{"id":25241,"date":"2026-01-06T09:55:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T09:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/?p=25241"},"modified":"2026-01-07T14:48:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T14:48:40","slug":"can-concrete-facing-bricks-be-laid-to-gauge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/blog\/can-concrete-facing-bricks-be-laid-to-gauge\/","title":{"rendered":"Can concrete facing bricks be laid to gauge?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Laying bricks to gauge refers to the ability to adjust mortar joint thickness to ensure each course has a uniform height, so the wall reaches an exact, predetermined measurement.\u00a0Concrete facing bricks<\/a>\u00a0can be laid to gauge as they are made to precise dimensions and kept within tight tolerances.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The manufacturing process for concrete facing bricks allows for finer control when compared with that of clay bricks. This is reflected in the dimensional tolerances within the standards to which they are manufactured.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The table below compares the tolerance categories in BS EN 771-3 for concrete facing bricks or, as they are sometimes known, concrete masonry bricks, with those in BS EN 771-1 for clay bricks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tolerances of concrete facing bricks vs. clay bricks (size: 215mm x 100mm x 65mm)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Concrete facing brick <\/th>Dimension <\/th>Tolerance <\/th>Clay brick <\/th>Dimension <\/th>Tolerance <\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tolerance category D1
\n
\n(BS EN 771-3) <\/td>		Length <\/td>+3mm, -5mm <\/td>Tolerance category T1
\n
\n(BS EN 771-1) <\/td>		Length <\/td>+6mm , -6mm <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Width <\/td>+3mm, -5mm <\/td>Width <\/td>+4mm, -4mm <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height <\/td>+3mm, -5mm <\/td>Height <\/td>+3mm, \u20133mm <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tolerance category D2
\n
\n(BS EN 771-3) <\/td>		Length <\/td>+1mm, -3mm <\/td>Tolerance category T2
\n
\n(BS EN 771-1) <\/td>		Length <\/td>+4mm, -4mm <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Width <\/td>+1mm, -3mm <\/td>Width <\/td>+3mm, \u20133mm <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height <\/td>+2mm, -2mm <\/td>Height <\/td>+2mm, -2mm <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

As the comparison table shows,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>concrete facing bricks can be produced with more dimensional precision than clay bricks. Also, when directly comparing equivalent categories, concrete facing bricks have tighter tolerances than clay bricks.\u00a0\u00a0Concrete facing bricks are therefore easier to lay to gauge, leading to greater consistency and accuracy during construction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"facing<\/a>
Kingston Autumn Gold & Burren<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What are the benefits of being able to lay to gauge using concrete facing bricks?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several benefits of being able to lay to gauge using concrete facing bricks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quality and durability using concrete facing bricks<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

A consistent finish of the wall can be achieved. Regular\u00a0spacing and alignment of the bricks allows the mortar to create a strong bond to maximise its structural integrity.\u00a0Uneven courses can lead\u00a0to the creation of stress points which are prone to cracking under thermal\u00a0or structural stress.\u00a0A poorly\u00a0gauged wall can also create gaps and inconsistencies in the mortar where moisture can enter. This can freeze and thaw<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0causing the mortar to deteriorate. These issues will affect the long-term durability of the wall when compared to one that has been laid to gauge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span>Enhanced visual appearance with concrete facing bricks<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Being able to lay to gauge helps\u00a0maintain\u00a0level brickwork and uniform joint size and spacing, resulting in a neat,\u00a0professional\u00a0and aesthetically pleasing finish with concrete facing bricks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"red<\/a>
Lansdowne Heather<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Making the construction process smoother with concrete facing bricks <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If bricks are difficult to lay to gauge, more construction time will be needed to correct errors – wasting time and slowing down progress. There is also\u00a0<\/span>a greater<\/span>\u00a0chance that if the gauge is out, it becomes harder to\u00a0maintain\u00a0the level and plumb of the wall. In contrast, consistently laying to gauge keeps the construction process running smoothly and\u00a0helps\u00a0the project stay on schedule.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the ability to lay concrete facing bricks to gauge, adopters of the product will\u00a0benefit\u00a0from the comparable laying rates to clay bricks, cost-effectiveness, shorter lead times, and greater availability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Kingston Moorland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where can I find out more about the benefits of using concrete facing bricks?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Tobermore has a range of concrete facing bricks<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0including\u00a0Kingston<\/a> and Lansdowne<\/a>, as well as Country Stone<\/a> and in our walling range. Customers appreciate the quality and consistency of the concrete facing bricks as Craig McBride,\u00a0Tobermore\u2019s\u00a0Technical and Product Training Manager, explains:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe have years of manufacturing experience producing Tobermore concrete facing bricks to\u00a0high levels\u00a0of quality and tight dimensional tolerances. We produce to Tolerance category D2 which\u00a0<\/span><\/i>stipulates<\/span><\/i>\u00a0tighter tolerances than those used by clay bricks. We also lead the\u00a0way when compared\u00a0<\/span><\/i>to the\u00a0<\/span><\/i>tolerances offered by many other concrete masonry brick manufacturers. Customers appreciate the consistent quality of our products that allows them to deliver projects with robust,\u00a0durable\u00a0and attractive walls using Tobermore concrete facing bricks.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If you have a project and would like to get a closer look at our range of concrete facing bricks at scale, you can\u00a0request a free sample wall<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or use the\u00a0<\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span>Virtual Sample Studio<\/a>\u00a0to compare different bricks in\u00a0our range.<\/span>\u00a0If you have any questions on any aspect of our concrete facing bricks, please\u00a0<\/span>\u200b<\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span>contact our\u00a0<\/span>technical team<\/span><\/a>\u00a0who will be happy to help.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Laying bricks to gauge refers to the ability to adjust mortar joint thickness to ensure…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":23601,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[971],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technical","tax_posts_products-walling-masonry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCan concrete facing bricks be laid to gauge? | Tobermore Commercial Block Paving<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The precise dimensions of concrete facing bricks help ensure easier, higher-quality construction with better durability and appearance in housing developments.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/blog\/can-concrete-facing-bricks-be-laid-to-gauge\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can concrete facing bricks be laid to gauge?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The precise dimensions of concrete facing bricks help ensure easier, higher-quality construction with better durability and appearance in housing developments.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/blog\/can-concrete-facing-bricks-be-laid-to-gauge\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Professional\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-06T09:55:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-07T14:48:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/wp-content\/uploads\/tobermore-lansdowne-heather-marlmount-dundalk-9-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1368\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jim Fanning\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Can concrete facing bricks be laid to gauge?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"The precise dimensions of concrete facing bricks help ensure easier, higher-quality construction with better durability and appearance in housing developments.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/wp-content\/uploads\/tobermore-lansdowne-heather-marlmount-dundalk-9-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jim Fanning\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/blog\/can-concrete-facing-bricks-be-laid-to-gauge\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/blog\/can-concrete-facing-bricks-be-laid-to-gauge\/\",\"name\":\"Can concrete facing bricks be laid to gauge? 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