Brick Slip tiles, Bricks that install just like tiles, imagine that !
“There are two things that make a room timeless, a sense of history and a piece of the future.”
This is a quote by the great American Interior designer, Charlotte Moss. We all want that room, we all want that special note and ambience within our living space.
Brick slip tiles can do this!
Having worked within the manufacturing sector for over 15 years, specifically in the manufacture of building products, I am constantly looking at design trends and how products become popular amongst the population.
Blogging has been very good to me over the past few years, it has allowed me the freedom to help, educate and inform others who are looking at using brick slip tiles.
Blogging has also given me some great insight into how our products are received, the direction our products need to go and where we need to take them.
All this thinking has come at a personal cost that I’m sure many can relate to. Whilst enjoying days out with the family at the seaside I am often seen meandering into bars or restaurants “ not for the food or ale” but to look at our products and see how they have been used.
Often during work down time I will play table football, do not ask me why!
It helps me think, and whilst playing the the game I am constantly thinking of what questions I have left answered, what I haven’t covered, and how else I can help to promote and educate regarding brick slip tiles.
My distractions inevitably lead me to have a very poor record of wins in the office.
Back on track!
Using brick slip tiles internally and externally is not a new thing, and although most questions relating to the use of brick slip tiles have been covered at some point. I felt compelled to try and condense all of this knowledge down into one enjoyable and insightful article.
“A master blog, a blog that brings together all other blogs”
The subject matter “Brick slip tiles explained” seems loose at first glance, it is only when you are sat on this side of the fence that you understand how much or how little information there is out there on the internet covering this seemingly specialist subject.
Thinking of this, I had a glorious epiphany recently whilst sitting on a bench in Scarborough, I was blissfully enjoying my Mr Whippy ice cream with extra flake when I suddenly started to think about my work.
My mind started to accelerate, I am an expert I can put my knowledge out there. Brickslips.co.uk are the experts, we manufacture millions and millions of brick slips every year, we supply to every conceivable project you could envision. Neither oceans nor mountain range get in the way when we supply our knowledge and products. We supply globally!
It seems only natural that we educate the world on all things that are brick slips.
Here goes!
Clay based cladding is definitely not a new thing, the use of clay as a cladding material has been adopted by many since before the times of the ancient romans.
Fired clay in an extremely versatile building material which offers high quality, longevity and timeless appeal.
The development of the very first official brick slips date back to the early 20th century in the USA. The rise in timber framed construction resulted in estates being built all across America. Some of these new framed methods adopted the use of a clay based cladding.
These initial brick slips were nearly all purpose made and usually in the same way as clay roof tiles. Once these new brick slips were adhered to the timber houses and pointed they had the appearance of full brick.
And so the trend started…
Across the UK and Europe, the uptake of brick slips had been a little slower. This is mainly due to traditional brick and mortar building methods still being the primary method of construction.
What does all this have to do with brick slip walls?
Shouting from the roof of our factory building!
Everything!
The history of this product has lead us to where we are today, the rise in production methods and the need for external cladding products has helped to develop a new internal design element.
Now manufactured and cut from real bricks, the feasibility of having a brick feature wall internally is now a reality. The ease of not having to actually build the wall has lead to an insurgence of new design ideas surrounding internal and external brick cladding.
A real clay brick product that can be tiled onto almost any substrate is the reason for the growth in popularity.
Brick Slip Tile Trends
Turning walls into a DIY product has had a profound effect on our sales regarding internal brick cladding.
Although brick slips as mentioned have been around for many many years, it has been predominantly the accessibility and commercial use of them that has helped to increase the profile.
Yes it is true! The trend is growing, and using brick slips for interior walls shows no signs of slowing down.
We are now nearly 20 years in to the 21st century, it seems crazy albeit mind-blowing at the same time. Technology has become intertwined within everyone’s daily life, from social media, smart phones and the internet. These technological advances and access to instant information and trends has had a profound effect on the design and materials sector.
It is true, some people feel that these technological advances have produced unwanted results but let us not dwell. The belief in an apocalyptic technological future at most boarders on science fiction.
