Why face brick is always the right choice

Throughout history, there has been a constant pendulum swing between different architectural styles and trends, along with countless faux pas that left people wondering what the designers were thinking. What is extremely in vogue at one point soon becomes the standard of what not to do. However, there are certain motifs which are simply timeless. One of these elements is the use of face brick, or exposed brick, and for very good reason. From the sustainability to upkeep and even variety, the motivations to use face brick for your home are abundant.

Upkeep

It should come as no surprise that face brick will require less maintenance than plastered walls, especially to anyone dealing with the latter. The thought of painting your home some specific colour that you have always dreamed of sounds romantic, and it may even exceed expectations at first. This may not be the best idea though, on the external walls, that is. Even playing it safe and painting your house white does not negate the endless hassles that are to follow. As great as your house may look with that fresh coat of paint is exactly how dilapidated it could soon look without the proper upkeep. Houses need to be repainted every few years, with the exact amount of time depending on environmental factors and how well the paint job was done. A quick investigation into how much this costs should deter anyone from going this route if they have the choice. There are several other factors which make this option even less desirable. If the initial paint job is flawed, that will require an immediate redo, never mind in a few years. If something chips the paint, it will require a touch up. If something stains the wall, it will require a touch up. Over and above that, it is a time consuming and messy process. This could all be avoided by using face brick.

Variety

There is probably a certain image that comes to mind when hearing “face brick”. Most people would likely envision one specific type of this product. Granted, this is fair, as certain varieties are more commonly utilized, however, there is a wide selection of different styles and colours. There is of course the typical reddish-brown variety, but there are also shades of grey, black, white and even vibrant yellow. If you are in the market for timeless tones and shades for your home or even something more adventurous, there will be something for you.

Interior and exterior

Okay so you’re sold on using face brick for your home’s exterior, now consider why it is a great idea to also enhance your interior.  It has such a broad application in terms of different interior design styles. The exposed brick can also be left unplastered but painted over, maintaining the raw look but providing even more possibilities.

Historical and future appeal

There are so many historical and cultural applications of exposed brick. Ivy league institutions around the world made use of this technique hundreds of years ago in the construction of their facilities, and not only are those buildings standing strong as ever today, but they have aged gracefully, still conveying class and prestige. What makes face brick unique is that it has historical cultural appeal in a totally different sense as well. Exposed brick has an edgy and modern aesthetic associated with vibrant metropolitan living. When thinking of major fast paced cities, one automatically associates this lifestyle with loft apartments sporting exposed brick interiors. So many iconic sitcoms have taken place in an environment just like this that it has become a phenomenon of its own.

In terms of future appeal, face brick has some major upsides in terms of sustainability.

Environmental architecture

Creating buildings in a way that minimize their effect on the environment is one of the major trends driving architecture right now. A key component of this is developing buildings that do not visually disrupt the natural environment in which they are built. Face brick provides an edge in the regard since they are already, for the most part, manufactured in neutral colours. The rough texture also provides a closer match to what you would find in nature, in contrast to a smooth paint finish. The mere fact that paint is not being used also reduces the environmental damage caused by making the building.

In a South African context

Environmental architecture puts the environment at the centre of the design process. In the case of South Africa, there is no shortage of nature to take inspiration from. One consistent theme throughout the country is the abundance of greenery and the accompanying red sand. These colours lend themselves extremely well to the use of face brick. The contrast of the reddish-brown bricks with the various shades of green is a combination you will readily find outdoors. The added eco-friendly benefits are also welcome.

Reasons to use face brick are numerous. Sure, painting does provide the option of a much wider colour range, but that’s about the only area where it wins. Face brick can provide an aesthetically appealing, low maintenance and sustainable exterior for your home. It really is the obvious choice.