1. Introduction
Clay fired bricks have been in used for building for their beauty, warmth, and durability of brick houses for thousand of years. The distinctive features of the traditional brick houses can be reclaimed for the walls that built with plain plastered furnishes or other alternative materials by replacing with brick veneers at economical cost.

Brick veneer is a relatively new product which is seeing increasing popularity in commercial, residential and do-it-yourself markets. Brick veneer is produced from shale or clay and are kiln-fired. These brick veneers are much like facing brick, except they are approximately 10 to 50mm thick. The face sizes are normally the same as conventional brick and therefore, when in place, give the appearance of a conventional brick masonry wall.

The selection of brick veneer is based on its colors, textures, and finishes. As with all other fired clay or shale products, color depends on the chemical composition of the raw material, the intensity of firing and controls used in the firing. The color ranges for brick veneer units are as unlimited as those for other fired clay brick. The texture of brick veneer depends on the method of manufacture and the surface treatment used prior to firing or after firing.

Special shapes of thin brick can be used to create sills, cornices, quoins, and other ornament architectural details. While most commonly used for remodeling applications, brick veneers are also used in new construction where the substantial weight of full thickness masonry is a consideration.

Brick veneers from Claybricks are available in various sizes, colors, and textures. The most common size is 215 x 67 x 10mm. Other sizes such as 215 x 135 x 30, 215 x 270 x 30, 215 x 405 x 30 mm, and etc. are also available and suitable for large buildings.

2. Preparing the Right Tools
In order to carry our the work simply, quickly, and properly, you will need to acquire the following tools:-

• spirit level
• rold rule
• tooth trowel
• brick layer's trowel
• filling trowel
• painting brush
• chipping hammer

3. Method of Installation
Brick veneers are being installed using a variety of techniques. Ceramic tile installation techniques are often used to install the brick veneer units. Either at the jobsite or on prefabricated panels or home owners can follow the manual to do-it-yourself easily.

For large scale projects, brick veneer have been placed into forms and cast integrally with concrete, thus providing a very attractive architectural prefabricated panel. Another procedure involves bonding brick veneer to a substrate of convenient size, resulting in small, lightweight, easily installed modular panels.

Below are the procedures that could be used to install brick veneer:-

Step 1
Clear all dirt, oil, grease, or other contaminants and remove all loose plaster, paint and scale on wall. Chip the existing painted wall surfaces with a chipping hammer and brush away all the flaky bits. Ensure that all surfaces are structurally sound.

 

 

Step 2
Apply a scratch coat to cover and level any uneven wall surfaces if necessary and allow it to set prior to applying the adhesive mortar. Prepare the adhesive mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be careful that you add appropriate amount of water/latex in order to achieve good workability. Apply the mortar and level with a flat side of a trowel to about 10mm thick, comb the surface with the notched side of the tooth trowel and remove the excess mortar.

Step 3
Press the brick veneer firmly and evenly onto the wall surface so that the mortar behind the veneer squeezes out around its sides. Use a gentle wiggling action whilst pressing to ensure a strong bond between the veneer and wall surface.

 

 

Step 4
Use a small brush (about 8mm diameter and wet constantly) to smooth the mortar in the gaps between the veneers while the mortar is still wet. If you want to grout the joints, use a grouting pallet tool to carefully fill in the joints with mortar. If you prefer colored joints, oxide colorants can be mixed with the mortar. Take care not to dirty the veneer surface as cleaning is a hassle. Use a round or flat pointing tool to finish the joints when the mortar is thumbprint hard. Do not work on the joints too soon or the mortar will smear. Lastly, brush away any loose or excess dry mortar.

4. Advantages of Brick Veneer
Primarily, brick veneer functions as an architectural wall covering that ahs the maintenance-free benefits of conventional brick masonry. Secondly, brick veneer provides some protection to the material over which it is applied.

1. Interior brick veneer finishes can be applied by homeowner or other moderately skilled craftsmen
2. Brick veneer is more durable and can last longer than aluminum, wood, or vinyl sidings
3. Prefabrication with brick veneer is easily and economically done
4. Better sound and fire resistance properties may be obtained using brick veneer than using other non-masonry sidings
5. Brick veneer units are more durable than imitation brick units made from gypsum, cement, or plastics
6. Walls built with brick veneer units are lighter in weight than conventional masonry veneer
7. Cleanup costs often incurred in conventional brick veneer construction may be reduced
8. Year-round installation is possible
9. May be used where structural support for conventional brick veneer is not available