Choosing the right brick
NFP vs NFX | 7MPa vs 14MPa
NFP vs NFX, what’s the difference?
NFP stands for Non-Face Plaster, rated at 7MPa. It’s suited to general building work that will be plastered over, standard internal and external walls above ground, in normal conditions, non-structural. Most of what goes into a typical home or commercial build, where the wall will be finished with plaster and isn’t carrying structural load, falls into this category.
NFX stands for Non-Face Extra, rated at 14MPa. It’s suited to the same general building work, plastered or left unplastered. That covers two separate cases: below damp-proof course, below ground level, or anywhere exposed to damp conditions over time, and any wall carrying structural load, regardless of whether damp is a factor at all. If a wall is doing structural work, specify NFX even if it’s entirely above ground and in normal conditions, the higher strength rating comes with the class, not as a separate choice.
7MPa vs 14MPa, which strength do you need?
MPa stands for megapascals, a measure of compressive strength, how much load the brick can bear before it fails. It’s one of the specifications tested and certified under SANS 227, alongside dimensions and water absorption.
7MPa (NFP) covers the majority of general building work, boundary walls, freestanding walls, internal partitions, and other applications where the wall isn’t supporting the weight of the structure above it. This is the standard specification for most non-structural walling.
14MPa (NFX) is specified where the wall is carrying structural load, supporting floors, roofs, or other parts of the building above it. If a wall is doing structural work, the higher strength rating isn’t optional, it’s what the load requires, and it comes as part of the NFX class, not a separate strength selection.
A quick way to check
Ask two questions: will any part of this wall sit below the damp-proof course, below ground level, or somewhere regularly exposed to moisture? Is the wall carrying structural load? If the answer to either is yes, specify NFX (14MPa). Only if the wall is entirely above ground, non-structural, in normal conditions, and will be plastered, is NFP (7MPa) the standard choice.
Still not sure? The Apollo Brick Selector Tool will ask a few quick questions about your project and recommend the right product and class together, rather than working through finish and strength as separate decisions.
Get it confirmed before you order
If there’s any doubt on a specific project, it’s worth a five-minute call rather than a guess.
Confirm any structural requirement with your architect or engineer first, then speak to our Brick Masters at Olifantsfontein in Gauteng or Atlantis in the Western Cape, or request a quote, mentioning the application, below-DPC, damp-prone, structural, or standard above-ground work, so the right class is quoted from the start.