We are here to answer any questions you have, either about brick cladding or Aquarian Cladding Systems – here are the most frequently asked about our products and services.
What is brick cladding, and what are the benefits of using it?
brick cladding involves attaching brick slips to the exterior of a building to provide an attractive and durable brick finish. On many projects, the brickwork is indistinguishable from conventional, hand-laid brickwork. Benefits of using brick cladding include improved durability and weather resistance, improved thermal insulation, fast and easy installation, better sustainability and flexibility in design.
What types of brick cladding systems do you offer?
We offer a variety of brick cladding systems, including Gebrik, a B-rated panelised, insulating brick slip cladding system which is mechanically fixed directly to either masonry, timber or steel frame substrates. We also offer two A1-rated solutions, MechSlip and NaturAL-X, which both use lightweight brick ‘slips’ with an innovative unique profile to enable them to be mechanically fixed to any substrate, via an engineered aluminium support rail system.
How does brick cladding compare to other types of exterior cladding?
Brick cladding is generally considered to be a durable and long-lasting exterior cladding option. Brickwork is a historically durable façade to any building. It can also assist in achieving superior insulation and acoustic properties compared to other types of cladding and is generally easier to install and cost-effective, in many instances.
What is the installation process like for brick cladding?
Brick cladding systems can be installed on almost any surface, provided the substrate is structurally sound and able to bear the weight. The installation process for brick cladding typically involves preparing the wall surface, installing the bracketry for the mechanical fixing system, and installing the brick slips tiles or panels. The specifics of the installation process will depend on the type of system used as we also have products that require no bracketry and can fix back directly through insulation.
Can brick cladding be used for both residential and commercial projects?
Brick cladding can be used on both residential and commercial projects, however, the brick cladding system used will depend on the height of the project. As A1-rated solutions, MechSlip and NaturAL-X are suitable for use on all buildings. Gebrik is only suitable for use on buildings below 11m as it is B-rated but is still one of the most tested and certified systems in the UK.
How durable is brick cladding, and how long does it typically last?
The type of cladding you choose will affect how a building performs in terms of weatherproofing and protection. Brick cladding offers the same durability and longevity as traditional brick, which is highly durable, a naturally fired clay material that can last for decades or even centuries. Always build according to the environment.
Are there any maintenance requirements for brick cladding?
The type of cladding you choose will also affect the kind of maintenance the building will require over time. Once fixed and pointed, brick cladding is durable, weatherproof, and relatively maintenance-free, but each product has its own O&M manual.
How does brick cladding perform in terms of insulation and energy efficiency?
Brick cladding provides an additional layer of protection to a building, and some can provide thermal insulation as well, dependent upon the brick cladding proposed, so in turn can help reduce energy costs associated with heating and cooling a building.
Can brick cladding be used to achieve a specific design aesthetic or architectural style?
Brick cladding can be used to achieve a wide range of design aesthetics and architectural styles, from a traditional to a modern facade and it allows for complex and intricate designs some even that wouldn’t be possible with traditional brickwork to be created that are indistinguishable from traditional masonry and perfect where the aesthetic of real brick is required.
What is the cost of brick cladding compared to other types of cladding systems?
The final cost of brick cladding will depend on factors such as the type of system used, the size of the project, and the specific materials and finishes chosen. It’s the reduction in the cost of the overall project where brick cladding saves money thanks to associated benefits such as reduced labour costs, reduced prelim costs and earlier project completion. It’s imperative that any cost comparison is taken beyond the product cost itself and the holistic project cost is understood.
Do you offer any customization options for brick cladding, such as colour or texture variations?
Thanks to a hugely versatile and extensive range of natural colours and finishes, brick cladding can be customised to meet any specific needs and design preferences. For example, Gebrik consists of approximately 700 different natural clay brick finishes in various sizes. Each product has its own colour and finishes range available, so deciding on what finish you want would limit the systems you could use.
What is the lead time for ordering and installing brick cladding?
Current availability should always be checked with Aquarian, but some products can be available in 4-6 weeks, and some could take longer to manufacture. It is also imperative for us to understand the site program to ensure the availability of individual components to suit, and that’s a big part of what we do.
Do you offer any warranties or guarantees for your brick cladding products?
Products from Aquarian Cladding Systems have manufacturers' warranties and guarantees which vary but are there to give confidence in the quality of the systems. For example, MechSlip is supplied with a project-specific 25-year manufacturer-backed product warranty, and Gebrik is supplied with an Independent Insurance backed Product Warranty for 10 years.
How can I get started with a brick cladding project, and what is the process like working with Aquarian Cladding Systems?
To get started with a brick cladding project, customers can contact us to schedule a consultation and discuss their specific needs and project goals. We provide you with accurate technical and commercial cladding advice when you need it and deliver your cladding requirements on schedule, but it’s that first contact when we’ll want to understand your project drivers and intended objectives to ensure we can offer you the most effective brick cladding solution.
