Use and Care Manual
04 71 13-US 06/15
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
BASIC USE Thin clay brick units units for use in adhered masonry construction for
both interior and exterior applications.
For residential, commercial and institutional applications.
COMPOSITION AND MATERIAL Thin brick units are manufactured from clay,
shale or similar naturally occurring earthy substances and subjected to a heat
treatment at elevated temperatures ( ring), creating a bond between the particulate
constituents resulting in a severe-weathering brick with one or more nished faces.
Custom shapes and sizes are available. The units are saw cut to approximately 1/2”
thickness after ring.
SHAPES AND SIZES Thin brick units are available in a modular face size of 2-1/4”
(height) x 7-5/8” (length). Weight of all thin brick products does not exceed 15 psf.
Thin brick units are available in standard stretcher (fl at) and as cut corner shapes.
TOLERANCES Thin brick is manufactured to meet the tolerances of ASTM C 1088
TBX, TBS, and TBA as applicable.
Thin brick are inspected to be sound and free of cracks, blemishes or other defects
that would either affect the serviceability or strength of the unit, or become exposed
once installed and visible when viewed from a distance of not less than 20 ft. under
diffused light.
LIMITATIONS Manufactured masonry products are generally intended for above
grade installations. Manufactured masonry units, regardless of their composition,
are inherently absorptive, and as such, are not intended for use below grade. Units
installed below grade will wick moisture from the soil that is in contact with the
masonry units effectively creating a condition known as “rising damp” in the masonry
veneer.
Standard brick units are not intended to be used as pavers. General Shale offers
paving brick in a variety of colors for light traf c paving installations.
In colder climates, masonry walls at grade may also become exposed to de-
icing compounds. As with other types of manufactured masonry units, clay brick
masonry units should not be installed where they will be directly exposed to de-icing
compounds used to melt snow and ice from pavements. For further information with
regard to installing masonry at or below grade refer to the “At Grade Design Ideas”
brochure.
The function of caps and copings is to prevent moisture from entering the building
envelope through the top of the wall. As most manufactured masonry units are
produced in relatively short lengths, if they are used as a cap or coping material
more mortar joints are required. These horizontal mortar joints are the most likely
entry point for moisture to in ltrate the building envelope. As such, it is generally
recommended within the industry to install proper fl ashings
below all caps and copings or to use longer components
such as quarried stone or metal parapet caps to reduce
the number of joints thereby limiting the areas that may
allow moisture in ltration of the building envelope.
COLORS AND FINSHES Colors for each of the thin brick
products are available from your sales representative.
Colors vary by plant location.
As a manufactured material, General Shale products are
monitored for color consistency. Slight variations between
batches may occur and it is recommended that the
installer mix units from different skids during installation.
Consultants should review samples prior to selecting a
particular color and nish.
TECHNICAL DATA
APPLICABLE STANDARDS Required properties for
thin brick units are described in ASTM C 1088 Standard
Speci cation for Thin Veneer Brick Units Made From Clay
or Shale.
These standards classify clay and shale products as either
moderate-weathering or severe-weathering depending on
the material’s tested physical properties of compressive
strength and 24-hour absorption.
General Shale Brick products meet and exceed the
requirements necessary to comply with the severe-
weathering classi cation. They have been extensively
tested using standardized test methods found in ASTM C
67 Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Brick
and Structural Clay Tile. Test reports are available upon
request.
INSTALLATION
DELIVERY - General Shale brick products are delivered to
the site in protective packaging.
HANDLING - Lift skids with proper and suf ciently long
slings or forks with protection to prevent damage to units.
Protect edges and corners.
STORAGE - Store General Shale brick products in a
manner designed to prevent damage and staining of
units. Stack units on timbers or platforms at least 3” above
grade. Place polyethylene or other plastic lm between
wood and other nished surfaces of units when stored for
extended periods of time.
Stored units should be covered if exposed to extreme
weather conditions.
Thin Brick
04 71 13-US
www.GeneralShale.com