Select Your Region
Select Your Region
OUR MISSION
We are driven by modern innovation to provide quality products that are reliable, time tested, and versatile for any home style. Our employees set the standard of commitment to safety, the environment, and an intense focus on creating the ultimate customer care experience. We strive to remain the top building materials solution for North America, for our homes and our families.
OUR MISSION
We are driven by modern innovation to provide quality products that are reliable, time tested, and versatile for any home style. Our employees set the standard of commitment to safety, the environment, and an intense focus on creating the ultimate customer care experience. We strive to remain the top building materials solution for North America, for our homes and our families.
MAKE A STATEMENT WITH MORTAR
A great mortar color selection will maximize the overall design appeal of your new home. Since mortar occupies up to 20% of brick wall area, choosing a color that compliments your brick is especially important. For example, if your home’s design calls for a clean white facade, pairing a white brick like “Bradford Hall Tudor” with a white mortar such as “Ivory White” will maximize that appearance. By contrast, combining “Everest Gray Tudor” with mortar color “Midnight” will create an unmistakably dark finish. There are also many neutral, tan, and gray mortar colors in between!
MAKE A STATEMENT WITH MORTAR
A great mortar color selection will maximize the overall design appeal of your new home. Since mortar occupies up to 20% of brick wall area, choosing a color that compliments your brick is especially important. For example, if your home’s design calls for a clean white facade, pairing a white brick like “Bradford Hall Tudor” with a white mortar such as “Ivory White” will maximize that appearance. By contrast, combining “Everest Gray Tudor” with mortar color “Midnight” will create an unmistakably dark finish. There are also many neutral, tan, and gray mortar colors in between!
KEEP YOUR BRICK LOOKING GREAT
Good news! Brick requires little to no maintenance throughout the life of your home. In fact, many brick homes built a century ago are still beautiful today. However, there are a few tips that will help you in the beginning of your building process that will keep your brick looking great during and after construction is complete.
During brick installation, gutters and soffits are often not installed at this point during the building process. As a result, rain storms can potentially cause dirt and clay mud to splash against the bottom courses of your home’s brick exterior and can be very difficult to clean. To avoid this, simply place a generous amount of hay or straw around the base of your home on all sides where brick is present. Remember to regularly reapply until construction is complete and you’re ready to landscape.
If your brick does get dirty during construction, the gentle pressure of a standard garden hose should remove loose dust or dirt with relative ease. For debris that is more difficult to clean like clay or moss, create a half-cup mixture of real sodium phosphate and a half-cup of laundry detergent in a gallon of warm water and gently brush away the dirt using a natural brush. We recommend never using a pressure washer or wire brush to clean your brick.
KEEP YOUR BRICK LOOKING GREAT
Good news! Brick requires little to no maintenance throughout the life of your home. In fact, many brick homes built a century ago are still beautiful today. However, there are a few tips that will help you in the beginning of your building process that will keep your brick looking great during and after construction is complete.
During brick installation, gutters and soffits are often not installed at this point during the building process. As a result, rain storms can potentially cause dirt and clay mud to splash against the bottom courses of your home’s brick exterior and can be very difficult to clean. To avoid this, simply place a generous amount of hay or straw around the base of your home on all sides where brick is present. Remember to regularly reapply until construction is complete and you’re ready to landscape.
If your brick does get dirty during construction, the gentle pressure of a standard garden hose should remove loose dust or dirt with relative ease. For debris that is more difficult to clean like clay or moss, create a half-cup mixture of real sodium phosphate and a half-cup of laundry detergent in a gallon of warm water and gently brush away the dirt using a natural brush. We recommend never using a pressure washer or wire brush to clean your brick.
STACKING UP
When installing your thin brick, remember to consider how you want your brick arranged. There are 3 common patterns you can use in your space: basketweave, running or subway, and herringbone. Each achives a different visual effect and are all beautiful options to fill your home.
BRICK SIZES
When selecting a brick for your home, consider the different brick sizes General Shale has to offer. The most common sizes are:
Modular
The most common brick size used for residential construction. Since it is the smallest brick size, it will require more bricks per square foot to build your home.
Queen
The second most common brick size, this brick has a taller face. While the brick may cost more then a modular sized brick, it requires less product to build your home, thus becoming a cheaper alternative overall.
King
This brick size is more commonly used for large homes and commercial buildings as it is a much wider brick. It requires the least amount of product to build but may look out of place on a smaller home.
STACKING UP
When installing your thin brick, remember to consider how you want your brick arranged. There are 3 common patterns you can use in your space: basketweave, running or subway, and herringbone. Each achives a different visual effect and are all beautiful options to fill your home.
BRICK SIZES
When selecting a brick for your home, consider the different brick sizes General Shale has to offer. The most common sizes are:
Modular
The most common brick size used for residential construction. As it is the smallest brick size, it will require more bricks per square foot to build your home.
Queen
The second most common brick size, this brick has a taller face. While the brick may cost more then a modular sized brick, it requires less product to build your home, thus becoming a cheaper alternative overall.
King
This brick size is more commonly used for large homes and commercial buildings as it is a much wider brick. It requires the least amount of product to build. However, if you are building a smaller home, it may look out of place.
LET’S GET STARTED
Craftsman, traditional, cottage, or farmhouse, General Shale brick can be used for all. Our versatile products can achieve your dream look while providing a sustainable, economically sound, and safe home that creates value. We are proud of our product and aim to serve you on your home building journey.
LET’S GET STARTED
Craftsman, traditional, cottage, or farmhouse, General Shale brick can be used for all. Our versatile products can achieve your dream look while providing a sustainable, economically sound, and safe home that creates value. We are proud of our product and aim to serve you on your home building journey.
