English Cottage Thin Brick: Old World Charm Combined with Modern Style

Through years of televised success, the PBS series Downton Abbey touched the imagination of Americans of all ages. As much as the characters of these series are loved, the style of the architecture and home designs has also struck a chord. In combination with the trend toward farmhouse and antique designs, it’s no wonder that English Cottage thinBRIK, from Acme Brick Tile & Stone has become so popular. It has that Downton Abbey look And beyond its old world charm, there are other, more practical reasons to choose this thin brick.

The (Practical) Advantages of Thin Brick

In short time, thin brick has become extremely popular for both residential and commercial building, for several practical reasons.

• Residential and commercial construction schedules have become more demanding. Tight schedules encourage builders to become more efficient throughout the building process. This is where thin brick comes into play. Due to its reduced thickness, the material is faster to install than traditional brick.
• It is easily installable both indoors and outdoors.  Since thin brick is applied directly to the wall system, there are no additional foundation or wall-support requirements. This makes it very easy to incorporate  in rooms such as a living room or kitchen.
• Brick lovers never have to compromise their designs.  Thin brick allows for a brick finish for all types of buildings, including those that might not have considered brick before. For example, interior walls in residential and commercial spaces can now enjoy all the glory that brick has to offer.
• The Look is Classic. Jonathan Douglas of Acme Brick Tile & Stone doesn’t visit Notting Hill or receive invitations to parties at Downton Abbey. But he is an expert on the look that gives these mythical areas their stunning appearance. “Some homeowners might think this style of thin brick is for Tudor or other traditional homes,” he said. “It does have an ‘Old World’ look. However, it can be used on any style home. It all depends on what look that the designer or homeowner is going for.

Appealing Color Selection

“This English Cottage thin brick is becoming more popular among builders, interior designers and homeowners because of the wide range of colors and selections available. The colors range from reds, browns, and grays and it is available in most all of the traditional brick looks. Among designers and homeowners, the most popular color of thin brick seems to be the gray. It’s what is IN right now.

“In general, we can achieve a brick look without the constraints of locations of applications of traditional full size brick. Because it is only ⅝ of an inch thick, it is easy to apply on interior or exterior applications. So it offers the look and feel of full size brick, without the constraints of weight on a non-load bearing surface.”

The Durability and Low Maintenance of Traditional Brick

While this thin brick has a charming appearance, many builders and homeowners love brick construction for two practical reasons: durability and low maintenance. How does English Cottage thinBRIK stack up with these two criteria?

“Our thinBRIK has the same durability as that of traditional brick,” Douglas said. “Because it is a true clay product, the color and quality will last. It is a very sustainable product. Plus, as long as it is installed properly, because it is a natural clay product, this thin brick will require no maintenance.”

Whether it is its look and feel or the durability and low maintenance, even the Crawley family (along with their upstairs and downstairs staff) would have to love the English Cottage thin brick!

If you‘re looking to add charm to your home, click here to learn more about our newest thinBRIK colors.