How to make a brick wall: 6 ways to imitate natural stone

Specifics of imitation brickwork

Why imitation brick for interior decoration is more profitable than natural stone masonry:

• pressure on the slabs - due to the light weight and thickness of the materials, the load on load-bearing walls is eliminated, which guarantees safe living;
• apartment area - imitation masonry is suitable even for a small square footage, since the volume of the space will be practically preserved;
• price category - this method of wall finishing will cost much less than buying real bricks.

The process of laying materials takes less time and is understandable even to an untrained person. Externally, the surface is almost no different from natural stonework.

“Brick” wallpaper in the living room Source sense-life.com

Basic options for finishing brick walls

There are several types of finishing materials for interior work; everyone can easily choose the option that is suitable both in terms of price and design project. Wall decoration is possible using panels, wallpaper, plaster, painting and other types of materials. To make it easier to choose a convenient method, options for decorating a brick wall will be discussed below.

Decorating brick walls indoors is becoming popular, because this design allows you to make the room more modern.

Panels

Finishing a brick wall with panels is an option characterized by ease of installation and reasonable cost. All kinds of panels are produced, the most popular types are MDF and PVC plates, which are light in weight, imitate brick well, and have high noise insulation properties.

They are noted for their ease of care, which is why they are often used in the kitchen. They are either glued to the surface or a special frame is erected. The second method is more complicated, but allows you to insulate the wall and hide communications behind the plates.

Finishing a brick wall with panels is an option characterized by ease of installation and reasonable cost.

Tile

Bricks on a tile wall are an excellent option to replace natural brick, because they are very similar to real stone. They have a textured appearance. They need to be laid using the same technology as laying any tiles. Very durable and color lasts for a long time. However, they absorb moisture in the room, so it is better not to install them in rooms with high humidity.

Tiles are made from a variety of materials, increasing your choice.

Bricks on a tile wall are an excellent option to replace natural brick, because they are very similar to real stone.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is a practical option, gluing is done quickly, the coating will not take up the area of ​​the room, and they look impressive. But the smooth surface of the wallpaper makes it less like natural brick; gluing is identical to gluing any type of wallpaper.

To get a more realistic imitation, you can purchase photo wallpaper.

To get a more realistic imitation, you can purchase photo wallpaper.

Plaster

Plaster mixtures that imitate brickwork look impressive and realistic. You can make them yourself, the main thing is to prepare the surface; it must be smooth and without any defects.

The range of materials is varied, environmentally friendly material, good thermal insulation properties, durability.

Plaster mixtures that imitate brickwork look impressive and realistic.

Painting

Several paint and varnish materials have been created that will help create the brick effect. This material is easy to use. A variety of colors are available, the color is selected depending on the interior design, it is environmentally friendly, the paint is easy to clean, and the price is reasonable.

However, this cladding is not very durable; the surface should be carefully prepared before painting.

Several paint and varnish materials have been created that will help create the brick effect.

Styrofoam

Foam plastic can also be used to create decor in the form of bricks on the wall; it is distinguished by its low cost, ease of gluing, and the foam pad is attached very securely. But at the same time, the material is very fragile and defects easily appear on it. Therefore, using it in the hallway or children's room is not practical.

There are foam plastics of different thicknesses on sale; it is used as insulation, so the wall will be well insulated with it. When working with a plus, it can be noted that when cutting it, dust and dirt do not form.

It is distinguished by its low cost, ease of gluing, and the foam pad is attached very securely.

Drywall

Gypsum is a material that can easily be given any texture. Drywall can be used to create excellent bricks. First, you should cut the material to the size of the bricks, and then apply a layer of putty to get an uneven surface similar to the shape of the bricks. At the end, the resulting forms are painted in the desired color.

All that remains is to glue them to the surface; the gypsum material perfectly imitates stone.

To get a more realistic effect, you need to lay the material offset, and you can make several pieces of different sizes.

To get a more realistic effect, you need to place the material offset.

Possible other options

It is possible to create brick veneers yourself; for this you can use various materials; this process gives free rein to your imagination, and you can make the wall truly unique. After all, each finishing material will have its own characteristics.

