Refractories are the plates, posts, and blocks that let our tile and brick go through our kilns.  Although they can withstand high temperatures, they are easy to break.  Each year, we replaces broken refractories.  In the past, broken refractories have been crushed into aggregate along with fired scrap but recently we began a program to return them to our local refractory supplier to use as grog.  Grog is ground up refractories that help new refractory pieces use less energy and material to fire and produce.  This helps our supplier because they need more grog. Ironroc ..read more

METROBRICK® Architectural Thin Brick continues to expand its color palette with two new colors, #100 Alabaster and #705 Graphite, broadening the possibilities in single-tone options and blend combinations. 100 Alabaster Adding 100 Alabaster as a new option brings a very light, buff color into the mix. Use Alabaster as a stand-alone color, accent, or as part of a blend. Alabaster is METROBRICK’s lightest color and is the perfect solution when a light thin brick is what you need. 705 Graphite The addition of 705 Graphite to the METROBRICK colors adds a deep gray option to the palette.  METR ..read more

Installing thin brick outdoors Here is a new video we created called – Installing Thin Brick on an Insulated Exterior Wall. This video shows all steps of a wall assembly with a focus on installing the thin brick using tile setting methods. This is a very detailed video that took a while to put together but we think in the end was well worth it. https://metrothinbrick.com/about/videos ..read more

In September of 2019, Ironrock produced its first thin brick order using its new state of the art edge grinding equipment. The new equipment ensures all manufactured bricks conform to the tight dimensional tolerances required by the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI) Standard for Thin Brick embedded in concrete.   “We see our new edge grinder as a competitive advantage,” says Guy Renkert, Ironrock’s President & CEO and the fifth generation of the Renkert family to run the company. “While our size control has always been the best in the industry, being able to rectify oversized pieces h ..read more

Terry McCracken is Ironrock’s National Sales Manager – Thin Brick Ironrock’s National Thin Brick Sales Manager is responsible for meeting and exceeding annual thin brick sales goals, creating and growing a strong national distribution channel, and establishing METROBRICK® and Royal Thin Brick® as leaders in the thin brick market. In his role, Terry makes presentations to architects and specifiers, distributors, precasters & tilt-wall companies. He will also work with field-applied systems companies and other users and influencers for the METROBRICK and Royal Thin Brick product lines. Terr ..read more

The METROBRICK® Fast Ship Program is designed to provide precasters with the most requested METROBRICK Thin Brick colors fast – many times shipped within days of placing an order. The program has gained in use over the years as customers grow in awareness of Fast Ship and learn what a time saver it can be. The METROBRICK Fast Ship Program combines a thin brick precasters can rely on with expedited availability, which is often necessary to meet tight deadlines. METROBRICK is pleased to announce they have added two new colors – 320 Schoolhouse Red and 365 Schoolhouse Red Flashed along with a ne ..read more

Are you interested in creating a thin brick accent wall, fireplace surround or backsplash, but have questions about how to make it happen? Follow our installers as they take you through the entire process from beginning to end. Learn how to create a whole new look in your home or business by adding thin brick. https://metrothinbrick.com/ #thinbrick#installingthinbrick#royalthinbrick ..read more

METROBRICK WAX REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS Covering the brick surface with paraffin wax is an important option to consider when using thin brick with cast in place concrete. METROBRICK® is available waxed to reduce the likelihood of cement and other contaminants adhering to the brick face during installation. Completely removing the wax once the brick is in place exposes the clean brick surface and is part of the installation process. The METROBRICK website includes instructions for proper removal of wax from the bricks once the panel is formed. Wax removal information includes required equipment, ap ..read more

Popular Index for Finding Environmental Information on Building Products Mindful MATERIALS is a free platform with aggregated information on human health and environmental impacts for products from leading manufacturers, vetted by experts passionate about making it easier to make informed product choices. Products that are accepted into the database must undergo a vigorous vetting process to insure the products meet health and sustainability standards. Mindful materials began at HKS in 2014. The simplicity of the labeling system soon generated interest in the greater design community. HKS unde ..read more

NEW Vintage Texture – featuring distressed edges and a heavily distressed surface. Ready for the best part? This one-of-a-kind textured brick meets the PCI Standard for thin brick. what’s not to love?   We know your customers are going to love a thin brick this distressed and gnarly looking – it’s what they’ve been asking for.   And we know you will love that Vintage Texture follows the same stringent standards as our other PCI compliant thin brick. The NEW Vintage Texture from METROBRICK is one distressed brick that will fit your form liner and give you a distinct look.   Requ ..read more