT) | 7 5/8 | 11 5/8 | 1.50 |
What is Thin Brick?
Brick It thin brick is a real clay masonry unit manufactured to conform requirements of ASTM C1088 but simply put is a severe weather kiln fired real clay masonry unit that doesn’t exceed thickness of 1 ¾”
Is Thin Brick Less Expensive Or Cheaper Than Full Brick? How Does It Compare?
Thin brick is not supposed to replace the full brick veneers. It’s supposed to be used in circumstances where full brick cannot be, or its very challenging. When comparing thin brick to full bed brick side by side, often thin brick cost more, but after deducting other factors needed for full brick construction such as foundations, lintels estimators quickly realize the benefits and savings that thin veneers offers.
The largest savings are in the renovation construction. There is no digging, no landscape destruction as it is much lighter installation method.
The largest savings are in the renovation construction. There is no digging, no landscape destruction as it is much lighter installation method.
