GB2319543A - Tiles resembling brick cladding - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of hanging tiles in which a structure to be covered is provided with a profiled sheet (or sheets) 3 having a series of horizontal open-bottomed ribs 5. Each tile has a horizontal step 17 in its rear face, the upper edge of each tile being inserted into the groove defined by an upper rib and the step 17 brought into a position in which it rests on a lower rib. Each tile has a portion which overlies an upper portion of an immediately lower tile, so that a lower portion of the lower tile is presented to view.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN CLADDING Although framed buildings may be erected relatively cheaply and quickly in comparison with buildings constructed using conventional brick-laying techniques, the appearance of a conventional brick building is often preferred. The present proposal concerns a method of simulating a brick wall, and may be employed to clad a wall of a framed building or other structure. The proposed method may also be used to support plain tiles on vertical surfaces and pitched roofs.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a wall clad with tiles to simulate bricks, and Figure 2 is a dimensioned section through a single tile.

Referring to Figure 1, a wall 1 of a framed building or other structure is provided with a tile support consisting of a profiled, waterproof sheet 3 having a series of parallel, horizontal ribs 4. Each rib has a web 5 and a downwardly extending flange 7 to define an open-bottomed channel into which projects a lip 9 along the lower edge of the flange 7. As illustrated, the ribs are upwardly concave but this profile is not essential. As an alternative to using a ribbed sheet 3, a series of inverted U-sections may be individually mounted one above the other. Although the profiled sheet 3 is conveniently made from metal, synthetic materials such as pvc may be used to form the profiled sheet. The profiled sheet may be bonded (on its unprofiled surface) to an insulation board to create a composite panel.

Each rib is used to support a row of rectangular tiles 11, each of which may have a horizontal length equal to that of a conventional house brick. The tiles supported by each rib are staggered in the horizontal sense relative to those supported by the next adjacent rib or ribs. The tiles may be conveniently formed from clay, or from concrete or other materials.

Each tile has a stepped rear face extending parallel to the central plane P through the tile, the rear face including a lower face portion 13 and an upper face portion 15, joined by a step 17. The front face of each tile has a lower face portion 19, and an upper face portion 21 joined to face portion 19 by a step 23. A horizontal groove 25 is formed in the upper face portion so that a rib 27 is formed along the upper edge of the tile and joins the rear face through a rounded corner.

Figure 2 indicates the linear and angular dimensions of a preferred tile, and it will be seen that, when the lower front face portion 19 is arranged vertically, the upper and lower rear face portion are at a small angle to the vertical, and the upper front face portion at a slightly greater angle to the vertical. By way of example, these angles are respectively 10 and 14", but other angles may be used, and may by further example fall within respective ranges of 5"-15" and 9 -19 .

With this construction, with the step 17 of each tile resting on a rib with the edge of the rib defined by the flange and web engaging in'the corner formed between the wall 13 and step 17, the rounded upper corner of the tile rests against the vertical face of the sheet 3.

The lower rear edge at the base of face 13 rests on the upper front face 21 just above step 23. Each tile (save for those in the uppermost row) is thus overhung by a part of one or more higher tiles, thereby obscuring the upper front face portion 21 from view and presenting to view the face portion 19. Gaps are formed between adjacent face portions 19, and may be pointed in traditional fashion. A spacer may be formed on or attached to one vertical edge of each tile so as to ensure correct horizontal spacing, and the vertical gaps may similarly be pointed. The lower front face portions of the tiles are disposed vertically and thereby simulate rows of bricks.

The tiles are inserted by holding them horizontally and offering up rib 27 to the groove defined between the lip 9 and sheet 3, and then tilting the tiles into the position shown. The lip 9 will cooperate with the rib 27 to prevent a tile falling to the ground if it is accidentally dislodged before pointing. If the proposal is used to form a plain tile hung wall or roof, the tiles will not generally be pointed, and the lip 9 will serve permanently to prevent the dislodgement of tiles.

Substantially the entire area of that part of the structure to be clad with tiles is covered with the profiled sheet 3, or juxtaposed profiled sheets, by nailing, screwing, clipping or in any other convenient way. This procedure increases the speed at which a building may be clad. Moreover, because the profiled sheets may be of waterproof construction, they serve as a waterproof shield within the tile cladding. If composite sheets are used,'as described above, the invention provides for insulation, weather proofing and improved tile fixing in a simple and effective manner.

Claims (7)

1. A method of hanging tiles in which a structure to be covered is provided with a series of horizontal openbottomed ribs, each tile having a horizontal step in its rear face, the upper edge of each tile being inserted into the groove defined by an upper rib and the step brought into a position in which it rests on a lower rib, the tile having a portion which overlies an upper portion of an immediately lower tile ad a lower portion of the lower tile is presented to view.

2. In combination, a structure provided with a series of horizontal open-bottomed ribs, and a plurality of tiles, each having a step in its rear wall which rests upon a rib, an upper portion having an edge received in the groove of the next adjacent higher rib, and a lower portion which (save for the tiles in the lowest row) overlies an upper part of a tile in the immediately lower row.

3. In combination, a structure provided with a profiled sheet formed or provided with a series of ribs, and tiles supported on the ribs, each of the tiles (save for those of the lowest row) having a portion which overhangs and rests on part of a tile in the immediately adjacent lower row, the rear surface of the tile being held at an angle to the vertical and the front surface including a portion which is substantially vertical and simulates a face of a brick.

4. The combination claimed in claim 3, wherein substantially the entire area of the structure clad with tiles is provided with profiled sheeting formed from one or more profiled sheets as defined in claim 3.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure is provided with said ribs by applying to it one or more profiled sheets.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein substantially the entire area of the structure to be clad with tiles has said sheet or sheets applied to it.

7. A method of cladding a structure with tiles comprising applying to the structure a profiled sheet formed or provided with ribs from which the tiles are hung without the use of fixing means, thereby providing a waterproof shield inwardly of the tile cladding.