THE THIN BRICK VENEER REVOLUTION

Everything old is new again.  So the saying goes, and it’s more true now than ever when it comes to thin brick veneer.   For homeowners and professionals alike, its ability to evoke a sense of heritage while embracing modern aesthetics makes it a timeless addition to all settings.

photo of a modern living room, with a reddish thin brick veneer wall in the background, and a black couch in the foreground.

THE BIRTH OF THIN BRICK VENEER

As the once labor-intensive and time-consuming practice of brick making gave way to new production methods of the Industrial Revolution, the use of brick exploded in America.  From the 1800’s on, countless factories, schools, churches, and public buildings were constructed from the suddenly plentiful brick supply.

photo of an old red brick church, with white window frames, arched at the tops.

By the 1950’s architects and builders, inspired by the inherent beauty of brick, began to seek a lightweight, versatile alternative to replicate its visual appeal without the weight and cost.  Thin brick veneer had arrived.  Only…the newly manufactured material was missing something the bricks which inspired it had in spades:  authenticity. 

As the old 19th century brick buildings began to fall by the wayside, replaced by modern construction, a choice was presented to builders and designers:  the modern compressed thin slab bricks…or the reclaimed originals-time tested and complete with their own story.

ADVANTAGES OF RECLAIMED BRICK

photo of a red brick wall that is missing several bricks, and looks as if it's part of a building that is being torn down.

The last 70 years have seen a rise in the number of authentic bricks available, as their original homes have come down.  Advances in scoring and splitting the bricks, by saw or even laser, have increased supply as well.  These techniques maintain the purity and integrity of the original product, while meeting the needs for a modern application.

close-up photo of a man's hands as he's setting thin brick veneer into mortar on a wall.

Authentic, reclaimed thin brick veneer fits perfectly in the modern world:

  • It promotes sustainability by minimizing waste.
  • It reduces emissions associated with new production and transportation.
  • It emphasizes reuse.

Versatile and adaptable, it works well inside or out, as an accent or a feature wall, for renovations or new construction.

Let’s face it—if you’re choosing thin brick veneer, chances are you’re enamored with the sense of timeless charm, simplicity, and permanence it elicits.  You want it to look like it’s been there forever.  

At Stone Farm, we feel the same way!  That’s why we are constantly sourcing…looking for old brick buildings which are coming down.  Buildings that’ve stood the test of time, but still have something to contribute.  Their bricks have a story, and it isn’t finished. 

photo of an old mill, made from dark red brick. There's a pond in the foreground.
The Draper Mill, in Hope Dale, MA–A Stone Farm find for beautiful reclaimed thin brick veneer
photo of a bedroom with a bed placed in front of a wall made from reclaimed thin brick veneer.
A bedroom feature wall, designed with thin brick veneer harvested from the Draper Mill.

The thin brick veneer revolution is alive and well, with no signs of slowing down.  Whether in the home or a commercial space, reclaimed brick, split thin for easy application, manages to marry tradition with contemporary design.  And it reminds us that indeed, everything old can be new again.

Interested in purchasing a sample? Click Here.

Did you catch our previous post about the Origins of Building Brick? Read it now for insights about how brick got started and notable brick projects through history you might not have thought about.