From America to Europe, across Asia, Africa, and Australia, spanning centuries and millennia of history, brick has been the primary raw material in the art of construction. The techniques and styles of buildings may differ over time, but one thing that has remained constant is the raw material itself: brick. The walls of buildings, the structures, the low walls, columns, doorframes, etc., are often made of exposed bricks.
In fact, very often, only one face of the brick is visible, so when covering surfaces, small tiles made of brick are frequently used. These tiles have the same aesthetic qualities as the full brick but do not have any structural significance. Of course, this is not the case when exposed bricks are used for load-bearing walls, where the significance, in addition to being aesthetic, must also be structural.
Face-bricks in structural constructions
For over 2000 years, bricks have been used in structural constructions, from the classic and original solid brick to the modern perforated brick. Fornace Bernasconi manufactures solid bricks for structural constructions and alternative solutions for surface cladding to achieve an exposed brick effect. For solid bricks, it is possible to produce various sizes and heights, both standard and custom-made, while for cladding, slat or “L” shaped solutions with minimal thicknesses are provided.
Face bricks in renovations
Exposed bricks have made a comeback in renovations today: often, original masonry surfaces are rediscovered by removing plasters and stuccoes, as well as by sandblasting the walls. Where bricks are not present, inserts or entire walls are created using strips and corner pieces. Exposed brick represents an aesthetic solution for both interiors and exteriors, adaptable to classic, modern, and country designs.
By playing with the colors and shapes of handmade bricks, Fornace Bernasconi allows you to create or recreate the environment that best represents you. A wall of exposed bricks adds personality to a modern lounge; it’s possible to recreate the atmosphere of a country farmhouse right in the city (perhaps by partially covering corners or walls), or at the same time, give a post-industrial touch to an open space with warm-toned bricks, in white or black.
The versatility of face bricks is undeniable. The colors can be the classic ones of brick (yellow, red, pink, and mixtures of these), or they can be created with white and black clays and their variations. What can be said is that, in any case, the color and appearance of a wall made with strips or face bricks does not depend solely on the individual brick, but rather on the overall composition of the individual pieces; meaning that it is possible to create wall patterns with various colors, giving shape to the artistic imagination of the client, the designer, or the master mason.
Price of Face Bricks
The prices of exposed bricks vary, of course, based on many factors. First of all, the size of the brick chosen; in the case of solid bricks, you will have to choose between: 13×27 BRICK, 12.5×25.5 BASE, 13×27 BASE, 15×30 SENESE BASE, or custom orders.
Another characteristic that can influence the cost of exposed bricks is the finish: a raw brick or ars vetus? A rustic or antique effect? Additionally, the cost you will incur will be influenced by the addition of any services such as transportation.
Naturally, the element that will impact the total cost the most will be the quantity, so a total calculation will need to be made. For this reason, it is important to receive a personalized estimate from one of our experts.
