2018 Brick Trends Show Whites, Grays, Black, Painted and Glazed Exteriors

Sleek Palette Also Includes Deep Reds, Thin Brick and Larger Sizes

News provided by

Brick Industry Association (BIA)

Jan 26, 2018, 08:35 ET

RESTON, Va., Jan. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fired-clay brick trends this year feature whites, grays, black, deep reds, painted and glazed brick with overall larger sizes.

Brick Industry Association (BIA) member manufacturers around the country report that clean, cool shades top the trends at all home price ranges, primarily whites with white mortar and all grays from light to charcoal and steel. Sandy earth tones are also trending, reflecting how fired-clay brick is made from abundant natural resources.

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Residential fired-clay brick color trends include whites, grays and painted brick.
Residential fired-clay brick color trends include whites, grays and painted brick.
Commercial fired-clay brick trends include deep burgundies, glazed brick, larger units and radial (curved) brick.
Commercial fired-clay brick trends include deep burgundies, glazed brick, larger units and radial (curved) brick.

Sleek, black brick is also on the rise—especially for restaurants and office spaces—and gaining ground in the residential sector. Residential black and dark gray brick is trending primarily for contemporary and Art Deco looks, along with reemerging blended reds in a rolled edge texture.

"Brick's aesthetic freedom evolves with design trends while offering superior durability and fire resistance with little to no maintenance," said Ray Leonhard, BIA's president and CEO.

Genuine thin brick is also booming for kitchens, entrance foyers, accent walls, exterior gables and other interior and exterior applications.

Rougher, tumbled textures are trending, along with heavier textures in the South and more clay brick overall in the West.

"We're seeing more grays, simulated painted brick or brick to be painted," said Davis Henry, president, Henry Brick Co. Inc., and BIA's 2018 chairman.

Inspired by HGTV, painted brick is also on the rise, primarily whites and smooth, velour textures. Painted brick offers the flexibility to customize and change the exterior color at any time, while maintaining brick's superior performance in extreme weather and energy cost savings from its natural thermal mass.

Rising in popularity with townhomes and multifamily applications, painted brick also allows production builders to break up architecture and provide beautiful individuality for their units. Painted brick also offers the durability and energy efficiency of brick while embracing a trendy, monochromatic or historically accurate feel. 

More manufacturers are also offering a lower cost brick specifically for painting. If a homeowner wants a permanent white brick exterior, choosing a fired-clay white brick from the start eliminates future repainting and maintenance.

Commercial trends include glazed brick in bold colors, clear glaze and engobe coating. Trending larger units include 21-inch Roman size brick with a long, linear look and radial (curved) brick in deep, burgundy reds.

Brick paver trends include modern shapes, larger units in bold colors, permeable paver, authentic paver and modern-linear shapes and geometrical designs.

Founded in 1934, BIA at www.gobrick.com is the nationally recognized authority on clay brick construction representing the nation's distributors and manufacturers of clay brick and suppliers of related products Contact/Connect: Email: [email protected], Phone: 703-620-0010, Twitter @BrickIndustry, YouTube,  Facebook, Instagram,LinkedIn.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lorelei Harloe, 703-362-2774
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Brick Industry Association (BIA)