Designing an extension offers the perfect opportunity to incorporate features that you’ve always loved. Exposing brick walls in your home can instantly change the style and atmosphere of the room. The popularity of these walls have sky rocketed in the past few months, and it’s safe to say that 2017’s new interior design trend is all about the raw and natural style.
Choosing earthy materials such as exposed brick can create scope for endless design possibilities and transform your home in various ways. You can go for a simple, sophisticated style, or a more industrial, mid-century feel. There is also a possibility to whitewash the walls which will match a more neutral colour scheme. Alternatively, you can keep the bricks natural colour to maintain a warmer palette.
It’s important to remember it doesn’t end with ‘I want an exposed brick wall’. You need to think about the style of the brick, and what function you want the wall to play in your extension. Do you want shelving and storage against the wall? Do you want your kitchen against the wall and if so, will you go with a splashback? There are lots of things to think about and we are here to guide you every step of the way.
Why Exposed Brick?
An exposed brick wall is a statement piece and having it adds character, charm, and rustic aesthetics. Not many people realise it, but brick walls can create a warm atmosphere that a white wall just doesn’t have. Brick comes in different colours, textures, and can be laid out in different patterns depending on your preference – the options are endless!
Choosing an exposed brick wall doesn’t mean you can’t accessorise; our clients in Peckham adding lots of rustic charm to their extension by adding paintings, shelving units and notice boards. Lots of people choose not to decorate, as the brick can be seen as a decoration in itself – but the choice is entirely yours.
How is it made?
Having an exposed brick wall can be both versatile in terms of use and the way it is built.
There are two ways in which exposed brick walls are built. The first is when a ‘sandwich’ is created of the brick wall, insulation and the partition wall. The second option is by constructing a series of slim brick blocks that can be attached to your extension wall. This is the less authentic option but it is the cheaper option.
Which type of brick style should I go for?
The most popular brick material in London is the London Stock Brick, generally because it tends to match the existing property. When it is new, this brick has a recognisable yellow colour, however, over time when the brick gets put through the temperament of London weather, it becomes weathered and turns into a dark brown/yellow colour. Depending on the look you are going for, you can choose to reuse old bricks or have brand new bricks for your exposed brick wall.
