What is Exposed Brick?


Have you ever wondered what an exposed brick is and what is it used for? Exposed brick interior walls are a popular home design trend today. An exposed brick wall adds character to a home and creates an interesting focal point for the room. They are an in-demand design for modern houses and can add a raw charm to any room in the house. Let us find out more about exposed bricks below.

What is exposed brick? Exposed brick is usually made from clay and shale and is cooked in a kiln to harden. It is a durable block that can be used to build walls, house foundations, and other structures. Exposed brick is popular for an attractive wall design. Some homeowners prefer not to cover their exposed brick walls for a warm, natural, and industrial look.

Is exposed brick expensive? Are exposed brick walls cold? What are the advantages and disadvantages of exposed brick walls? Do you need to seal an exposed brick? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. Exposed brick walls are beautiful, but like any other materials, they have their pros and cons. Make sure that you weigh out your options before you make a decision. To help you get started, we have shared tips and ideas about exposed bricks below.

What is exposed brick
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Is Exposed Brick Popular?

Exposed bricks are a popular choice for many designers and homeowners nowadays. Having an exposed brick wall is a popular trend for many homes. The brick walls provide a mixture of warmth, rustic, and industrial edge in one.

Is Exposed Brick Expensive?

The cost of exposed brick walls depends on a lot of factors like the materials that it is made of, brand, and the number of bricks that you need for your construction. On the other hand, if you have brick walls and would like to expose them, it might not be as expensive as some other wall finishes provided that you have the right equipment and time to do the work.

Are Exposed Brick Walls Cold?

Exposed brick walls are cold. They can be extremely cold during the winter season. This is especially true if the wall does not get direct sunlight so that it can heat up. The disadvantage of this is that creepy crawlies can make a home in the cracks of the bricks. Hence, you must seal exposed brick walls to keep insects out.

Exposed Brick Wall Advantages

The advantages of having exposed brick walls are that they provide charm, texture, and an industrial look into your home. They are also durable and can last for a long time. Let us find out more about these advantages below.

Charming Look

Having an exposed brick wall for your home makes an attractive focal point. This is because no two bricks are the same which provides a unique appearance for your wall. Moreover, the chips and flaws that are present in exposed bricks make the wall more interesting.

Unique Texture

Exposed bricks have a lot of texture. When it comes to interior designing, texture is important because it can be able to set the mood of a room. Take note that if an object has a rough texture, it can reflect less light and provide the room with a warmer feel. Moreover, texture adds weight to an object which creates a cozy ambiance. We have also shared this article titled, what can you do with exposed brick? Check out the tips and ideas on how to decorate exposed brick walls.

Industrial Appearance

Exposed brick walls also provide an industrial look into a home. Industrial interior design usually displays features that are mostly concealed in other homes such as pipes and ductworks, concrete, surfaces, and walls.

Durable

Exposed brick walls are durable. It can withstand more abuse as compared to plaster wooden walls. While exposed bricks are prone to chipping and crumbling, it adds a rugged and natural look to the wall.

✅ Video – How to Expose Brick and Remove Plaster

Jess and Jessica shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how to expose brick and remove plaster in a wall. In the video, the basics of using a hammer drill to remove the plaster are also discussed. Check out the video for more tips and information.

Disadvantages of Exposed Brick Walls

The disadvantages of exposed brick walls include flaws, moisture problems, dirt, and energy. They can be hard to maintain as they are exposed to dirt and dust that can get between the bricks. Let us learn more about their disadvantages below.

Flawed Appearance

Exposed bricks have a lot of flaws in their appearance. Old homes and structures have brick walls that are not as high quality as the bricks that are used on the exterior of the home. Usually, bricks are covered with plaster and paint so their appearance is often neglected. These bricks often have chips, bumps, are uneven, and are flawed.

Moisture Problems

Another disadvantage of having exposed brick walls is moisture problems. Because bricks are porous, they can easily get moist and become moldy. Furthermore, the fluctuation in moisture can make the bricks brittle which causes them to crack, flake, and crumble.

Dirt Exposure

The rough surface of the brick can make it easier for dirt to get through. Because of its rough texture, exposed brick walls can be hard to clean. Exposed brick walls that are not sealed can easily absorb dirt, debris, and airborne contaminants. To prevent damaging the surface of the brick, you will need special cleaning supplies and thorough cleaning.

Not Energy-Efficient

Another disadvantage of having exposed brick walls is that they are not energy-efficient. Usually, brick walls are covered not only to provide walls with a finished look but also to add insulation. While exposing a small area of bricks in your wall will not affect your heating bill that much, exposing a large area of the wall can reduce the energy efficiency of your home.

Alternatives to Exposed Brick

Some alternatives that you can use for exposed brick walls include faux-brick wallpaper, faux-brick wall paneling, and brick veneers. If exposing the bricks on your walls is not possible, you can try other alternatives like using faux-brick wallpaper. There is a wide array of choices available on the market and you can even find modern brick wallpaper products designed with textures and looks exactly like the original bricks. Furthermore, you can use faux-brick wall paneling that looks like exposed brick. Another option is brick veneers that look the same as the real exposed brick. We have also shared this article titled, how do you fake exposed brick? We have shared the different alternatives that you can use if you do not have real bricks at home.

Can You Have Exposed Brick in a Bathroom?

You can have exposed brick in your bathroom. Combining a glass shower cubicle with exposed brick walls can create a contemporary and rustic appearance for the bathroom. You can choose to use red bricks to achieve an accent feature that is both vibrant and cozy. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can have exposed brick in a bathroom. We have shared the pros and cons of having exposed brick walls in bathrooms.

Do I Need to Seal Exposed Brick?

You must seal exposed bricks. While exposed bricks look tough, they are porous. Because of this, exposed bricks are vulnerable to dirt and moisture which can cause them to deteriorate and also cause mold issues. Make sure that you apply a sealant or acrylic-based paint to the exposed bricks so that it is protected from humidity. We have also shared this article that discusses if brick sealing is necessary. Check out the article to find out the importance of brick sealing.

How do You Seal an Exposed Brick Wall?

The first thing that you need to do when sealing an exposed brick wall is to clean it. After the wall has been cleaned and dried, you can start the sealing process. Do not use a steel brush when cleaning the exposed brick because it will leave a dark and black stain on the surface of the brick. To remove stains, use a mild detergent and try to flush it with water. Avoid using cleaning agents with any harsh acid because it can damage the bricks.

Using acrylic sealers can slightly darken the surface of the brick wall and add some sheen or gloss into it. To make sure that you have the right look, you first need to apply a little material to a hidden location in the wall before you seal the entire surface. While acrylic sealers are the best option that you can use on walls, do not use them on the floors because they will not be able to hold up to the wear and tear of daily foot traffic.

When applying the sealer, use a simple brush and roller. If you are sealing multiple or wider walls, you can use a sprayer. Choose a roller cover that has a heavy nap so that it is easier to coat the mortar joints. Look for a cover that has a minimum ¾ inch nap up. You can also use those with covers that are as thick as 1 ¼ inch naps. Ensure that you thoroughly coat the whole surface of the wall and let it dry for a couple of hours.

After the first coat of sealer has dried, apply a second coat and let it dry. Take note that the sealer needs to cure or harden for about 7 to 10 days. Once the curing is complete, you will have an exposed brick wall with a maintenance-free surface, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses what an exposed brick is. We have learned that an exposed brick is an ordinary brick wall that is exposed to add character and ambiance to a room. Exposed brick walls are popular but there are pros and cons that you need to consider. You can also have an exposed brick wall look by using some of the alternatives that we have shared above. Thank you for reading!

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