A flexible brick finish is lightweight and easy to handle, but a dependable wall still relies on careful preparation and compatible materials. The original LOPO method below follows a straightforward sequence: prepare and set out the substrate, spread adhesive, bed each slip, complete the joints, clean the face and protect the work while it cures. Project specifications and the current adhesive manufacturer’s instructions should always take priority.
1. Check the wall and site conditions
The substrate should be stable, clean, suitably flat and free from dust, oil, loose paint, curing compounds or other contamination that could weaken adhesion. Repair cracks or hollow areas through the method specified by the project consultant. If the wall is newly rendered or concrete, allow the required curing time before applying a finish.
Moisture and movement also matter. Flexible brick is a facing material, not a substitute for waterproofing, drainage or movement-joint design. Confirm that flashings, penetrations, control joints and transitions to windows or doors are already coordinated. Where suction is high or the substrate is unusual, follow the adhesive supplier’s recommendation for priming and carry out a bond test.
Tools
Setting-out line, tape, level, clean mixing bucket, suitable mixer, notched trowel, rubber float or board, jointing tool, brush and dry sponge.
Materials
Approved flexible brick slips, compatible adhesive and joint material, plus any specified primer, corner pieces, trims, sealants or movement-joint accessories.
2. Set out courses, joints and corners
Mark horizontal control lines before mixing adhesive. Work from the approved elevation and confirm how the courses meet heads, sills, corners and adjacent finishes. The original method calls for joints approximately 8–12 mm wide, but the final joint should match the selected product module and approved sample.
Dry-lay a small area to understand the real unit sizes and colour distribution. Adjust the setting-out so visible edges do not finish with unnecessarily narrow cuts. Decide whether colour and texture should be blended randomly or follow a planned arrangement, then communicate that rule to the installer.
3. Mix and apply the adhesive
Use only an adhesive approved for the substrate, exposure and flexible brick product. Mix it in the stated water ratio and allow any specified resting time; do not retemper material that has begun to set. The original LOPO guidance illustrates a 2–3 mm adhesive layer combed with a notched trowel.
Spread only an area that can be covered while the adhesive remains fresh—approximately an arm’s reach is a useful site discipline, not a fixed technical limit. If the surface skins over, remove and replace the adhesive rather than trying to reactivate it with water. Keep the trowel angle consistent so the ridges remain even.
4. Bed and align the flexible brick slips
Press each slip fully into fresh adhesive and move it slightly to collapse the ridges. The original instruction also shows back application with more than 80% coverage. Required coverage may be higher for a particular exterior system, so verify it by removing occasional units during the work and inspecting the back.
Use the control lines to maintain the course, while allowing the agreed joint width. Gentle adjustment by hand or with a clean rubber board helps seat the pieces; do not strike the surface with a hard tool. Remove adhesive that squeezes into the joint before it hardens, leaving enough depth for the jointing material.
5. Fill and recess the joints
Begin jointing only when the bedding adhesive has reached the condition required by the system. Fill the joints completely so there are no open pockets, paying particular attention around corners and cut pieces. The original sequence then recesses the joint while the material is partly set.
Joint depth and profile influence both appearance and water shedding. Use one consistent tool and technique across the sample area, then compare it with the approved mock-up. Keep sealant or designed movement joints free from rigid grout so they can perform as intended.
6. Clean the face and protect the curing work
When the joint material is firm enough, remove loose residue with a dry brush or dry sponge, as shown in the original guide. Avoid smearing wet grout across the face. Do not use acidic cleaners or aggressive scrubbing unless the flexible brick and joint-material suppliers specifically approve them; first test any cleaning method in an inconspicuous area.
Do not install in rain, and protect newly completed work from rain, freezing, strong sun or rapid drying for the specified curing period. Temporary covers should allow ventilation and must not rub against the finished surface. Prevent other trades from staining or damaging the wall during the remainder of construction.
7. Inspect the first area before continuing
- Check bond coverage, line, level and the intended joint width.
- Review colour blending, cuts, corners and transitions from normal viewing distance.
- Confirm that joint filling, profile and cleaning match the approved sample.
- Record the accepted method so every installer follows the same sequence.
Read the original LOPO flexible brick introduction, compare related terracotta brick finishes, and review built surfaces in the project gallery.