You can come up with other methods for creating a brick surface, everything is limited only by your imagination.

It is allowed to create brick veneers yourself.

Briefly about the main thing

Imitation of brickwork is an original and budget-friendly way to decorate and refresh the interior of a room. However, you should be careful, because this method of decoration visually reduces the space. That is why designers advise not finishing the entire room, but only part of it.

Knowing 6 ways to imitate a natural brick wall using various materials, you can choose the most optimal option in terms of price and execution technology. All presented masonry methods are accessible to everyone and allow you to create your own decor.

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Recommendations for improving the interior

There are many design ideas for interior renovation. You can decorate the room as follows:

1. Zoning. Decorating part of the room: kitchen, living room, etc. Decorating large areas (walls of the entire room) should only be done in large rooms with a high ceiling. It is better to prefer light colors, for example, white.
2. Against the backdrop of brick walls, a TV, shelves, paintings, clocks of original design, and open cabinets with dishes look great.
3. Finishing corners (hallway, living room). This strengthens the wall and at the same time gives the corners an original look.
4. Protruding structures in the form of columns look advantageous after finishing with brick.
5. Window openings are also successfully decorated with brick.
6. On a balcony or loggia, fragments of brickwork look original along with the view from the window.

In order not to make a mistake in the correctness of the chosen decor, you need to approach the matter seriously and thoughtfully, since any mistake can be reflected in the interior. If you are not confident in your abilities, you can contact specialists who will bring your ideas to life and advise the best solution.

In what rooms can white brick be used?

The contrasts we can create using white brick will work great in a space like a bedroom . Combining an uneven texture with soft pillows placed on a comfortable bed will definitely be an interesting solution, although not everyone wants to use such a duo in their bedroom. Of course, modern interiors, minimalist and loft, are ready for such experiments.

A spacious living room with a white brick wall can be a great backdrop for a sleek, shiny, black flat screen TV. On such a wall we can also place some kind of graphics, a large photograph, a colorful poster or an old map.

The many materials we can use to create brick finishes include options that are highly moisture resistant. This is why we can also present segments of vertical surfaces finished with white brick in the kitchen , even above the countertop or next to the sink and in the bathroom .

How to choose the right option

Panels imitating brick walls are available in a wide range. When choosing a coating, you should take into account the room in which they will be installed. For each type of room, finishing products must have certain properties.

The following recommendations will help in selecting the right panels:

• Small rooms should be finished with slabs fixed in a horizontal position. For this purpose, slatted models are suitable, which visually expand the space.
• To avoid searching for a suitable design for a long time, you can choose white brick panels, which look harmonious in almost any design.
• You can create a unique geometric pattern using square tiles with a brick pattern.
• Renovating spacious rooms will not take much time if you use sheet panels that can cover a large wall space.
• Bright colors of the brick pattern are recommended to be used only for an accent wall. In other cases, rooms should be decorated with neutral colors.

With correctly selected decorative products, you can create a beautiful and effective room cladding . Before purchasing a material, you should pay attention to the manufacturer. Experts advise purchasing certified products from well-known and trusted brands in order to obtain high-quality finishing results. You should also take the time to read the instructions, which provide recommendations for the installation and operation of the panels. Fixing elements are purchased in accordance with the specific type of product.

Room decoration

Sometimes, during a major renovation of a house, wonderful ones are discovered under the old layer of plasters, which can be used as the main or auxiliary decor in the room. However, it is not always worth chasing the fashion trend of the season. Sometimes it makes more sense to really evaluate the overall appearance of the room and the final result of the decor. Maybe it will be enough to make a small accent and decorate only a small element of the interior with brickwork. This could be a fireplace chimney in the living room, but only a work area in the kitchen.

There are times when it would be appropriate to highlight a large fragment of a wall with brickwork. This option is suitable for a house that has a long history, where the romance of the past is literally in the air: thick walls, arched vaults, high ceilings. By complementing the interior with expensive antique furniture, brickwork decor will only emphasize its status.

The first way to decorate a wall is to restore the existing brick on it.

