Kirton Arden Red – Butterley / Forterra Facing Brick
The Kirton Arden Red facing brick is a staple in Forterra’s Butterley line, combining vivid red tones with a refined, smooth appearance ideal for contemporary and traditional facades alike. Whether you're building a new home, doing an extension, or matching existing masonry, this brick provides strong visual appeal without sacrificing performance.
Crafted by wirecut methods and finished with a smooth sanded texture, Kirton Arden Red delivers clean lines and a sophisticated finish that works well in crisp architectural settings. Its consistent appearance ensures a polished look, while subtle clay variation adds natural depth. As a facing brick, it’s meant to be the visible outer face of walls, marrying aesthetics with weather resistance.
From a performance standpoint, this brick is robust. It meets BS EN 771-1 standards and carries a durability rating of F2, making it suitable for external use in exposed conditions. Its water absorption is rated at 15 %, and it boasts a compressive strength of 30 N/mm². When installed with correct detailing (cavity, flashing, drainage systems, appropriate mortar), Kirton Arden Red delivers both durability and style in UK weather conditions.
Key Specifications
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Size:215 × 102.5 × 65 mm
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Colour:Red
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Texture:Smooth
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Water Absorption:? 15 %
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Durability:F2 (suitable for exposed external use)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kirton Arden Red suitable for exposed or coastal environments?
Yes — with an **F2 durability rating**, this facing brick is rated to resist freeze–thaw damage and environmental stresses. In coastal or heavily exposed settings, pay close attention to cavity design, flashings, and drainage to ensure long-term performance.
How consistent is the red tone across a build?
While the brick is manufactured for consistency, it is a natural clay product. You may see light variation in shading, which gives the façade character. To avoid visual “banding,” you should mix bricks from several packs during laying to balance tones.
Does the 15 % water absorption increase risk of moisture issues?
A **? 15 %** absorption is somewhat higher than some facing bricks, but acceptable for many external uses. The real safeguard is installation — good cavity detail, flashing, weep holes, mortar selection, and damp proofing all play a larger role in avoiding damp than absorption alone.
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