RenovatingWhite Bricks: The Hot Trend For Australian Homes
Sophisticated and versatile, white bricks are here to stay. Not only do they perfectly capture the essence of Hamptons and coastal themes inside and out, but they’re also low maintenance and as pretty as a picture.
Bricks have been used for centuries in Australia because they’re reliable and tough enough to last a lifetime. But while red bricks ruled in the 1970s and ’80s, Australian building trends have gradually evolved in favour of lighter, more versatile shades.
And today, white is the coolest brick on the block.
Why White?
For starters, white works with everything. Whether you’ve got green, grey or blue surroundings, white fits right in and still looks beautiful decades later.
Also, unlike dark-coloured bricks, white varieties reflect heat and keep the temperature of your house down. Super important given Australia’s harsh summers.
Another great reason to choose white is that it comes in so many different options, from various shades of neutrals to different textures for particular effects.
Types Of White Bricks
Adbri Masonry is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of bricks and a multiple award winner in the industry. It’s also the home of three popular concrete ivory brick textures: Ivory Smooth, Ivory Shotblast and Ivory Honed.
These contemporary concrete bricks are virtually identical in size and weight to traditional clay bricks (230mm x 110mm x 76mm) but come with some key benefits:
- They’re coloured all the way through, not just on the faces
- They’re produced in a mould for square edges, smooth faces and dimensional accuracy
Let’s take a closer look.
Ivory Smooth
The must-have brick if you’re after a clean white face without too much texture. Massively versatile, it’s hard to go wrong with these popular white bricks.
While they’re widely used externally, we’re huge fans of smooth concrete brick for indoor walls. paired with breezy sheer curtains and a special piece of concrete furniture, it’s contemporary living at its most luxe.
Ivory Shotblast
After a little bit more texture in your white bricks? Ivory Shotblast perfectly balances texture with classic beauty and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice in Australia.
As its name suggests, this brick uses ‘shotblasting’ to achieve a raw and textured effect. The process involves removing the finer particles and exposing the bricks’ aggregate. It’s little wonder why builders and renovators can’t get enough of it.
Ivory Honed
If it’s a premium finish you’re after, Ivory Honed Bricks are the answer. A popular feature of designer homes, these beauties offer a spectacular combination of neutral shades.
Honed bricks have the face cut off to expose the beautiful natural river pebbles within. The result is a completely unique, one-of-a-kind look.
What Are White Bricks Made Of?
Adbri’s premium white bricks use a combination of natural sand, concrete and aggregates.
But there’s more to these particular bricks. Unlike others, they use colouring oxide for a consistent colour right throughout – no paint or coating. This means you don’t have to worry about unsightly chips occurring during laying … or when the kids graze the wall with their bikes!
How To Choose White Bricks
We know that choosing the bricks for your home or business is a huge decision and not one you can change easily once installed. Naturally, you want to get it right from the beginning, so here are some things to consider when choosing white bricks for your internal or external walls.
Your Budget
In Australia, bricks differ significantly in cost.
The most important thing to remember is that bricks are a major construction material for your home and need to stand the test of time. Quality is everything, so don’t skimp when it comes to your bricks.
Gather quotes and request samples of the bricks you’re considering. This way you can get an idea of how they look within your landscape and with other building materials.
The Style Of Your Home
Are you aiming for architectural elegance or casual coastal? Honed bricks are a feature of many higher-end projects because of their gorgeous combination of colours. Smoother textures such as ‘Shotblast’ are fantastic for their versatility. They work just as well in urban settings as in the bush and beach.
Another option is to use breeze bricks in an ivory shade for outdoor screening, privacy and ventilation.
The Colour Scheme
So you’ve chosen white bricks. But, are you after a textured white, a combination of neutrals or a smooth flat white?
The texture of your bricks plays a big part in the overall colour of the house or feature wall. This is another reason why it’s so important to gather samples before you purchase.
Also remember that concrete bricks use natural ingredients, including sand and rock. This means that shades of white can vary between brands and between batches. For consistency, order from a single batch if possible and sample your final colour before you press play on your project.
For more information on white bricks, head over to Adbri Masonry today.
Adbri Masonry is a partner of the Making HOME renovation series.
Do you have existing exposed brick walls in your home? Check out the ways other renovators modernise internal brick walls.
