What Is Glazed Brick Architecture?
What Is Glazed Brick Architecture?
Glazed brick architecture is a type of building material that uses ceramic glazed bricks, which have an exterior surface fused with a particular type of glazed ceramic that gives a glossy finish.
Glazed brick can be used in both interior and exterior projects, and comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes. It is known for its resilience and endurance, as the layer of ceramic fused to the building bricks adds an enhanced level of protection.
Glazed brick is often used in renovation projects due to its varicolored properties and wide variety of shapes.
It has been used in thousands of apartment blocks, schools, libraries, and industrial offices from the 1950s and 60s. Glazed brick can also be used to create decorative bands or entire wall systems.
The glaze applied to the brick bodies can be clear, translucent or opaque with a glossy, satin, or matte finish, allowing for virtually any color combination.
The imperviousness of the glazed brick surface must be taken into consideration when designing structures with this material. ASTM standards for glazed brick evaluate its scratch resistance and hardness, resistance to fading, fire resistance and imperviousness.
What Is The Use Of Glazed Bricks?
Glazed bricks are used mainly for wall applications such as structural walls, partition walls, multi-wythe walls, and veneers.
They can also be used in rain screen wall systems to divide the walls into sections or compartments, and their basic layout is determined by technical notes from the Brick Industry Association.
Masonry walls can be single or multi-wythe, with each wythe referring to a thickness of mortar between two layers of bricks.
What Are The Advantages Of Glazed Bricks?
Glazed bricks possess several advantages over traditional bricks. They can be easily cleaned with detergent and water, are resistant to staining and graffiti, and have high resistance to fire due to their ceramic coating.
Additionally, glazed bricks can be colored or shaded to match the aesthetics of the surrounding area. Finally, they hold up well in severe weather conditions such as below-freezing temperatures or hot climates.
When Were Glazed Bricks Used?
The earliest known glazed brick facade comes from Susa and dates to the 12th century BC. Polychrome glazed bricks were used in Assyrian and Babylonian architecture, such as at Khorsabad (C8 BCE), Babylon itself (C6 BCE), and Susa (C5 BCE).
Bricks have been used for building purposes since 7000 BC, making them one of the oldest known building materials. Glazed brick is defined as earthenware with a ceramic coating or finish applied then fixed in a second firing.
Are Glazed Bricks Waterproof?
Yes. Glazed bricks are generally waterproof, as the glaze on the brick prevents water from penetrating directly through its face.
However, water can still enter masonry walls through separations between mortar and brick, so proper wall design, detailing, and material selection are essential to ensure successful performance.
Additionally, regions of the country that have freeze/thaw cycles should not use glazed brick in places that have water being applied to or near the wall, such as planters, fountains, and below-grade applications.
Glazed bricks are often selected for use because of their durability and resistance to staining, making them virtually maintenance-free. Therefore, glazed bricks can be used in exterior walls if proper design and installation practices are followed.
