Choose the right size for the brick:

Small

Chosen where space is limited and where lower weight is important. Due to the stone’s narrow depth, the variation in both lengths and heights will be more limited. Here, you will always need to add a backing with mortar.

Medium

A very versatile size that provides both a great aesthetic look and sturdiness. It is suitable for cladding both outdoors and indoors, facades, fireplaces, walls, and other masonry work. This size usually requires a backing with mortar.

Large

A robust slate brick that can be chosen where there are no space or weight restrictions. It is used for masonry cladding and retaining walls outdoors. With its large depth, both lengths and heights become very varied, giving a solid and rough expression. This size can also be used for smaller retaining walls and can be backfilled with loose/draining material.

How much brick you need depends on the type of wall, whether it’s a fireplace with many corners or a long straight wall, for example.

Make sure to have a little extra stone so that you have some variety to choose from. A minimum is to have 10 % more brick than the size of the finished wall.

Preparation Prepare the ground and set up a guide line (a straight line to follow during masonry).

Empty the sack or crate and spread the bricks out so you get a good overview of the selection.

Set aside potential cornerstones.

Roughly sort by depth and use the deepest stones at the bottom.

The stones should be laid in a “bond,” meaning all vertical lines should be broken. Also, make sure not to maintain the same height throughout the entire length. Break the horizontal line after 3 – 5 stones.

The visible surface is usually somewhat slanted. Place the stone with the widest side down (at the bottom).

A thick stone that has a steep slope should always be split (reduced in height) one or more times to remove some of the slope.

The wallbricks should primarily be used in their full length. When adjusting for length, the stone may naturally split along its layers. If you need to cut a stone, it’s recommended to use an angle grinder — either by cutting all the way through or by making a groove and then breaking the stone (called hewing). When hewing, the rule of thumb is to always remove at least double the stone’s thickness.

When backing with mortar, it’s important to brush off the back of the stone so that the mortar adheres well. It’s also important not to build too much at once.

It’s important to apply capping on top of the wall to prevent water ingress, which can cause salt and lime deposits, as well as frost damage.

Choose a size (thickness and overhang) that harmonizes with the wall itself.

You can easily adjust the length by hewing (scoring and breaking). The rule of thumb is to always remove at least double the stone’s thickness.

Full adhesion is essential. This is best achieved by double bonding, i.e., applying adhesive both to the back of the capping and the top of the wall.

Ensure good/proper water drainage. On a double-sided wall, create a drip edge by cutting a groove in the overhang so that water doesn’t flow into the wall. On a single-sided wall, install the capping with a slight outward slope for good water runoff.