Brick manufacturer Vandersanden, recognised for its innovation, sustainability and craftsmanship, now offers a 25-year guarantee against gypsum efflorescence on its facing bricks and brick slips, ensuring long-lasting, sustainably attractive facades.

Vandersanden was the first company to develop a viable, large scale coating solution to their brick range, to provide superior protection against gypsum efflorescence as well as secondary protection against the effects of pollution. This innovative and environmentally sustainable process is available across a range of Vandersanden’s portfolio. The company is the only brick manufacturer to offer the 25-year guarantee.

Mathew Davies, National Specification Manager for Vandersanden comments;
“This guarantee offers specifiers the peace of mind that the buildings they design will retain the beauty of their original facades. Over time bricks can discolour and lose their lustre because of wet weather, air pollution or gypsum efflorescence. The result can have a detrimental effect on a building’s visual aesthetic, compromising the architect’s design vision. Our brick guarantee, means that brickworks will not be affected by gypsum efflorescence and facades built from Vandersanden’s wide range of bricks, will stay looking good for longer.”

Innovative Coating
Vandersanden worked with Belgian University, KU Leuven, to develop the solution which treats bricks with an innovative coating after the firing process. The process penetrates to a depth from 5mm to 15mm whilst retaining the original colour of the brick. The liquids contain no harmful substances or chemicals that can damage the brick or the environment and is applied at Vandersanden’s manufacturing facilities in Belgium and The Netherlands.

A coated brick has exactly the same pore structure as a non-coated brick and the number of pores and their size remain the same. However, as the walls of the pores are covered with a water-repellent layer, the water droplets are no longer attracted to the walls and will not be absorbed. As the pores remain open, the bricks also retain their resistance to frost. To find out more click here.

RIBA certified CPD to enhance knowledge
Vandersanden offers a RIBA certified CPD on how to prevent brick stains and efflorescence as part of their CPD webinar series. This CPD explains about the discolouration issues commonly experienced with brickwork facades and the reasons behind the different types of staining that occur, and also covers the preventative methods that can help avoid gypsum efflorescence and the protective role that innovative coated bricks can play. To register for the CPD, click here.

Inspirational Projects
Vandersanden has a long history of collaboration with leading architecture practices, with their products specified in a wide range of both commercial and residential buildings. Vandersanden’s coated bricks feature in a number of inspirational projects, including:

Cosway Street: One of the first residential developments created and offered for sale by Westminster City Council, this project in Marylebone, London, designed by David Miller Architects, is a collection of 49 contemporary homes set around an attractive communal garden. Vandersanden’s Cayenne, Woodland Mixture and Lima bricks are integral both to the pre-cast Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) panels, forming the facades, and the traditional hand-laid brickwork lining the balcony spaces. Learn more here.

Oasis Academy: Setting an aesthetic benchmark at the heart of the regeneration of London’s Royal Docks, Oasis Academy Silvertown is a new Department for Education school created by architects Rivington Street Studio. The landmark building serves 11-16 year olds and achieves a BREEAM ‘Excellent' rating while its striking appearance owes much to the use of Vandersanden’s Perla bricks. Learn more here.

The Spa at South Lodge: Set amidst the rolling hills of the South Downs, the Spa at South Lodge is a sanctuary of relaxation and a shrine to well-being. Natural form, organic textures and harmonious colours were required to complement the existing hotel building and the surrounding countryside. Designed by Hove-based architectural firm, Felce and Guy, this prestigious 44,000 sq. ft building sits harmoniously in its beautiful, natural setting with Vandersanden’s Lithium bricks selected to provide regular form, nuanced colours and natural texture for the project. Read more about it here.

Discover more about the 25-year guarantee and Vandersanden’s coated bricks, by visiting the Vandersanden website here.