Brick has been one of the most popular façade finishes in the UK for centuries, lending its warm and welcoming aesthetic and hardwearing properties to all kinds of buildings, from homes to public buildings to commercial developments. However, as construction techniques have developed and project teams have come under increasing pressure from tighter deadlines and lack of skilled labour, the way we consider brickwork applications has changed.

Making a new tradition with mechanically fixed brick systems

Traditional bricklaying is a highly skilled process that needs time to be completed properly. Whilst it is still the preferred approach for most standard domestic housing, for larger projects, it can take up a considerable chunk of the construction timeline— as well as carrying a high material cost.

To improve this, brick façade systems were created. These are essentially steel-framed rainscreen systems that are finished with a layer of half-width facing bricks. This gives the appearance of a standard masonry wall, whilst taking much less time to install and being much more cost effective.

To enhance the time-saving quality of these systems, we decided to develop our own mechanically fixed brick system— BrickClad. This lightweight, secret-fix solution has been designed to be used alongside our innovative Karrier Panel Rainscreen Substructures for a fast-build, high-performance complete façade system that brings real benefits to projects looking for a contemporary approach to traditional brickwork.

What are the benefits of BrickClad?

1. Faster construction

Our BrickClad façade finish as a standalone system facilitates a much quicker installation process than traditional brickwork. The bricks are supplied as individual units which can be simply fitted to our Magnelis or stainless steel cassette profile in a standard stretcher bond or other patterns. This process is a lot like tiling, as the bricks are profiled to fit tightly into the steel profiles and pressure gun pointed with proprietary mortar. This is a much less time- and labour-intensive process than standard bricklaying, but achieves the same aesthetic result.

The speed of this process is enhanced when BrickClad is used in conjunction with our Karrier Panel Rainscreen Substructures. These combine an insulation layer with factory-applied weather seal (FAWS), internal liner sheet and external weather sheet in a single-fix product. This allows the insulation layer to be installed much faster than standard approaches, enabling the building to be made weathertight and internal trades to start work as the BrickClad finish is being applied externally.

2. Insulation choice

We offer a selection of rainscreen substructures for the BrickClad system, so there is a solution suitable for any building type. To make the most of its fast installation potential, we recommend using a panelised Karrier panel system. This is available with two insulation choices: Eurobond Rainspan with a stonewool core, and QuadCore Karrier that features our self-blended advanced closed-cell insulation technology. Which is more suitable for your project will be determined by its performance requirements, including targeted wall U-values or acoustic performance, desired wall thickness, or fire performance.

For projects where a panelised system is not suitable or required, the BrickClad system can also be used in conjunction with our SureClad aluminium primary support system and our K-Roc Rainscreen Slab which comprises rock mineral fibre and is available in a range of thicknesses to meet any U-value requirements.

Learn more about the insulation options for rainscreen systems and what needs to be taken into consideration.

3. Aesthetic variety

The variety of natural brick finishes is what makes them so aesthetically pleasing. Made in the same way as traditional bricks, we offer a wide range of BrickClad finishes to ensure there is an option for any design style. This includes the choice of smooth or course textures, in a vast array of colourways— from iconic red or variegated browns, to modern grey and blacks, to neutral creams and yellows. We can also offer specialist or bespoke colours on request. Systems can also be specified with a selection of prefabricated detailing bricks for typical details, such as ventilation bricks, stop end bricks and factory-formed corner units.

This variety also makes the system a viable choice for projects subject to strict aesthetic standards, such as in conservation zones, or refurbishments or extensions to existing brickwork buildings.

4. Proven robustness

One of the major drivers for the continued specification of brick façade systems is their ability to withstand even the harshest weather conditions. To ensure BrickClad can match the performance of traditional brick finishes, we have tested it in various configurations in accordance with the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT)’s ‘Standard for systemised building envelopes.’ This includes the assessment of:

• Air permeability

• Watertightness - static pressure and dynamic pressure

• Wind resistance - serviceability and safety

• Impact resistance

For information on CWCT results for specific rainscreen substructures please contact our Tech-eXchange team.

5. Warranty protection

As with all our products, we produce the BrickClad system using state-of-the-art production equipment with high-quality materials, under strict quality control protocols in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001. For added peace of mind, it is also covered by a six-year warranty, covering any manufacturing defects subject to project-specific information for:

• Kingspan BrickClad

• Magnelis or Stainless Steel Cassette Profile

• Omega Support Rail

• SureClad Aluminium Support System

Explore the benefits BrickClad could bring to your next project.

Last updated: February 2026