You’ll agree that bricks are the most utilised material for external walls for most of the buildings across the nation. However, with there is a type of cladding that is gaining in both popularity and availability – brick cladding. Building designers of the future now have crucial decisions to make regarding whether to complete with traditional brick linings or use brick slip panels. Find out more about Brick Cladding, visit www.telling.co.uk/architecture/brick-cladding/

Traditional brick buildings are what we usually see, where bricks are placed in a flat row to form a pattern that is attached together using a mortar, dimple finished with a shovel to leave a neat and attractive appearance. Although the brick cladding concept is fairly new in the UK, there are several systems available that consist of lightweight panels made in a factory with brick slips and embedded in the back. Some systems consist of brick slips mounted on insulation to improve the thermal performance of exterior walls. The panels are then affixed to the substrate at that location with a connection pointing to the mortar to complete the display.

When comparing costs, it will first appear that traditional bricks and installation costs are lower than with brick covers. However, by eliminating the need for masonry support in multi-storey properties, brick slips offers a reduction in frame costs and foundation costs. Brick cladding is also good for covering those initial expenses. It takes much shorter time to install thanks to its simple design, meaning that the project is completed faster. It also reduces initial costs such as pole climbers, scaffolding, waste disposal, cranes and shipping requirements.

The brick cladding panels are made in a factory setting, so you can expect the cladding to have a higher quality workmanship than what you get with traditional brick making. Design and on-site installation also play a major role in presenting high-end products. There are various finishes and components for corners, window openings and doors to satisfy even the most difficult of architectural designs.

So, the choice between traditional bricks and cladding might be a difficult choice but cladding can offer many benefits, even though you might be wary. Which choice will be used in a project will depend on elements such as cost, schedule and design complexity.

Where cladding offers benefits that cannot be done by conventional bricks is with additional protection that can be wrapped by cladding of brick panels on existing structural material. You can improve the thermal performance of exterior walls, protect buildings from moisture such as those caused by rain and snow, and prevent cracking damage from extreme temperatures.