Trends in fired clay brick show preferences for whites, greys and lighter colors, thin brick, rustic textures and larger brick sizes.
Brick Industry Association (BIA) member manufacturers report that residential and commercial trends include whites, light greys, ivories, rough-hewn textures, glazed brick and larger brick sizes.
“As a natural resource made in America, brick options continue to evolve for aesthetic flexibility,” says Ray Leonhard, BIA’s president and CEO.
“Our whites, ivories, and light greys are being requested, either as a full project or to complement a more traditional brick on a project,” says Dawn Henning, director of marketing and retail sales, General Shale.
“Secondly, thin brick is a trend that is catching on,” adds Henning. “I get requests from all over for our thin brick.”
In addition to greys and neutrals as a base color, Triangle Brick adds modern farmhouses and bungalows pairing brick with subtle exterior tones.
Larger brick sizes are also trending, says Stephanie Kennedy, marketing manager at Redland Brick Inc., The Belden Brick Company. The company’s Cushwa plant offers Molded Roman face brick with more linear dimensions than those of standard brick.
Acme Brick Company echoes trending colors, textures and sizes.
“We are seeing a trend to lighter colors or white-washed looking brick,” says John Brewer, Acme’s Central Texas regional sales manager. “Residentially, King Size brick is the most in demand,” he states. “Everyone wants a rustic finish.”
The Belden Brick Company reports that thin brick and glazed brick also continue to rise, along with clay pavers in diverse sizes.
“Thin brick continues to sell,” says Mark Britko, Belden’s manager, strategic markets, whose company has expanded its glazed brick offerings and capabilities. Trends also include clay paver patterns using other sizes with the normal 4-by-8s.
Residential trends also include kitchens, dining rooms and exposed brick walls adjacent to industrial interior finishes.