Brick by Brick
A Fresh Face on an Old Favorite
by Ron Taylor
In today's market, builders strive to distinguish their products in the minds of consumers. Brick provides many practical ways to achieve this type of distinction, both on the exterior and interior of new homes. Brick is a cost-effective way to provide an upscale feel to both custom and production homes.
Exterior Pizzazz
On a home's exterior, the creative use of mortar color, brick patterning, incorporation of specially shaped brick and the application of different types of mortar joints can create unique exteriors with minimal additional expense.
Mortar color comprises about 18 percent of a brick wall's surface area. Mortar color can have a dramatic effect on the perceived color of a brick, especially when brick blends contain many color variations. The difference in aesthetics between the same brick used with dark or light mortar is surprising. (Comparisons of mortar color with various brick blends can be viewed at www.brick.com.) Most mortar manufacturers offer a wide range of color options.
A builder's selection of mortar joint type can be also be effective in creating a unique look. A flush mortar joint works well with homes that are designed with a "colonial" look. A "V" joint will produce a very different visual effect than a standard "raked" joint because of the play of light and shadow on the different techniques.
Brick patterning and the use of special shapes are other cost effective ways to add a touch of distinction to a home's exterior. Even the extensive use of specially shaped brick should add only 8 to 10 percent to the total cost of brick for a home. Such exterior enhancements are highly visible improvements homeowners and their neighbors will view daily.
Interior Warmth
The use of brick and other masonry materials on a home's interior can bring all the warmth of masonry to living spaces. Masonry is most often used in kitchens, bars, great rooms and sunrooms.
Brick pavers offer a unique but durable look for rooms with special uses such as sunrooms or areas of unusually heavy traffic. In a sunroom application, thick brick pavers provide an excellent storage medium for solar gain.
Perhaps the most dramatic increase in the use of masonry involves the very trendy outdoor kitchen and entertaining areas. In these applications, brick and other masonry materials provide durable flooring that visually ties the home's exterior to the outdoor living area.
Other exterior applications of brick include walkways, patios and retaining walls as well as edging and borders for landscaping. A time tested building material, brick is as popular as ever as an inexpensive way to add warmth, visual interest and a feeling of quality to today's new homes.
Ron Taylor, President of Ashley & Taylor, Advertising & Public Relations, has worked in the advertising and public relations business for 35 years and has been involved with clients in the residential and commercial construction industry for 18 years.
