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As one of the Ireland’s leading distributors of bricks and brick slips products, Likestone has been stocking and fitting the largest selection of bricks and brick slips products since 2005.
Suppliers of the highest quality brick and brick slips
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Movement of Brickwork
/in Architectural Design, Interior, Uncategorized/by Stephen O'ConnorMovement in brickwork should be considered at the design stage of a project and implemented throughout the course of the project.
Movement Joints
Sources of Movement
1. Moisture
2. Temperature
3. Loading
4. Creep
5. Chemical actions
6. Ground movement
7. Settlement
Reversible Movements
In general, reversible movements are caused by temperature changes. These can be calculated by referencing the coefficient of thermal expansion.
Irreversible Movements/Expansion
Movement in brickwork can be the result of a number of factors, one of which is, absorption of water molecules from a fired clay brick. This can cause can cause irreversible movement or expansion. This may continue for a number of years, but at a reduced rate.
Spacing of Movement Joints
The spacing and thickness of movement joints is related to the detailed design, length and height of the brickwork, together with any requirements for structural restraint.
Size and spacing of Movement Joints
For standard storey height walls, it is advisable that the joint width (mm) should be at least equal to the joint spacing (mm). Allow an additional 30% for the compressibility of the filler and the performance of appropriate sealers.
Positioning of Movement Joints
Example:
The movement joints at 10m centres will need to be approximately 13mm wide and the distance between movement joints should ideally never exceed 12m. Most construction works are to a 5/6 meter grid, therefore for design purposes it is normally accepted that the movement joints should be considered at 10/12 metre centres. Movement takes place around corners and not just in straight runs of masonry, therefore it is important to include all continuous masonry in assessment.
Spacing of Movement Joints in Lightly Restrained Walls
Unrestrained or lightly restrained walls (such as parapets and small freestanding walls) should be given double the amount of movement provision. In these cases, the distance between movement joints should be 5 – 6 metre centres, with coping and cappings at half these distances.
Vertical Movement of Brickwork
Clay and Concrete units have different movement characteristics, these differences being in both magnitude and direction. These should not be bonded together but separated by either a vertical or horizontal movement joint or slip plane.
When brickwork is used to clad a reinforced concrete frame, the design should make particular allowance for differential movement.
For further information on Movement in brickwork and reinforcement, please see Cracks in Brickwork Blog
Stone and Brick Cladding Ideas for interiors and exteriors
/in Uncategorized/by Stephen O'ConnorWe all love the idea of using stone and brick but sometimes it can be difficult to find an application. Below are some amazing and clever stone and brick cladding ideas.
Feature Walls
Brick veneer staircase walls, stone cladded living area, faux brick bedroom walls, bathroom walls finished in stone cladding panels, etc
Fireplaces
Using stone around a fireplace creates an amazing focal point in any room. Whether you are using natural stone cladding or creating a stone veneer effect, the end result is a beautiful stone fireplace or stone cladded stove surround.
stone cladding fireplace
Garden Walls
Exterior stone cladding is considered to be an authentic irish feature creating naturally cladded stone entrance walls and brick veneer boundary walls, courtyard walls etc
Kitchen Walls
Brick slips in particular create the look of an original brick wall when used around the clean lines of contemporary kitchen cabinets, stone effect tiles when used behind a stove or as a backdrop to the dining area bring a sense of authenticity and warmth.
Front Facade
Stone and brick cladding products will enhance the external look of your home or building by accenting entrance ways and porches. It is often an option to clad the entirety of your home or building by creating an external stone or brick envelope.
BBQ Areas
Thin brick slips or building brick are a perfect option for bbq areas or bbq pits. The thermal properties of both products allow them to sustain the heat that may be emitted.
Water Features
Walls bordering planted areas or water features such as ponds can easily be finished with stone cladding panels or even natural stone panels blending seamlessly with the remainder of the garden.
What are the causes of Efflorescence?
/in Architectural Design, Interior, News, Uncategorized/by Stephen O'ConnorIt is important for developers, architects and bricklayers to understand the causes of efflorescence and how to prevent it. Below you will find a concise guide outlining the definition of efflorescence, how to identify it, causes, how to minimise the risk.
Definition
It is identified by the deposit of soluble salts on the surface of brickwork after the evaporation of water.
How to Identify Efflorescence on Brickwork
It is easy to identify by the unappealing white staining on the surface of brickwork. Standard cases of efflorescence is evident in new builds, however, in rarer cases efflorescence can prove to be quite harmful or toxic.
Efflorescence on Brick
What are the causes of Efflorescence in Brickwork?
Most commonly it is derived from soluble salts in clay bricks, sand used in mortars, cement and detergents such as plasticisers. To a lesser degree, evidence of efflorescence can be from other sources.
Clay Bricks
The most common salts in clay are sulfates of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. In days gone by, ferrous sulfate was more common and may have been responsible for rusty stains on mortar or brick.
Mortar Sands
It is strongly advised to not use sea sands in mortar as it contains many harmful salts. Generally, most sands come from river beds or pits and contain not so many salts.
Cement
Slag cements can contribute to the evidence of efflorescence. This is because of their appreciable quantities of sodium sulfate. In Ireland, we commonly use Portland cement which is very low in soluble salts.
Detergents
Plasticisers is a detergent commonly used in mortars. It is important to use properly formulated proprietary mortar plasticisers which have a very low soluble salt content.
Other Sources
Often efflorescence can be a factor during the storage phase of a project. All bricks and associated products should be stored in a dry sheltered space, elevated from the ground. It is imperative to eliminate any contact with surrounding soil during storage.
How to minimise the risk of Efflorescence
The most obvious way is by reducing the amount of water penetrating the brickwork at all phases of the construction process
Good Design Details
Overhanging verges, eaves, copings and cills can help prevent the brickwork from becoming saturated. Details which guide water away from brickwork is good practice
Site Practice
You should always elevate Bricks, mortars and adhesives from the ground during storage. Any newly built brickwork should be protected from saturation for at last 7 days after bricklaying.
How to treat Efflorescence
You should allow it to wear away naturally, particularly on external surfaces. Internally, you can try small test patches using mists of water. This might be a good option reducing the risk of patchiness.