Brick Slip Cladding System for External Wall Insulation
Authentic brick slip finishes for EWI systems: clay brick slips and mineral brick slips available across masonry, steel frame and timber frame substrates.
The brick appearance of traditional masonry, with the thermal performance of modern EWI
Brick slip EWI systems are a brick cladding system and brick slip cladding system for EWI, creating a non-structural outer layer formed from thin brick pieces while delivering the authentic look of solid brickwork and dramatically improving the thermal performance of the building envelope. By combining external wall insulation with a brick slip finish, specifiers and contractors can meet demanding U-value targets without compromising on aesthetics: a critical advantage on projects where planning requirements, conservation area designations or design codes demand a brick appearance.
Licata offers two distinct cladding systems for EWI: clay brick slips, which use real fired clay to deliver authentic brick colour, texture and variation; and mineral brick slips, which provide a consistent, lightweight, low-maintenance brick-faced panel across the elevation. Both are available across Licata's range of EWI insulation types and substrates, and this brick slip cladding range supports external and internal cladding use, although the focus here is external wall insulation applications.
All Licata EWI brick slip cladding systems are supplied as a complete package: insulation, adhesive, basecoat, mesh, brick slip adhesive and brick slips, from a single source.
Non-combustible brick slip EWI systems and fire safety
For buildings over 11 metres and projects where Part B, the Building Safety Act or client requirements restrict the use of combustible materials in the external wall, Licata offers brick slip EWI systems built on non-combustible components. For fire safety and compliance with building regulations, some projects also use a mechanically fixed brick slip approach, which can be installed to heights of 18m and above subject to project specification and compliance.
A system combining non-combustible mineral wool insulation with clay brick slips achieves an A1 classification. Available for both masonry and steel frame substrates, with the steel and timber frame systems built from an A1 fibre cement board sheathing outwards.
Clay brick slips and mineral brick slips: what's the difference?
Licata supplies two types of brick slip for EWI systems. The right choice depends on the project's aesthetic requirements, substrate, fire performance needs and specification priorities, with different types designed to suit key specification and design factors. Brick cladding also offers flexible design options, and brick slips allow creative expression across colours, textures and more than 300 finishes.
Clay Brick Slips
Made from fired clay, these are high quality brick finishes using the same material as traditional brick. Clay brick slips deliver genuine brick colour, texture and natural variation across the elevation, making them the preferred choice where authenticity of appearance is paramount. Ideal for conservation areas, heritage contexts or where planning consent is conditional on a real brick appearance. Good clay brick slips also withstand weathering and UV radiation over a long service life. When combined with mineral wool insulation, clay brick slips achieve an A1 non-combustible classification. It is the only brick slip finish that does so. Clay slips are produced to relevant standards such as BS EN 771-1 and are available in various thicknesses, typically 12–28mm.
View Clay Brick Slips
Mineral Brick Slips
Manufactured from mineral-based materials, significantly light weight compared with clay brick slips, with highly consistent colour and texture across the full elevation. Mineral brick slips are often chosen where uniformity, easier installation, lower dead load and programme speed matter most, rather than the natural variation of clay. On suitable projects, brick slip panels or other prefabricated panels can help speed up site installation. Particularly suited to large-scale housing and residential developments, commercial refurbishment and new-build framed projects where consistency across multiple elevations is required, with a low-maintenance finish and strong durability as a key benefit of brick slip cladding systems.
View Mineral Brick SlipsWhat are brick slips?
Brick slips are thin slices of brick, with a standard size of 210mm x 65mm x 20mm, though thickness can vary from 7mm to 28mm, that replicate the appearance of full, traditional brickwork while weighing a fraction as much. In an external wall insulation system, brick slips are bonded to the face of the insulation and basecoat using a dedicated brick slip adhesive, though they can also be installed with adhesive systems or mechanical locking systems depending on the build-up, then pointed with mortar to recreate the look of a solid brick wall on exterior or interior walls.
This allows a building to achieve the authentic, characterful appearance of brickwork together with the thermal performance of a modern insulated facade: ideal where planning, conservation or design requirements call for a brick finish, but the wall also needs to meet contemporary U-value targets. Brick slip systems are used on both retrofit projects, where solid wall homes are being upgraded, and on new build steel and timber frame construction.
Why choose a brick slip EWI system?
Authentic Brick Appearance
Delivers the genuine look of traditional masonry, ideal for planning, conservation areas and design codes that require a brick finish.
Modern Thermal Performance
Combined with EWI, the system meets demanding U-value targets without compromising on the brick aesthetic.
Lightweight
Brick slips weigh far less than full brickwork, reducing dead load on the structure and removing the need for additional foundations.
A1 Options Available
Clay brick slips combined with mineral wool achieve an A1 non-combustible classification for buildings of all heights.
Complete Single-Source System
Supplied as one certified package: insulation, adhesive, basecoat, mesh, brick slip adhesive and brick slips, all from one manufacturer.
Multiple Substrates
Available for masonry, steel frame and timber frame, with a choice of EPS or mineral wool insulation.
Brick slip EWI systems for framed construction
For steel frame and timber frame substrates, starting from A1 fibre cement board sheathing, with mineral wool insulation and a choice of clay or mineral brick slip finish. Brick slip cladding can be fixed onto various structural frames, with the system build-up depending on the substrate, project requirements, and the cladding technology used to support long-term performance, structural integrity, and proven technology.
Steel Frame | Mineral Wool | Clay Brick Slips
A1 non-combustible system from fibre cement board outward: mineral wool insulation with authentic clay brick slip finish.
Steel Frame | Mineral Wool | Mineral Brick Slips
Built from A1 fibre cement board outward: mineral wool insulation with lightweight mineral brick slip finish.
Timber Frame | Mineral Wool | Clay Brick Slips
Starting from A1 fibre cement board on timber frame: mineral wool insulation with flexible clay brick slip adhesive to accommodate timber movement.
Brick slip EWI systems for masonry
For brick and block masonry substrates, available with EPS or mineral wool insulation and a choice of clay or mineral brick slip finish.
Masonry | Mineral Wool | Clay Brick Slips
A1 non-combustible mineral wool insulation over masonry with authentic clay brick slip finish and pointing mortar.
Masonry | EPS | Clay Brick Slips
EPS insulation over masonry with flexible clay brick slip finish and colour-matched pointing mortar.
Masonry | Mineral Wool | Mineral Brick Slips
Mineral wool insulation over masonry with lightweight mineral brick slip finish.
Masonry | EPS | Mineral Brick Slips
EPS insulation over masonry with lightweight mineral brick slip finish, with consistent colour across the full elevation.
BBA and KIWA certification is held on selected Licata systems. Certification scope, fire classification and system build-up vary by substrate, insulation and finish. Speak to our technical team to confirm the certification and fire performance applicable to your specific project and system selection.
Brick Slip Cladding Systems Brochures
Download the full product and system brochures for Licata's clay and mineral brick slip ranges.
Full product range, system specifications, fixing details and colour options for Licata's clay brick slip range.
Download PDF
Full product range, system specifications, fixing details and colour options for Licata's mineral brick slip range.
Download PDFBrick slip systems: frequently asked questions
Specify a brick slip EWI system
Contact our technical team for system selection guidance, NBS specification clauses, sample requests, long-term service considerations and project-specific advice on building regulations, fixing method selection and detailing requirements, especially where wind loading, cavity barriers or mechanically fixed alternatives need to be considered.