Designing With Purpose, Performance and Aesthetics: Brick Cladding Systems

Brick is a timeless element that can enhance both a building’s aesthetic and performance, evoking an emotional connection with its enduring style. With the use of brick cladding systems, one can redefine a building’s envelope into something more beautiful by leveraging today’s technology to simplify installation.

The use of high-performance cladding systems in brick designs is in its renaissance period with innovative patterns, material combinations, and a variety of cladding options. Architects and designers have more ways than ever to push the boundaries of traditional brickwork. 

Brick as a Design Medium

Used in both interior and exterior applications, brick is a classic design and building material because it offers a combination of strength, sustainability and visual appeal. Brick has several benefits over other materials, including its durability, lasting hundreds of years; fire resistance, especially beneficial for dryer geographies with higher chances of wildfires; energy-efficiency, leveraging thermal insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs; and low maintenance. 

Benefits of a High-Performance Cladding Systems

High-performance cladding systems offer convenience without compromising on design, providing efficiency, consistency and design flexibility, and making them a suitable choice for many modern construction projects. 

While hand-laying brick is the traditional method of building a brick wall, cladding uses thin brick veneer attached to large panels. Modern cladding systems boast several advantages over hand-laid brick without sacrificing aesthetics, which may be a consideration for your next project:

• Faster Installation: Cladding systems are typically prefabricated panels or modules that can be quickly and easily installed. 
• Cost-Effective: While the upfront cost of a cladding system may be higher due to manufacturing and installation of specialized panels, it can be more cost-effective over the duration of the project. The reduced labor and construction time can lead to overall cost savings, especially for large-scale projects.
• Flexible Design: Cladding systems offer a wide range of design options, including various colors, textures and patterns. This allows architects and designers to achieve specific aesthetic goals.
• Lightweight: Cladding systems are designed to be lightweight, which reduces the overall load on the building’s structure. This can be particularly beneficial for retrofitting existing buildings or constructing on sites with specific load limitations.
• Enhanced Insulation: Many cladding systems incorporate insulation materials, offering better thermal performance and energy efficiency for the building. This can help meet energy efficiency standards and reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Building Code Compliance: Cladding systems are specifically designed and tested by the manufacturers to meet building code requirements for safety, structural integrity, and fire resistance. This ensures that the building adheres to the necessary regulations.

Considerations When Deciding to Use a  Brick Cladding System

Whether a project is suitable for the use of a brick cladding system depends on several factors. 

Builders and architects should consider higher upfront costs due to specialized materials and fabrication, potential challenges in achieving a seamless appearance if not installed properly, limited availability of certain cladding system options in some regions, and the need for skilled labor experienced in working with brick cladding systems.

Ultimately, the choice to use a brick cladding system should be based on the project’s specific requirements, budget constraints, and the expertise of the construction team.

Types of Cladding Systems

Determining which cladding system is best for a project depends on the building’s architecture and function. Two popular brick cladding systems at Glen-Gery are the Thin Tech® and Tru-Brix, both of which feature a thin brick façade and are part of their Advanced Cladding Systems®.

Glen-Gery is the only brick manufacturer to produce a thin veneer metal panel system for brick and stone that is suitable for both exterior and interior use. Thin Tech® Wall Systems is a mechanical support and spacing panel intended for thin masonry veneers, offering the warmth of traditional brick to a wide array of products - and projects. Yet, it offers strength and durability by supporting each tile or stone through patented ties that mechanically interlock the masonry veneer to the panel.

Thin Tech® Wall Systems boast benefits including simple support - no relief angles or foundations are needed for support; continuous rigid insulation compatibility; superior drainage and drying; are performance verified, featuring water penetration resistance, structural performance, shear bond strength, fastener pull through and fastener withdrawal, and corrosion resistance. It also features more size options depending on the needs of your project. 

The second brick cladding system is the Tru-Brix Wall Systems, which offers versatility for both commercial and residential design, bringing classic brick aesthetics to contemporary architecture. It features a patented snap-in steel-rail design, holding the brick in place for a permanent mechanical attachment. In addition to brick, it can also accommodate cast stone, window sills and headers, accent bands, soldier courses, and a variety of creative features, shapes and designs not typically possible with other thin-brick methods. As a result, this expands the design palette to more building types. Tru-Brix Wall Systems are also less costly and feature decreased construction time.

Trends in Use of High-Performance Cladding Systems in Brick Designs

With high-performance cladding systems, several new design trends have emerged. Notable trends in brick designs using cladding systems include:

• Modern Geometric Patterns: Contemporary architecture often involves the arrangement of bricks in intricate shapes and angles, creating visually captivating facades.
• Brick and Metal Combinations: Combining brick cladding with metal elements like aluminum or steel is a growing trend, especially in commercial and industrial buildings.
• Customized Color Blends: Modern architects and designers have started exploring personalized color combinations to achieve unique and eye-catching exteriors.
• Textured and Handcrafted Finishes: Textured brick cladding surfaces have gained popularity. Textures can mimic the appearance of handcrafted brickwork and other materials.
• Brick Screens and Fins: Designers now use the strategic placement of bricks to create perforated patterns, offering a balance between openness and enclosure while enhancing the building’s aesthetics.
• Thin Brick Veneers: Also known as brick slips or brick tiles, veneers have become popular for their lightweight nature and ease of installation.
• Integrated Lighting and Dynamic Facades: Brick cladding designs can incorporate integrated lighting elements like LED strips or recessed fixtures to create visually striking effects and highlight architectural features. Dynamic facades using motorized or movable brick elements are a cutting-edge trend. These movable bricks can help control natural light, ventilation and privacy while adding a unique design element to the building’s exterior.

High-performance Brick Cladding Systems for Modern Design

Cladding is a cost-effective way to showcase the timeless appeal of a brick exterior. The rise of brick cladding has allowed architects to create bold and visually interesting designs while maintaining the classic aesthetic of brick. 

At Glen-Gery, architects and designers can access a variety of the latest cladding systems to support their design goals. To learn more about about Glen-Gery’s Advanced Cladding Systems® and how to integrate them into your next project, visit www.GlenGery.com/products/wall-systems.