How to Install Brick Slips
Your Step-by-Step Brick Slip Installation Guide
Installing brick slips is easier than you might think with the right tools, materials and preparation. Follow our straightforward guide to preparing your surface, fitting your brick slips, pointing the joints and achieving a professional-looking finish.
Before You Get Started
Good preparation makes all the difference.
Before beginning your brick slip installation, make sure you have everything you need and take some time to plan the layout of your wall. This will help you achieve consistent courses, neat joints and a more professional finish.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific adhesives, mortars, primers and sealers you’re using.
What You’ll Need
Tools & Materials
Before you begin, we’d recommend having the following ready:
- Your chosen brick slips
- Suitable flexible tile adhesive
- Pointing mortar
- Bucket
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Spirit level
- Adhesive trowel
- Mixing drill attachment or hand mixer
- 10mm T-shaped tile spacers
- Brick jointer
- Pointing mortar gun
- Brush
- Sponges and clean water
- Suitable primer, if required
- Matt finish sealant, if required
You can find many of the products needed to complete your installation in our Brick Slip Accessories collection.
Step 1
Prepare the Surface
Start by making sure the surface is clean, sound and ready to accept the adhesive.
Remove any loose paint, plaster or flaking material and repair the surface where necessary. Remove dust, dirt and grease and allow the area to dry completely.
Depending on the surface you’re working with, a suitable primer may also be required.
Once prepared, use your tape measure and spirit level to mark level guidelines across the wall. These will help keep your brick courses straight as you work.
Step 2
Prepare & Apply the Adhesive
Mix your brick slip adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions until you achieve the recommended consistency.
Using an adhesive trowel, apply the adhesive evenly to a manageable section of the wall.
Work on an area that you can comfortably cover while the adhesive remains workable rather than attempting to cover the entire wall at once.
Step 3
Fit Your Brick Slips
Starting from your level guideline, begin laying the first course of brick slips in your chosen pattern.
Press each brick slip firmly into the adhesive and use spacers between the bricks and courses to maintain consistent joints.
Continue across the wall, regularly checking with a spirit level to ensure your courses remain straight.
Where your brickwork continues around external corners, reveals or chimney breasts, corner brick slips can help create the appearance of traditional full-depth brickwork.
Cut brick slips where necessary to complete your chosen laying pattern.
Step 4
Allow the Adhesive to Set
Once the brick slips have been fitted, allow the adhesive to dry fully before moving on to pointing.
Drying and curing times will vary between products and conditions, so always follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.
Avoid disturbing the brick slips while the adhesive is setting.
Step 5
Seal the Brick Slips – Optional
Depending on the brick slips and where they’re being installed, you may wish to apply a suitable matt-finish sealer.
This can be particularly useful in areas such as kitchens where the brickwork could be exposed to splashes, grease or marks.
Make sure the brick slips are completely clean, dry and free from dust before applying any sealer, and always follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.
Step 6
Point the Brickwork
Now it’s time to create the finished brickwork appearance.
Prepare your pointing mortar according to the manufacturer’s instructions and load it into a pointing gun.
Carefully apply the mortar into the joints between the brick slips, ensuring the joints are sufficiently filled.
Once the mortar has reached the appropriate consistency, use a brick jointer to compact and finish the joints to your preferred profile.
Take your time with this stage – the colour, depth and finish of the pointing can have a significant impact on the overall appearance of your brick wall.
Step 7
Clean & Finish
Once the pointing has dried sufficiently, check the completed brickwork and carefully remove any remaining loose material or dust.
If required for your chosen product and application, a final coat of suitable sealer can then be applied once the wall is completely dry.
And that’s it – stand back and enjoy your new brick wall.
Need The Right Products?
Everything You Need for Installation
From brick slip adhesives and pointing mortars to installation accessories, Apollo Brickslips can supply the essential products you need to complete your project.
Rather Leave It to the Professionals?
Love the look of brick slips but don’t fancy fitting them yourself?
Apollo Brickslips also provides a professional brick slip installation service for residential and commercial projects.
Tell us about your project and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help.
Apollo Brickslips
Based in Kent and supplying throughout the UK, Apollo Brickslips offers an extensive collection of high-quality brick slips, brick tiles, installation accessories and clearance ranges for homeowners, trades and commercial customers.
Shop online, order samples or talk to our team about brick slip supply and professional installation.