Published by UK Bricks & Slips ·
Start with the location and finished result
Write down where the slips will go, the existing wall construction and the finish you want. A dry living-room wall, a splash area and an exposed outside wall are different projects. The Brick Development Association’s guide to modern construction distinguishes simple decorative applications from systems designed for greater performance demands.
Choose a shortlist from the brick slips range, then identify the actual product and format on your order. Keep photographs of the wall and a simple elevation sketch together. For a heated setting, read the fireplace checks before treating the project as ordinary wall decoration.
Check the supporting wall before ordering
Use the wall preparation checklist to record coatings, previous repairs, signs of damp and the type of backing. Ask the installer to confirm that the support can carry the complete finish, including any board, adhesive and mortar. An attractive surface is not evidence that the layers beneath it are sound.
Agree what preparation is included in the job: removal of unsuitable finishes, repairs, assessment of persistent moisture and any specified board fixings. Establish the finished wall position before work begins. Sockets, skirting, doors and adjoining finishes may need coordination with other trades; a thicker facing can change how all these details meet.
Dry-lay the pattern and plan the cuts
Lay out a representative selection before fixing. Look at the distribution of colours, the proposed joint width and where courses meet openings. A drawing with full slips along one edge can still leave an awkward narrow cut at the other. Test the layout across the full visible width, including returns, rather than judging a small central patch.
Choose a clear setting-out reference with the installer. Read patterns and bonds for layout options and corners and reveals before buying corner units. Mark which edges remain exposed. Check the measured order against the chosen pack coverage using the brick slip calculator.
Confirm the fixing materials and method
The adhesive must be specified for the actual slip, substrate and location. UltraScape Slipbond 20kg is one stocked option; its technical sheet gives its own preparation, application and working limits. Those instructions cannot be transferred automatically to another adhesive or backing.
Before mixing, have the relevant technical and safety sheets available and agree the application method with the installer. The adhesive selection guide explains the information to supply. Do not use the project schedule to decide when an adhesive is ready for the next operation; use the specified conditions and manufacturer guidance.
Keep checking courses, corners and joints
As fixing progresses, compare the work with the agreed layout from normal viewing distance as well as close up. Check the alignment of corners, the distribution of darker faces and the courses over openings while adjustments are still permitted by the adhesive instructions. Photograph the agreed sample panel so the intended finish remains easy to compare.
The stocked 10mm T spacers are an option where that joint width suits the selected design and system. They do not determine the correct width for every product. Agree how temporary setting-out aids are handled and leave the specified space for pointing and movement details.
Point only after the fixing stage is ready
Approve a small pointed panel before the whole wall. Mortar colour and joint profile can alter the appearance substantially, particularly on pale slips or strongly textured faces. The pointing and mortar guide explains compatibility, joint depth and why the walling instructions matter when considering Cempoint mortar.
Include protection of floors, adjacent finishes and completed areas in the work plan. Agree responsibility for residue removal before it becomes an end-of-job problem. Cleaning should follow the products used, not an improvised acid wash; see cleaning and sealing for the distinction between routine care and installation residue.
Inspect the finished wall and keep a record
Walk the wall with the installer in the lighting it will normally receive. Compare it with the approved sample and record damaged faces, uneven details or incomplete joints for assessment. If a slip appears loose or a crack develops, arrange investigation rather than disguising it with extra mortar.
Keep product names, batch information, technical sheets, photographs and any installation notes together. Record the agreed care method and any restrictions before the wall is put into use. These details make later questions about cleaning, replacement slips or adjoining work much easier to resolve.
Sources and product guidance
Use the current instructions for your chosen product and complete installation. The sources below support this guide; they do not approve every product combination.
Find a finish for your project
Compare the brick slips range, check product details and sample options, or tell us about the wall you are planning.