Exposed interior brick wall: Pros & Cons of Exposed Brick

5 Things To Know Before Exposing Hidden Brick

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By Emily Hopkins/Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 2:53 am EST

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Exposed bricks is a design trend that is quite popular, especially among homeowners who want to introduce an industrial feel into their home. What’s more, Fontan Architecture details that exposed bricks add character and warmth, not to mention that they can also serve as an accent wall for any room in your home. With that in mind, it is normal for anyone craving the unfinished interior look to consider demolishing the plaster to expose the hidden bricks underneath. 

While this may seem like an excellent idea initially, there is always more than meets the eye when it comes to exposing the bricks in the wall. When done right, the exposed brick will delight the eyes. However, it is also necessary to mention some issues that are not often discussed. So before putting your handyman skills to the test and tearing down the plaster to expose the bricks, here are some things you should consider.

1. Remember brick is porous

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Before swinging the hammer and knocking off the plaster, remember that brick and mortar are porous and will most likely absorb moisture when humidity is high. Preventing the exposed bricks from absorbing moisture is often a problem that is not emphasized well enough. Exposing bricks to your interior wall doesn’t stop at stripping down the plaster; you need to put extra measures to prevent the walls from absorbing moisture and getting damp. Having damp walls is a recipe for disaster since moisture is the perfect breeding ground for molds which have long been associated with causing allergic reactions, via the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

One way of ensuring the bricks don’t absorb moisture is by applying a sealant to the interior surface of the wall. Sealants are made to penetrate deep into the motor and bricks blocking the water pathways. Fortunately, sealants are available in multiple finishes, where matte and glossy are the main types. So when shopping around for this adhesive, be sure to pick the one that is in line with the interior design ideas that you have in mind.

2. You don’t know the conditions of the bricks

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Right from the jump, you should be aware that tearing down the smooth plaster from your walls is always a gamble because you never know what awaits behind. While you might expect to find bricks in pristine condition, the bricks might be worn out, leaving you with an ugly scene. This is particularly true for older houses! Unfortunately, you will only find out when you have already done the damage, and there is no way of going back. According to House Tipster, the bricks used in the interior walls are often flawed and not the best quality for most older homes. With this in mind, it makes sense why most houses use smooth plaster for the interior wall finish. 

While exposing hidden bricks might not be ideal for older homes, you should consider alternative means of recreating the same interior finish. One good option is using a 3D wallpaper to give an almost realistic brick appearance. Another option worth exploring is using brick panels for your interior walls. They are available in different sizes and can also be painted in any color of your choice. Again, tearing down the wall plaster for older homes is a gamble; you don’t want to go all the way only to find the bricks in terrible shape.

3. Think about dust

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The porous nature of bricks and mortar causes more problems than water absorption, which makes bricks susceptible to changes in temperatures during the other months of the year. The expansion and contraction of the brick and mortar will cause the wall to become brittle and crumble, causing unnecessary dirt and dust in your home. You should also know that rough surfaces are usually a dirt and dust magnet; therefore, you will need to keep your walls clean frequently. 

Usually, an exposed brick wall poses some challenges when it comes to cleaning. You might need special cleaning supplies and some elbow grease to keep the brick walls clean. Because exposed bricks easily crumble, you should apply a coat of dust-proof sealant to the wall. Floorseal mentions that it is necessary to use a dust-proof sealant to bind porous surfaces of the brick to prevent dust. Remember, if the surface isn’t sealed, the brick can absorb substances in the air, causing staining.

4. Exposed wiring could pose a danger

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Before going to full destruction mode, you should know that plaster not only hides unsightly bricks but also conveniently conceals electrical wiring from plain sight. Exposing the hidden bricks leaves you with the view of random electrical wires and hanging outlets that might not be what you had in mind in the first place. A brick exterior is abrasive; therefore, wires hanging on the surface will likely get damaged over time. Also, exposed wiring can easily cause a fire hazard if a sharp object cuts through the insulation, removing the layer of protection and causing a short. 

In this regard, you should implement cable management for aesthetics and avoid risking the lives of whoever is living in that house. House fires are a significant concern killing up to 2,500 people annually in the U.S., mentions the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For this task, you should call an electrician to redirect and organize the electrical wires through plastic or metallic piping on the wall you choose to expose. Calling an electrician will increase the cost of your renovation, and if the whole design idea is to achieve an industrial look, piping would appear right at home.

