Firth Designer Bricks & Architectural
Masonry
July 2015
Agenda
• Firth’s cladding range
• Target Market
• Versatility & creativity
• Technical Support
Firth Cladding Range
1. Designer Brick;
•
•
•
•
Devonstone (Available in both
straight and rumbled edge)
Manorstone (Available in both
straight and rumbled edge)
Focus
Summit Stone
2. Architectural Masonry (AM)
•
•
10 Series
20 Series
Initial target is Devonstone &
Manorstone, along with AM range
Designer Brick Specs
Architectural Masonry Specs
http://www.firth.co.nz/media/361181/designer-brick-architectural-masonry-ni.pdf
http://www.firth.co.nz/media/361177/designer-brick-architectural-masonry-si.pdf
Target Market
• Customers who want low maintenance finish
• Contemporary new look homes
• Frustrated Clay Brick customers
• Colours schemes with neutral grey, white and taupe tones
Concrete Brick option
made available to
builders & contractors
Your team familiar with
the product and
understanding the
benefits & advantages
Sample Box and products
available for use when
working with customers
and builders
Pricing Analysis
• Recent pricing analysis has confirmed Firth’s offer to the
market is very competitive
• Further to competitive pricing, there is growing interest from
the residential market, to use an alternative to clay brick – in
particular, Firth’s Designer Brick and Architectural Masonry
range
• Firth pricing is on average $45 - $55 per m2
• Clay brick equivalent is $35 - $70 per m2
 The lower end pricing is for plaster or paint
finish so this adds to the base m2 pricing
• Devonstone sizing in Clay = $55 - $70 per m2
Additional Information
Tools Available Through Firth – Concrete Brick Planner
http://www.firth.co.nz/how-to-videos-design-tools/tools.aspx to try our Brick Planner
Summary
Situation
Proposition
Benefits
Builders, Merchants, Architects and
Firth work in partnership to
• New contemporary look for
customers at competitive rates
• The concrete brick share is around 2%
• Train relevant stakeholders on
product advantages
• Cost gap has closed between clay and
concrete brick
• Provide clear guidance on costing for
estimations
• Added variety without added
complication because product
substitutes existing clay bricks easily
• The profile for concrete bricks remains
low or considered “too expensive” in
the market
• Include Concrete Brick in cladding
range for NZ standard home offers
and designs
• The NZ exterior cladding market is
relatively large and currently sits at
around 45% bricks
• In options and guides for
homeowners, concrete brick is not part
of initial consideration set for cladding
• Improved product supply with trusted
preferred supplier
• Solid after sales service
• Locally manufactured for easy quick
turnaround times
• Versatile product which can be honed
and polished for different finishes
Versatility & Creativity
Dricon coloured mortar
Versatility & Creativity
Apartment Living
Special Housing Areas
– Homestar 6
Rib Raft – Hot
Edge
Interior Uses
Features
Traditional or Contemporary
Technical Support
•
Our proposed next step would be for Firth to update your customers
and designers on products and options, which on approval could then
be used on your builds
•
Firth have developed a brick sample box specifically to help designers and buyers easily choose
their colour of choice.
•
This sample box includes a mortar fan deck, demonstrating the Dricon Mortar range, which will add
to the options your customer can choose without adding com.
•
The Website has many tools and is a good source of technical data. New Dricon app launching next
month.
Stack Bond
Half stack bond
In Joint Reinforcing
10 series veneer stack bonded guide
in Masonry Manual at CMA website
Studs at 400mm centres
Wall ties 400mm centres both ways
Mesh: Start 400mm from slab then max 800mm
Centres
4mm diameter longitudinal wire held apart by 2mm
diameter wire at 200mm centres
Website detail: www.NZCMA.org.nz veneers section
In Joint Reinforcing
In Joint Reinforcing
www.mpb.co.nz
Control Joint layout assistance
Veneer Developments
Modification of brick
to include cores:
• Lighter product
• Better mechanical interlock
with the brick ties
Product also has solids for window sills
Veneer Developments
Currently working with BRANZ
on an appraisal to get the shelf
angle removed from two storey design
Veneer Developments
FIRTH CONTROL
JOINT
[Alternative Slip Joint]
Construction:
Control joints controlling wall movements shall be achieved by providing a bond break
between blocks and mortar at the specified locations.
Installation:
At each control joint a thin layer of suitable polythene tape or similar shall be placed on top
and at ends of each unit covering at least 75% of its width. The polythene layer must cover
any cavities within the units. Mortar shall then be placed on the horizontal bed and the end
of the unit to be laid.
Veneer Developments
Building wrap
Firth Technical Support
Graeme Bigham
Masonry National Engineer Business
Email: Graeme.Bigham@firth.co.nz
DDI: 07 5727160
Mobile: 027 4520 600
Steve Crossland
Technical and Specifications Manager Masonry
Email: Steve.Crossland@firth.co.nz
DDI: 09 583 2102
Mobile: 0274 959 471
Call Centre 0800 FIRTH1