It is vital to specify and install robust, brick cladding that complies with the new building regulation standards.
MechSlip is a unique and innovative brick slip cladding system that allows architects and specifiers to achieve a non-combustible, through-coloured brick façade, using natural clay brick slips to replicate conventional hand-laid brickwork
Let’s look at the benefits and the reasons why MechSlip is an award-winning brick slip cladding solution.
An A1 brick cladding solution
Following the Government’s decision to ban combustible cladding on new residential buildings, schools, hospitals and care homes in England and Wales above 11m as part of its post-Grenfell fire safety and building design consultation, architects, specifiers, building contractors and housing associations must use a non-combustible tested and classified A1-rated cladding solution.
MechSlip has been fire tested by Warringtonfire and classified A1 to EN 13501-1, meeting the performance of Building Regulations for use on buildings over 11m, and it has also been tested for weather tightness in accordance with ‘Standard for systemised building envelopes CWCT, 2006’ so it not only addresses the fire safety fears in the high-rise market, but the current weather tightness concerns too.
It makes MechSlip the best brick slip cladding option for the high-rise market and anything above three storeys in the construction industry, and it will improve the fire safety and longevity of our buildings for future generations.
An intelligent solution
MechSlip is an intelligent brick slip cladding solution that can achieve a non-combustible, through-coloured brick façade thanks to the inspired efficiency and versatility of a mechanically-fixed brick slip cladding system.
The innovative system combines real bricks, cut to form grooved slips, with a tough and lightweight 6063T6-grade aluminium secondary rail support system to create a robust, yet lightweight brick cladding, natural brick facade.
The natural clay brick slips can be mechanically fixed to any substrate, at any height, via an engineered metal support system with 10mm vertical and horizontal mortar joints. As it’s a mechanical system, it’s the most durable way of fixing to a building.
The best cladding system for architects
Alongside the benefits of MechSlip being an A1 solution and an efficient mechanically-fixed brick slip cladding system, it is also the best cladding system for architects due to its design features and allows the delivery of colour-fast stability and natural weathering behaviour of a traditional clay brick finish.
Thanks to a hugely versatile and extensive range of natural colours, styles and finishes, MechSlip allows for a truly desirable finish, whether you want to match an existing brick finish or push things to a whole new level with complex and intricate designs that would be challenging with conventional brick.
As the MechSlip system is supplied as slips, rails and bracketry it is a more consistent and predictable product, often improving the quality of appearance compared with conventional hand-laid brickwork, while it can also contribute to thinner walls, allowing for the internal floor area to be increased.
The best cladding system for contractors
With contractors having to reduce both costs and build time on projects, MechSlip is perfect. Its simplicity and the ability to be able to apply it in almost all-weather conditions, means installation times are dramatically reduced by typically four or five times when compared with traditional masonry construction.
It can also reduce costs by eliminating the need for masonry supports and reducing foundation and structural frame requirements. Prelim costs, including replacing scaffolding with mechanical access equipment and fewer storage requirements, greater flexibility of build sequence and earlier project completion, meaning less risk of programme over-run, will also provide significant savings when compared to traditional construction methods. Labour costs will also be less, as it’s less labour-intensive.
The best cladding system for installers
In an ideal world, installers want to be able to finish a project as quickly as possible to move on to the next one. MechSlip is 50% lighter than traditional masonry, making it easy to handle on-site and its ease of installation minimises time spent on-site for installers.
As well as being easy to install, training in its installation takes a fraction of the time it does to teach someone how to lay bricks, making it the perfect solution as the construction industry battles with a skills shortage in bricklayers.
The environmental benefits
With architects and contractors under increasing pressure to build more sustainably, MechSlip also ticks the box for environmental benefits.
Using brick slips cut from real bricks it often means two face slips can be achieved from one conventional brick, meaning up to half the number of bricks will be required. Supplied to sites as pre-cut slips also mean more coverage per load, and less mortar means a reduction in the supply, use and storage of cement, sand, and water.
Due to the reduced volume of materials and optimisation of palletisation, deliveries to the site are also reduced by up to 75%, improving sustainability by reducing the impact on global resources with less waste disposal on site too. And fewer deliveries mean less storage and movement on site, all of which will contribute to a tidier, safer, and less expensive site.
An approved network of installers
As one of the key distributors of MechSlip, Aquarian Cladding Systems has introduced MechSlip to its unique Approved Installer Network for contractors, to add value to its supply chain and show a commitment as a responsible supplier. The installer network has been through a vetting and training process so they can install the MechSlip system in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
To discuss your project and find out how MechSlip is the perfect solution you can give our team of friendly experts a call at 0808 223 9080 or contact us online.
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