5. Energy efficiency in your home

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Regardless of the condition of the bricks on your wall, the fact is that a brick wall is one of the most inefficient energy structures in a home. Covering bricks with drywall or plaster does an excellent job of providing extra insulation to the brick walls. ScienceLine directly links poor insulation as the major cause of heat loss in buildings accounting for up to 70% of total energy loss. 

But it is important to mention that exposing a single wall in your house will not likely cause any significant increase in your monthly energy bills. However, exposing multiple walls will definitely reduce your home’s energy efficiency and could cause the energy bill to spike. It gets worse if the exterior wall of your house is also exposed. In such scenarios, it is better not to expose the interior walls owing to the energy inefficiency associated with brick walls.

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Living Rooms With Exposed Brick Walls

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Adjoining houses, renovating an old build, or simply stuck for an effortlessly-cool living room design? An exposed brick wall could solve all your problems. Whether you’re after the look of the Mediterranean, cool, relaxed and rustic; or a Scandinavian-inspired, low-key background peopled with bookcases; or an industrial haven perfect for sipping drip coffee amongst fur throws and stove piping, exposed brick is the medium for you. Classic red brick explores warm and tasty segues to the kitchen. Cool grey provides a subtle backdrop for your individual style. Take a peek at our crafted selection of inspirational examples.

• 1 |
• Architect: HARQUITECTES

Let the outdoors in with these red brick walls, fold-away French doors and simple white couching.

• 2 |
• Via: Home Design Lover

Make your inside seem outside with an exposed brick wall beside a climb-worthy tree. Sculpted wooden furniture and high-ceilinged doors create a natural oasis. The lounge chairs give this formal living room a mid century modern vibe.

• 3 |
• Designer: Michael Maher Design

Use two-tone brick in shocking white and natural red. Line books on one side for scholarly interest. The comfy chaise lounge chairs tempt you to curl down with a book!

• 4 |
• Source: Innerstadsspecialisten

Make the most of a sloping roof with an exposed brick feature wall greeting the eye. A solid white ceiling and black painted floor add dramatic contrast.

• 5 |
• Designer: Dimitar Karanikolov

Ground your industrial barn in a wall all in brick. This exposed wall winds down the staircase, across the fireplace and into the mood of a modern, semi-circular space.

• 6 |
• Architect: David Boyle

Make white walls interesting with one in exposed brick. An array of framed artwork above the floating tv stand tricks the visitor’s eye into conformity – at first glance. The modern accent chair really stand out here as well.

• 7 |
• Visualizer: Lai Pháp

A distressed brick wall need not be painted or smoothed. Let its character shine with dainty crafted décor, like this mustard couch and fanned cane chair.

• 8 |
• Designer: Tamara Eaton

Add difference to muted colouring with exposed brick walls draped in white chiffon. Interspersed windows break up dark block furniture and open up the room.

• 9 |
• Visualizer: Bakyt Temirkulov

Let exposed brick make a stand in LED-framing. A round circular light sets the stage for quilted block futons, nesting coffee tables and a grey bamboo rug.

• 10 |
• Photographer: Lorenzo Pennati

Exposed brick in grey need not be boring. This industrial loft lets its textures do the talking amidst fur and skin throws, a roaring modern fireplace and metallic accents. The long swing arm wall lamp helps add interest to the vertical space and also acts as a good reading lamp.

• 11 |
• Visualizer: K BAND

A Scandinavian style suits exposed brick perfectly. This light-grey beauty creates a dreamy feel beside a powder blue couch, wooden dining set and floors.

• 12 |
• Visualizer: Dattran

Draw the viewer further in with a triptych on your brick. Terracotta and taupe seating add a contemporary, rustic feel.

• 13 |
• Designer: Josephine Hurley
• Photographer: Tom Ferguson

Replicate a London train station with exposed brick surrounding a wide circular window. This unique design frames the rest in white with pops of planting. The plants atop the modern coffee tables bring life to the design.

• 14 |
• Visualizer: VAE Design Group

Charcoal and grey are lightened by this LED-lit, exposed-brick wall. Blending into a door, its lighter hues act the feature against darker and more muted textures.

