All About Bricks
Here is some information from the Boral website regarding bricks, their colour and texture.
Bricks – Colour and Texture
Home builders more than ever want to make a statement without compromising on quality. The colours and textures now available in brick provide myriad opportunities to be creative and stand the test of time.
Colour
Let’s start with colour! The key colour palettes include Browns and Chocolates, Warm Tans, Reds and Terracottas, Creams and Whites and Charcoals and Greys. Within the palette a variety of warm, neutral and cool tones can help you create the home design suited to you. This will of course vary depending on the State, location and personal preferences.
Here are some suggestions but don’t limit yourself and your imagination, there are so many possibilities.
- • Neutral coloured bricks can be complemented with more vibrant features and accessories around the house.
- • Dark, moody colours create a more dramatic effect and stand out even more when used as internal or external features.
- • Reds & Terracottas create a specific look whether it is a certain type of house style or blending in to the existing streetscape.
- • Cool colours are a good foundation, well suited to complimentary materials such as glass, timber and stone.
- • Features such as blends, frit and burns have diminished in their appeal.
- • Colour consultants are a great source of information and expertise, remember, you will have to look at your home every day for a very long time so it’s worth the extra time and effort to get it right.
Texture
There are six main brick textures available that can help create the desired look for your home, adding character and individuality.
Smooth
bricks have a consistent texture and almost ceramic appearance with straight edges.
Velour
bricks have a tightly grained texture and straight edges.
Torn Face
bricks have a dragged or ripped appearance across the face which gives them a weathered look.
Rolled
bricks are treated with distinctive patterns prior to firing, producing a variety of textures.
Tumbled
bricks have a rough texture and uneven edges which give them a rustic look.
Fritted
bricks have a rough texture and uneven edges which give them a rustic look.
The smoother, straight edge products are seen as more relevant to today’s building styles. The soft tumbled product is preferable to the harsh tumble and the lighter torn face is more popular than the deeper textures.
Texture is a key feature in house design, and is also achieved through a balance of finishes and surfaces that contrast and complement. With a rise in composite architectural styles, use brick as the foundation material and offset with accents of different materials such as timber, metal, glass and stone.
Overall, look at the big picture and think about roof colour, the guttering and fascia finish of your home, along with doors and window frames. But keep it simple on the colour front by limiting your selections to one or two trim colours. Focus instead on textural detail and decorative effects to create a point of difference.
