Knowledge base Facade

Reference adresses are available at info@mbi.nl. 

You can find these in projects or in our Image Bank.

Masonry can move due to temperature variations, shrinkage, expansion and movements within the structure. Expansion joints are designed to accommodate these movements and thereby minimise the risk of cracking.

We therefore recommend that, before masonry work begins, a project-specific expansion joint specification be drawn up and agreed with the architect, structural engineer and contractor.

Before starting the brickwork, discuss, amongst other things, the position and design of expansion joints, façade supports and lintels, masonry reinforcement, detailing and other structural connections.

Advice on expansion joints reduces the risk of cracking, but cannot completely rule it out.

MBI does not provide free, project-specific expansion joint advice. For project-specific advice, you can engage a specialist consultancy firm.

We recommend that you arrange for the expansion joint advice to be drawn up in good time, i.e. before the brickwork begins. The advice must be tailored to the full structural design and the specific circumstances of the project.

We are, of course, happy to continue assisting you with information about our façade bricks, product properties, installation instructions and general points to bear in mind.

For project-specific structural issues, including the determination of expansion joints, we recommend consulting the architect, structural engineer, contractor or a specialist consultancy firm responsible for the project.

Yes, this can be requested through the representative or dealer/distributor where the bricks were purchased. 

You can contact infobouw@mbi.nl 

We do not sell directly to individuals, find a facade specialist near you. 

These are available in our Dealerselector. 

Yes, you can. Ask about the possibilities at one of our dealers. 

All our brochures can be found online. You can request a hardcopy via one of our dealers. 

This depends entirely on pollution. In our Knowledge Base, you'll find advice on maintenance and more. Can't find it there? Then contact us for appropriate advice at service@mbi.nl.

New legislation concerning the lorry charge has been in force in the Netherlands since Wednesday 1 July 2026. This scheme entails additional costs for transport operations within our sector. In addition, the costs of fuel, energy, raw materials and transport remain as high as ever. We are therefore obliged to apply a kilometre charge surcharge and an adjusted fuel and energy surcharge. Please email info@mbi.nl for details of all price changes.

Our technical bricklaying handbook contains a wide range of detailed guidelines on the installation of our facing bricks. These cover the laying of solid facing bricks, the bonding of brick strips, and the installation of bricks using a dry-stacking system.

See also these comprehensive articles on the installation of facing bricks.

Brick strips are being used more and more frequently, both in renovation projects and in new-build projects. Brick strips are applied directly to the façade or to insulation boards. Read more about how to install brick strips.

It is best to leave the removal of graffiti from your façade to a professional. For advice on cleaning your façade, please take a look at our Knowledge Base.

However, prevention is better than cure. So if you want to protect your façade from graffiti, you can choose to apply an anti-graffiti coating to it. Consider, for example, the Hydro AG semi-permanent anti-graffiti coating from Remmers Chemie.

You can find images in our online image bank. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Please contact marketing@mbi.nl.