Mineral brick slips
Lightweight brick slip finish for external wall insulation and frame construction
Licata mineral brick slips give the traditional appearance of a brick finished building with the technology of a lightweight mineral brick slip finish — ideal for external wall insulation systems on new build and refurbishment, and for timber frame, metal frame and modular construction where weight and programme speed matter.
The look of brick, without the weight of brick
Traditional brick slips carry real weight and real cost. On an insulated facade, that load has to be carried back to the substrate through the insulation, which drives mechanical fixing requirements, adds programme time and often rules brick out entirely on frame construction.
Mineral brick slips solve that. The finish is applied as part of the render system build-up rather than fixed as individual units, producing a brick appearance at a fraction of the weight. On a planning-sensitive elevation where a brick finish is a condition of consent, it is frequently the only practical route on an insulated wall.
Licata mineral brick slips are durable, attractive and cost-effective. They are weather resistant, washable, paintable and impact resistant, and will not put undue stress on exterior or interior walls. Every finish is supplied as part of a tested system rather than as a standalone product, and is compatible with our external wall insulation systems.
Specified for weight, programme and planning
Three things drive the decision on most projects, and mineral brick slips answer all three.
Lightweight
A fraction of the weight of clay brick slips, which removes the loading constraint on insulated facades and makes a brick finish viable on timber frame, metal frame and modular construction.
Fast to install
Applied as part of the render build-up rather than set as individual units. That removes a trade from the programme and cuts the time the scaffold stays up.
Planning friendly
Where consent requires a brick appearance to match surrounding stock, mineral brick slips deliver it on an insulated wall without a redesign of the build-up.
Weather resistant
Formulated for UK exposure. Resistant to driving rain, frost and UV, and breathable so moisture vapour can leave the wall rather than becoming trapped behind the finish.
Low maintenance
Washable and paintable, with no pointing to degrade and no individual units to work loose. Maintenance over the life of the building is minimal.
Cost-effective
Lower material cost than clay brick slips and lower labour cost than traditional brickwork, with no separate fixing system required.
Our mineral brick slip range
Available in a wide range of brick colours and textures, from traditional London stock and red multi through to buff, grey and contemporary tones. Bespoke colour matching to an existing elevation is available on request for larger schemes.
Colours shown are indicative only. Screen reproduction varies, and we strongly recommend viewing physical samples in daylight before specifying. For larger schemes we recommend a sample panel applied on site so the finish can be assessed at scale and against the surrounding stock. Request samples.
Technical characteristics
Full technical data, coverage rates and application conditions are set out in the product technical data sheet. Contact our technical team for project-specific guidance.
EWI systems that take a mineral brick slip finish
Mineral brick slips are specified as the finish layer on the Licata external wall insulation systems below. The insulant, fixing pattern and base coat differ between systems, so the finish should always be selected alongside the system rather than after it.
Masonry Mineral Wool — Mineral Brick Slips
Mineral wool insulation on a masonry substrate, finished with mineral brick slips. Specified where the project calls for a mineral insulant on solid wall construction.
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Masonry EPS — Mineral Brick Slips
EPS insulation on a masonry substrate, finished with mineral brick slips. The most widely specified build-up for domestic retrofit and large-scale housing programmes.
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Steel Frame Mineral Wool — Mineral Brick Slips
Mineral wool insulation over steel frame construction, finished with mineral brick slips. Suited to new build and modular schemes where weight and programme speed govern.
View system →How the finish is applied
Mineral brick slips form the outer layer of a tested build-up. Each layer below them contributes to the performance of the finish, which is why the system has to be specified and installed as a whole.
Substrate preparation
The existing wall is surveyed and prepared. Adhesion testing on a representative sample of each property type is strongly recommended before works begin on a housing programme.
Insulation
Insulation boards are adhesive-bonded and mechanically fixed to the substrate in accordance with the system specification and the project fixing schedule.
Reinforced base coat
Base coat applied with reinforcing mesh fully embedded. This layer carries impact resistance and controls cracking by distributing stress across the elevation.
Primer
System primer applied to regulate suction and provide the correct key for the finish.
Mineral brick slip finish
The brick slip finish is applied and the joints formed, producing the finished brick appearance. Detailing at reveals, corners and terminations follows the system details.
Where mineral brick slips are specified
The finish suits any project where a brick appearance is required but the weight, cost or programme implications of brick or clay brick slips are not workable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mineral and clay brick slips?
Clay brick slips are cut from fired clay brick and set individually, giving genuine brick material at the surface. Mineral brick slips are applied as part of the render system build-up, producing the brick appearance at a fraction of the weight and without a separate fixing operation.
Clay is the choice where the specification demands real brick at the face. Mineral is the choice where weight, programme or cost is the governing constraint. Both are available from Licata and both can be finished to match surrounding stock.
Can mineral brick slips be used on external wall insulation?
Yes. That is the most common application. The finish is specified as the outer layer of a Licata external wall insulation system, over the reinforced base coat and primer.
The finish should be selected alongside the system rather than afterwards, so that insulant, fixings, base coat, primer and finish are all compatible and covered by the same certification.
Will the colour fade over time?
The colour is integral to the material rather than applied as a surface coating, so it does not chip, peel or bleach in the way a painted finish does. UV stability is built into the formulation.
As with any external finish, appearance over time depends on exposure, orientation and the level of atmospheric pollution. Elevations facing prevailing weather will weather faster than sheltered ones.
How are mineral brick slips maintained?
Maintenance is minimal. The finish is washable, so periodic cleaning with low-pressure water is usually all that is required. There is no pointing to degrade and no individual units to work loose.
The finish is also paintable if a colour change is wanted later in the life of the building.
Can you match an existing brick?
Bespoke colour matching to an existing elevation is available on request for larger schemes. Send us a photograph and, where possible, a physical sample of the brick to be matched.
For planning conditions requiring a match to surrounding stock, we recommend producing a sample panel on site for approval before the main works begin.
Are mineral brick slips covered by a guarantee?
Licata systems installed by an accredited installer can be covered by a guarantee, subject to the system being specified and installed in full accordance with our requirements.
Guarantee terms depend on the system, the application and the route to market. Contact us for the terms applicable to your project.
Specifying mineral brick slips?
Tell us the substrate, the system and the brick you need to match, and we will come back with a specification and the supporting documentation.