Gebrik is a unique, innovative, panelised, insulating brick cladding system, which is suitable for use on buildings below 18m. It consists of approximately 700 different natural clay brick finishes, in a range of sizes, which are cast in polyurethane under factory-controlled conditions.
With a fire rating of B, s1, d0, the non-load-bearing, lightweight stretcher, stack or Flemish bond cladding panels are produced to create approximately 1m² ‘sheets,’ which can be screwed directly to either masonry, timber or steel frame substrates on site. With a full range of factory-produced or site-applied components to suit external corners, surrounds to window or door openings and any other abutments, the system is restricted only by the architect’s imagination when it comes to design.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Expandable PU Foam is injected into an abutment chamber using a pistol applicator supplied as part of the system.
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.
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 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 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 – 10m:use 9 fixings (3 rows of 3) W = 2301 Nm² h = 10 – 18m:use 12 fixings (4 rows of 3) or (3 rows of 4)W = 2565 Nm² h = 18 – 65m:use 16 fixings (4 rows of 4) W = 2831 Nm² If there is any doubt about the type and length of fixing, please contact our Technical Department for further advice.
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 Dept to obtain an appropriate list of installers and a copy of the insurance document.
Gebrik is designed to improve the thermal performance of a building and uses expanding polyurethane (PUR), with pentane as the blowing agent. Hence the insulation is CFC and HCFC free and meets the BREEAM credit POL1 relating to the GWP of blowing agents for insulation. The lambda (λ) value of the insulation can be taken as 0.029 W/mK (min 40mm). The lambda (λ) value of the brick slips can be taken as 0.770 W/mK (min 20mm). The system can be supplied with up to an additional 100mm insulation (in 10mm increments) laminated to each component or fixed through (up to) 100mm additional insulation. Please contact our technical department if you require a U value calculation including risk of interstitial condensation.
The Gebrik system has been tested in accordance with EN13501-1:2007 + A1:2009 and classified as follows: B-s1, d0, in relation to its reaction to fire behaviour, smoke production and flaming droplets/particles. The external surface of the system is classified as Class O or ‘low risk’ in accordance with BS476. Gebrik has been tested in accordance with BS8414-1:2002 and 8414-2:2005 and on each occasion has successfully met the ‘Pass’ criteria in accordance with Annex A of BRE report (BR 135:2003) and Annex B (BR 135:2013) ‘Fire Performance of External Insulation for Walls of Multi-Storey Buildings’. For more information on fire performance please click here.
