How To Build Internal Walls With Thin Brick?

Modern design trends often feature exposed brick interior walls, creating a focal point for any room. Thin brick can add a stylish and durable finish to any wall, both inside and outside your home. However, installing thin brick may seem daunting, especially if you’ve never installed it before. Thin bricks are versatile and can be installed on most any wall by a qualified contractor.

In this guide, we will cover how to install thin brick, from picking tools to laying the bricks and keeping them looking great. We’ll also share tips on making the installation process easy and a great DIY project. Thin bricks are light and can be installed on many surfaces. This tutorial will walk you through how to install thin brick on the floor or the wall, including how to cut thin brick veneer, adhere, space, and grout.

To install thin brick veneer, start by applying mastic to the backside of the thin brick and smoothing it around. Fill vertical joints first, then horizontal joints. Work the bag and apply adhesive (mastic or thinset) to a small section at the bottom of the wall.

This installation video demonstrates installing a thin brick veneer on an exterior application, such as a concrete front entry of a residential home. Trace the brick on a piece of scrap paper, cut out the paper rectangle, and position it onto the wall in the space the brick will go. Apply a bead of Loctite construction adhesive on the back of the brick and press it to the wall. Struck Mortar Joint: The bottom edge is recessed, while the top edge is finished flat with the brick edge.

How to glue brick on a wall?

Masonry adhesive is a versatile and efficient adhesive used in building structures, such as brick walls, single stone repairs, landscape blocks, retaining caps, and non-treated wood. It is a simpler and quicker alternative to mortar, which is a thick paste made from cement, water, and sand. The adhesive cartridge is loaded into a caulking gun and the applicator tip is cut at a 45-degree angle, with the desired bead size in mind.

The adhesive is applied in a continuous zig-zag stream, reducing the time needed for mixing and troweling. Masonry adhesive is suitable for retaining walls up to three blocks high, but not for vertically hanging stone decals.

How is thin brick applied?

Thin brick installation on exterior projects can be done using systems like Speedymason Brick Lath, which replaces traditional metal laths with a backer panel applied over plywood or OSB. Mortar is applied to mechanically bond the thin brick to the Brick Lath panel, and it has a built-in water management system. This system can be installed 2-3 times faster than traditional wire lath or panel systems. However, traditional thin brick installation techniques must be followed by even experienced handymen.

Local building authorities should be consulted to ensure compliance with local regulations, and some jurisdictions may require a drainage system behind the thin brick wall for outdoor applications. Outdoor applications should also be ensured by installing necessary flashing and accessory materials, and using only manufacturer-approved materials and accessories.

Can thin brick be installed over plywood?

Thin bricks, also known as brick veneer, are lighter and thinner versions of traditional bricks designed to mimic their appearance. They are installed using a specific mortar like Laticrete, which allows them to adhere to various surfaces like drywall, plywood, or concrete. To ensure proper installation, follow manufacturer’s guidelines. Thin bricks offer a versatile, cost-effective, and attractive alternative to traditional bricks, offering a unique blend of functionality and aesthetics. They are popular for indoor and outdoor applications due to their timeless appeal and modern benefits like ease of installation and cost-efficiency.

Can I use construction adhesive for thin brick?

To install reclaimed brick tile, apply construction adhesive or thin-set to the back of old thin brick veneer in a corner, working from top to bottom. Stick the antique veneer to the wall following the project area’s measurements. If there are outside corner brick tile pieces, alternate them. Continue to the next row using spacers or a thin piece of wood between used bricks for consistent mortar joints. After applying 5 to 6 rows, let the adhesive cure, then remove the spacers or wood before moving to the rest of the project area.

Can you apply thin brick directly to drywall?

Thin brick tiles can be installed directly over a painted or unpainted dry wall surface, but not in areas where the drywall is not well attached to wall studs. If a heavy object hits the brick surface, it could damage both the brick and drywall underneath. For areas frequently exposed to water or poorly attached to wall studs, cementitious backer board or metal lath systems are recommended for extra protection against potential damage. These systems should be considered in well-trafficked areas or vertical applications. Brick wall installation supplies include:

Does interior brick need to be sealed?

Floorseal Interior Brick Sealer and Dustproofer is a product that seals internal brick and masonry surfaces to prevent dusting and staining. It can slightly enhance the color of natural stone or soft brickwork, and dries to a matt finish when applied in one coat. It can deepen surface colours, enhancing natural earthy tones, veining, and shading. The sealer is most noticeable when applied to soft and highly porous clay-based red brick.

Do you need a brick ledge for thin brick?

Thin Veneer Stone is a type of Veneer Stone that is manufactured by removing the middle of a Full Veneer Stone, leaving two pieces of thinner stone. Thin Veneer is about 3/4-1/4″ thick and 25 times the weight of Full Veneer, making it suitable for almost any wall if prepared correctly. It is sold by Square Foot for flats and Linear Foot for 90 Degree Corners. Full Veneer Stone is manufactured by splitting, sawing, or cutting the material into individual pieces, making it about 75 heavier than Thin Veneer. This extra weight necessitates a Brick Ledge for installation, but there is no aesthetic difference between the two types.

How to attach brick to a wall?

To install a thin brick wall, one should begin by troweling adhesive at the bottom corner of the wall, in proximity to the wood ledge that has been previously installed. A notched trowel should be used at a 45° angle to create deep grooves for the purpose of holding the brick in place. The Royal Thin Brick Difference, color options, texture and size, pattern ideas, test results, wall and floor installation, SDS, and more are all available for your perusal.

Do you use grout with thin brick?

Antique brick is a ceramic tile that is cut into tiles for wall installation, similar to terra cotta tiles. They are adhered to the wall using mastic or thin set and grouted with a sanded tile grout or Mason’s mortar. Mason’s mortar has a courser grind to the aggregate, giving the installation a more authentic brick look. Sanded tile grout is often used for specific colors.

Ensure the surface is clean and sound before installing, and do not install directly on a painted surface. Use a cement board or tile backerboard for this. Snap chalk lines every third course of bricks, and adjust the size of grout lines to avoid horizontal cuts on the last row of bricks.

What mortar to use for thin brick?

Laticrete® Thin Brick Mortar is a multi-use, polymer-fortified adhesive mortar that forms part of the company’s Masonry Veneer Installation System (MVIS) products. It is designed to ensure optimal long-term performance in non-sag wall installations and is included in Laticrete’s Hardscape and Hardscape Accessories product categories.

Can brick sit on wood?

The use of brick veneer in mid-rise wood-frame construction has demonstrated consistent efficacy in a multitude of projects.