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The technology of using sand-lime bricks in the construction of houses has been known for hundreds of years. This material is famous for its reliability, durability, and, as a result, the longevity of the buildings being erected. In addition, the stunning properties of the material and its aesthetic appeal prompted the creation of bricks for interior decoration. Today, brick walls have become a stylish, original decoration for many interiors.
Advantages and Disadvantages
It should be noted that decorative brick has excellent technical characteristics, thanks to which it attracts more and more attention every year. The main advantages of the material include:
- Small thickness allows you to use it even in small spaces, for example, in the hallway.
- Excellent insulating properties in terms of keeping warm in the room and low sound permeability.
- Decorative brick is made of materials that do not emit harmful substances. Therefore, it is environmentally friendly.
- Ease of installation – due to the lightweight elements, they can be attached to the wall using special glue.
- The material is easy to cut, which means that it is quite simple to arrange corners and joints.
The disadvantages of decorative bricks include low hygroscopicity and surface roughness. In addition, these indicators limit the use of finishes in some problem areas, for example, in the design of a kitchen apron.
Types of Exposed Brick
The use of decorative bricks for facing makes it possible to give the interior individuality. In addition, the variety of types allows you to choose a material that will be convenient to work with without the help of specialists and the most suitable for the price and conditions of a particular room.
Clinker Brick
Such a brick is made based on ceramics (it is also called ceramic). It perfectly tolerates any conditions of humidity and dirt, is easy to clean. Therefore it can be used in such specific premises as a bathroom or a kitchen. Moreover, it easily withstands temperature changes, making it suitable for cladding even unheated rooms.
Clinker bricks are distinguished by the maximum indicators of strength and practicality, among other samples. The secret lies in the fact that the clay mass undergoes rigid double thermal quenching at the production stage. As a result, the strength of the material is so great that it can lay not only on walls but also on floor surfaces. Another feature is the uneven color spectrum caused by firing at the final production stage. This type is the most expensive material.
Gypsum Brick
Such a brick is distinguished by a simplified production process and, accordingly, a lower cost. But this material is quite fragile, so its installation is not recommended in rooms where shock loads are possible. At the same time, gypsum brick, if used correctly, will last for a long time, having special practicality and hygroscopicity. Finally, one of the varieties is cement brick, a more durable material that is not afraid of mechanical stress.
Flexible Brick
This type appeared on the market of finishing materials relatively recently. At its core, it is a decorative tile with a unique ability to deform when heated easily. Flexible tiles are becoming indispensable in the design of complex-shaped walls with numerous projections, arched ceilings, and columns. In addition to these types, the role of brickwork can be played by materials that imitate it, for example, PVC panels, wallpaper, or tiles.
Exposed Brick Color
In the assortment of most manufacturers of decorative bricks, there are various color designs of the material. Bricks can be white, gray, reddish, or dark brown. The effect is achieved with the help of impurities in the raw material of color additives. But, with all this diversity, the red brick still holds the leading position.
The artificially aged brick looks interesting, giving a special chic to the decorative finish. You can find this design in the styles of Provence, shabby chic, retro. If desired, you can mix different types and form a canvas from them to achieve an original effect.
Decorative brick in the interior is easy to paint by choosing a color that does not contradict the style. You should note that white masonry does not absorb light and contributes to the visual expansion of the space. Gray gives dynamism to the atmosphere, and black is the most daring solution inherent in loft interiors.
Styling Features
As we have already said, it is quite possible to decorate the wall of a room with decorative bricks on your own, without resorting to the help of specialists. However, in this case, you need to familiarize yourself with some important points:
1. You can lay bricks only on a leveled surface, previously cleaned, and treated with a soil solution.
2. To make the drawing even, a building level is used during installation, which allows you to expose the elements accurately.
3. The laying of decorative bricks involves its installation using special glue, which you must prepare according to the instructions.
4. If a brick-like tile is used as a material, it is necessary to first lay it out on the floor and form a pattern so that identical fragments are at a distance.
A day after laying, you can start processing the seams.
Ideas for Exposed Brick in Interiors
When choosing a brick finish for decorating a particular interior, it is important to choose the right site and the color of the material that will best suit the interior and furniture palette. Let’s consider in more detail how to organize the decoration with decorative bricks of different rooms.
Exposed Brick in the Living Room
This is a special room in an apartment that requires a careful approach to decoration – after all, it is here that festive events will be held with friends and relatives, family gatherings. In newfangled interiors, you can often find the design of living rooms emphasizing brick walls. You should note that the masonry itself is an excellent decorative element that does not require additional decorations. If desired, you can arrange a gallery of family photos, a demonstration of artwork, or posters on a brick wall.
You can choose any color of brick in the living room – the main thing is that it is in harmony with the interior. Thus, you can decorate one of the walls or individual sections. The room’s decoration will be a brick fireplace or a niche in the wall, creating a special atmosphere of comfort. If the living room is combined with the kitchen, a small brick wall that acts as a zone divider would be a good option.
Exposed Brick in the Bedroom
Because the brick looks quite warm and attractive, it is perfect for decorating a bedroom. In addition, the material goes well with other types of cladding. Often, brickwork is used to decorate the wall at the head of the bed or the one on which the TV panel is installed. For example, if the bedroom is narrow, and the bed is located with its back to a long wall, it is decorated with bricks. This technique helps to move the wall, expand the room visually.
Exposed Brick in the Hallway
In small rooms of corridors, white decorative brick with a glossy surface will look best. Such a design will help increase the area and make the space freer, which is typical for modern minimalism and Scandinavian style.
It is better to decorate with red brick in fragments, making out in this way corner areas, areas at the joints of walls, arched zones, and doorways. Masonry can take part in the zoning of a spacious hallway.
Exposed Brick in the Kitchen
Even if it is quite spacious, the kitchen room is not recommended to be completely clothed in brick so that the basement interior does not turn out as a result. It is much better to use masonry as a link between different types of finishes. The definition of the wall where the brick will be located is based on the following principle: where natural light falls, there is a place for masonry. For a red brick wall that has the ability to absorb light, it is better to consider additional lighting.
Since the hygroscopicity of the material does not allow them to form an apron, you can use imitation cladding – PVC panels or brick-like tiles.
Exposed Brick in the Bathroom
The bathroom has a specific microclimate, and decorative brick is not the best option for cladding. In extreme cases, the masonry will need to be covered with anti-mold agents, as well as antibacterial compounds.
From an aesthetic point of view, the combination of the rough surface of decorative bricks with snow-white sanitary ware has a beautiful look. Instead of brickwork in bathrooms, they also use moisture-resistant wallpaper, tiles, or plastic panels that imitate it.
This article examined how exposed brick masonry can diversify the atmosphere, bringing a special atmosphere of warmth, comfort, and style to the rooms.
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