While traditional clay brick continues to be a workhorse material in new construction projects, it is rarely used as a structural building component. When compared to alternative nonstructural veneer options, such as precast concrete and thin-brick systems, clay brick can be excessive in terms of weight and installation time.
Dryvit aims to rectify the peccadilloes of brick when used as a façade with the introduction of NewBrick, a lightweight insulated brick product that is coated with a specially formulated finish to mimic the look and feel of traditional brick. The thin-brick material is installed much like bathroom or kitchen tile. Each unit is adhesively attached to almost any substrate—concrete, masonry, air/water resistive barrier, EIFS. The joints are then sealed with conventional mortar to replicate the appearance of handlaid brick construction. An engineered drainage plane removes incidental moisture.
NewBrick is 12 times lighter than conventional four-inch face brick, weighing 2.45 lbs./sf compared to 29 lbs./sf. This weight savings means NewBrick is easier, safer, and faster to work with, especially for multistory construction, according to the maker. Building support systems, such as shelves, pans, and ties, are no longer needed, and the costs associated with transporting materials to the job site are decreased.
When used with Dryvit’s Outsulation system, NewBrick creates an energy-efficient wall assembly that meets IECC and Title 24 requirements for the use of continuous insulation.
Available in 16 standard colors, four blends, three textures, three effects, and four sizes: modular, utility, economy, and norman. A full line of corner, end, edge cap, and flat brick units are also available.
Courtesy of Dryvit.
An office building in Schenectady, N.Y., was one of the first NewBrick installations. Courtesy of Dryvit.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HDR top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest institutional building design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 Institutional Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Whiting-Turner, EMJ Corp. top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 40 largest retail contractors
A ranking of the Top 40 Retail Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
New CertainTeed Gypsum drywall compound reduces airborne dust by more than 70%
CertainTeed Gypsum launches two new revolutionary drywall compounds that significantly reduce the amount of dust traditionally associated with finishing gypsum walls and ceilings. The products—Dust Away Reduced Airborne Dust Drywall Compound and Renovation Mud—join CertainTeed’s Easi-Fil and ProRoc brands of finishing products currently available throughout Canada.
| Aug 11, 2010
Suffolk Construction Company acquires William A. Berry & Son
Suffolk Construction Company, New England’s largest construction company announced today that they have acquired William A. Berry & Son (Berry), the second largest construction company in the region. The two companies, both with deep New England roots and successful track-records, combined will have more than 1,200 employees and projected revenues of $2 billion.
| Aug 11, 2010
University of Florida aiming for nation’s first LEED Platinum parking garage
If all goes as planned, the University of Florida’s new $20 million Southwest Parking Garage Complex in Gainesville will soon become the first parking facility in the country to earn LEED Platinum status. Designed by the Boca Raton office of PGAL to meet criteria for the highest LEED certification category, the garage complex includes a six-level, 313,000-sf parking garage (927 spaces) and an attached, 10,000-sf, two-story transportation and parking services office building.
| Aug 11, 2010
Nonresidential construction will be down 14% in 2009; 17% in 2010, according to FMI report
FMI released its Construction Outlook: Second Quarter 2009 Report, and the outlook isn't good for the nonresidential market. FMI forecasts the market to decline 14% this year, followed by a 17% slide in 2010. FMI says that while the economy is showing some signs of improvement, it is just the beginning of the downfall for nonresidential construction.
| Aug 11, 2010
GSA celebrates 60th anniversary
The U.S. General Services Administration today is commemorating its 60th anniversary as it engages in one of its its most challenging assignments ever—helping to achieve the goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
| Aug 11, 2010
Draft NIST report on Cowboys practice facility collapse released for public comment
A fabric-covered, steel frame practice facility owned by the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys collapsed under wind loads significantly less than those required under applicable design standards, according to a report released today for public comment by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
| Aug 11, 2010
Callison, MulvannyG2 among nation's largest retail design firms, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 75 Retail Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
