Bloemfontein based brick manufacturer Cem Brick recently launched its own range of advanced thermal bricks that simplify construction and provide cost
Bloemfontein based brick manufacturer Cem Brick recently launched its own range of advanced thermal bricks that simplify construction and provide cost effective and durable alternatives to clay bricks.
Clay-brick cavity walls have long viewed as the default choice for thermal comfort and durability. Now, concrete brick manufacturers like Cem Brick are shifting this kind of thinking with the introduction of thermally efficient cement bricks. These thermal bricks offer a compelling alternative to cavity-wall construction by simplifying building processes and optimising long-term performance.
At the glitzy launch at Monte Bella Estate outside Bloemfontein, it was revealed that a significant strength behind Cem Brick’s product line lies in its production capabilities. The company operates Africa’s largest fully automated Hess/Topwerk brick-making machine, a German-engineered system that ensures consistently high standards and exceptional production capacity. It’s automated operation also reduces waste which helps maintain cost-effective output. As a result of the quality of manufacture all Cem Brick units conform to relevant SANS standards and are backed by CMACS certification, which confirms that each brick meets rigorous performance and durability requirements.
One of the clearest advantages of Cem Brick’s thermal masonry is how much simpler and quicker it is to build compared to a clay-brick cavity wall. Cavity-wall construction relies on a range of components and additional detailing which adds complexity and the risk of installation errors. By comparison thermal masonry allows the builder to construct a single 220 mm solid wall. The absence of a cavity immediately removes the need for ties, insulation layers and a second leaf and makes the build less labour-intensive and less dependent on highly skilled artisans. As a result, masonry teams can lay significantly more courses per day because they are working with a simpler structure. This efficiency cascades through the project to reduce timelines and lowers overall construction costs.
Thermally it was shown that Cem Brick’s product design offers another notable benefit whereas comparative displays of clay-brick cavity walls rely heavily on the insulation material placed between the two brick leaves for good results, Cem Brick’s thermal bricks can deliver similar thermal resistance with less wall thickness because the material itself provides substantial thermal mass and a favourable conductivity profile. This has a direct impact on architectural design because buildings can increase usable internal floor space or reduce the overall footprint of the structure.
Cem Brick’s thermal masonry system eliminates many of the risks of constructing thermal walls because there is no cavity nor wall ties to corrode and no insulation layers that can shift, degrade or trap moisture. The solid wall structure greatly reduces the likelihood of internal condensation or hidden moisture pathways. As a result, buildings exhibit greater long-term stability and more predictable thermal performance.
The company’s thermal bricks are engineered for strength and stability for high load-bearing capacity, minimal dimensional variation and excellent long-term mechanical durability. The single-leaf arrangement of a thermal wall also simplifies structural analysis because loads are carried through a single integrated mass rather than through two separate skins connected by wall ties.
When integrating Cem Brick’s thermal system into a building design engineers should attach the rational R Value calculation and Diagram Ver1.0, the document is downloadable on the Cem Brick website. Standard detailing for lintels, damp-proof courses and control joints remains essential although the absence of cavity interfaces simplifies much of this work. Selecting the correct brick type for load and wall height and ensuring on-site quality control will further optimise performance and Cem Brick’s specialists are able to provide technical assistance where required.
