Corium FAQs

Wienerberger’s Corium brick tile cladding system offers a facing brick finish for projects where a facade system is required, rather than traditional masonry.

The system consists of interlocking steel rail sections which are specially profiled to allow fired brick cladding tiles to be clipped in, providing a mechanical fix. The vertical and horizontal joints between the tiles are then pointed with mortar to give the appearance of brickwork.

In comparison to traditional brickwork, the Corium system is up to 50% lighter and up to 5 times faster to install. Corium is the ideal solution for modular and pre-fabricated construction as panels can be put together off-site.

Corium can be installed in temperatures and moisture conditions where it would not be possible to lay traditional bricks, leading to less down-time in poor weather. Also, if a brick tile was ever damaged, it could be easily removed and replaced with a new one, without having to remove a whole area.

Each Corium tile is manufactured on the same red brick body, with colours applied and bonded to the surface when the brick is fired. This means that there are no direct equivalents to Wienerberger’s brick range.

However, the Corium range includes around 2,500 design options. We can help you create your own blend using a variety of brick colours and textures or assist you in developing your own specific brick tile.

Corium brick tiles are available to match a standard UK brick size, with alternative brick heights and lengths also available. We also offer special Corium brick tiles such as one piece external returns and cut and bonded corners. 

The Corium brick tile system is incredibly versatile and can be used to build vertically and horizontally without performance being affected. It can also create impressive curved surfaces.

Corium has been used successfully many times for soffit applications.  We have also developed a corner tile which allows the continuation of the system from wall to soffit.  

Vertical expansion joints to allow for horizontal movement should be provided through tile, mortar and steel backing sections at a maximum of 12 m centres in the brick tile cladding. The actual spacing and position of the joints should coincide with movement joints in the substrate wall and allow for the same degree of movement. They should extend throughout the full height of the building including parapets etc. Movement joints in the structure of the building should be carried through to the face of the cladding.

Horizontal expansion joints, to allow for vertical movement, should be provided at a maximum of 9 m centres coincident with a floor and more frequently in timber-frame structures.

Reference to the structural engineer’s details for deflection at floor level and movement joints in the substructure should be made.

Wienerberger’s Corium brick cladding system achieves a Euroclass fire rating of A1, the highest fire performance rating possible which means that the product is non-combustible.

Corium has been fully tested and certified by the BBA for its wind, water and impact resistance, giving it a design life of over 35 years.

It is durable and low maintenance facade product featuring specially engineered frost resistant bricks which aren’t affected by efflorescence.   

As proof that Corium installations really do stand the test of time, there are buildings here in Manchester city centre which feature Corium cladding that was installed two decades ago, which still look fantastic.