If we re-wind a little to today we can see how much technology enhances our lives.
Influences, designers and artistic homeowners can now be seen by millions of people through social media apps like Pinterest and Instagram. This easy access to current trends is the reason why brick slip products are constantly growing in use.
Locations internally
In the home brick slip tiles can be to decorate and clad any room. The most common areas within a home are the Kitchen and Fireplace.
In the kitchen, brick slips can turn a clinical and characterless room into a warm, homely and inviting area. Country cottage, farmhouse and period features can be added with brick slips to create a focal feature that comes second to none. Adding warmth to a kitchen with real clay can transform a whole households atmosphere.
Firm favorite products for kitchens are our Olde Bayswater blend and our Lambeth mixture. Both products add ample character and really do hit the spot.
Fireplace and chimney areas are another big hit for the family home. Whether it is used as a focal point or tucked thoughtfully in a corner, a fireplace can add warmth personality and functionality to many spaces in the home.
Out with the new and in with the old, no single feature in the home has a more traditional look that a brick fireplace.
The presence of a brick fireplace automatically conjures up feelings of warmth along with images of quintessential English family portraits.
Living rooms and feature walls
Instead of choosing fabric wallpaper or ghastly pink paint, a single feature wall made from real brick slips has enough charm and colour to raise the level of any room.
London Weathered Yellow brick slips are frequently used as a feature wall product, this is a great standalone product that I personally think goes with almost any decor. The subtly and lightness of the product makes it ideal for periodic colour schemes. Natural light bounces from the surface with ease and can help to create a light and aired feel.
External brick slip tiles
Can your brick slips be used externally?
This is a question I must get asked 20 times a week… Yes!
The subject of external brick cladding often gets plenty of discussion and is where most of our inquiries come from.
External brick cladding works a treat for both major and minor renovation projects. Brick cladding adds certain elegance to a property and can transform even the most tired looking walls.
One of the main areas for using brick slips externally is in renovations and restorations. Often houses have gone through a tirade of facelifts and alterations. Sometimes these alterations are simply inadequate. A poor facade to the front face of a building can lower the value of a home by as much as 20%.
Using brick slips as an external cladding is a great way of giving a home a truly natural facelift. Homes that look tired can be rejuvenated with the addition of brick slips.
Providing your local planning authority allow, this also means that homeowners can stamp their own mark on their home and make it truly theirs.
Installing Brick Slip Tiles
Installing brick slips is fairly straight forward, I would always say that if you stick to the common principles of tiling you cant go far wrong.
I have done plenty of blog articles in the past that focus on specific areas of installation so instead of rewriting this you can take a look at the links below for what installation is relevant to you:
- Installing Brick Slips
- Installing Brick Slips on to a Chimney Breast
- Sealing your Brick Slips
- Brick Slip Pointing Mortar
- FREE Installation Guide
Brick Slip Ideas
Its not just standard walling that brick slips can be used to create. We offer a full range of special cut slips that when used with standard slips help to create the illusion of full brick work.
One of the most annoying things that I see with brick slips is when corner slips are not used. It is possible to butt join two slips on a corner but when you do this the whole installation becomes flawed. The eye catches these corners and automatically knows that it is a tiled product and not a full brick.
I would always advise to use our specially cut corner brick slips when working on a corner. By using these you allow the brick to continue as it would if it was its full self.
This same principle should be applied to window and door reveals and pillars.
Wrap up
It was inevitable that at some point I would stop typing and wrap up this post. I hope that from my ramblings I have managed to expand and inform somewhat. There are endless possibilities when using brick cladding, and my advice would be to go with your instinct.
The use of bricks within construction is still universal staple and the appeal of fired clay will not fade any time soon. If you want warmth and character then brick slips are certainly the way to go. In contrast if you want modern monochromatic wall coverings then brick slips can still be the material of choice by opting for one of our white, grey or dark clay slips.
As always please get in touch if you have any questions or would like any further information from either myself or one of our technical experts. We love to hear from our customers and we are always happy to help.
