F.A.Q.

What is the difference between a facing brick and a building brick?
Building bricks are suitable for building a wall which later should be covered with some facing material. The most important parameters for building bricks are the compressive strength and frost resistance. Facing bricks basically are designed for finish of exterior walls and they have to meet the highest standards. Facing brick is exposed to direct environmental impact (rain, snow). Not only compressive strength and frost resistance are important parameters for the facing brick but also the surface quality and color. Facing bricks are often used for interior finish thus serving as an interior element.

How to lay paving bricks?
Paving bricks should be lied just like any other material – paving stones or paving concrete. There are many variations both for their design and their base. If it is planned to use vibrating-plate after laying the paving brick, it is advised to cover the surface with plastic or rubber covering to protect it from possible damage.

Wouldn’t the paving bricks crack after some time?
The paving brick possesses a very high compressive strength and frost resistance. Only granite paving-stone may compete with the paving-brick in strength and longevity. Of course, the paving brick could be damaged if you drove the caterpillar over it or hammered it.

What is M200?
Brick strength mark M200 means that the brick has average compressive strength that is not less than 200kg/cm². Bricks with the strength mark 200 can be used to build many-storey buildings (10 or more stages) with building constructor recommendations.

Where to use chimney bricks?
Chimney bricks (full facing bricks) are used for that particular part of the chimney which lies above the roof. Stove bricks (full building bricks) are used for that part of chimney which lies below the roof.

Is it true that a wall from Keraterm 44 does not need additional heat insulation?
If a dwelling house is built from Keraterm 44 and according to the technology, the wall heat permeability corresponds to Latvian building standard LBN 002-01 „Thermotechnics of building delimitation constructions” and such a wall does not require any additional heat insulation.

Is 12 Mpa enough?
Mpa is an indicator of compressive strength for Keraterm construction blocks and for majority of the construction bricks. Such strength is sufficient for dwelling houses as well as many-storey buildings. 12 Mpa – that is approximately 120 kg/cm² in order to crush a brick (250x120x65) you should put a 36 tons load on it, and to crush a Keraterm bock (440x245x238) you would need at least 130 tons.

Is it true that vertical joints do not need to be filled with mortar?
The vertical sides of Keraterm blocks have special riffles which are joined by putting blocks close to each other making gearing. Mortar is used only for horizontal joints.

Is it possible to cut Keraterm?
You may cut Keraterm but it is much harder if compared to aerocrete or keramsit. It is not possible to cut Keraterm with knife or manual saw. Use a manual electrical angle bevel-machine equipped with at least 230 mm ø diamond segment cutting disk or stationary sawing machine with a larger size diamond segment cutting disk to cut the whole Keraterm block in one go (to cover machine rent expenses).

I have heard that Keraterm blocks often are delivered damaged.
Keraterm blocks may be delivered damaged if the truck-driver had transported them at a very high speed and on a bad quality road.
Blocks may be damaged while they are inappropriately unloaded or reloaded. The most frequent cause for damage of blocks is the following: two or more pallets of Keraterm are unloaded in one turn in order to save time and money. Thus they are compressed from the sides and blocks may get damaged. The block pallets must be unloaded one by one to avoid any damages!

What kind of mortar is used for Keraterm?
You may use two kinds of mortar for building Keraterm walls:
1) the mortar with heat insulation characteristics (cement mortar with light fillers – usually small keramsit fractions of 2 - 4 mm). In this case the horizontal joints must be filled with mortar completely.
2) the ordinary cement mortar. Horizontal joints should be made with 5 - 7 cm air-gap to avoid creation of frost bridges in the joints.

Does Keraterm always require facing?
Keraterm cannot be left without any facing because it is not designed as a facing material. Keraterm walls should be covered with facing bricks or any other suitable facing material to protect them from direct impact of weather conditions and to cover the vertical joints.

How thick heat insulation is required for Keraterm 25?
A 25 cm Keraterm wall requires at least 75 mm additional layer of  foampolistirol. A 44 cm thick Keraterm wall does not require heat insulation according to the Latvian building standard but, anyway, it is not forbidden to use it.