VBrick: Mechanical Brick Slip System - Mechanical Brick Slip System

Brick slips are available in four variations:

Handmade:

Brick slips are made by pressing or throwing clay into wooden or metal moulds by hand. The bricks are then dried and fired in a kiln. This manual process gives each brick slip a slightly different shape, texture, and colour, which adds to their charm and aesthetic appeal. Unlike machine-made bricks, these bricks are not compacted or cut by machines, leading to irregularities and variations that gives them their natural bespoke appearance. This traditional method allows for customisation in size and shape, making them a popular choice for projects needing a specific aesthetic or when matching reclaimed bricks. VBrick benefits from the cutting and profiling service for the system requirements. 

Extruded:

The clay mix is pushed through a die (a VBrick shaped opening) in an extrusion machine. This forms a continuous column of clay with a consistent cross-section, often rectangular or slightly textured to mimic real bricks. The green (unfired) slips are dried slowly to remove excess moisture; this prevents cracking during firing. The dried slips are fired at high temperatures (around 1,000°C or more). This hardens the clay, giving the slip its strength, durability, and final colour. Some slips may be glazed, textured, or coloured post-firing, others are left natural for a traditional look. 

Waterstruck:

The bricks are made using a traditional “soft mud“ process where wet clay is pressed into moulds lubricated with water. The excess clay is then struck off, giving the bricks their distinctive textured appearance and rustic aesthetic. This method, which omits the use of sand in the moulding process, is what gives waterstruck bricks their unique, slightly irregular look and feel. VBrick benefits from the cutting and profiling service for the system requirements. 

Stone:

The natural stone slabs are carefully selected from established stone quarries featuring many different colours, textures and stone types are available with limestone being the most popular. The stone is calibrated to ensure correct tolerances are achieved for the system connection, the 28–30 mm thick stone is then kerfed (grooved) for the mechanical fixing of the stone to the horizontal track. Following installation of the stone, the slips are then pointed using Instarmac specialist pointing mortar as specified. Stone available in metric brick size. Ashlar available in 215 x 440 mm. 

Extruded Aluminium Anodized Backing Track:

The flat rear metal surface provides a real benefit both in time and cost saving when installing the system. Mortar cannot fall down the back of the cavity, avoiding waste and application time. The flat rear surface is also important for fitting cavity fire barriers as it offers a flat surface for the fire barrier to close to in the event of a fire. This provides a real benefit to the fire strategy of the through wall system.

Features and benefits:

• Tested to latest UK standards.
• 60 year design life durability, certified by Lucideon.
• One piece corners.
• Interchangeable stretcher and vertical soldier tracks.
• Brick matching service.
• Flat rear extruded aluminium surface of system aids the performance of fire protection.
• Cutting and rectification service.
• Attractive colour and texture range.
• Extensive brick slip and stone range.