Commonly chosen to emphasize the long, low architecture of ranch houses, “Roman brick” was a signature design feature likely used to build millions of American homes in the 1950s and 1960s. We also see Roman brick frequently used on fireplaces. My immediate neighborhood reflects this trend — with about one in three homes built using Roman brick — including mine, that’s my brick above. We’ve received questions in the past about where to get Roman brick, so Pam sent me on a research mission, and I found two places to buy Roman brick in an impressive variety of styles and colors.
Roman brick — as the name suggests — can trace its history back to ancient Rome. Ancient Roman bricks were made in a variety dimensions, but always longer and flatter than traditional brick. Roman bricks were reintroduced into contemporary architecture in the early 20th century.
This long, thin brick was used extensively by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright for many of his Prairie style homes, because he liked how the brick helped emphasize the horizontal lines common to his home designs. The same held true when ranch house production boomed in postwar American. By the middle of the 20th century, we believe they were quite commonly used on and in midcentury modern and modest houses alike — we seem them in a lot of reader photos. Ranch houses simply look great, clad in roman brick, and golly, Roman brick fireplaces are awesome! If you need to renovate or change out the mantle of the fireplace in your midcentury house — be sure take a look at Roman brick as an option.
Two places to find Roman brick today
1. The Belden Brick Company — 13 Roman brick styles
The Belden Brick Company began as the Diebold Fire Brick Company in 1885 in Canton, Ohio. According to the company, it is the sixth largest (by production volume) brick manufacturer in the U.S. — and the largest family-owned and -managed brick company in the country. Belden offers 13 styles of Roman brick, which are available to purchase nationwide through their distributors.
From The Belden Brick Company website:
Roman Brick is ideal for creating a distinct and different look to any structure. It characteristically has longer and more linear dimensions than those of standard modern brick. Belden Roman Brick was used on the restoration of the Famous Frank Lloyd Wright “Martin House Complex” in Buffalo, New York. The dimensions of Belden Roman Face Brick are 3-5/8” x 1-5/8” x 11-5/8”.
Above: Medium Range Ironspot (Shadow-Tex)
Above: Red Shale (Shadow-Tex)
Above: Red Shale (Smooth)
Above: Belcrest 500
Above: Dark Range Ironsphot (Smooth)
Above: Frontier Blend (Velour)
Above: Beaver Blend
Above: Medium Range Ironspot (Smooth)
Above: Light Range Ironspot (Smooth)
Above: Light Range Ironspot (Velour)
Above: Sunburst (Velour)
Above: Mayo Blend
Above: 8531
Links:
2. Cloud Ceramics — 29 colors, 8 textures
Cloud Ceramics has been producing bricks in Kansas since 1946. Today the company makes some 29 different colors of brick, eight textures and several sizes — including Roman brick. Their bricks are sold nationwide and in Canada and can be ordered through distributors. Cloud Ceramics also offers brick matching — allowing homeowners and contractors to send them photos of an existing building — even one with aged brick — so Cloud Ceramics can suggest or custom make the best available match. The company will even send physical brick samples to you for match comparison purposes.
Above: Antique texture
Above: Rockface texture
Above: Rustic texture
Above: Shadowtex texture
Above: Smooth texture
Above: Velour texture
Above: Vertex texture
Above: Wiretex texture
Links:
Liza says
We just purchased a 1,700sqft 1958 ranch with Roman brick exterior, in the tan/yellow colorway at the top of the post. I am so pleased to find this information! We also have a basement fireplace in the same brick. Sadly, almost every vintage detail has been stripped from the house, but some remain – the front door, some cool swinging doors between the kitchen and hallway, and the original four prong phone socket in the basement. We haven’t moved in yet, so hopefully we will find more fun things once we are fully moved in. If I could post a photo I would.
Pam Kueber says
Congratulations, Liza, and welcome to our happy clan! Here’s my sort of “get started” story: https://retrorenovation.com/2014/09/15/9-tips-start-remodeling/
Rob says
We took down a 13’ wide fireplace made from orangish Roman bricks, it was just too heavy for our small living room. Anyway I salvaged 400 full bricks and another 100 halves. I’d like to find some way for them to be reused instead of going to the landfill. They have been de-mortared. Does anyone know of a recycled building material Businees that deals in Roman brick? I’m in St. Paul, MN.
Pam Kueber says
My ReStore Habitat for Humanity will take such items…
Kelsey says
Hi there-
Our home is a Shadow-Tex Roman Brick ranch…orange in color. It looks like there are many fans of the brick on this page, but mid-century modern is not really our style. I’d love to paint the brick. Does anyone know if shadow-tex style bricks (specifically outdoors) can be painted just like any other brick?
Thanks!
Pam Kueber says
Hi Kelsey, on questions like this, consult with an expert…
Cindy L. says
I think my fireplace has a rock face texture. Sadly, it’s been painted over.
Has anyone had any luck in removing pairing from brick and wood panels?
Thank you.
Cindy says
I meant “… any luck removing paint from brick?”
Perhaps it is better to brick over the brick.
modular masonry says
Modular Masonry has been manufacturing and supplying quality limestone and concrete blocks in Western Australia since 1977.
We are proud of the reputation we have gained over the years as a reliable provider of quality building materials; it’s a reputation that has enabled us to work closely with some of the state’s leading architects, landscapers and builders on some truly outstanding projects.
http://modularmasonry.com.au/
Steven Meyer says
Hi Kate, You have the exact same brick that my 1952 home is built with. I have a doorway and window to close in after remodeling.
I had located and researched the Belden Brick selections and my local dealer seems to only to be able to get the light range ironspot which appears too orange with orange specks in the brick.
What did you choose for your brick replacement?
I am stumped with what to do for replacement and am considering a veneer siding that would be close in color but very different form.
Steve Meyer
Mt Pleasant WI
Joe Felice says
And then there was “Miami brick”. . . . Very popular here in Colorado in the ’50s & ’60s. Don’t know how it got that name. It was normally light mauve, almost lavender, in color. For those unfamiliar with it, it consists of long, narrow bricks of varying lengths, placed in a staggered pattern. The texture was pretty rough. Wiretex texture was also very popular, as was cedar siding (painted) and Johns-Manville cementious siding, which contained asbestos. I never understood that product’s popularity (other than cost, since Johns-Manville is headquartered here). It broke very easily when hit by such things as baseballs, lawn mowers and hail. It was, however, fire-proof. I think this product was even called “Coloradobestos siding.” http://homerenovations.about.com/od/houseexteriorframework/a/artcemasbesside.htm
mcmsdmike says
my moms 1958 del webb mid century ranch has them on the fireplace , learned something new today ,we want to add the ash fork ariz stacked sandstone to the front porch and planters someday
Carolyn says
So weird that my comment got lodged as a reply to a comment–I didn’t intend it that way–I’m sorry, Tricia.
Tricia says
one more comment. one of the things I like about our family room fireplace (the one with the norman brick) is the variegated color. I would never paint it–I think it’s so beautiful. I was wondering if there was any significance or history around the different colors? You can see it if you click on my blog.
Carolyn says
Would it be sacrilege to pave over our late 70s boring brick fireplace with some cool Roman brick, maybe cut to be veneer?? I figure I’d be keeping to the original material, just a cooler version of it…would bring a much more interesting visual…am I bricking up the wrong tree?
pam kueber says
not sacrilege as far as I’m concerned!
Carolyn says
Well then I’ll take that as permission 🙂 This is a seriously wonderful helpful post–thanks, Pam!
pam kueber says
Take before and afters, Carolyn, and send us pics when you are ready for prime time!