„We have only one chance to make a good first impression”. This principle is equally perfectly true in the building sector like in other fields of our life. Odds and ends, small matters, details – properly invented and correctly performed – are decisive to our success. Any types of landscaping elements can be called „first contact architecture „. Performing the role of a valuable addition to the whole construction undertaking they increase the value of the house and surrounding space. Furthermore they eliminate an unpleasant necessity of selective looking. Therefore instead to learn how not to see anything what is unsuccessful, it is better to make efforts from the very beginning in order to built practical, nice and durable fencings, low walls and benches.

EkoKLINKIER ceramic facade bricks are fired at higher temperature than conventional bricks. This factor is decisive for their increased resistance and strength. Therefore the common association between this materials and the durability and safety is completely justified, because it is a perfect material protecting use against hazards. However in order to achieve that goal, any types of landscaping elements should be performed with particular care. There are several basic principles to be adhered to.

Firstly, the bricklaying works should not be carried out in case of atmospheric precipitations and excessive air humidity. In case of rain, the brickwork should be protected with plastic foil in a manner ensuring its simultaneous ventilation. The temperature is another important factor, most suitable temperature is included in the range between 0d +5 and + 25ºC. If the temperature is too low, the mortar setting is deteriorated and efflorescence occur on the wall face. In case of excessive temperature in combination with excessive insolation the mortar is dried and becomes brittle.

In order to protect against influence of humidity, the wall erected on the base course should isolated with the layer of horizontal isolation. If the bricks should reach the ground level, the layers of bricks situated under the pavement level should be laid using hydrophobic mortar and drainage should be provided additionally around the brickwork. 

Cement mortars without admixtures and without lime content or commercially available mortars selected in accordance with the degree of water absorption by the bricks should be used for the construction of landscaping elements. In order to emphasize aesthetical effect of the forms built of bricks from Bogdanka, a properly completed pointing should be selected. This phase of construction can be commenced after about seven days after the completion of bricklaying phase. The pointing is performed using special mortars wit “wet soil consistency” starting from the top of the brickwork, first filling the horizontal joints and then the vertical joints situated thereunder. The joints can be flushed with the bricks or lightly concave. The appearance of precisely performed even EkoKLINKIER bricks is perfect in combination with an incomplete recessed joint giving a light – and – shade effect on the brickworks.

Finished brickworks built of facade bricks can be protected additionally by means of impregnating compounds in order to protect the surface against humidity and contaminations.

The bricks from Bogdanka can be used for the construction of all elements of fences: pedestals, pillars and posts as well as fillings. The bricks manufactured by  EkoKLINKIER can be used to create the surfaces using one of series included in the collection  „Melanż” and waving surfaces using angobed bricks from the collection „Kolaż”. The bricks from various series and collections can be combined in order to achieve attractive combinations of colours.

As a result of the construction of pedestal using EkoKLINKIER bricks, it will be possible to achieve two intended effects in a simple manner i.e. structural effect consisting in the creation of a robust base for the whole fencing and aesthetical effect without necessity to apply any other technologies (plastering or labour consuming tiling). The same advantages are achieved in case of the construction of the fencing posts using the same bricks. The formats of bricks and ceramic profiles manufactured by ZCB EkoKLINKIER enable the construction of straight posts (PF and PO bricks), with rounded corners (A,B and F ceramic shaped bricks) or chamfered (ceramic shaped bricks C). Attractive appearance have the pillars with the corners built of ceramic shaped bricks D. In case of every second layer built of said bricks, the effect similar to that used in classicizing architecture for the creation of so called reinforced columns. 

The ceramic facade bricks used in a creative manner will make it possible to achieve interesting and diversified fields filling the bays. For instance in case of darker posts built of bricks from MORENA series in combination with lighter fields built of SIENA or CAFENA, the expression of obtained fencing will be extremely different from the monotonous and boring solid walls.  The filling can be built in a different manner in the form of an open structure, with the bricks displaced by ¼ of the length of their side face (i.e. the longer side) to each other. The bricks from the collection of EkoKLINKIERU i.e. „Kolaż” – Rossa, Topaz, Marad and Kores seem to be perfectly suitable for such solutions. A diversified brickwork surface structure with light – and – shade effects can be obtained using rounded shapes of B and F bricks. The copings are the last but equally important element of fencing which can be also built of bricks from Bogdanka. The copings built of the elements originating from the same or contrasting series to the remaining part of the fencing (e.g. Siena combined with Carmel) will protect the brickwork against water and will emphasize the individual character of the whole project. A, B, C shaped bricks mentioned above can be used for the construction of the copings of pillars and brickworks. The details consisting said bricks will be simple and effective. However they should be laid with proper slope. It is not required in case of arch – profiled F brick and triangular P5 brick. In order to achieve more complex coping profiles, various types of shaped bricks can be combined. The combination of A type format with rounded corner and D or P2 shaped brick is an example only. 

Also thanks to diversified formats of shaped bricks, interesting appearance of the post caps can be achieved. Depending on intended effect, we can use any type of shaped bricks for this purposes. The corners of post caps will be obtained in a very easy manner e.g. as a result of cutting B type brick to the length of 6.5cm at an angle of 45º.

