Are you thinking of adding a personality to the blank wall in your home? Consider recycled bricks for feature walls. These days, the trend of sustainability has become increasingly popular in new builds or renovation projects. Out of a plethora of recycled materials, reclaimed bricks are gaining huge traction. They provide creative solutions in the form of feature walls and improve the property’s curb appeal. If you are one of the eco-friendly conscious people, choose recycled bricks for a more refined appearance. To know more about the refurbished bricks in Victoria for feature walls, read the following article.
What Are Recycled Bricks?
Recycled bricks are salvaged from demolished structures. Rather than throwing them away in landfills, the second-hand fire bricks can be used for the next construction projects. Reclaimed brick specialists often clean and grade them so that they can be used in new construction or renovation projects. Unlike new bricks that need high energy and expensive materials for the manufacturing process, recycled bricks bypass the critical step of manufacturing. Before using them for feature walls, make sure there is no old mortar or plastic residue on them. And yes, they should be strong enough to withstand the test of time.
Design Appeal of Recycled Brick Walls
Do you know why interior designers love using recycled bricks on feature walls? The answer is authenticity. Every home tells a story. This is because of the uniqueness of each and every brick. Unlike new bricks, recycled ones have survived extreme weather conditions. Therefore, their agedness or natural patina makes them achieve a distinctive appearance wherever they are used.
In today’s time, a recycled brick feature wall can offset sleek surfaces, adding a new character to the building. If you have an industrial or rustic home, feature walls enhance the lived-in vibe. Apart from this, you can install recycled bricks in commercial spaces to enhance the brand value. So, take advantage of their natural imperfection by building feature walls in artisan cafes, loft-style offices, or boutique shops. Remember, the natural patina can’t be replicated by factories.
Environmental and Practical Benefits
It is more necessary to use recycled bricks than to add visual interest. It helps in the conservation of natural resources. Keep in mind that the new brick manufacturing demands high energy consumption. It is also a resource-intensive process. By repurposing bricks, you reduce the demand for new materials and save energy to a great extent. Further, their incorporation in the feature walls can help them get away from landfills.
Take a look at the following environmental benefits:
- Low carbon footprint
- Reduced the size of the construction waste
- Preservation of raw materials like clay
No matter whether your bricks are old or new, they have thermal properties. They take up the heat to counterbalance the temperature within the house, thereby saving on electricity costs. Moreover, the bricks that have been recycled are regarded as stronger than the new ones. This is attributed to the fact that they have withstood the severities of weather. They can even withstand the test of time for several generations.
Installation Tips
When it comes to installing recycled brick feature walls, this is more time-consuming than laying new bricks. If you are a beginner, the installation of irregular-sized old bricks is a daunting task. Their size can make the bonding and overall alignment tricky. Hence, take a look at the following tips:
- Do the sorting, cleaning, and grading of bricks before the installation process.
- Apply a lime-based mortar to enhance breathability in bricks.
- Would you like to fit them in humid conditions, such as kitchens or bathrooms? Put some sealant on it to have some sort of protection.
- They are highly lightweight and simple to install for beginners, hence consider their use of the brick veneer.
How to Source Recycled Bricks for Feature Walls?
Do you know where you can get recycled bricks for feature walls? Take a look at the following pointers to know their vendors:
- Recycled materials yards
- Demolition contractors
- Reclaimed brick specialists
- Online marketplaces
- Contact landscapers or builders
Challenges in the Use of Recycled Bricks
Working with recycled bricks can come with the following set of challenges:
- Cost: In some cases, recycled bricks can cost you more than new bricks. This is because they are very labour-intensive due to salvaging, cleaning, and transporting. Their unique appearance also justifies their higher prices.
- Inconsistent Size and Shape: Their irregularities cause a longer installation time.
- Less Porous: Some old bricks are less porous in nature, affecting mortar bonding or alignment.
Conclusion
Recycled brick feature walls are known for their sustainability and unique, natural, aged appearance. No matter whether you are a minimalistic lover or a rustic charm seeker, your feature walls designed with recycled bricks will tell a story. More than just a style, using recycled bricks is a way to honour old craftsmen and their incredible art. In addition to this, it is also an avenue of ensuring we conserve the environment. When contemplating the need to design feature walls, you can inspect recycled bricks.