Brick
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Building Systems > Brick Concrete brick is a very effective way to make a strong first impression. When people walk up or drive by a home with concrete brick, second glances are common reactions. If you own a home with concrete brick as your exterior veneer, you already know this. If you are planning on using it, be prepared to have your neighbors ask questions while admiring the beauty of your concrete brick.
Concrete brick has more benefits than it's striking visual qualities. They deaden exterior noise, giving you and your family a buffer from traffic noise, airplanes flying overhead and other various disruptions. Fire protection is another benefit of concrete brick. Giving your family, and the fire department, extra time is never a bad thing. You won't have to worry about maintenance with concrete bricks. Kiss those weekends of stripping and repainting wood siding goodbye! Finally, concrete brick walls can improve the thermal mass qualities of your exterior walls, thus improving your energy bills.
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L: This brick has a molded bark texture face.
R: Bricks are also available with a rough estate texture
face.
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* Photos courtesy of Taylor
Concrete
Design
The requirements for good performance from a concrete brick
wall include:
- A foundation which will handle the weight of the brick veneer
- A well-braced back-up wall which will handle the veneer load
- Proper attachment to the back-up wall.
- Proper design and detailing of expansion joints, flashing,
and drainage
- Proper use of materials
- Good workmanship during construction
Styles
Concrete brick is manufactured in various colors and patterns.
The type of finish is even an option; smooth, sandblasted,
stone pattern, etc. The concrete used to produce
the bricks can be anything from regular
aggregate concrete to various mixtures of lightweight
aggregates. They are usually colored with iron oxide
pigment at the
surface, or the pigment is
present throughout the mixture. Chances are there
is a brick available that meets your specifications.
*Photos courtesy of Air Vol Block.
Mortarless Brick
A new exterior wall system uses concrete bricks cast in special
shapes which require no mortar and can be installed by anyone with basic
carpentry skills. The system provides homeowners with the effective look
of real brick exteriors.
The dimensions and appearance of the brick faces are similar to traditional
split-faced bricks, and like bricks used for conventional veneer walls, they
are installed in staggered rows. Hidden from view is the unusual shape of
the cast block, which allows shingle-like overlapping. Because the system
does not require footings or mortar, it can be used on new or existing buildings.
Installers stack the blocks in rows and screw them to vertical furring strips
attached to the wall sheathing. The furring strips provide a positive connection
and create an air space, allowing the veneer surface to breath and providing
drainage for any moisture that may penetrate. Thermal insulation characteristics
are about the same as common face brick (R-0.11) and each unit weighs just
over 4 lbs. Because of the interlocking shape of the materials, the system
requires no mortar and can be installed by a contractor, handyman or homeowner
with basic woodworking and layout skills. Like traditional split-face brick,
the system is strong and durable and will not dent, chip or fade in color.
*Information courtesy of PATH
Moderra
325 Alliance Place NE
Rochester, MN 55906
(877) 248-7456
www.moderra.com
Novabrik International Inc.
8138, Metropolitan East
Montreal, QC H1K 1A1
(800) 265-2522 / Fax: (514) 355-2922
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Troubleshooting
Removing grout residue with acidic cleaners is risky for concrete surfaces. Do not use a sealer as a grout barrier. Prevent grout smears, surface scratching and keep grout residue out of any surface texture characteristics by coating before grouting.
Efflorescence (subsurface originating white powdery stains) and scuffing can occur. However, this is easily cleaned. If it is a concern, choose a penetrating sealer.
Colors can fade. It's the iron oxide pigments used in concrete products that do not fade. The appearance of fading is actually from light efflorescence and can be stopped by sealing with the appropriate sealer.
All concrete products are subject to damage from acids. However, the appropriate sealer helps prevents this.
* Information courtesy of Aldon Chemical
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Partial List of Producers/Suppliers of Concrete Brick
Air Vol Block Inc.
1 Suburban Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
(805) 543-1314 / Fax: (805) 543-0848
www.airvolblock.com
Besser Company
801 Johnson Street
Alpena, MI 49707
(800) 968-0444 or (989) 354-4111 / Fax: (989) 354-3120
www.besser.com Hanson Brick
8851 Camp Bowie West
Ft. Worth, TX 76116
(888) 872-7425 or (817) 244-9191 / Fax: (817) 244-8866
www.hansonbrick.com
Metromont Materials
475 Simuel Rd.
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 585-4241 / Fax: (864) 582-2127
www.metromontmaterials.com/brick.jsp
Royal Brick
9534 Industrial Rd.
Justin, TX 76247
(940) 648-5602 / Fax: (940) 648-9187
www.royalbrick.net
Taylor Concrete
20475 Old Rome State Rd.
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 788-2191 / Fax: (315) 788-1591
www.taylorconcrete.com/brick
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Accessories for Concrete Brick
Aldon Chemical (cleaner, sealer)
Columbia Falls, MT
www.aldonchem.com
Prosoco (cleaner)
3741 Greenway Circle
Lawrence, KS 66046
(800) 255-4255 / Fax: (785) 830-9797
www.prosoco.com
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Disclaimer
Listing constitutes neither an endorsement nor recommendation by the Portland
Cement Association (PCA). PCA disclaims any and all responsibility
for the selection of firms listed, products they supply, and/or
work performed by
their products. This list is titled a "Partial List" because although PCA
has made reasonable efforts to include all known producer/suppliers,
we are not certain this list includes all producer/suppliers.
This list is in alphabetical order and is not in order of industry
rank or rating. PCA also assumes no responsibility for
errors and omissions
in this list.
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