The use of bricks for constructing the exterior walls and facades of building stems all the way back to before 7000 BC where dried bricks were found in southern Turkey. But it was the advent of fired bricks in 3500 BC that made the use of bricks in external cladding possible in colder climates as well, as the heat from the sun was no longer needed to dry the bricks. Today, bricks are one of the most used building materials in the construction industry.
Recent advances in brick making technology means that architects, engineers, and designers are now able to go beyond traditional brick products to create elegant and long-lasting external walls that evoke nostalgia to the 1920’s red brick buildings in New York, to the modern “industrial’ warehouse conversion look that is popular today in cities across the world.
Brick slips for external cladding are a popular choice for architects preferring to make a more modern design statement but with a higher level of accuracy and alignment, and at a lower cost. Brick slips can be used for the refurbishment of existing buildings, both domestic and commercial, but can also be used for new build construction.
“Increasingly, our clients are coming to us with requests for brick slips for external use in buildings – from family homes to commercial buildings and retail shops, we are able to work together with architects and designers to create unique exterior spaces,” says Hannah O’Toole, Marketing Manager of Riyadh-based Al Diyar Al Atiqa, the leading manufacturers and suppliers of high quality clay bricks for construction and interior design across the GCC.
Al Diyar Al Atiqa’s range of brick slips is custom manufactured with European technology by running extruded clay down a production line where a wire section is cut and then fired before it is baked. This method of making them in-house is far more cost-efficient and ensures that they are durable, resistant to heat and water, and most importantly, are safe. The advantage of custom-made brick slips is the range of aesthetic and decorative appearances that can be created due to the reduced weight, dimensions, and textures available in the market.
5 benefits of cladding brick slips for exterior design:
For any DIY enthusiast, installing brick slips is a perfect project, as it does not require skilled masonry; it is more like tiling. There are only a few simple steps to take and rules to follow to successfully install brick slips on an external façade. Brick slips are assembled onsite and an adhesive is applied to set them in place.
Time is money and, as installation can be done very quickly, using brick slips lowers construction costs and eases construction work while improving the strength, aesthetics and insulation performance of external surfaces.
The reduced thickness of the brick slips ensures that all external space can be maximized retaining valuable square footage, making it easier to refurbish the external façade of any building as most of the time brick slips can be installed on any type of surface. Corner brick slips can be used to complete any wall, window frame or door.
The extensive choice of colors and finishes allow you to design a unique look – from sleek and modern, to traditional or rustic. Available in a variety of colors – natural tones such as brown, caramel, and grey or eye-catching colors such as red terracotta, bold black, classic white and classic yellow – brick slips can also be painted directly onto for a custom color.
Brick slips are lighter, slimmer and more versatile than regular bricks ensuring that more can fit on a pallet and make it easier and cheaper to transport and store them.
Search our full range of bricks slips now.
