Masonry Magazine May 2007 Page. 27
Greater flexibility in brick production and advancements in coloring techniques have also allowed manufacturers to develop a more diverse product line to meet any type of design, he said.
"These production advances have allowed us to more quickly respond to market demands for a certain brick color, texture or appearance than in any time before in our brick manufacturing history," Peters said.
Making Life Easier for Masons
BRICK manufacturing has improved significantly during the last few decades, resulting in uniformly sized bricks designed to increase masons' productivity.
"The dimensional quality is so consistent now, and that dimensional tolerance makes it so much easier for masons," said Andy Rogers, vice president of sales for Palmetto Brick Company in Wallace, S.C., which makes about 160 million bricks per year about 442,000 bricks per day-in three plants. "If they're the same size, it's so much easier to lay them. Masons won't end up with different lengths at corners."
Manufacturers are able to offer brick shapes for specific architectural detailing, as well as angular, soldiered corners, and radial bricks that help masons avoid mortar lines at the intersection of walls. Gregg Borchelt, vice president of engineering and research for the Brick Industry Association (BIA) in Reston, Va., said architects need to stay abreast of changes in bricks so they can adjust their design and details accordingly.
"For example, hollow brick cannot be laid with as large of a projection or recess as solid brick," Borchelt said.
"Innovation in brick shapes helps masons on the job site by reducing the amount of labor needed to create a certain design element in a masonry-clad structure."
"Innovation in brick shapes helps masons on the job site by reducing the amount of labor needed to create a certain design element in a masonry-clad structure," Peters said. "For example, Hanson's bonded jack arch and other bonded arches, which come pre-assembled, do not require any brick cutting or measuring on the work site. This significantly reduces the amount of time needed to install the arch and reduces work site waste." Dave Peters, Hanson Brick & Tile
"Masons will appreciate the lighter weight of thinner and hollow brick. Foundations and support structures can be reduced as a result of the lighter weight of these brick."
In fact, lighter weight cored brick has garnered appreciation. "They're probably one-third to one-quarter lighter," said Kemper Wauford, estimator for Brothers Masonry in Phoenix, who has 20 years of masonry experience. "It's more user friendly. You can lay more brick."
Another improvement is the vast number of brick colors and textures now being offered. The Robinson Brick