• 15 |
• Visualizer: Komod Studio

Combine exposed brick in an eclectic space with wooden, fur and tiled accents. A low-hanging chandelier and iron railings set finishing touches.

• 16 |
• Visualizer: Iqosa

Extend brick to your living room and kitchen, as a segue design feature. Red brick lined with white sets off a chrome lighting centrepiece and stark tiled floors.

• 17 |
• Visualizer: Maks Marukhin

Long, lean wall panelling mixes with wood, tiles and suede in this wide-windowed look in exposed brick.

• 18 |
• Designer: Gaspar Bonta

Indulge your inner hipster with iron bar railings on a red brick wall. Suspended iron cages make squares against a chequered window frame.

• 19 |
• Visualizer: Adrian Iancu

Make it light, bright and art deco with exposed brick in white. Pops of orange juxtapose against a white, artsy room.

• 20 |
• Visualizer: Angelina Alekseeva

Create an urban jungle with an array of green aside distressed brick. Grey shafts of walling, seating and plant pots mix the concrete with the home-grown.

• 21 |
• Visualizer: Juliya Butova

Exposed brick shafts open up another room in this homely design. Comfy couches in teal and grey add warmth on polished wood.

• 22 |
• Visualizer: he.D creative group

A man’s room acquires style with exposed brick, lined wood and patchwork tile flooring. Grey-green French panelling and a papier mache partition construct a cosy vibe.

• 23 |
• Designer: Luiz Fernando Grabowsky

Let French windows light red brick in a full-width exposed wall. Lower lights lift up wooden beams and block colour furniture. Need some help in mixing and matching colors? Go check out our post on living room color ideas.

• 24 |
• Visualizer: Juliya Butova

Coat a whole room in brick, with a feature wooden panel. Dark curtaining and built-in shelves widen the space.

• 25 |
• Via: Hosting Cultura

Lavish your living room in the feel of a Swedish sauna. These mini-bricked walls glow orange against a wooden floor. The low-height modern coffee table adds to the overall sleekness.

• 26 |
• Visualizer: Galina Lavrishcheva

An exposed brick wall with splashes of paint gains traction in this design. Eclectic, homely and full of personality, it suits the anti-perfectionist.

• 27 |
• Visualizer: Para Design

Paint your wall with words on exposed charcoal brick. This illustrated quote makes a modernist statement beside a leather couch and indoor trimmed hedge.

• 28 |
• Visualizer: Konstiantyn Rekochynsky

Graffiti coats this exposed-brick room, complete with written-on wooden panelling. Sepia prints and red metal chairs create an artist’s studio.

• 29 |
• Visualizer: Image Box Studio

Make a white space brighter with painted brick. Light eggshell tones create a contrast with cage lighting, white wooden floors and touches of fur.

• 30 |
• Visualizer: Evermotion

The urban loft is amiss without brick. Paint it in a distressed-looking white, and pepper it with black for a unique living room.

• 31 |
• Visualizer: BBB3 Visualization

Ditch the old fireplace and coat it in white. White exposed brick changes shape amidst light concrete floors, grasshopper lamps and draped elements.

• 32 |
• Architect: A Parallel

An exposed-brick fireplace can add a modernist touch. This version teams thick black joinery and wooden panelling with grey couches and a patterned rug.

• 33 |
• Visualizer: Alena Bulataya

Make a statement in black-and-white brick. This modernist column balances out firewood storage and a flat-screen TV.

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Don’t have existing brick? These faux-brick options in red, white and distressed colourings achieve the look without blowing the budget. Peel them off and stick them on for an easy and safe industrial or Scandinavian living room look.

Several faux-brick options are available online, for a cost-effective and easy-peel solution. Try brick veneers, dry-wall, wallpaper or decals to create a short or long-term design solution that looks like the real deal. Also if you are looking to adapt the same exposed brick style to your bedroom, do check out our post:40 Bedrooms With Exposed Brick Walls.

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Brick wall in the interior | Royal brick

WE MANUFACTURE BRICK
HAND MOLDED
and tiles for LOFT

Brick wall – a new trendy solution.

