Brickwork for Interiors
Brick’s attractive appearance enhances much of our external environment. But it is also used internally to great effect in building types from houses to hotels, sports halls, supermarkets, libraries or civic centres.
Bricks used internally do not have to be the same durability as those used outside. And while great compressive strength may be necessary for some structural applications, this is rarely the case for internal feature brickwork. Designers have an extensive choice of hues and textures at their disposal. Colours range from off-white through cream, buffs, browns, reds and purples to blues and blacks. Some shades are relatively clear and consistent, many are multicoloured.
Textures may be smooth, sand-faced, dimpled or drag-faced, deeply scored or rough. Glazed bricks are available in virtually any colour. All this variety is derived from the behaviour of the raw materials during manufacture. A certain degree of distortion in the form of each brick can give rise to characteristic differences in the brickwork, from a precise regularity to a rugged rusticity.
With the exception of glazed bricks, which are often supplied individually wrapped for protection, bricks are produced, handled and transported in bulk, generally by mechanical means. Minor blemishes on the surface and edges of individual bricks are unavoidable and acceptable for normal external brickwork. For internal work, higher standards of finish are required because it will be viewed from close quarters, often under unforgiving lighting.
For this reason the designer should specify that the bricklayer be more discriminating when selecting bricks for laying. As is usual practice, the bricklayer should work from a minimum of three packs of bricks to avoid patchiness or bands of colour variation. Another approach is to ask the manufacturer to supply packs of specially selected pre-blended bricks.
Mortar joints also have considerable influence on the finished appearance. The colour and texture of the mortar is critical and the profile of the joints is also important; these should be specified with care. Under strong directional lighting, pronounced shadows in deeply raked joints make the brickwork appear much darker than it would with flush joints.
Protection
Internal brickwork must be protected not only during its construction but subsequent operations. Unless the roof is on, it must be protected from the weather. If severely wetted, it is at great risk of efflorescence and lime staining. Internal brickwork is particularly vulnerable to lime and cement staining resulting from concrete being placed overhead, as well as from rainwater run-off from concrete slabs and beams. Staining will be difficult to remove without leaving blemishes. External brickwork might benefit from weathering, but interior work does not. Most external cleaning methods are not practicable for interiors because of the risk of damage to adjacent finishes.
There are specialist methods, but they are very expensive.
Attention to detail
Internal brickwork comes in for more critical appraisal than external work, so great care should be applied to its detailed design and assembly. Dimensions should be based on the bonding pattern so there will be no need for cut bricks and unsightly ‘zipper’ irregularities in the pattern.
Bed joints must be spaced consistently and kept level. Any variation will be immediately apparent, especially in corridors where work is viewed at close quarters along its length.
Corners, plinths, corbels, and the jambs, heads and sills of openings, may be articulated with specially shaped units. Discuss these with the brick maker at an early stage so specials will be ready when needed.
Smooth, or slightly textured, hard, dense bricks can be used to build tough internal walls able to take the wear and tear of public areas in shopping malls, sports halls and similar buildings. A neat bucket handled profile joint in a normal 1:1:6 cement/lime/sand mortar is serviceable and resists malicious damage. Softer, more textured bricks are more vulnerable to vandalism. Painted graffiti can penetrate porous bricks deeply and is almost impossible to remove completely.
In supervised areas, highly textured bricks and recessed joints can be used but are best sited where there is no direct contact with furniture or people. Occasional vacuum cleaning with a soft brush attachment will remove dust. Light washing using a sponge, hot water and a mild detergent will restore colour to dulled surfaces. If bricks shed sand or grit particles, the surface may be bound with a transparent water-thinned PVA surface seal.
Flooring
Hardwearing, attractive floors can be laid with brick paving, set and jointed in mortar on a concrete slab. Hard, dense, non-absorbent pavers resist dirt and stains and need minimal maintenance. They can be sealed and polished for a more luxurious finish.
In areas subject to food and drink spills, avoid the more porous pavers as they can absorb stains. Used elsewhere they may be kept clean with brushing and periodic mopping with water and a mild detergent. Sealants can be applied to this type of paver, but they will need regular polishing and buffing and this inevitably changes a naturally matt finish.
In many modern buildings brickwork provides continuity of material from outside to inside. Even where this is not the case, brick offers many opportunities for attractive, robust and practical interior features.
What to Watch
- Quality of bricks. To minimise blemishes and size variation, consider specifying special selection by manufacturer.
- Colour consistency. Ensure bricks are blended from a minimum of three packs or specify pre-blended packs from the manufacturer.
- Special shaped bricks. Assess need for specials and confirm the order with the manufacturer in good time.
- Choose mortar colour, texture and mortar joint profile with care.
- Dimensions should correspond with brick coordinating sizes and bond pattern.
- Cutting of bricks must be accurate and neat, preferably using a bench saw.
- Ensure neat and consistent bed and cross joints.
- Control vertical alignment of cross joints (perpends).
- Plan working to avoid scaffold lifts occurring at eye level.
- Ensure effective protection of brickwork and flooring throughout its construction and to completion of all following work.