Proprietary
II. Thin Brick Thin bricks are just that -- real, fired clay units that bear all of the quirky and yet durable and timeless characteristics of their masonry cousins, face brick. In fact, it is not uncommon to extract a thin brick from the front ½ inch of a face brick. However, most thin brick is extruded and baked independently of face brick.
A. ASTM Standards
As the precast requirements for thin brick tolerances are stricter than what is acceptable in laid-up masonry, more care is often taken in the manufacturing process to produce a quality thin brick. ASTM International, a not-for-profit organization that provides a global forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and
services, has issued a standard specification for “Thin Brick Veneer Units Made from Clay or Shale.” This specification, identified as Designation: C1088, addresses such product dynamics as absorption, warpage, freeze/thaw, weight loss, durability, and size dimensions. (Contact IBS for a copy of specification C1088) Size dimensions are particularly important to the proper embedment of thin brick in any liner system. Certain thin brick manufacturers now warrant their products to tolerances of, in the case of modular, +0, -1/16th inch – a stricter requirement than the Type-TBX standard found in the ASTM specifications. See Section III.C “Designing with Brick” for brick specifications B. Thin Brick Color As with face brick, thin brick shades can vary substantially within any color selection. Because it is a baked, or kilned, product these variations of color are inevitable and have been part of the nature of brick for centuries. These variations in color may be found in individual cartons, pallets or even truckload shipments. When installing thin brick it is advisable to follow the practice of conventional masonry and draw product from different sources randomly. Thin brick sample boards offer a general example of available colors and finishes. Sample boards are available from most manufacturers. Most companies strive to show a range of shades within each color selection. It is extremely important that an additional and more substantial sampling of the actual brick to be reviewed for approval before installation begins. A mock up panel of at least sixteen square feet is also recommended. Often, these mock up panels must be produced prior to manufacture of the brick, so it must be understood that they are only a ‘close’ representation of the actual product. It is also important to use the same method of cleaning and sealing of the brick that will be used in production. Waxes, acids, and sealers may have a slight impact on color and shade. In many projects there are multiple truckloads of brick required. These may also vary in shade. It is advisable to make an attempt to schedule production of walls on an elevation by elevation basis. The objective is to minimize the visual effect of two adjacent walls with distinctly varying shades of brick in each. Beginning at the corner of a building and working around is one example.(for more information see also Blending brick)
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