Fired-clay Brick Trends Feature Lighter Colors and Metallic Glazes

Top trends in fired-clay brick exteriors feature a lighter palette, metallic glazes, pattern changes and Renaissance inspired design elements.

Brick Industry Association (BIA) member brick manufacturers around the country report that top color choices include whites, grays, tans and buffs; in line with millennials’ preferences for lighter exteriors made from natural materials and modern design over boxy architecture, according to manufacturer surveys.

“Brick comes in hundreds of textures and colors that never fade, ranging from polar white to jet black with hundreds of shades and textures in between,” says Ray Leonhard, BIA president and CEO. “Homeowners can also paint or stain existing brick if they want a change in color.”

Metallic glazes include clear glazes and colors such as greens and blacks. Metallic finishes that shimmer with light rays create a striking feature wall or back splash.

Design trends feature historic modern elements, including bellcast eaves and flying trellises inspired by 16^th century French architect Philibert de l’Orme. Trends also include arched doorways that mimic classic barrel vaulting used by the Romans and revived with the Renaissance.

Tudor Revival trends use projected headers of brick (in banding and patterning) to add texturing and cast multiple shadow accents in daytime for an impasto appearance of painted brush strokes. The brick pattern change within the timbering is reminiscent of Italian Brick Romanesque architecture dating to the 12^th century.

Brick trends also include texture changes in patterning, such as corbelling of random brick in walls and bricked over old windows.

Paver colors lean toward grays and blacks, with grays working well with stone and other building materials. Pavers are also being used both indoors and out.

Interior thin brick continues for kitchens, living room accent walls and other applications.