Brick veneer walls and back splashes seem to have been a popular feature in 1960 and 1970s kitchens — when the movement to earthy decor took hold. Today, we take a look at a company that sells thin versions of real interior brick veneer, which sounds relatively easy to DIY install — and certainly looks great.
There are many places in a mid century home where interior brick veneer can typically be found in vintage houses — in built-in planters, on fireplaces, flooring, in kitchens, and on entire walls maybe especially in basement rec rooms. Brick can add incredible character, dimension and warmth to a home.
If you love the look of brick but don’t want to have to hire a mason to get the job done — Brickweb Thin Brick (also sold under the name Old Mill Brick) might be just what you’ve been searching for. Thin Brick is actual brick — cut into thin pieces — that can be applied indoors or out on nearly any surface. Because it is installed in a manner similar to tile — it is easy for the homeowner to install. Available in 12 colorways, the possibilities for use in mid century home decor seems to be limited only by your imagination.
Linda, my contact at Old Mill Brick — sent a little more information about the company’s history:
The Old Mill Brick Company was established in 2008 by Garrick Hunsaker. Mr. Hunsaker has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He is the creator of Old Mill Brick’s patented thin brick installation systems. He is a licensed general contractor and has owned and operated several building contractor and sub-contractor companies specializing in sales and installation of interior and exterior masonry in the commercial and residential markets. Mr. Hunsaker serves as Old Mill Brick’s President and CEO overseeing all company operations with the emphasis on strategic planning, manufacturing, and sales.
Old Mill has developed several patented, easy to install panel systems so that they can be used with any thin brick, including tumbled and cast. The Old Mill Brick system allows customers to explore and design many installation options. In 2009 our line of patented Do-It-Your Self thin brick systems were finalized and have proven to be the most effective way to install thin brick on the market today. We have the ability to customize our panel to meet any brick size. The end product is maintenance free for both exterior and interior design.
From the website:
What is Brickweb® Thin Brick?
Brickweb is an award winning – patented thin brick product made from the highest quality real, cut, kiln-fired clay brick. A full piece of brick is cut to approximately ½ inch thick. Several thin bricks are pre-mounted on a durable, fire resistant, fiberglass mesh with the brick already laid out and aligned for quick and easy installation. Brickweb is the easiest and fastest method available to install thin brick for interiors or exteriors.Brickweb is available in pre-assembled flat sheets and corner sheets, with 12 color blends to choose from. The primary 8 color blends are made from “tumbled brick”, having a classic old world, aged, or weathered look and feel. The 4 other color blends are commonly known as “straight brick”, and are made from the same brick but are not tumbled and provide a more uniform (flat and straight) appearance with less color and texture variation.
Where Can I Install Brickweb Thin Brick??
Places to use thin brick are virtually endless both interior and exterior. Some ideas where to use Brickweb include: fireplace or stove surrounds, accent walls, columns, kitchen or bath back-splash, flooring (on a solid surface such as concrete, backer board, etc.), chimney, exterior siding, kitchen islands, bed headboards, wine cellars, man caves, porch or stairs, table tops, outdoor BBQ or kitchen, home exteriors, accent walls, and more.
According to the website — Thin Brick can be applied around fireplaces or stoves, can be used inside and out, and can be painted, stained or sealed to achieve your desired look. It is available for purchase through the BrickWeb website or through Home Depot or Lowes — and costs about $7 per square foot.
Pam says: Using brick in kitchens seems to have been particularly popular in the 1970s. Above: Pam’s photo of her television, showing the movie “Dick” starring Michelle Williams (shown) and Kirsten Dunst. Best. 1970s. Kitchen. Ever. House. Too.
Interior brick veneer colors from Brick Web:
Above: Columbia Street Thin Brick
Above: Little Cottonwood Thin Brick
Above: Pony Express Thin Brick
Above: Alamo Sunrise Thin Brick
Above: Independence Thin Brick
The variety of available colors plus the possible ways to further treat the bricks with stains, sealers or paints assures that most everyone could find the right brick for their home improvement project. We sure like the look of Brick Web’s thin brick!
Cheap and cheerful brick veneer alternative: Paneling
Yes, if you just wanna go cheap and cheerful, Pam has featured paneling that looks like brick.
Michelle says
Another company that does this is bricksalvage.com .They cut up real vintage brick into thin tile slices.
I am using them to replace some of the broken pieces of brick veneer in my finished basement.
Dawn says
I love faux brick! Have been thinking of doing this in my master bedroom on one wall…This looks so easy!
Eartha Kitsch says
I’d definitely use this. I haven’t seen it in person but from the photos, it looks quite convincing.
JKM says
Brick in kitchens was definitely a trend for a while. My mother wanted a brick arch over her cooktop and wall ovens set into a brick wall when our new house was built in 1973 but there wasn’t room to do both. She settled for just having the wall ovens set into brick that matched the fireplace in the adjoining family room, which looked great. It added texture and warmth. Thin brick today would look the same with less thickness but, I’m sorry, fake brick paneling is and always has been cheap-looking.