When creating modern interiors, designers are increasingly turning to popular ideas of the past and even the century before last for inspiration. Paradoxically, but true! In the digital world, where everything is rushing at the speed of light, more and more often you want to find yourself in an atmosphere of unhurriedness, finally “breathe”, feeling the warmth and comfort of a bygone era.

Returning the well-forgotten old to modern interiors, designers demolish partitions, open communications, give preference to natural finishing materials with history: barn boards and ship beams, forged chests and restored furniture elements. But the bare brick wall is in special demand! Still, this solution fits perfectly into many interior styles that are so popular today.

Brick wall in various interior styles

Styles such as grunge and country, provence and loft are firmly in fashion. Each of them is characterized by iconic solutions. But there is something that fits equally harmoniously everywhere – a bare brick wall or its fragments.

Grunge. Originally from the 19th century, the style is primarily characterized by simplicity and elegance. White, beige and mustard colors create a base that can be further complemented by bright accents. The style does not allow the use of modern synthetic materials. His element is natural fabrics and wood, metal and brick. Notes of elegance are guessed in bronze forging. Grunge does not accept boasting of social status, says no to armchairs with lion’s legs, stained glass windows and deliberately expensive ceiling decoration. All furniture, as a rule, is artificially aged. Exposed brickwork is adjacent to paintings in gilded frames. And this is the only hint that the style owes its appearance to the French bourgeois, who moved to 19century from bustling cities to the provinces.

Country. Another popular style in which a brick wall is more than appropriate. In the classical view, we see a village house. Such spaces were not originally created for secular parties, therefore, the decoration suggests cozy minimalism. An integral attribute of a country-style house is a fireplace or even a stove, which become a natural extension of a brick wall. A place where, away from the bustle of the city, they gather for a leisurely pastime in the family circle. Environmental friendliness is the main principle when choosing materials for interior and exterior decoration in country style.

Provence. Another popular style straight from France. Suitable for romantic natures who are used to seeing sophistication in simplicity. A brick wall is an optional element of this style, but if it is present, it will most often be painted white. Provence can change its character from gentle and airy in a city apartment to a more rough styling in the walls of a country house, where the white color of the brickwork will change to a more natural, characteristic material.

Loft. Perhaps no other style is so associated with exposed brick walls.
The style originated in the 40s of the 20th century in the USA. The rent demanded by the authorities from the entrepreneurial owners of various factories, warehouses and plants became prohibitively high. As a result, they had to move from the city center to the outskirts, leaving behind huge industrial spaces empty. Gradually, they were chosen by creative bohemia, who decorated the rough brick walls with works of art. Attic or attic – this is how Loft is literally translated. Today, as then, the style is unmistakably guessed by the high ceilings, the absence of partitions and finishes, open pipes and communications. But today the loft is a style that not everyone can afford. But some iconic elements can be implemented in ordinary apartments. Such an element is undoubtedly a brick wall.

How to make a brick wall in the interior?

The most obvious way to get a brick wall in the interior is to build it or to expose an existing wall if you are the lucky owner of square meters in a brick building. In a new home, efforts will be minimal. You just need to remove minor dirt and voila – a fashionable solution decorates your home! In the old building, it will be necessary to carry out a global treatment and remove layer by layer of whitewash, primer and plaster.

Good advice! Use special solutions to remove construction dust, stains and cement residues. After that, proceed to grinding the surface and grouting the seams. And to make the brick wall in the interior look textured – cover it with a special colorless matte varnish. So you get rid of the effect of “wet stone”.

Residents of apartment buildings should be aware of weight restrictions. Additional loads on floors can cause cracks in the walls both in your apartment and in neighboring ones. The collapse of load-bearing structures can be a deplorable result.

The solution to this problem is the use of tiles, which are obtained by cutting from different sides of the brick. There are spoon, bond and pastel sides. Alternating them, you can create beautiful options for brickwork. In this case, such a wall will be considered decorative. This will also allow you to save valuable centimeters, which are known to be tight in small apartments.

Good advice! For laying brick tiles, use a special adhesive that will securely fix each element. Choose compositions for natural and / or artificial stone.

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All materials of this site, including text, structure, photo and video materials, design and arrangement of blocks are protected by copyright. Full or partial copying is prohibited. The information is intended for an audience of 14+.

