About Bricks And Clinker

2023 Author : Hannah Pearcy | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39

Color is not just a question of coatings, materials themselves are also color carriers - the classic example of this is clinker, bricks and bricks with their regional connection. Armin Scharf bricks are among the most traditional building materials for solid masonry as well as for the masonry that has been practiced since the 19th century. Bricks, and with them the more fired and more resistant clinker, are commonly used as a substitute for non-existent or too expensive natural stones. Therefore, wherever no natural stone is available on the spot, you will find clinkered buildings. Coastal regions on the North and Baltic Seas are considered strongholds of clinker, also because they were the best to cope with the special challenges of the local climate in the past. Today, this exclusivity no longer applies in this form, other facade constructions can also cope well with the nearby sea. But because traditions are long-lasting and shape the characteristic face of the regions, the clinker has lost none of its topicality to this day. On the contrary: in the form of flat facing bricks for insulation systems, it ideally combines aesthetics and functionality. Because the colors, surface properties, dimensions, laying pattern and joint design are very variable, clinker bricks can be used in a wide variety of modern architectural contexts. Discreetly multicolored facades with horizontal or vertical joints and small-scale dimensions fit into almost any local and temporal reference. Iron brings shades of redBricks and bricks have a wide range of colors, because the raw material clay is composed differently depending on where it is mined. The pigments contained are identical to the local earths and natural stones, from which the natural and authentic appearance comes. The more iron the clay contains, the redder the brick appears after the fire; little iron and more lime produces yellow colors. In addition, the oxygen supply controls the color during the burning process. Clay mineral masses also allow the surface to be specifically colored. Color glazes and decorative elements also made playful designs possible in the past. With the industrial production of the clinker, the regional influence of the raw material on the color faded in favor of a very differentiated and widely available range. Which does not mean that regional preferences dissolve - on the contrary. In the Netherlands, different tones are also used in current buildings than, for example, in the Lübeck area, the stronghold of Neo-Gothic brick. And the old cities of Flanders show themselves in completely different color constellations. Combinations In the past, clinker was combined with natural stones for structural elements in prominent buildings, but today you will often find combinations with wood or plaster, with trusses or wooden frame structures - and of course always in constructive connection with curtain walls or thermal insulation composite systems. For this purpose, Caparol offers not only material-compatible clinker brick slips, but also handmade, mineral-based “Meldorfer flat facing bricks” that do not differ from real bricks. The joint issue In terms of design, the joint and the laying bandage are just as important as the brick or clinker itself. A facade with recessed joints looks different than one with open or contrasting joints. Dark joints between darker clinkers create a flat overall picture, while light joint materials lead to a strong emphasis on the individual stones and the type of laying. Gray joints are classics, but you can also experiment with colored joints in terms of design. After all, there is currently a deliberate focus on clinker brick associations with differentiated shades instead of homogeneous colors. In this way, a lively but not chaotic picture can be created, particularly in the case of large facades without structure. Because bricks have always been relatively expensive building materials,The recycling of used stones has always been practiced - today this is practiced again in terms of sustainability and authenticity. It is not just about the “vintage look”, but also about visible historical references.

practice plus

Despite the convergence of many peculiarities in Europe, very specific color cultures have been preserved in the regions until today. Caparol's ColorDesignStudio started three years ago to explore these cultures, including the colors of the brick and its relatives. This also includes the Meldorfer flat facing brick and ceramic coverings, whose color repertoire is presented by the new brochure "Inspiring surface". www.caparol.de