Advantages and disadvantages of hollow facing bricks

Because of their special advantages, hollow facing bricks are now a common option in contemporary building. These bricks, which have hollow cores, are intended to lower the structure’s overall weight while still offering superior thermal insulation. These bricks are a popular choice for a variety of projects because they provide both functional and aesthetic benefits, which many builders and homeowners value.

The lighter weight of hollow facing bricks in comparison to solid bricks is one of their primary advantages. This reduces labor costs and time during construction by making them easier to handle. Furthermore, the building’s foundation is not as stressed by the decreased weight, which can be important in some projects.

The energy efficiency of these bricks is also excellent. Natural insulators in the form of air pockets are produced by the hollow cavities in the bricks. Accordingly, hollow facing brick buildings are better at regulating interior temperatures, which could result in lower heating and cooling costs.

But it’s also critical to take into account any potential disadvantages. In certain situations, hollow facing bricks are less suited for load-bearing walls because they might not be as strong as their solid counterparts. The construction process may occasionally become more difficult because they must be installed carefully to guarantee that the cavities are correctly aligned and filled.

Many builders still choose hollow facing bricks in spite of these drawbacks. For a range of construction projects, their lightweight design, thermal efficiency, and visual appeal make them a viable choice. Like with any building material, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding whether hollow facing bricks are the best option for your upcoming construction project.

Description of facing hollow bricks

The primary characteristic of hollow bricks is the presence of numerous, varying-shaped holes and cracks. There are square, rectangular, and oval void forms in addition to round ones.

The lowest amount of voids is 12%, while the percentage of voids reaches 50%. This implies that, compared to the full-bodied variety, a lot less material is used in the production process. This product makes things cheaper and speeds up the production process.

Products are distinguished by the fact that during the manufacturing process, the maximum porosity of the structure is achieved. Because of this, the material has a lower thermal conductivity, allowing the products to transfer heat more effectively both inside and outside the home at varying temperatures.

Brick has good insulation qualities against heat and sound because of its large number of voids. But, in order to get the best results, the mortar’s thickness must be regulated during the laying process and it must not be applied to product voids.

Advantages and disadvantages

The following are the material’s advantages:

• high level of thermal insulation. This is the first thing you should pay attention to when purchasing a product. This advantage allows you to provide a comfortable microclimate in the house, regardless of the weather and season;
• if you lay brick in two rows, then there is no need to use material to insulate the walls;
• long-term operation. The product has sufficient strength and resistance to negative environmental factors. The service life reaches 50 years without loss of its properties;
• high noise insulation. The voids that the brick contains provide not only thermal insulation properties, but also relieve homeowners from external noise. Such a brick creates a kind of shield that prevents the spread of sound;
• opportunity to save on consumables. Considering that the material itself is cheap and has good thermal insulation, then: firstly, you do not need to buy a large amount of it for cladding, secondly, you will need much less mortar than with ordinary brick;
• not subject to cracking. The air contained inside the brick allows the material to remain intact throughout its entire service life. In particular, products with a proportional ratio of voids and raw materials of 1:1 have this property;
• good decorative properties. This advantage is as significant as all the previous ones. With the help of hollow bricks you can improve your home and create an attractive appearance of the facade.

Among the product’s drawbacks are:

• with its help it is not possible to build a foundation, since the brick does not have a sufficient level of strength;
• it is also characterized by hydrophilicity due to its significant porosity;

Brick is a moisture-absorbing material that may eventually crack as a result of liquid freezing within it when winter arrives.

Specifications

Products are first categorized into grades, which range from M125 to M250 and represent their strength indicator.

The following are additional technical details:

• thermal conductivity varies from 0.16 to 0.24 W/m*C o;
• density level from 1100 to 1700;
• frost resistance indicators 35-35.5 F;
• percentage of water absorption 6-8;
• weight varies from 2.2 to 3.4 kg.

Kinds

• ceramic. The material is made from clay raw materials. Produced with a smooth surface, textured finish, and a layer of glaze. All of the above options are used to impart decorative properties to the product;
• clinker. This variety also belongs to ceramic, but it is more modern due to the fact that special types of clay raw materials and firing process are used in production. Due to such nuances, a reliable material for cladding is obtained; it is mainly used for situations with large and constant loads;
• hyper-pressed. No firing is used during production. It is replaced by high pressure pressing. Due to the technological process used to create it, the finished products have a natural stone surface. This makes it possible to realize the most original design ideas. The main disadvantage of the product is the high level of thermal conductivity;
• silicate. It is the cheapest material for cladding, but its appearance is not very attractive. This is precisely the reason why it is used less and less often as a facing material.

Manufacturing companies

The number of companies producing hollow facing bricks is fairly high.

Among them, the most well-liked and common are:

• Kerma, made in Russia;
• KS-Keramik, Russian production;
• Proomax, Russian production;
• Daas Baksteen, made in Holland.

A combination of advantages and disadvantages with hollow facing bricks can affect your building choices. One advantage is that their low weight makes them simpler to manage and lessens the overall strain on structures. In comparison to solid bricks, they also offer superior thermal and acoustic insulation, improving comfort and energy efficiency. They do, however, need to be handled and installed carefully because they can be less resilient and more prone to damage. Furthermore, some homeowners may prefer a more solid, traditional look, but their aesthetic appeal may not match. In general, knowing these benefits and drawbacks will assist you in determining whether hollow facing bricks are the best option for your project.

Masonry process

The hollow brick-laying procedure is shown below and can be summed up by the following algorithm:

• initially they establish procedures;
• after this, they tighten the moorings, which are necessary to ensure even laying of the brick material;
• This is followed by dry laying of the brick material on the wall;
• preparing the solution;
• laying the mortar on the wall;
• its distribution under the outer mile;
• after this they carry out the laying of the outer mile;
• spread the required amount of mortar under the inner mile and begin laying it;
• then apply the solution under the forget-me-not and lay it down;
• check the correctness of the masonry rows.

It is essential to use a solution whose mobility index does not exceed 8 cm in order to perform a quality process. By doing this, the product’s voids will not lose a significant portion of its composition, and the thermal conductivity will not decline.

Frequent masonry level measurement and verification is a crucial step in the process.

Useful video

You’ll discover more about hollow bricks in this video:

While hollow facing bricks have many useful advantages, there are also some disadvantages that should be taken into account. Positively, they are less physically taxing on workers due to their lightweight design, which also makes handling and installation easier. Reduced transportation expenses are another effect of this. Compared to solid bricks, their design offers superior thermal insulation, assisting in the maintenance of comfortable interior temperatures and possibly reducing energy costs.

Aesthetically, hollow facing bricks are available in a range of hues and textures, enabling imaginative architectural plans that can improve the appearance of any structure. Additionally, they have a reputation for being resilient to weather and needing little upkeep over time.

Hollow facing bricks do have certain drawbacks, though. Their use in load-bearing applications may be restricted because they are typically not as strong as solid bricks. Furthermore, if improperly handled, their hollow structure may make them more vulnerable to damage during handling and transit. The cost benefits could be somewhat offset by this possibility of increased breakage.

Whether or not to use hollow facing bricks ultimately comes down to the particular requirements of your project. They combine ease of use, insulation benefits, and aesthetic appeal, making them a great choice for non-load-bearing walls and beautiful facades. It is imperative to evaluate these advantages in light of their structural constraints to guarantee their efficacy in fulfilling the requirements of your building or remodeling endeavor.

Video on the topic

Hollow brick is evil!😱

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Ceramic brick its pros and cons – [© masterkladki]

Dedicated to lovers of laying facing bricks under the rod!#project #brick #facing #builder