Boxes Of Brick Slips
Step 1: Measure the Wall Area
The first step in calculating how many boxes of brick slips you need is measuring the wall you plan to cover. Use a tape measure to find the width and height of the wall in meters.
For example:
- Wall width: 4 meters
- Wall height: 2.5 meters
To calculate the total wall area, multiply the width by the height:
4 × 2.5 = 10 square meters
This means your wall has a total surface area of 10 square meters.
Step 2: Subtract Doors, Windows, or Gaps
If your wall includes doors, windows, fireplaces, or other areas that will not be covered with brick slips, subtract those areas from the total.
For instance:
- Window size: 1.2 m × 1.0 m = 1.2 square meters
Subtract this from the total wall area:
10 − 1.2 = 8.8 square meters
This adjusted figure is the actual area that needs to be covered with brick slips.
Step 3: Understand Box Coverage
You are working on the basis that one box of brick slips covers 0.5 square meters. This is the key figure used for all calculations.
To find the number of boxes required, divide your total wall area by the coverage per box:
8.8 ÷ 0.5 = 17.6 boxes
Since you can’t buy a fraction of a box, you must round up, not down.
So in this case, you would need 18 boxes of brick slips.
Step 4: Allow for Wastage
It is always recommended to order extra brick slips to account for wastage. Cuts around edges, corners, sockets, or pattern matching can lead to offcuts that cannot be reused. Most professionals suggest adding 10% extra, though for complex layouts or herringbone patterns, 15% may be safer.
Continuing the example:
- Required boxes: 18
- 10% of 18 = 1.8
Rounded up, you should add 2 extra boxes, bringing the total to:
20 boxes of brick slips
This buffer helps ensure you don’t run short midway through installation.
Step 5: Consider Pattern and Layout
The way you plan to install your brick slips can influence how many boxes you need. A traditional horizontal layout usually results in less waste, while more decorative patterns such as staggered, vertical, or mixed-colour designs may require additional cuts.
If your design includes:
- External or internal corners
- Feature borders
- Mixed brick tones from multiple boxes
It’s especially important to order extra to maintain consistency in colour and texture.
Step 6: Why Ordering Enough Matters
Brick slips are often manufactured in batches, and slight colour variations can occur between production runs. Ordering enough boxes at the start ensures all your brick slips come from the same batch, giving your wall a more uniform and professional finish.
Running out and reordering later can lead to visible differences in shade, which can be difficult to fix once installed, plus increased delivery costs.
Quick Formula Summary
To calculate how many boxes of brick slips you need:
- Measure wall width × height = total area
- Subtract doors and windows
- Divide remaining area by 0.5
- Round up to the nearest whole number
- Add 10–15% for wastage
Final Thoughts
Calculating how many boxes of brick slips you need doesn’t have to be complicated. By carefully measuring your wall, understanding that each box covers 0.5 square meters, and allowing for wastage, you can order with confidence and avoid unnecessary delays. A little planning at the start goes a long way toward achieving a clean, professional-looking brick slip wall that enhances your space and lasts for years.
Corner Brick Slips
Step 1: Measure the Total Linear Metres of Corners
Unlike standard brick slips, which are calculated in square metres, corner brick slips are measured in linear metres. Start by identifying every external corner that will be finished with corner pieces.
Measure the vertical height of each corner in metres. If you have multiple corners, add their heights together to get a total linear measurement.
For example:
- Corner 1: 2.4 metres
- Corner 2: 2.4 metres
- Corner 3: 1.2 metres
Total linear metres = 6.0 metres
Step 2: Apply the Coverage Rate
You are working on the basis that 14 corner brick slips cover 1 linear metre. To calculate the number of corner pieces required, multiply the total linear metres by 14.
Using the example above:
- 6.0 linear metres × 14 = 84 corner brick slips
This gives you the base number required to cover all corners.
Step 3: Round Up Where Necessary
If your total linear measurement results in a decimal (for example, 3.6 metres), always round up to the nearest full number of corner brick slips. Rounding down risks leaving gaps at the top or bottom of a corner, which can compromise the finish.
Step 4: Allow for Wastage
As with standard brick slips, it’s important to allow extra corner brick slips for wastage. Cuts, alignment adjustments, and minor breakages can occur during installation. A sensible allowance is 10% extra, especially if you are working with uneven walls or multiple corners.
For example:
- 84 corner brick slips + 10% (8.4)
- Rounded up = 93 corner brick slips