Facts about Special Shaped Bricks and Engineering Bricks
Special shaped bricks are generally used in situations of severe exposure such as copings and cills and where powerful resistance to water penetration and high durability has always been essential. As such they are commonly known as Engineering Grade bricks, the most famous of which is the Accrington Nori Blue Engineering brick.
The bricks are generally solid and have stood the ultimate test of time. In the early part of the 20th Century their blue colour was regarded as the stamp of durability, today their performance under crushing tests, water absorption and abrasion tests is evidence of this.
The use of specials to add a high quality finish to brickwork ensures extra durability and protection to vulnerable areas and avoids difficult and expensive hand cutting.
The standard work size in the UK for bricks is 215x102.5 x 65mm; see BS 3921 in 1985 which was superseded by BS EN 771-1 in 2006.
Specials are grouped in seven main groups; bullnose, arch, angle, cant, radial, capping and plinth. Within those groups there are several variants which have evolved to offer a set of modular components used in design of internal and external walls, external freestanding walls, window and door openings, columns and chimneys.
Bullnose units include; single bullnose, double bullnose, single and double bullnose stops, bullnose stretcher, bulllnose external return, double bullnose stop end and cownose stop.
Arch units include tapered stretchers and headers and cant units include; singles, doubles and external returns. Plinth Specials include; Plinth cant stop, plinth headers, plinth stretcher and internal returns long and short. UK and European manufacturers also supply a range of standard specials. Non standard specials can also be sourced.
Special shaped bricks are generally used in situations of severe exposure such as copings and cills and where powerful resistance to water penetration and high durability has always been essential. As such they are commonly known as Engineering Grade bricks, the most famous of which is the Accrington Nori Blue Engineering brick.
The bricks are generally solid and have stood the ultimate test of time. In the early part of the 20th Century their blue colour was regarded as the stamp of durability, today their performance under crushing tests, water absorption and abrasion tests is evidence of this.
The use of specials to add a high quality finish to brickwork ensures extra durability and protection to vulnerable areas and avoids difficult and expensive hand cutting.
The standard work size in the UK for bricks is 215x102.5 x 65mm; see BS 3921 in 1985 which was superseded by BS EN 771-1 in 2006.
Specials are grouped in seven main groups; bullnose, arch, angle, cant, radial, capping and plinth. Within those groups there are several variants which have evolved to offer a set of modular components used in design of internal and external walls, external freestanding walls, window and door openings, columns and chimneys.
Bullnose units include; single bullnose, double bullnose, single and double bullnose stops, bullnose stretcher, bulllnose external return, double bullnose stop end and cownose stop.
Arch units include tapered stretchers and headers and cant units include; singles, doubles and external returns. Plinth Specials include; Plinth cant stop, plinth headers, plinth stretcher and internal returns long and short. UK and European manufacturers also supply a range of standard specials. Non standard specials can also be sourced.
Where to buy specialist bricks
- Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC - Hillview Road, Michelmersh, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 0NN, 01794 368506