Vee Brick Product Line
 Our
Vee Brick product line is part of a growing trend to use thin
brick in both traditional ceramic wall tile type installations
and in all types of wall panel systems. This shift away from traditional
brick (full bed depth) masonry is being driven by economics. The
use of thin brick can provide tremendous cost savings. Foundations
and structural members can be down-sized because of reduced weight.
With many panel systems, installation labor can be reduced because
panels can be made indoors, off the job site, without trained
masons. Panel utilization shortens construction time and can eliminate
scaffolding costs. Also, thin brick can be easily used for interior
walls including back splashes where full brick would not be practical.
In addition, buildings incorporating thin brick panels lend themselves
to earthquake tolerant construction features. All of this is accomplished
without giving up the rich look and dignity of traditional brick
construction or the potential of dramatic architectural statement
featuring the vivid natural colors of our Vee Brick product line.
Thin Brick Veneer
Masonry
The use of thin brick veneer masonry has evolved over many years.
Traditionally, thin brick have been installed in the same way
as ceramic wall tile (i.e. on to a vertical substrate which could
be masonry or interior or exterior stud wall - steel or wood).
These types of installations continue to be used with the coursing
of the veneer brick being set by a metal rack nailed to the wall,
spacers or the rope method. Ceramic tile installation requirements
should be followed for these types of installations.
 Over
the last ten years, thin veneer brick has been used in precast
panels very successfully. These panels are made with thin brick
being placed into a flexible rubber mat which normally is affixed
to sturdy plywood to form the bottom of a precast panel form.
Rebar is then placed into the form into which concrete is then
poured, vibrated and allowed to set. When the rubber mat is removed,
the panel has the same appearance as set in place masonry. The
most important subtlety of precast panels is the flexibility of
the rubber mat. The mat should be designed to accommodate thin
brick which have normal variations in dimensions. This will eliminate
the very costly process of grinding each brick to an exact size.
In addition, architects have been concerned with thin brick popping
out of precast panels because the panels are being used in mid
or high-rise buildings and the thin brick is only 1/2" or
9/16" thick. Marion has addressed this issue by offering
15/16" thick Vee Brick which provides exceptional bonding
of thin brick into a precast panel.
Jobsite cast tilt up panels are made in the same way as precast
panels except that form liners are made with less expensive disposable
materials. As with precast panels, both Marion's 9/16" or
15/16" thick Vee Brick work well with liners that accept
normal sizing variations.
Since the early 1970's, numerous thin brick wall panel systems
have been developed utilizing many different types of materials.
Systems are now available with panels made from metal, insulation
foam, cementitious board, masonite, plywood and composite board.
Most of these systems were developed primarily for residential
use both new construction and especially for remodeling. Owners,
architects, and builders should carefully select a system which
will work best for each project.
Marion's Vee Brick can be used in all of the above described
methods and is especially well suited for precast panels.
Failure to follow recommendations will
void our warranty.
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