You can use brick as decoration not only in the living room on the walls; it is perfect for facing a fireplace. In this case, not only its aesthetic properties will be important. When exposed to high temperatures, the material is not subject to cracking and release of harmful substances into the air. It is not necessary to completely cover the fireplace stove. It will be enough to decorate only part of the portal with brickwork.

It will help to create the interior of a room in a vintage style, which will give the room a deliberate negligence, a certain unpretentiousness, bordering on primitiveness. This decor will harmoniously connect a simplified environment with modern decoration.

There are two ways to decorate walls in this way.

The first is to restore the existing brick on the wall, and the second is to make new masonry or imitate its rows.

In this case, you can either use ready-made brick tiles or finish it using decorative plaster.

Options for decorating different rooms with decorative bricks

There are a great many options for finishing an apartment with brick imitation. This design is often used in corridors and hallways.

But using it in the bedroom and living room will also look stylish. They frame fireplaces, TVs, and create niches. Door and window openings finished with similar materials look good. In hallways, mirrors are hung on the brickwork.

You can cover all the walls, but this option is more suitable for non-residential premises and for entertainment venues. It is better to cover only part of the wall with bricks, or one wall completely, because this coating looks great in combination with other facing surfaces.

Door and window openings finished with similar materials look good.

This design will look original in the bathroom; you can combine it with mosaics.

This type of installation is most often used in loft, hi-tech, and country styles. It is important to draw up a project in advance in order to calculate where it is best to apply such decor.

This design will look original in the bathroom.

Panels used in construction

Construction panels occupy a leading place among finishing methods. Durable and waterproof materials enjoy the well-deserved respect of specialists. The basis for imitating panels is plastic, which guarantees reliable protection of walls from dust, moisture, fungus and corrosion. Among other things, building panels are resistant to alkali and acid, and successfully resist grease and other contaminants. Because of this, they are often used when decorating a kitchen, as in the photo.

Positive sides:

• Easy to attach
• Easy to apply to the wall
• Excellent noise insulation
• Attractive design
• Low material cost

The negative point is the need to first create a base from the sheathing

Such panels can be installed in any convenient direction. For wall mounting, nails, self-tapping screws, and, in rare cases, special screws are most often used. Each individual element of the decorative panel is fixed independently of the overall structure, which allows you to easily replace the damaged part without changing the design of the room as in the photo.

Important! Finishing with imitation brick will look most advantageous in the kitchen, loggia or hallway of a living space.

Selection of high-quality wall panels imitating brick

When choosing wall panels, pay attention to the conditions under which they can be used. Not all can be used in wet areas. The panel should not be very thin, since the thinner it is, the more susceptible it is to breakage.

The modern range of finishing materials allows you to choose one of several options presented.

Try to avoid very cheap coatings, since a low price is an indicator of not the highest quality materials.

Conclusion

Due to the fashion for the loft style, the demand for wallpaper and plastic brick panels has increased quite significantly. In this regard, the choice of colors has increased, and everyone can choose the shade they need for their interior.

The choice of plastic panels should be approached carefully, since each material has limitations and recommendations for use.

Installation of plastic panels cannot be carried out independently by a person without experience. But one cannot help but rejoice in the fact that the work proceeds quickly and does not require large financial costs.

In addition to transforming the appearance, a room with plastic panels will automatically be equipped with heat and sound insulation.

If these rules are followed, slabs for cladding wall surfaces from the inside of the house will last as long as possible.

DIY brick wall decoration

How to decorate a wall with brickwork with your own hands will be discussed below. There are several stages of work:

• preparation of surface and materials;
• when using frame technology - installation of sheathing;
• laying the finishing materials themselves;
• if necessary, paint the surface.

Preparatory work includes leveling the wall, cleaning it of old coatings, priming to obtain better adhesion to the surface, and cutting the material into the necessary fragments, marking the surface.

When using panels, it may be necessary to install a frame.

Afterwards you can put the material itself on the wall. Some materials are glued with adhesive solutions, which are selected depending on the type of product. Can be applied either to the surface or to finishing materials. The instructions on the packaging may clarify the method of operation.

