Gebrik Brick Slip Cladding for Low-Rise Buildings

Gebrik brick slip cladding is a panelised, insulated system designed for buildings under 11 metres. It uses natural clay brick slips cast in polyurethane to create lightweight, non-load-bearing panels. Gebrik brick slip cladding is available in over 700 natural clay finishes in various sizes, with panels covering around 1m² to speed up installation. It has a fire rating of B, s1, d0 and is suitable for use with masonry, timber and steel frame substrates. Bond patterns include stretcher, stack and Flemish options. The system includes components for external corners, window and door surrounds, and junctions or abutments. Using standard parts, flexible designs can be specified, making Gebrik brick slip cladding a practical choice for complex facades.

Close-up view of modern residential buildings with brick slip cladding, large windows, and pitched roofs at Eddington, Cambridge.

Why Use Gebrik?

Features of Gebrik brick slip cladding:

  • Brick cladding can be applied to all common substrates without the need for cavity, closers, brick ties and channels.
  • Lightweight brick cladding and non-load-bearing
  • Over 700 different natural clay brick slips available
  • Exceptional, low U-values with a minimal cladding thickness of 60mm including insulation
  • Up to 650m2 can be supplied on one vehicle, compared to a typical brick delivery, which contains around 165m2
  • Tried, tested, certified, and warranted with nearly 20 years’ experience in UK and approx. 40 years globally

Gebrik Installation Process

Gebrik installation is undertaken by a national network of trained and certified specialist cladding contractors in accordance with the Aquarian Approved Installer Network (AIN) Policy. The installation process is fast and straight forward but the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed to ensure validity of certification, insurance and most importantly the long-term durability of the building. On-site guidance, an Installation Manual & Checklist, COSHH data sheets and Operations and Maintenance Manual are available on request.

starter rail

Starter Rail

The non-loadbearing starter rail acts as a starting level, so great care must be taken when fixing. The datum is determined and the rail typically fixed at 600mm centres using appropriate fixing.

first corner

First Corner

A corner piece is typically the first element to be installed which, when combined with the starter rail sets a right angle for installation of the first row of elements.

first panel

First Panel

The first panel is positioned on the starter rail, tightly abutting the corner element. The panel is drilled through and fixed to the substrate (using pre-located fixing positions).

foaming chamber

Foaming Chamber

Expandable PU Foam is injected into an abutment chamber using a pistol applicator supplied as part of the system.

brick slip cladding

Brick Slips

Where elements abut, brick slips are applied on alternate courses to ‘stitch’ them together and maintain the stretcher bond using a system adhesive as tested and certified by BBA.

pointing

Pointing

The whole system must be pointed to conceal all fixings and element abutments. A lime-based Class II mortar is recommended to maintain a traditional brick appearance.

Gebrik Fixings

Gebrik can be applied to many substrates, including clay or concrete masonry, light gauged steel frame walling or timber frame walling, using the appropriate quantity and type of fixings. The brick slip cladding system is applied to a solid background so where either steel or timber stud walling is used, an exterior grade board should first be securely fixed to the vertical studs (typically at 600mm centres) and the Gebrik system can then be applied to the board. The number of fixings for each component depends on the exposure of the building, i.e. typically the height and wind pressure on the finished façade. h = 0 – 11m:use 9 fixings (3 rows of 3) If there is any doubt about the type and length of fixing, please contact our Technical Department for further advice.

Woodscrews
10 Year Insurance Backed Warranty

Product Warranty

Gebrik is supplied with a ten year insurance-backed product warranty. To ensure its validity, the system can only be installed by suitably qualified installation contractors, using all components supplied as part of the Gebrik system. Please contact our Commercial Department to obtain an appropriate list of installers and a copy of the insurance document.

Thermal performance of Gebrik brick slip cladding

Gebrik brick slip cladding is designed to improve the thermal performance of a building. The system uses expanding polyurethane (PUR) insulation with pentane as the blowing agent. This makes the insulation free from CFCs and HCFCs and helps meet BREEAM credit POL1, which relates to the global warming potential (GWP) of blowing agents.

The thermal conductivity (lambda λ value) of the insulation is 0.029 W/mK with a minimum thickness of 40mm. For the brick slips, the lambda value is 0.770 W/mK with a minimum thickness of 20mm.

Gebrik brick slip cladding can be supplied with up to an additional 100mm of insulation, added in 10mm increments. Extra insulation can either be laminated to each component or fixed through as part of the system.

For U-value calculations, including an assessment of the risk of interstitial condensation, contact our technical team.

brick slip cladding thermal performance
gebrik artwork render brick cladding

What is Gebrik Cladding?

Gebrik is an insulated brick cladding system. It was originally produced in Belgium in 1982 and since then, has been used across Europe to clad over 30,000 different buildings. In the UK, Gebrik cladding has been in use since 2002. Over 400,000 square metres of Gebrik has been installed on buildings in the UK to create an attractive and effective insulating exterior layer.

Gebrik is completely water resistant. It will protect the exterior of a building against even the harshest weather conditions while still allowing the wall to breathe. Mechanical fixing is used to attach the cladding to the exterior wall. It is suitable for use on most substrates and can be used in both new-build projects and building renovations.

How durable is Gebrik cladding?

Gebrik cladding is not a structural support system, but it has high compressive strength and reliable physical properties, including mechanical performance, dimensional stability, water resistance, and high impact resistance. These features make it an effective protective layer for external walls. As a mechanically fixed system, Gebrik cladding is less affected by weather during installation and, once installed, is fully frost-resistant, making it suitable for use in cold climates. During installation, cement-based adhesive should be applied at temperatures above 5°C, and care should be taken to avoid using adhesive that is too wet, as this can affect performance. When installed correctly, Gebrik cladding provides long-term protection and durability.

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Gebrik Brick Cladding Panel
business leader awards winner

Business Leader Awards Business of the Year (1-10 employees)

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Bristol Live Business Awards Best SME (under £15million turnover)

Best use of brick slip cladding' award at the 2021 Façade Awards UK

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'Best use of brick slip cladding' award at the 2022 Façade Awards UK

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