ᐅ Bricks and Facing Bricks – Is Weather Resistance Really No Issue?

Hello everyone,

When choosing the exterior facade, the appearance is certainly important – but the functional properties should not be overlooked either. Personally, I find brick/clinker very attractive.

However, there are various types, such as smooth, rough, ribbed, and so on. As a non-expert, I would assume that the smooth versions are more resistant to dirt and similar issues, but is that really the case?

Can anyone share their experience or information from other sources?

Smooth, hard-fired, genuine clinker bricks are very hard and do not absorb water. In theory, they are easier to clean and provide a less favorable surface for lichens or algae. Handmade facing bricks, Dutch bricks, and similar types are rougher and “softer,” which means they can retain water and theoretically offer a better environment for organisms and dirt buildup.

I have handmade facing bricks myself. So far, I have never had to clean the façade and do not expect to have to in the future. Two neighbors with external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) have had to repaint the base area once. When I spray my dusty window sills with a garden hose, I get incredulous looks, as hardly anyone dares to do this on white plaster.

No matter which type of brick you choose for a facing wall, in the end you will have a durable and low-maintenance façade. A proper roof overhang and a splash protection strip are essential in my opinion.

Knallkörper schrieb:

...and to me, a splash guard strip is part of it.

With clinker brick, you don’t need that...

Müllerin schrieb:
you don’t need it with clinker, right…

It depends on the type of clinker.

We are getting this one here. It feels sensitive, so I prefer to do it.

blaupuma schrieb:
It depends on the facing brick.

I think they probably meant the classic sausage-colored facing brick.

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I find rough and even somewhat colorful brickwork more attractive than smooth and monochrome. However, I wonder whether the disadvantages might be more important than personal preferences regarding appearance.