Do you want a quick and easy way to cover a surface in bricks?Frank Key brick slip cutting surfaces offer a service to allow a customer to get bricks of their choice cut down into thinner slices so you can cover a wall or a fireplace with a traditional brick surface without taking up too much space.If you are wanting bricks or brick slip cutting we offer these products and services in Nottingham, Derby, Loughborough, Chesterfield, Grantham and Sheffield.What are Brick Slips?Brick slips are thin slices of bricks, typically ranging from 15mm to 20mm in thickness. They are manufactured to replicate the appearance of traditional bricks while offering the advantage of being lighter and easier to install. Brick slips are commonly used for cladding interior and exterior walls, fireplaces, and other surfaces to achieve a brick-like aesthetic without the need for traditional bricklaying techniques. They come in a variety of styles, colours, and textures, allowing for versatile design options in both residential and commercial settings.Uses for Brick Slips:Surfacing a fireplaceSurfacing interior wallsSurfacing exterior wallsHow to fit brick slipsIf you have ever installed tiles before, installing brick slips onto a surface is pretty much the same process with the same tools.Tools Needed: 4-inch paintbrushBrick jointerWire brushMortar pointing gunAn adhesive  suitable for bricks or large tilesNotched adhesive spreaderInstructions:First, you must select the bricks you using and have them cut into slips.Then starting from the bottom you must fit a suitable substrate surface for the adhesive to stick to. A great solution for sticking bricks would be a rapid-setting adhesive.Next use tile spacers to space the bricks out with your desired spacing and remember to start from the bottom of the surface working your way up.Finally, once the bricks are placed and the adhesive is set you can use a mortar-pointing gun to fill in the spaces between the bricks with mortar for a traditional brick wall finish.For more information on getting your brick slips or tools please contact us on 01159208208Now you should have all the information you need to get started on your brick slip project...

Are you looking for the right type of brick for your building project then this blog will help detail the types of bricks are more suitable for your project?This blog will detail some of the types of bricks and what they are most commonly used for with their best features and benefits.WirecutWirecut bricks are made by cutting a column of clay with wires before they are textured. These bricks come in a wide range of materials and finishes and are very cheap due to their automated manufacturing process.  These bricks are commonly used by all types of buildings for people who have a smaller budget.HandmadeThese bricks are made by hand by skilled craftsmen by throwing clay into moulds making each brick unique to one another. These are often what is used for the most attractive historic buildings making these bricks very attractive and only for the high-end housing projects. Because of the long and labour intensive manufacturing process, these bricks are expensive however these will often add value to your property if they are used correctly.StockThese are bricks that are a traditional brick that is made by an automated moulding system called soft mud moulding. These bricks come in a wide range of colours and are one of the most common bricks found on houses today. The style and price of this brick are in-between handmade and wire-cut bricks.FlettonFletton bricks are also known as London bricks, these are manufactured by a company called Hanson brick. These are made from oxford clay with a range of colours and textured available making them ideal for brick matching for already existing brickwork.EngineeringThese bricks are used for groundworks such as sewers and retaining walls due to their great durability and resistant to frost and water damage. Because of there strength and practical features, they are not very aesthetically pleasing so they are not commonly used on houses.Re-pressedThese are made by getting wire-cut bricks and re-pressing them too create this solid brick that is moulded to a precise size. These bricks are of high quality and have a particular look that is easy to identify making them great for houses.Special shapesThese bricks have a pretty straight forward purpose of being able to bring special design ideas to life with the rest of the brickwork. They also have the practical uses of being able to add durability to structurally weak areas as well as save onsite time by avoiding the need to do any hand brick cutting.Clay paversThese bricks are available in a wide range of natural non-faded colours that are unique to these types of bricks.  They are durable bricks that can hold up to frost without changing shape, losing colour or strength. These bricks have excellent surface drainage, perfect for stopping puddles from forming. They are also skid resistant and load-bearing and these bricks have proven to be durable and long-lasting in a range of environments.With the common types of bricks that you know you should be able to figure out which brick is the best for your building project...

Most garden walls are made of brick, it is a sturdy material which can withstand a lot of strain. At Frank Key, we believe a garden wall really compliments both the house and the garden perfectly. As experts, we know that laying the bricks can be tricky so we've put together a step-by-step guide to help you along the way.Step 1The trench. You’ll need to dig a trench with your shovel for the first set of bricks to rest in, remember to keep the base of the trench level.Step 2The base. Use your tape measure to find even intervals for your stakes. Drive them into the ground until they’re half the height of the trench, use the level to ensure they’re even.Step 3Once they’re even pour your cement in until it’s level with the stakes. Use your metal float to level the cement, then you should allow for the cement to set. This could take a while but it is a crucial part to the stability of your wall.Step 4You’ll need to create two guideposts at both ends of the trench, this will help to make your wall straight. These posts should be in a ‘U’ shape and should be 3 pieces of wood nailed together. Then you should fasten a string to a hook on top of the post and stretch it to the opposite post.Step 5Dry laying. Place the first layer of bricks on the base, without cement. This allows you to locate each of the bricks and gather a better understanding.Step 6Now you can lay the mortar and bricks. Spread your mortar half an inch thick and have enough to cover for several bricks. Then place your bricks on the mortar, ensure the layer is even through using a level. Continue this process until you have the finished wall, remember to remove excess mortar which overflows.Step 7Bide your time. Now everything is in place, all you need to do is wait for the mortar to set. Once set you have your complete garden wall, yes we know, it really is very simple...