Smantha Hayes says
I did several accent walls with Brickweb in my house and also did my husbands law office and it was so easy and fast. It looks great and adds a lot unique class and richness to the room. I’m going to do my entire kitchen next! Whoever invented Brickweb is a genius!
Jay says
One end of my finished basement has a real brick wall that a previous owner had installed, it covers the original high windows which were sealed with masonry blocks (visable from outside). I certainly don’t intend to undo it all.
Does anyone remember Z Brick? I took a home ec class in highschool and the instructor had several of us do the wall below the blackboard. It was thin slices of brick you stuck in the peanut butter consistency mortar and used a little 1/4 inch square rod for spacing horizontally and vertically. It was kinda fun. What goes around comes around.
Dan says
My parents “decorated” the kitchen of our 1952 suburban Detroit ranch with Z-Brick back in the very early 80s when I was in my late teens. Our brick was red with a simulated white distressing to make it look like it was painted and mostly worn off. I hated the second it went up, but I still have a photo of my mother installing it. My parents had recently update the kitchen with custom oak cabinets installed to replace the original Youngstown metal kitchen cabinets and thought the Z-Brick fit the bill to complete this new rustic look. I always regretted seeing those metal cabinets go; especially now, given the renewed poularity for them in restored midcentury homes.
Mary Tatum says
I have brick veneer in my kitchen/living room on a wall that wraps between the two rooms. The house is 1904, but was redone many times, so it must have been in one of the later design phases.
Robin, NV says
Sorry to be the party pooper but I have brick in my kitchen and I really dislike it. It may be original to the house but it’s coming out when I renovate. I have it as a backsplash on all my kitchen walls and it’s impossible to clean. We’re looking at a pretty major overhaul to get it off the walls too. All of the cabinets will have to come out (hopefully without damaging them) so we can cut the drywall out and replace it. Once mortared in place, the brick cannot simply be chiselled out since it will take chunks of drywall with it.
I don’t mean to be a Negative Nelly – I do think brick can look great in a kitchen or elsewhere in the house. Just be aware that once it’s in, it’s in forever unless you’re prepared to put in a lot of effort to take it out.
Kelly Wittenauer says
Robin,
My mother-in-law also has brick backsplash, and the same complaint about not being able to clean it. And has made the same observations about what an ordeal it would be to remove it. She’s decided, at her age she will just live with it. I love the look of brick or stone on some interior walls, but would stay with more easily wiped off materials for food prep areas and bathrooms.
Just another Pam says
I passionately love brick painted white, it’s one of my ‘things’. When I renovated I had brick put on the back splash as well as a small windowed wall, painted it white and to this day still get the warm fuzzies every time I see it…..to the point I’m having the one wall with no features done this summer. It may not be your mother-in-law’s ‘thing’ but it is easy to clean so it could be something to make her life a little easier.
pam kueber says
Agreed — I adore painted brick. I even love painted-then-distressed brick!
Robin, NV says
My plan is to replace the brick with white subway tiles. It’ll honor the original owner’s intent to add texture to the kitchen walls but will give me a surface that can actually be cleaned. The bricks tend to accumulate dust and other ickiness that is extremely difficult to remove.
Just another Pam says
It’s good to not be alone ;o) When I feel better I’ll send you photos as there happens to be another room that my son applied the paint differently to the now brick wall so it was distressed from the get go. It’s in the room that was supposed to be my office etc but is still filled with cr@p….I mean treasures….that I’m still sorting through after so long.
lynda says
I think this looks pretty good. I can see this on a foundation too. Lots of install help/directions on the net. Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon have it too. Prices when the shipping is included seem to be very close. The Brickweb site is cheaper, but is $19.99 a box to ship. The look like they are located in Salt Lake area. Not sure if you could buy direct to save shipping prices.
Gerry says
Interesting. Sometime ago, we wonder if it was the early 1980’s, several houses in our 1960’s subdivision were subject to a weird stone facade craze. Some chimneys and other areas on the exterior of some houses were messed up with thin pieces of irregular shaped stone. Some buildings in our downtown were also “stonified”. Our house didn’t escape but with less damage…about a 6 inch wide area around our roman brick fireplace and the top of the hearth were also butchered. I have chiseled off the offending stone from the fireplace surround and was considering refacing the fireplace, adding tile to cover the area, or adding a row of roman brick in front of the injured area (if I can find roman brick). I don’t know if the Brickweb will work but gives me another option to look at.
I wish people would think 3 times and then think again before they make really unnecessary changes to their houses.
Mark says
I agree Gerry that Roman Brick would be amazing if it were able to be found. I want to cover the old regular brick with a Roman Brick aesthetic but I have been unable to find this anywhere. Does anyone have any idea as to where a thin Roman Brick could be had?
Leslie Bell says
Belden makes thin brick veneer in roman brick sizes. Finally.
http://www.beldenbrick.com/thin-brick/thin-brick-specifications.aspx
Mark says
Thanks Leslie! I’ll look into this!