Difference between clinker / facing brick

Hello!

I am currently thinking about the topic of clinker bricks or facing bricks. For our house, we currently have two different offers - one company wants to use a clinker brick (hard-fired) from a well-known supplier, the other a facing brick.

On the website of the facing brick manufacturer, it says that the stone absorbs between 1.5% and a maximum of 8% water and is free of efflorescence-forming substances.

As a layperson, I unfortunately cannot distinguish at all where the advantages and disadvantages lie...

So far, I have only heard that the disadvantage of the facing brick is that it would apparently "effloresce" - whatever that means...

Furthermore, I need an assessment of the calculated price - one provider has calculated a price of €420 / 1000 pieces for the facing brick, the other €500 / 1000 pieces for the clinker brick.
Is that realistic for stones in standard format?

Thank you very much for your help!

Regards
Micha

Hello,

I am currently thinking about the topic of clinker or facing bricks. For our house, we currently have 2 different offers – one company wants to use a clinker (hard-burned) from a well-known supplier, the other a facing brick.

You seem to have misunderstood something here: "Verblender" is the generic term for all types of facing bricks regardless of the material.

As a layperson, I unfortunately cannot distinguish at all where the advantages and disadvantages lie...

Bricks and clinker are made from clay and loam. They gain their strength through firing at temperatures between 900 and 1200 °C. The higher the firing temperature, the higher the density and compressive strength of the brick. Clinker is fired up to sintering. Sintering in clay-containing materials occurs by heating close to the melting point. (For sintering, materials with a powdery consistency are processed so that pressing causes the individual powder particles to bond together.)
Therefore, clinker is generally more expensive than bricks because a higher energy effort is required for manufacturing.

Furthermore, I still need an assessment of the calculated price – one provider quoted €420 / 1000 pieces for the facing bricks, the other €500 / 1000 pieces for the clinker.

€420.00 is in my opinion a bit tight; on the other hand, it depends on your personal taste ... the scale upwards is wide open.

Best regards

Hello construction expert

Thank you for your quick reply.
Okay, then I really hadn’t understood the topic properly yet.
I thought that "Verblender" refers to the "softer" fired bricks and (echten) "Klinker" to the "harder" fired ones.

But my main question still is: what difference (over the years) does it make whether I choose a softer or a harder brick now?
I just heard something about "ausblühen" – what exactly does this term mean?

Regards
Micha

Hello,

But my main question is still: what difference (over the years) does it make whether I choose a softer or a harder stone now?

This "difference" is so marginal that you probably won't notice it in your lifetime – provided you use both bricks (e.g., garden path) and clinker (facade). The clinker is only more expensive because its production is more costly and not because the material itself is better.

I just heard about "efflorescence" – what exactly does this term mean?

Technical jargon correctly: "Surface damage of facades, plaster, or masonry caused by a chemical reaction between some building materials, carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide, air, and rainwater. Efflorescences are not repairable."

Tip for mental visualization: You can often see it on older plaster houses: those spots where the paint peels off the masonry.

Best regards

But my main question still is: what difference (over the years) does it make whether I choose a softer or a harder stone now?
I had just heard about "efflorescence" – what exactly does this term mean?

Hello!

Regardless of the terminology, the key point is probably the water absorption.

You have surely seen efflorescence on clinker – it looks as if someone had poured lime water on the facade.
@ConstructionExpert: Isn’t it possible to at least partially and temporarily remove it using hydrochloric acid?

In the end, I did not choose the cheap and pretty "Dutch" ones, but paid an extra €1,500 for the alleged German market leader with "H".

No efflorescence, no moss growth – and maybe no connection at all. But I sleep much better with the thought that I did not save money in the wrong place.

Best regards,
Tomtom.

Hello,

@Bauexperte: Isn't it possible to remove that at least partially and temporarily using hydrochloric acid?

I cannot truthfully answer that for you and I definitely do not want to bear any responsibility if you take action based on something I say

If it should occur on your house later, I then recommend that you contact the manufacturer. He is also liable for his recommendations, should things go wrong in the worst case

Kind regards