What types of support and resources do you offer to help customers with their brick cladding projects?
Aquarian Cladding Systems offers a variety of support and resources for customers, including technical specifications via NBS and site scheduling support services to ensure a successful project outcome. All our systems are thoroughly tested and BBA-certified to ensure our clients have the peace of mind that our innovative solutions will provide safe, beautiful brick facades for many years to come. Our unique Approved Installer Network for our brick cladding systems shows our commitment as a responsible supplier, which is important to Aquarian. The network is monitored regularly, and all approved installers must go through a rigorous training process to understand how to install in accordance with instructions and product certification.
What locations does Aquarian Cladding serve?
We supply external commercial cladding systems across the UK for our product choice is a stern favourite for architects and installers for it’s insulating properties and ease of use. Contact us to find out if your home is covered by our installers.
Large Areas:
Brick Cladding Suppliers South West, Brick Cladding Suppliers South East, Brick Cladding Suppliers West Midlands, East Brick Cladding Suppliers Midlands, Brick Cladding Suppliers North East, Brick Cladding Suppliers North West
South West:
Brick Cladding Suppliers Somerset, Brick Cladding Suppliers Cornwall, Brick Cladding Suppliers Devon, Brick Cladding Suppliers Dorset, Brick Cladding Suppliers Gloucestershire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Bristol, Brick Cladding Suppliers Wiltshire, Brick Cladding Supplier Frome, Brick Cladding Supplier Radstock, Brick Cladding Supplier Shepton Mallet, Brick Cladding Supplier South Petherton, Brick Cladding Supplier Street, Brick Cladding Supplier Wellington, Brick Cladding Supplier Wiveliscombe, Brick Cladding Supplier Yeovil, Brick Cladding Supplier Glastonbury, Brick Cladding Supplier Axbridge, Brick Cladding Supplier Bridgwater, Brick Cladding Supplier Bruton, Brick Cladding Supplier Burnham On Sea, Brick Cladding Supplier Castle Cary, Brick Cladding Supplier Clevedon, Brick Cladding Supplier Crewkerne, Brick Cladding Supplier Dulverton, Brick Cladding Supplier Norton Radstock, Brick Cladding Supplier North Petherton, Brick Cladding Supplier Langport, Brick Cladding Supplier Weston Super Mare, Brick Cladding Supplier Taunton, Brick Cladding Supplier Keynsham, Brick Cladding Supplier Ilminster, Brick Cladding Supplier Highbridge, Brick Cladding Supplier Bath, Brick Cladding Supplier Portishead, Brick Cladding Supplier Minehead, Brick Cladding Supplier Midsomer Norton, Brick Cladding Supplier Winsford, Brick Cladding Supplier Wincanton, Brick Cladding Supplier Wells, Brick Cladding Supplier Watchet, Brick Cladding Supplier Somerton
South East:
Brick Cladding Suppliers Kent, Brick Cladding Suppliers Hampshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Oxfordshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Surrey, Brick Cladding Suppliers Berkshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers London, Brick Cladding Suppliers Hertfordshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Buckinghamshire
West Midlands:
Brick Cladding Suppliers Wolverhampton, Brick Cladding Suppliers Dudley, Brick Cladding Suppliers Walsall, Brick Cladding Suppliers Sandwell, Brick Cladding Suppliers Birmingham, Brick Cladding Suppliers Solihull, Brick Cladding Suppliers Coventry, Brick Cladding Suppliers Herefordshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Shropshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Staffordshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Warwickshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Worcestershire
East Midlands:Brick Cladding Suppliers Derbyshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Leicestershire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Lincolnshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Northamptonshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Nottinghamshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Rutland
North East: Brick Cladding Suppliers Tyne and Wear, Brick Cladding Suppliers North Yorkshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers County Durham, Brick Cladding Suppliers Northumberland
North West:
Brick Cladding Suppliers Lancashire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Greater Manchester, Brick Cladding Suppliers Cheshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Merseyside, Brick Cladding Suppliers Cumbria
East of England:
Brick Cladding Suppliers Bedfordshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Cambridgeshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Essex, Brick Cladding Suppliers Hertfordshire, Brick Cladding Suppliers Norfolk, Brick Cladding Suppliers Suffolk
Major cities:
Bradford, Brighton and Hove, Cambridge, Canterbury, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Chester, Chichester, Colchester, Derby, Doncaster, Durham, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Kingston upon Hull, Lancaster, Leeds, Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Ripon, Salford, Salisbury, Sheffield, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, St Albans, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Truro, Wakefield, Wells, Westminster, Winchester, Wolverhampton, Worcester, York