Clinker brick has excellent decorative properties and amazing durability. What are the areas of its application? What range of sizes, types, colors and textures is available to customers? We will talk about this in this article.
What is clinker brick?
Due to the unique combination of elegant appearance and excellent performance, this building material is considered to be elite. Its use will help the house look aesthetically pleasing, while at the same time giving the facade strength and durability. Clinker brick is much more expensive than other facing materials, but its quality justifies the cost. It was invented and began to be produced commercially in Holland in the 19th century. Its name in translation from the Dutch language means "voiced." At first it was used only for paving roads, but later became one of the most popular materials for exterior and interior decoration.
Features
Clinker cladding brick has unique physical and decorative properties. They are due to unusual manufacturing techniques and the use of special raw materials. Brick is made only from the so-called skinny clay with a high content of quartz sand. Mineral dyes and volcanic basalt can be added to the refractory mixture. Under the influence of high temperature, sand turns into glass. The conditions for firing blanks are very different from the standard. To obtain the product of the required quality, the temperature in the furnace must be maintained exactly at the level of 1300 ° C. For comparison, during the firing process of ordinary brick, 900 ° C is sufficient. Observance of these technological conditions guarantees the minimum porosity of the material and its density. It acquires exceptional strength and very low moisture absorption.
Durability and safety
Clinker facade cladding brick does not require special care and efforts to maintain an aesthetic appearance. Dirt does not penetrate its surface and is easily washed off with water, this is ensured by the extremely low porosity of the material. This property also prevents the appearance of mosses on the walls. Over time, the color of the brick does not fade, since mineral dyes are added directly to the clay at the stage of forming blanks. This facing material retains its original appearance throughout its entire service life.
In terms of strength, clinker cladding brick is twice as large as usual. It has a high level of resistance to compression and resistance to mechanical damage. Architects use it to build foundations and socles of buildings that bear the weight of the structure and must withstand heavy loads.
Moisture absorption and frost resistance
The internal structure of clinker bricks is extremely dense, thanks to the preliminary pressing of raw materials and firing at high temperature. The almost complete absence of microscopic pores prevents the penetration of moisture. Clinker cladding brick absorbs 3-5% of the water of its mass. If the product has a glazed surface, then it does not absorb moisture at all. For comparison, for other materials, this figure is 25%.
Low moisture absorption gives tangible benefits. The cladding can be used in difficult climatic conditions without making additional efforts to protect it from precipitation. There is a relationship between moisture absorption and frost resistance. If a brick absorbs a lot of water, its structure is destroyed at a low temperature. Clinker brick is free from this drawback and can withstand a minimum of 75 freezing and thawing cycles.
Durability
According to this parameter, this material confidently holds a leading position. Subject to all technological requirements in the process of using it in construction and operation, the warranty period can reach up to 100 years. This phenomenal durability is the result of the many positive qualities of clinker bricks. Low moisture absorption, high frost resistance and durability reliably protect it from all destructive environmental influences.
Safety: environmental friendliness and fire resistance
Clinker cladding brick includes only natural components: clay, sand and various mineral additives. It does not emit any substances harmful to health. This building material can be confidently attributed to the most environmentally friendly. Clinker brick withstands temperatures up to 1800 ° C without deformation. It owes this degree of refractoriness to the refractory mixture from which it is made. The use of this material in construction increases the fire safety of buildings.
disadvantages
With many advantages, clinker cladding brick has some disadvantages. These include its low soundproofing properties. In addition, in terms of heat conservation, it is about two times inferior to ordinary red brick. It is worth noting that this drawback is partially offset by the fact that manufacturers produce many hollow types of this product. For example, clinker cladding brick for exterior decoration in most cases is found in this version. Hollowness significantly increases thermal insulation.
Fields of application
Types of clinker facing bricks are determined by purpose. The facade is used for exterior decoration, usually has a glazed surface for maximum safety and moisture resistance. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of color shades and textures for this type of brick. Sidewalk is used for paving garden and driveways. It is worth noting that due to its strength it perfectly withstands significant loads, for example, the weight of the car. The construction type is used in the construction of socles and foundations.
Sizes and colors
There are strict standards according to which clinker cladding brick is produced. Dimensions cannot have deviations greater than 4 mm in length, 3 mm in width and 2 mm in thickness. The accuracy depends on the quality of the equipment of the manufacturer and the qualifications of its specialists. There are three main sizes of this building material:
- single (250 x 120 x 65 mm);
- one and a half (250 x 120 x 88 mm);
- double (250 x 120 x 140 mm);
European standard - 250 x 85 x 65 mm. The most popular products are German manufacturers. Russian clinker cladding brick occupies an insignificant market share. Buyers are available in a wide range of colors for this material. Companies offer about a hundred shades created by adding mineral dyes to raw materials. Decorative properties combined with durability make brick brick one of the most attractive materials for exterior and interior decoration.