Jamie Sandford was the Owner and Chief Editor of Home Flooring Pros. After 12 years’ experience in screen and stage set construction, followed by a further 15 years working in the home renovation and remodeling business, he now writes and curates online home improvement advice.
Editorial note: Homefront (defined in the Disclosure below) may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured on our site. This commission does not influence our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
This week we look at brick flooring, both brick tile flooring and brick paver flooring (and even brick look tile flooring). As well as looking at the different types of interior brick flooring we’ll also cover the benefits and drawbacks of brick, average prices and where to buy, installation and cleaning and finally some design and pattern ideas.
It’s a fact: fired clay bricks are one of the most durable and strongest construction materials known to man – they have been used around the globe throughout the millennia, with the oldest known examples dating back to 5000 BC. Which is a far cry from good old traditional laminate flooring.
The average total cost ranges from $9 to $20 per square foot.
The average total cost for carpet ranges from $5.67 to over $21 per square foot, depending on the quality.
The average total cost for laminate flooring is between $3 to $13 per square foot.
Whilst bricks are most commonly used to build walls and exterior driveways, pavements or roads, in recent years using brick as an interior flooring option is seeing a resurgence in line with the growing popularity of décor styles such as Rustic Charm and Industrial Chic.
Brick floors have a very specific charm, with its terracotta tones and rough surface adding texture and warmth to a country cozy room; at the same time brick floors – when combined with sleek modern fittings – brings an interesting, rugged counterpoint to contemporary settings. We especially like brick flooring in the kitchen.
Read on to discover more about the pros and cons, the different options and costs involved in installing brick flooring.
It’s important to note that there is a difference between the bricks you would use to build walls, and the ones you’ll likely use to finish an indoor brick floor. Whilst both kinds are made using the same materials of clay and shale – fired in a kiln at extremely high temperatures – the style of brick used for interiors is commonly referred to as brick paver or brick veneer flooring(and sometimes, rather confusingly as brick floor tile).
Brick floor pavers are typically ¼ to ½ inch thick (compared to a standard masonry brick which is 2 ¼ inch thick); width and length will vary according to manufacturers. It usually makes sense to use brick pavers indoors, as being thinner makes for an easier transition to a different type of flooring if required. Also the most commonly used type of masonry brick – known as an extruded brick – have core holes running through to make them more economical to manufacture, bond more efficiently with mortar and cement render, and provide a certain amount of in-built insulation.
Brick flooring pavers, on the other hand, are always completely solid with no air spaces. This makes them extremely tough and able to withstand very heavy loads. This is why brick pavers are also used for outside flooring such as patios and driveways, though usually for those exterior projects you’ll be using a thicker brick paver, more similar in dimensions to a masonry brick. It is also useful to know that there are a number alternative brick floor options, such as faux brick porcelain tile, which we will discuss in more detail later on in this article.
Finally, it’s worth noting that, whilst brick flooring is made from clay and shale, no two bricks are ever completely the same – giving all brick flooring a slightly mottled coloring. Plus, indoor brick flooring is available in a number of different colors tones and styles. Natural clay powders can be added and different firing techniques are used to modulate the natural terracotta tone of clay – adding black, brown, gray, orange, yellow or white effects.
Furthermore, the molds that are used to form the brick shape and the different finishing techniques before and after firing can dramatically alter the style and texture of the brick – from smooth brand new looking bricks, to much more rustic, antique looking bricks.
As with all flooring, there are pros and cons of brick to take into consideration to be sure it’s the right choice for your home.
Because different suppliers and retailers use different terms to refer to indoor bricks, you may find that many of the larger home improvement stores use the term brick pavers exclusively for pavers that are more suited to outdoor use. Whilst these pavers could technically be used for interior spaces, you will likely find that they are too thick and heavy.
However, if you ask for brick veneer flooring – and be sure to check that they are suitable for indoor use – you will probably find the style and size of brick paver you’re looking for. Many large stores will also likely have faux brick tile flooring or brick look porcelain tiles, which are a decent alternative but not the real deal. So be careful to do due diligence if you want an authentic clay fired paver.
The better alternative for real brick pavers is to shop at specialist suppliers such as Seattle-based Real Thin Brick or Inglenook Tile, who make authentic brick pavers in range of colors and styles.
Expect to pay between $5 – $10 per square foot, depending on the style of brick paver you go for. Note this does not include installation cost, or the additional costs of mortar, grout and sealant.
As mentioned earlier, these days for interior use, you’ll most likely be opting for brick pavers, and installing them is fairly similar to installing ceramic tiles.
The most important thing to note is that, because brick pavers are relatively small, it is imperative to start with a subfloor surface that is as level and as possible. This will minimize your brick floor ending up bumpy and uneven.
After deciding on a layout pattern, use bonding mortar or adhesive (depending on the manufacturer) to glue the brick paver to the subfloor.
The next step is to seal the pavers, and allow the sealant to fully cure, before grouting between the pavers. A further coating of sealant once the grout is cured is also recommended.
The whole process can take up to three days to fully complete, depending on the size of the room you’re paving.
Whilst laying brick pavers is an achievable DIY job, if you don’t feel your skills are up to it, then you can expect a professional to charge around $6 – $8 per square foot to install brick pavers (not including the cost of the pavers).
If you love the brick look, but aren’t sure if you want to have it permanently installed or are worried that real brick pavers might be too heavy for your subfloor, there are a number of alternative faux brick flooring options to consider.
Just as there are wood look porcelain tiles, there are numerous brick look tiles that are designed to look and feel just like real brick pavers. Brick look porcelain floor tile is generally much thinner than brick pavers, and overall a lighter material, ideal for subfloors that can’t take too much weight. Just be sure that the porcelain brick tile you choose can be used for floors (and not just walls).
It might seem a bit outdated, but sheet vinyl can be the perfect product if you’re on a very tight budget, or if you like to change a room’s décor quickly or often. You might have to really look hard for it, as it is not that common, but some manufacturers do make sheet vinyl with embossed brick designs.
Crazy, but true, you can also get laminate flooring (which most of us probably consider as a hardwood alternative) that looks like brick. It’s often much cheaper than real brick pavers and, if you chose a decent brand, you’ll get a fairly realistic brick look with the underfoot warmth of laminate materials.
We’ve already shown you some great examples of lovely interiors with beautiful brick flooring. Generally speaking, brick flooring tends to work best with rustic, country-style décor or against sleek contemporary fittings to add a bit of industrial edge.
We also tend to see a brick floor used mostly in kitchens, mudrooms and entry hallways – areas that get a lot of heavy traffic where brick’s inherent durability is a huge bonus.
However, brick flooring can be used in any room, so there’s no reason not to consider it for your bathroom, office space and even for your bedroom – it all depends on the overall look you want to achieve.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
If you’re looking for something unique, beautiful and durable for your home or office, cork flooring is worth considering. Along with its durability and popularity cork floors are very Eco-friendly, made from materials that are quickly renewed. In case you haven’t noticed, cork flooring has undergone a quiet revolution in recent years, shedding its dreary…
This week we look at brick flooring, both brick tile flooring and brick paver flooring (and even brick look tile flooring). As well as looking at the different types of interior brick flooring we’ll also cover the benefits and drawbacks of brick, average prices and where to buy, installation and cleaning and finally some design and pattern…
One of the biggest new trends in home décor over the past few years is the rise of porcelain and ceramic tile that looks like wood. Despite its huge popularity there’s plenty you need to learn about wood grain tile before you decide if it’s right for you. Wood look tile has always been available…