What is the difference between Cut & Plugged specials and Cut & Refaced Specials?

We are often asked what the difference is between the two types of specials, normally when talking about plinth bricks, and plinth returns. When the brick manufacturers are unable to supply or is quoting a lengthy lead time it is often more cost-effective to have the Plinth bricks manufactured out of your existing brick stock by a brick cutting company like ourselves.

When special plinth bricks are required, there are two different methods of production, both of which have certain benefits over the other. Normally the customer is asked to make the choice on which method they would prefer, often without knowing the difference between the two.

Tbs Cladding Solutions offers both methods to our customers;

1. Cut & plugged
2. Cut & Refaced (also known in the trade as Cut & Dusted)

Cut & Plugged

These have several benefits over a Cut & Refaced special, the main one being that the end

product is the closest to a purpose made special direct from the brick factory, and often can have an even better finish than the purpose made brick special. These are created by cutting the face from one brick and bonding it to another to create a plinth brick which has the exact same texture and colour as the normal facing bricks. Cut and plugged brick specials do cost more than an a Cut and refaced due to the extra amount of work involved in the intricate cutting of both bricks, and the bonding to make one plinth brick. This method is especially beneficial where the bricks have a heavily textured finish to them.

Cut and Plugged Plinths can be ordered in the below range of British Standard Specials;

PL2.2, PL3.2, PL4.2, PL6.2, PL7.2,PL8.2,PL9.2

For reference Cut and Plugged specials cannot be produced in .1 reference, they can only be made to .2 reference (23mm upstand)

Cut and Refaced

Cut and refaced or Cut and dusted as they are also known in the industry are a more suited to bricks with a very light of flat sanded texture. These are produced by cutting the correct angle of the plinth brick required, exposing the inner core of the brick, this is then refaced by using epoxy adhesives and pigments to replicate the original finish. We use the same pigments and sands as used in the manufacturing process by the brick factories to ensure the replicated finish is as close as possible to the original brick. Cut and refaced specials are more cost effective for the customer than Cut and Plugged generally, the exceptions to this are when using a perforated brick, as during the process the perforations are cut through and have to be filled before the face can be refinished, on perforated bricks we would recommend going for the Cut and plugged option.

Cut and Plugged Plinths can be ordered in the below range of British Standard Specials;

PL2.1,PL2.2,PL3.1,PL3.2,PL4.1,PL4.2,PL6.1,PL6.2.PL7.1,PL7.2,PL8.1,PL8.2,PL9.1,PL9.2