There’s no escaping the fact that brick walls and floors have established themselves as a sought-after design features in recent times. Frankly, their aesthetic appeal is simply incredible.
If you’re interested in getting the brick look yourself, you’ve probably gained the inspiration from somewhere else. Whether it was a loved one’s home, a fancy restaurant, or your favourite clothes shop doesn’t matter. In truth, though, you may not have been looking at real bricks.
In today’s climate, it’s increasingly likely that you were looking at brick tiles. They can be a stunning alternative to the real thing, and here’s why.
Why Is The Brick Look So Popular?
In truth, the brick look never went out of fashion. However, there is no doubt that it has seen a huge upturn in popularity in recent years.
The distinct look of brickwork stands out like no other material, and that added character can enhance any room or workspace. They bring a sense of grandeur and can be used for both contemporary and vintage appearances. Essentially, they work with virtually any interior design vision.
Meanwhile, the fact that blemishes are a part of the appeal gives them an advantage. This is especially true when comparing to wallpapers and materials that can be ruined by the smallest fault. No wonder the appeal of brick has continued to grow in recent years.
So, What Are Brick Tiles?
Brick tiles are essentially a type of cladding that is used to replicate the look of real bricks. They use layered brick faces in a way that makes it almost impossible to tell the difference from the real thing.
Essentially, then, they are tiles that share the aesthetic properties of real brick walls.
And their popularity has been central to the renewed interest in the brick look.
Where Can They Be Found?
Brick tiles are very versatile, making them ideal for both residential and commercial properties. The brick slip process is one that can be incorporated in most buildings, regardless of the existing structural elements.
Moreover, brick tiles can be used for flooring purposes as well as for the walls. So, if you’re looking to revamp a part of your home or business premises, this is an option that’s worth consideration. It’s worth noting that they are very useful for external projects too.
What Are The Down Sides?
Before getting carried away and rushing into any interior design choices, it’s important to recognise the potential cons. After all, no product or material is the perfect solution for everyone.
With regards to brick tiles, these are the issues that could potentially encourage you to choose something else;
- While it will provide some insulation, the brick tile option won’t match the insulating properties of a brick wall.
- If they aren’t applied in the right fashion, poor bonding can result in cracks and similar aesthetic issues.
- While still taking up less space than real brick walls, the brick tiles are thicker than some alternative materials. This can reduce the size of your room, albeit only be a few centimetres.
- Some people might be able to spot the difference if they inspect it with intense details. Meanwhile, you’ll know too.
Nonetheless, none of those issues are likely to stop many homeowners or entrepreneurs from making this selection. And that’s largely because the benefits are so plentiful.
The Benefits Of Choosing Brick Tiles
If you are considering brick slips, you are probably comparing them to real brick. Here are just some of the reasons that have won people over in the past few years, and could have a huge impact on your decision too.
Brick Tiles Are Cheaper
It’s impossible to think about interior design choices without considering the financial impacts. Brick tiles are a far cheaper option than the real thing.
Not only are the direct materials more affordable. But the installation times are shorter while the maintenance costs are often greatly reduced.
Moreover, their lightness means they can be used on walls that have little support. This in itself can generate a big saving. Given that those savings can be used to invest in better products elsewhere, this is certainly a key factor.
Brick Tiles Are Available In All Patterns
When choosing a brick effect cladding, the aesthetic will impact the entire room. Therefore, finding the right look for your project is essential.
Sourcing a large volume of standard clay bricks may be easy. However, when going for a more unique material, finding a quantity suited to your needs can be hard.
Sadly, splitting your orders across several batches and suppliers can result in huge contrasts. This is not as problematic as it would be with other issues.
Still, the fact that brick tiles are available in virtually every brick aesthetic imaginable adds a sense of practicality.
Brick Tiles Let You Save Time
Whether it’s building a new home or renovating a business environment, getting the project finished quickly is vital. Brick tiles are very easy to install while there is little waiting time to worry about.
This makes them a fantastic option for anyone wanting the brick effect while also wishing to get back to normality.
Due to the layering technique, even the maintenance jobs are easy as replacing the single brick face that has been damaged.
So, even if you do encounter those unlikely faults, it needn’t cause the disruption that brickwork problems could bring.
Brick Tiles Are More Versatile
Aside from the choice of colours and appearances, brick tiles are generally more versatile. The fact that they are smaller and lighter than bricks means they can be added virtually anywhere.
Whether it’s an internal feature wall, a supporting structure, or even a chimney stack doesn’t matter. You can get a stunning outcome with brick tiles.
Brick tiles are therefore ready to help you through any project imaginable. This is particularly useful when simply trying to revamp a room without completely transforming all features. For the sake of your sanity as well as your finances, this is highly beneficial.
The Final Word
From rustic to urban and glazed, contemporary to vintage, the brick look is on trend. When you want an affordable, practical, and versatile solution, brick walls are the answer.