Thin Brick
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION BASIC USE Thin clay brick units units for use in adhered masonry construction for both interior and exterior applications. For residential, commercial and institutional applications. COMPOSITION AND MATERIAL Thin brick units are manufactured from clay, shale or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and subjected to a heat treatment at elevated temperatures (firing), creating a bond between the particulate constituents resulting in a severe-weathering brick with one or more finished faces. Custom shapes and sizes are available. The units are saw cut to approximately 1/2” thickness after firing. SHAPES AND SIZES Thin brick units are available in a modular face size of 2-1/4” (height) x 7-5/8” (length). Thin stone units size varies by stone type. Weight of all thin brick products does not exceed 15 psf. Thin brick units are available in standard stretcher (flat) and as cut corner shapes. TOLERANCES Thin brick is manufactured to meet the tolerances of ASTM C 1088 TBX, TBS, and TBA as applicable. Thin brick are inspected to be sound and free of cracks, blemishes or other defects that would either affect the serviceability or strength of the unit, or become exposed once installed and visible when viewed from a distance of not less than 20 ft. under diffused light. LIMITATIONS Manufactured masonry products are generally intended for above grade installations. Manufactured masonry units, regardless of their composition, are inherently absorptive, and as such, are not intended for use below grade. Units installed below grade will wick moisture from the soil that is in contact with the masonry units effectively creating a condition known as “rising damp” in the masonry veneer. Standard brick units are not intended to be used as pavers. General Shale offers paving brick in a variety of colors for light traffic paving installations. In colder climates, masonry walls at grade may also become exposed to deicing compounds. As with other types of manufactured masonry units, clay brick masonry units should not be installed where they will be directly exposed to de-icing compounds used to melt snow and ice from pavements. For further information with regard to installing masonry at or below grade refer to the “At Grade Design Ideas” brochure. The function of caps and copings is to prevent moisture from entering the building envelope through the top of the wall. As most manufactured masonry units are produced in relatively short lengths, if they are used as a cap or coping material more mortar joints are required. These horizontal mortar joints are the most likely entry point for moisture to infiltrate the building envelope. As such, it is generally recommended within the industry to install proper flashings below all caps and copings or to use longer components such as quarried stone or metal parapet caps to reduce the number of joints thereby limiting the areas that may allow moisture infiltration of the building envelope. COLORS AND FINSHES Colors for each of the thin brick and thin rock products are available from your sales representative. Colors vary by plant location. As a manufactured material, General Shale products are monitored for color consistency. Slight variations between batches may occur and it is recommended that the installer mix units from different skids during installation. Consultants should review samples prior to selecting a particular color and finish. TECHNICAL DATA APPLICABLE STANDARDS Required properties for thin brick units are described in ASTM C 1088 Standard Specification for Thin Veneer Brick Units Made From Clay or Shale. These standards classify clay and shale products as either moderate-weathering or severe-weathering depending on the material’s tested physical properties of compressive strength and 24-hour absorption. General Shale Brick products meet and exceed the requirements necessary to comply with the severeweathering classification. They have been extensively tested using standardized test methods found in ASTM C 67 Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick and Structural Clay Tile. Test reports are available upon request. DELIVERY - General Shale brick products are delivered to the site in protective packaging. HANDLING - Lift skids with proper and sufficiently long slings or forks with protection to prevent damage to units. Protect edges and corners. STORAGE - Store General Shale brick products in a manner designed to prevent damage and staining of units. Stack units on timbers or platforms at least 3” above grade. Place polyethylene or other plastic film between wood and other finished surfaces of units when stored for extended periods of time.

design, detailing and specification questions and with pricing. Enquiries are attended to promptly and without obligation. RELATED REFERENCES General Shale distributes an integrated technical information system, comprised of the following components: • Sample detail drawings which are available in .pdf format. • General Shale Technical Bulletins which are available in .pdf format. • Architectural Catalog Shape drawings, • BIA Technical Notes and NCMA Tek Notes. All of these technical resources are available to be downloaded from the General Shale web site at www.GeneralShale.com. General...