If you wish, you can additionally paint the wall to obtain the desired shade, or apply protective agents to make the wall last longer.

If you wish, you can additionally paint the wall to get the desired shade.

Types of decorative bricks

Product varieties differ primarily in composition. Next, for each type of material, you can choose the color scheme, surface texture, size of decorative brick, which depend on the production technology and dyes used.

The main components that determine the type of decorative brick are gypsum, porcelain stoneware, concrete, quartz, acrylic and others. Each has its own characteristics and scope of application.

Gypsum products

These are the most financially accessible products, the production of which uses fairly simple technology and uses ordinary gypsum. For this reason, such finishing is often done with one’s own hands, without purchasing ready-made material.

Gypsum tiles Source yandex.net

In addition to the low price, the products have other advantages:

• practicality;
• reliability;
• durability;
• resistance to temperature changes and other aggressive environments;
• large selection of sizes, surface textures;
• practicality;
• versatility - can be used for finishing not only walls, but also ceilings.

The beauty of gypsum finishing Source mosgor-okna.ru
Among the disadvantages, one can note problematic operation in damp rooms, which is important to consider when choosing a material. You can increase moisture resistance by additionally coating the brick with a special varnish or paint.

Made of ceramics

The properties of ceramic decorative bricks are similar to ordinary ceramic tiles. During production, a clay mixture and a special binding component are used, after mixing the product is subject to heat treatment. Most often used in finishing kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets.

Decorative ceramic tiles to look like brick Source dvkeramik.ru

Ceramic brick tiles have a number of advantages:

• ability to withstand heavy loads;
• resistance to deformation and temperature changes;
• frost resistance;
• thermal insulation properties.

You can choose any size of decorative brick for interior decoration, as well as any color scheme. The surface can be soft matte, glazed, imitating old natural stone.

From porcelain stoneware

The difference between the products is a special production technology, which ensures increased strength of the finished product. The manufacturer adds crushed granite to the clay mixture, after which it is pressed and fired.

Porcelain stoneware wall Source yandex.net

Features of finishing material:

1. Consists of clay, minerals, feldspar and coloring pigments.
2. To improve mechanical strength, manufacturers use several types of clay.
3. Withstands temperature changes and high humidity.
4. Durable - average service life is 30-40 years.
5. Has a wide range of colors and sizes.

This type of decorative brick is not suitable for finishing a kitchen apron, since it does not come into good contact with various abrasive cleaning agents. Can be used for finishing floor coverings and facades.

Clinker

One of the most expensive types of decorative bricks. It is used for finishing facades and indoors. In the second case, the products are most suitable for finishing those walls that are subject to constant exposure to temperature changes. An excellent option for lining chimneys, fireplaces, stoves, loggias, verandas.

Clinker bricks for facing a fireplace Source dashamisura.ru

The bricks have dimensions in the range of 16-19 cm in width, 6 cm in height. Thickness 2-2.5 cm. Manufactured in the form of flat tiles and corner elements. They have a smooth surface.

The beauty of clinker brick Source nadoremont.com

Other options

Concrete-based decorative bricks are widely used in exterior and interior decoration. It consists of cement, sand, pigment dyes. Sometimes the manufacturer adds ceramic chips and expanded clay.

Among other types of finishing materials it is worth noting:

1. Acrylic is a lightweight, moisture-resistant, environmentally friendly material for interior decoration. The products are practical, dirt can be easily removed with a regular damp cloth without any detergents.
2. Conglomerate is a durable finishing stone that is highly resistant to low temperatures, UV radiation and other negative influences. It contains granite, marble, quartz sand, limestone and coloring additives. The appearance resembles granite, marble or slate, therefore it is most often used in the manufacture of countertops and the design of wall surfaces.
3. Quartz is another type of decorative brick, which is characterized by increased resistance to mechanical loads and environmental influences. Suitable for exterior and interior use.

Varieties of quartz stone for finishing Source wikimedia.org
Most types do not absorb moisture and dirt, they are durable, strong, withstand temperature changes and mechanical loads, and do not deform during operation.