Proprietary
Corner brick are manufactured separately from the flat brick. This increases the likelihood that they will vary in color. Caution must be taken in installing the corner brick. It is the installer’s responsibility to confirm the appropriateness of the corner brick provided. The brick manufacturer and its agents cannot make the decision as to whether or not the corner brick is acceptable. As a general design consideration solid corner units are best avoided whenever possible. Other options include mitered corners and epoxied flat brick corners. (More discussion of this subject may be found in the Corner Brick section.)
For thin brick color options and details we recommend visiting the following web sites: www.summitville.com www.endicott.com www.metrothinbrick.com
C.
Storage of Thin Brick Thin brick is generally cartoned, palletized, and wrapped in protective plastic for transportation. The brick itself is relatively impervious to the elements. However the protective coatings that are often applied to the face of the brick may weather or age. In the case of wax coatings, which are recommended for the VersaLiner® system, wax will begin to melt and begin to wick into the brick at temperatures around 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If this happens, its effectiveness as a bond-breaker and release agent is diminished. It is advisable to protect the brick from extreme heat until it is installed and cast. In addition, excessive dust and dirt may affect the brick’s ability to bond to the concrete properly. Care should be taken to keep the brick covered and protected from the sun prior to its installation.
Keep brick relatively dry prior to installation. Although quality thin brick has low absorption qualities (7% by ASTM boiling test) it will become saturated if left exposed to water for a prolonged period. Part of the concrete to brick bond depends on concrete being absorbed into the brick surface. If the brick is saturated with water the concrete absorption is hindered. It is best to have relatively dry brick when casting _______________________________________________________________________________
III. Engineering and Designing the Brick Panel
A. Shop Drawings Shop cards, sometimes called ‘mark sheets’ are crucial for most projects. Most jobs require a complete set, taking into account each panel. Brick should be considered as a primary modeling criteria when sizing panels and openings. This can speed installation immensely. Too often the focus turns to brick after panel sizes have been established. Last minute adjustments and changes can cause chaos on the job and certainly contribute to tension between the design team and installers. These drawings are traditionally the responsibility of the installing contractor or general contractor. In some cases they are prepared by the engineer or draftsman responsible for panel and reinforcement design. Sometimes the material supplier will produce them. In these cases it is the responsibility of both general contractor to review them thoroughly for accuracy and the architect that they reflect his intent. It is not uncommon while preparing these drawings to offer recommendations as to dimensional changes of panels and openings. These changes are usually minor -- less than 2”. These recommendations should be considered carefully as to their impact on other elements. They must also be acted upon quickly whenever they affect the structural element of a project.
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