Architect who will be entrusted with the task consisting in the design of the fencing consisting of EkoKLINKIER products has many opportunities to display his / her talents. The combination of EkoKLINKIER elements with other materials will be also unproblematic. The façade bricks can be perfectly complemented with wood. Siena Cafena, Jasny Jantar or Topaz will be harmonized with light wooden boards and darker wood can be selected for Morena, Carmel  or  Kores. The fillings made of forged iron, steel or even perforated panels made of aluminium sheet can be used for ceramic filling elements. The possibility of easy combination of of EkoKLINKIER elements with other materials will be appreciated in course of designing and execution at least in case of canopies above the gate. Said canopies can be built of steel or wood and covered with titanium – zinc sheet or glass. These elements can be easily incorporated on the posts built of Ekoklinkier bricks. Every time the obtained effect will be cohesive with the whole fencing. Thanks to the durability of fencing elements built of Ekoklinkier products, any types of locks, hinges, elements of sliding gates or outriggers of monitoring cameras can be easily fastened thereon. 

   The manner used to combine the colours and shapes of façade bricks and the decision associated with the kinds of additives – should depend on the character of the house to be protected by the fencing. It is not important if we have to adapt the fencing to the house built of bricks from Bogdanka or to the building built in different technology, a new value will be added – the fencing made of Ekoklinkier products will be distinguishable by its colour, form and quality of applied materials.

The ceramic elements are pleasant to the touch; their smooth surface is heated by the sun radiation and pastel colours seem to radiate heat. Owing to these features, the bricks are important for landscaping forms. They are often the devices encompassed with particular care, because they are situated in our direct vicinity – in the gardens at our houses or indoor as the devices accompanying when we are looking for silence, comfort and relax – in parks or in squares situated in housing estates. They are used by our loved ones, e.g. the children on playgrounds. Therefore they should be safe, durable and functional.

The bricks from Bogdanka can be used to build low walls with comfortable seats consisting of profiled bricks (A type). However if we want to discourage everyone from being seated at our low walls, we can use triangular P5 brick for this purpose. The bases made of EkoKLINKIER bricks can be supplemented with the seats made of Wood, metal or plastics. The ergonomic features are worth to remember in course of designing of seats and planning of bricks layers. A comfortable chair is about 42 cm high, armchairs are a little bit lower and the backrest should be inclined backwards at a small angle.

Decorative elements consisting harmonious complementation of plants in the park and garden i.e. flower pots, bases for monuments and sculptures, fountains, squared or rounded columns supporting the pergolas can be also built of EkoKLINKIER façade ceramic products. Landscaping elements made of bricks from Bogdanka can be also used in designed gardens in an attractive manner. The ceramic retaining low walls will make it possible to diversify the ground levels an easy manner. A tortuous track can be laid in the grass. Small water basins should be built of watertight concrete but their circumference can be built of bricks. The appearance of an elevated water basin filled with rampant plants with the walls built of bricks in “colours of earth” will be very attractive.

Except of decorative elements, more complex objects may occur in the garden. Any types of canopy roofs or canopies, structures supporting the summer – house and garden greenhouses can be built of façade bricks manufactured in ZCB EkoKLINKIER.  The most simple canopy roof for storage of garden tools can be built by adding an open structure filling made of steel grid (so called WEMA) to the posts built of the bricks from Bogdanka.

Profiled rounded shaped bricks are perfectly suitable for friendly and coloured elements of playgrounds – the low walls surrounding the sand – pits or walls labyrinths free of bars, wires, bolts and concealed strips. Such solutions will be suitable in the small garden at home as well as at a playground situated in the housing estate.

Interior design elements can be also built of façade bricks. Any aesthetical predilections and beliefs should not be problematic. Thinking about a ceramic fireplace we can easily imagine a minimalist rectangle sunken in wall or a furnace enclosed in wide jambs and covered with sculptured hood with vaulted storage place for wood. The heat radiating from the both of the, even at fire stopped, will be felt thanks to the colours of the bricks from Bogdanka. A ceramic fireplace or grill can be built also outdoors and placed on the slab of terrace or on specially prepared foundation. The garden grill consisting of furnace with components – grill and drawer for charcoal – are commercially available or can be ordered in accordance with the design – and of storage place for fuel. A table top made of stone, concrete or bricks will be incorporated above the storage place for fuel. The ceramic grill should be impregnated with proper impregnating compound.

The bricks can be used for the construction in your kitchen or bathroom. The also can be used instead of gypsum boards for the construction of permanent shelves and cavities. A part of inner walls can be also built of façade bricks. Therefore their painting and plastering will be unnecessary when small children will paint them with coloured pencils. May be we could apply an anti-grafitti compound later. Using your fantasy and playing with shaped bricks manufactured by EkoKLINKIER you could be able to build an attractive laying place at the swimming pool. There are a lot possibilities and no limitations imposed by the bricks.

Ceramic facade bricks manufactured by EkoKLINKIER Building Ceramic Facility incorporate all features of that popular material and wide range of various shapes and rich palette of colours enable its versatile application. Said materials will demonstrate their suitability in case of safety requirement owing to their durability and resistance to the influence of harmful factors. Thanks to their colours and attractive appearance, they will transform our environment and upgrade its class and prestige. They can imperceptibly sink into context if required as well as cooperate and play as a team.

 How to check if the bricks from Bogdanka have really the features of a perfect employee?  The best way is to use them for some small seemingly simple tasks.