Frequently Asked Questions

Our work over the past 40 + years has involved working for all major Brick Manufacturers, Housebuilders, small & large building contractors, Architects and also for domestic homeowners.

Yes, although we are based in Nottinghamshire, our personnel travel and work all over the United Kingdom; We have also worked in Ireland, Chanel Islands, Belgium and South Africa

In the majority of cases, if you are able to email over some details and a clear photograph(s) that show the full extent of the works, then we should be able to provide you with a cost for carrying out the necessary remedial works.

Alternatively, if we determine a site survey is necessary, then we are more than happy to visit site when we are in the area or passing through.

We would always recommend a Test Panel, this not only demonstrates what can be achieved in the way of tinting, but it also acts as a control panel for when the actual tinting is being carried out.

At the start of every project, our personnel would generally carry out a small sample area of tinting for your inspection; As tinting is always subjective, it is important to ensure the client is satisfied with the colour before proceeding with the actual works.

If a specific Test Panel is required under a specific visit, then please be aware, costs would be likely.

Although, we do have a standard minimum charge, all our projects are unique, so the cost of each project is quoted for on an individual basis which is based on the size and location of the project.
Please do not hesitate to email or call our office with your enquiry and we shall happily assist in providing you with a cost for your project.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service, as you may appreciate, all our projects are unique, and our tints are specifically mixed up on site to suit each project.

No, over the years, we have had projects which have involved tinting only 1 brick and others which have involved tinting over 250k bricks.

This can all depend on the following factors:

• Size of Project (How many bricks will require tinting?)
• Brick Type (Is it a plain coloured brick or does it have a hearting or Flash?)Project location (Where in the country is your job in relation to our base in Nottinghamshire)

As a rough guideline, we can usually tint between 1,000-1,500 bricks per day.

Please visit the ‘Download’ section on this website for information regarding our Warranty, Guarantee’s and Durability Statements. Please be aware, brickwork will alter and weather over time. Accelerated weather tests have identified that a tinted brick will weather at the same rate as an un-tinted brick.

Unfortunately, we can only change the colour of the brickwork; we cannot alter the size or texture and if these do differ slightly, they may still be noticeable once they have been tinted.

Unfortunately, we are not able to tint over any form of anti-graffiti or weatherproof solutions; the tints formulated by ourselves are designed to penetrate and adhere to the surface of the substrate it is being applied to; this will not happen if any form of sealant has been applied beforehand.

Our teams work all year round and although it is better during the Spring & Summer months, we are still able to carry out works during Autumn & Winter; the only thing that generally slows our progress is when the brickwork becomes saturated as it then becomes difficult to know what is actual colour variation as opposed to differential dampness.

Visit our download section for our ‘Criteria for Tinting’ document; This document will cover every aspect of what is required in order for you to be ready for us to carry out the necessary remedial works satisfactorily.

Potassium Silicate has a history of use of over 200-250 years, acrylic paints were developed in the 1960s and although some are more robust than others, acrylic is ultimately susceptible to UV light and will degrade.

Potassium Silicate is permeable, it does not waterproof the substrate to which it is applied, it also provides a natural finish, and is (generally) adsorbed into the substrate, whereas acrylic is a 'coating' and is only vapour permeable.

Consequently, unless heavily applied, Pot Sil tinted masonry will darken when wet, whereas acrylic does not.

Potassium Silicate has more eco-friendly credentials, as it is considered to be 'mineral based' and indeed silica is probably the most abundant of minerals.

Potassium Silicate does not go off, i.e. It has, in practical terms, an indefinite shelf life.

Potassium Silicate does not support combustion.

In practical terms we can tint most substrates used in construction, those which have some absorptive qualities may be tinted with Potassium Silicate, whilst other less absorbent substrates may be tinted with acrylic.

Clearly, we have issues with a saturated substrate or any surface masonry or otherwise, which has repellent characteristics, in addition to having little in the way of absorption.

Potassium Silicate based paints/coatings/tints, are sometimes referred to as 'mineral based' and this in conjunction with the fact that most of the pigments we use, were originally, naturally occurring means they are both benign and reasonably ecofriendly; if you planted seeds in pigment and continued to water them, they would germinate and grow.

We are occasionally involved with the cleaning of soluble residues from masonry, Iron, Manganese, Vanadium; Additionally, the removal of concrete stains (runs) and other types of contaminants e.g. glue, etc.

However, we are usually only interested in 'local' spot cleaning rather than 'wholesale' cleaning of buildings etc; Nevertheless, H&S considerations are reducing our activities in this regard, concerning the disposal of chemical rinsing water etc. which is now an important factor.

Similarly waste disposal and the specialist equipment required by graffiti removing firms generally means we are not competitive, and it is not worthwhile investing in the expensive kit, necessary to complete the works.

With Regards to how closely we may match or indeed mimic brickwork, we would always like to suggest that we can tint and match the brickwork in order for it to not occasion a second glance from the casual observer.

It is also more a case of economic practicality and the extent to which the match is required;

For example, the operative need be far less subtle, when mimicking facial characteristics at high level where the brickwork is unlikely to be closely scrutinised, however an internal reception area at ground level, will require a much different approach.

Nevertheless, to answer the question specifically, it is possible to match most bricks, such that they will stand the closest of inspections, however this may take hours per brick and therefore, will not always be economically viable.

In this regard, part of the skill of completing a cosmetic remedial exercise is not only related to the quality of the match achieved but also those techniques of 'breaking up areas' or diverting the eye of the observer; Additionally there is also the alternative of actually tinting the 'correct' bricks as well as those at issue, in order all bricks appear similar, consequently, colour matching is not the only weapon in a brick tinter's arsenal.