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How to care for a brick wall in the interior – Terem Magazine

Construction and repair

you are easy and pleasant to communicate with. However, the charm of a brick wall cannot be preserved without proper attention and timely care. In this article, we will introduce you to the practice of processing and painting brick walls.

If the wall has absorbed splashes, grease and odors

Old brickwork in need of renovation should be cleaned of dirt and plaster residue. First, spray it with a solution of vinegar water or washing powder. Then begin to gently remove stubborn dirt with a damp cloth.

For the toughest stains, use a metal dish sponge. To get started, try to process a small piece of the wall somewhere on the edge or bottom. If the wall does not crumble and normally tolerates hard impact, you can start cleaning stains in visible places. If not, it is better to call professionals who, with the help of special chemicals, in respirators and protective clothing, will put the masonry in order.

If the seams have lost their strength

If your family hearth has a long history, and your grandfather was in charge of laying bricks in the walls, please do not pass by. Stop and look at the brickwork. Most likely, the bricks or the seams between them have already begun to crumble.

If this is the case, it is very important not to miss the moment and restore the mortar before the complete loss of strength between the bricks. This is not such a complicated procedure, but if you have never dealt with the restoration of seams, it is better to turn to professionals.

First of all, the seams between the bricks should be deepened by 2-2.5 cm. Special metal hooks or a hammer with a special chisel will help to remove the surface layer of the mortar. Remember to wear protective gloves and goggles. Pieces of old cement will fly in all directions.

Then, with the help of two spatulas, a new sand-cement mortar is laid in the seams, which, in turn, is covered with a special grout on top.

If the brick crumbles

The porosity of the brick is its scourge. We have to fight with it in order to protect the brickwork from chipping. Moisture penetrates into the pores and cracks of the brick, which destroys the material from the inside. This is especially dangerous for walls that are prone to freezing. Treatment of bricks with moisture-proof impregnations is one of the most important conditions for its long-term operation.

In the past, wax and varnish were widely used to preserve masonry. Wax filled the voids in the brick, varnish protected the masonry from the outside, enveloping it with a shiny film. Thus, there was no chance for water to get inside. The disadvantage of this option is its fragility and vapor tightness. Wax is a fluid material; over time, it disappears from the pores in the stone. The varnish wears off the surface and requires periodic renewal. In addition, it does not allow the brick to “breathe”, clogging the remaining moisture and increasing the likelihood of fungus inside it.

Modern developers have taken into account the experience of grandfather’s methods, and today impregnate is considered the main impregnation material for a brick wall. It is part of water repellents used for processing various types of building stone: limestone, sandstone, brick, concrete stone, clinker, clay, granite, marble.

Impregnate is environmentally friendly, made on the basis of silicone compounds. Instead of covering with a continuous film and filling the pores, as wax and varnish do, the impregnate envelops, polymerizes the brick. Thus, the stone itself is protected, but the pores continue to let air through. At the same time, the water-repellent properties of this impregnation make the brick easy to maintain. Dirt is washed off with plain water.

Since the impregnate has neither odor nor harmful fumes, it can be used even in the smallest spaces. As an added bonus, it protects the wall not only from moisture and stains, but also from fungus. Therefore, for the kitchen or bathroom, it will also come in handy. In addition, such a water repellent is absolutely colorless and does not change the color of the brick.

If the wall needs to be painted

If your task is to enhance the texture of the brick, to give the wall the effect of an old dwelling, you can use special stains. Coloring bricks individually in dark and semi-dark tones is a painstaking, long process. But the look of the old masonry causes a “wow effect” in 100% of cases. Not a single guest will remain indifferent.

Brickwork in a natural color is not suitable for every interior. Such a factory wall against the backdrop of a snow-white interior may look inharmonious, untidy and too colorful. Therefore, today a plain brick wall is a fairly common solution. Such painting retains the texture of the brick even in a single-color version.

Portraits of loved ones in frames or just paintings look great on a light wall. There are hundreds of shades you can give your wall, and best of all, painting a wall is easy. You need a narrow brush, a lot of paint and patience. To achieve a uniform color, you will have to put one, two or three layers of paint on top of each other. The main thing before painting is to restore the structure of the seams and the bricks themselves, and then treat with an impregnate.