Bee bricks
Part of our biodiversity range, bee bricks are designed to provide safe nesting habitats for solitary bees within the built environment. Made from durable Staffordshire clay, but with cavities in which bees can lay their eggs, these bricks combine heritage craftsmanship with modern sustainability, helping developers meet biodiversity net gain targets while enhancing the ecological value of projects. Discreetly integrated into walls or landscaping, Bee Bricks offer a simple yet impactful way to support pollinators and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.
Bee Bricks should be placed in a warm sunny spot on a south-facing wall at a minimum height of 1m, with no vegetation obstructing the holes. It is highly recommended that bee-friendly plants should be located nearby so that the bees using the bricks have food readily available.
They are available in all the Ketley brick colours and you can click here for a drawing
Environmental
Download third party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
Place of Manufacture: Brierley Hill, UK
Environmental Management: 14001 Download Certificate
Quality Management : 9001 Download Certificate
Download the Ketley Quality and Environmental Policy
Life Cycle: BRE Global Certification in accordance with EN 15804:2012 Download Certificate
Energy: Fired in gas kilns to 1130o C
Raw materials: Etruria Marl Clay from our own quarry in Cannock, 12 miles from our factory, and sand
Lifespan: Bricks are long life building product and Ketley's bricks are the toughest and most durable bricks you can buy.
Recyclability: Mortar can be cleaned off so the bricks can be reused. They can also be crushed and used as aggregate and/or as an inert bulk fill
Packaging: We keep packaging to a minimum using wooden pallets and we do not shrink wrap our brick packs.
Find out more about Ketley's approach to sustainability
Click for the Brick Development Association infographic on Sustainability of Brick
See below the latest video about Sustainability of Brick from the Brick Development Association
Technical Specification
Ketley Brick Specification Sheet
Standard: BS EN 771-1: 2011
Ketley Bricks are produced at our works located in the heart of the Black Country. They have been made from our own Etruria Marl since Victorian times and are recognised as a Class A engineering brick of high quality with a strong aesthetic appeal.
Download Specification sheet as pdf.
Download Specification clause as a word doc
Download water absorption and compressive strength test report for solidsDownload water absorption and compressive strength report for perforated bricks
Ketley is the only brick manufacturer to have had their bricks independently tested for freeze thaw performance within a textured facade, with bricks within the test panel projecting up to 50mm. The test was based on prEN772-22 and no damage was found on any of the bricks tested.
Download textured brickwork freeze thaw test report
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Compressive strength: |
≥ 125N/mm² |
≥125N/mm² |
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Category: |
II |
II |
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Masonry Unit Group: |
HD |
HD |
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Engineering Grade: |
A |
A |
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Water absorption: |
≤4.5% |
≤4.5% |
|
Initial Rate of Water absorption: |
≤1.5Kg/m²/min |
≤1.5Kg/m²/min |
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Thermal Conductivity: |
On Application |
On Application |
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Bond Strength: |
0.15N/mm² (For general purpose and lightweight mortar) |
0.15N/mm² (For general purpose and lightweight mortar) |
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Net Dry Density: |
2200 Kg/m³(Typically) |
2200 Kg/m³(Typically) |
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Density Tolerance: |
D1 |
D1 |
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Soluble salt content: |
S2 |
S2 |
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Durability: |
F2 |
F2 |
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Fire Reaction: |
A1 |
A1 |
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Dimensional Tolerance Mean: |
T2 |
T2 |
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Dimensional Tolerance Range: |
R1 |
R1 |
Special Shaped Bricks
Special Shaped Bricks
Because Special Shaped bricks are generally used in situations of severe exposure such as copings and cills, powerful resistance to water penetration and high durability has always been essential.
Ketley Bricks are generally solid and have stood the ultimate test, the test of time. In the early part of the 20th Century their blue colour was regarded as the stamp of durability, nowadays their performance under crushing tests, water absorption and abrasion tests is evidence of this.
The use of Ketley Specials to add a high quality finish to brickwork ensures extra durability and protection to vulnerable areas and will save time on-site by overcoming extensive hand cutting.
Download Special Shaped Brick Brochure
or browse our range of specials online
Consistent natural colours
Our unique plant produces traditional natural Staffordshire clay colours for both the Paver and Brick ranges in Blue, Brown Brindle and Red. Because our bricks, pavers and specials are fired together, our colours are consistent through the range.
Ketley Brick manufactures a wide range of special shaped bricks for a multitude of applications.
Ketley will also manufacture specials from drawings supplied, allowing you to explore imaginative design options and decorative detail, confident that Ketley will be able to acurately match requirements.
