Looking for Brick Slips for facade systems?
Visit our dedicated website.
Looking for Brick Slips for facade systems?
Visit our dedicated website.
You’ve made the decision to embark on a self-build journey, or you’re finally committing to that extension you’ve been dreaming of.
You know you need bricks. You’ve started browsing online and quickly decided that the brand-new, clean, just-built look isn’t for you, especially if you’re extending – those new bricks will stand out a mile!
So what are your options?
If you want your new build home looking established from day one, or an extension that blends so seamlessly into the original brickwork you’d think it always belonged, then weathered bricks might be just what you need.
There are different methods for achieving a weathered brickwork finish, so if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, we’ll break it down for you.
We’ll clarify what weathered bricks are, cover your options for replicating them, share some real project examples, and leave you with a few useful takeaways.
Short on time? Skip ahead:
What are Weathered Bricks? >
Methods for Replicating Weathered Brickwork >
Weathered Brick Project Examples >
Planning Your Project >
Weathered bricks are clay bricks which have a darkened finish on their exposed face (the side you see when a brick is laid in a wall).
Bricks become weathered in one of two ways:
To understand these processes further, think of a newly manufactured brick. If a plain red, orange, or even yellow brick jumps to mind, that’s your starting point.
If we use that new brick to build a wall, its colour and finish will be vibrant and clean. Now jump forward several decades. Bricks are naturally porous and absorb elements from the atmosphere which can ‘stick’ to their exposed surface. That once-clean brick will have darkened from years of exposure to the British weather and airborne pollution (especially in busy city locations). This is known as naturally weathered brickwork.
So imagine you want to build an extension to that wall, or a new one next to it. You can use the exact same bricks, but they’ll look bright and clean against the aged ones. An extension join will be very obvious and a new wall will stand out near the old one.
This is why weathered finishes were developed for new bricks. They’re a solution to avoiding a mismatch between new and old brickwork, and are very much in demand.
You now know what weathered bricks are, but making them work for your project can seem like a daunting task.
Whether it’s a new build requiring character or an extension that needs to match, there are a few methods you can explore to get that sought-after naturally weathered brickwork aesthetic.
| Weathered Brick Option | Best For |
| Standard Weathered Bricks | Characterful new builds |
| Blending Multiple Weathered Bricks On-Site | Customising new build finishes |
| Dual-Faced Bricks | Customising a weathered finish for new builds and matching extensions on-site |
| Brick Matching Service | Complex weathered brick matches |
Whatever you need them for, we’ll run through each option so you can weigh up what’s right for your project.
The first method to consider is using standard weathered bricks. These are off-the-shelf bricks with a weathered finish already applied, and are usually the most cost-effective choice.
Finishes can vary in level and intensity depending on the manufacturer, but if you shop around you’re likely to find bricks that fit the look you have in mind.
Above: Example of standard weathered bricks – Weathered Red Handmade
For new builds with little to no planning restrictions, standard weathered bricks are the straightforward route. It’s just a case of ordering samples, comparing them in person or on-site, and choosing your brick.
If, however, you need to match old brickwork or face strict planning rules, this method has limits.
Your chances of finding an off-the-shelf brick that works are slim, especially if you’re relying on online images to guide your sample choices. On-screen colours can appear different to real-life clay finishes, so we’d recommend visiting a local merchant to view bricks in-person, or getting matching guidance from a specialist supplier (more on this later).
This isn’t a common approach, but you can select two different weathered brick options and have your bricklayer mix them on-site to a specific, pre-agreed ratio.
It takes a little planning, but it gives you creative control and can be more cost-effective than paying for a pre-blended mix directly from a manufacturer/supplier.
The caveat is the bricks you’re blending need to be the same size, have a similar style, and ideally come from the same manufacturer range. Otherwise, they won’t sit well together and you’ll be playing an easy game of ‘spot the difference’ when the brickwork is complete.
We also suggest you inform the supplier of your plans when placing an order. Depending on demand, bricks can have varied lead times and you’ll need both types delivered at the same time for this to work.
If this method appeals to you but you don’t want the hassle of doing it yourself, a custom blending service might be the better choice.
The easiest, most flexible, and often cheapest way to create a custom weathered brick blend that works for new builds and matching existing brickwork is to use dual-faced bricks.
If you’ve never heard of them before, think of them as double-sided bricks. One side and end (the stretcher and header face) has a weathered finish applied, while the reverse is left plain. The intensity of the weathering can vary from subtle light sooted tones to dark, heavy shading.
Above: Example of three different blends achieved using the same dual-faced bricks, from all plain to all weathered – Weathered Cheshire Pre War – Dual Faced
By choosing which way round to lay each brick, you or your bricklayer have complete creative control over the level of weathering, with the convenience and price point of an off-the shelf brick.
All you need to do is order enough sample bricks to test the ratio, then once you’re happy, place your order. The only drawback is they can be in high demand, so make sure to order in advance.
If you want a more hands-off approach and would prefer a brick expert to take the reins, then a brick matching service is for you. It’s usually the preferred route for matching existing brickwork, renovating period or historic buildings, and for new builds bound by conservation area rules.
If you don’t already know how it works, a brick specialist will assess your existing brickwork and work alongside you and your architect to create a custom weathered brick blend. Bricks can be taken from different ranges, blended together, and custom weathered to varying degrees to get the exact look you need.
Above: Example of a custom weathered brick sample board compared against existing brickwork.
You’ll receive sample bricks or a board with the proposed brick match, which you can check against existing brickwork, pass around for feedback, or submit to planning authorities if required.
Several brick suppliers (including us) offer this as a service. Custom brick matching takes away the guesswork and additional time it would take you to find bricks and blend them yourself.
At this point, you should be aware of the different methods you can use to source weathered bricks for your project.
To give you an idea of what can be achieved, we’ll look at a relevant project example for each one.
A development of four new barn-style residential homes in Cheshire used both salvaged bricks from the original site and new off-the-shelf weathered bricks.
Our Urban Weathered handmade bricks were chosen by the developer for their close likeness to the salvaged bricks. Their complementary appearance created a timeless transition between old and new.
The conversion of a historical priory in Surrey for residential use, plus the addition of an apartment complex, used two different bricks to create a unique weathered brick appearance.
With the original building dating back to the 18th century, a bespoke blend of Urban Weathered and Farmhouse Orange handmade bricks were used for the newer apartments to sympathetically complement the former priory.
The extension and remodel of a home in Cheshire needed bricks to match the existing property, which featured a multitude of weathered shades.
Weathered Scotch Pre War – Dual Faced bricks were the optimal solution. Using dual-faced bricks gave the builders flexibility to adjust the weathering as the walls were built, resulting in a new garage and extension which closely resemble the original house.
Following a partial building collapse, a Victorian property restoration in the Isle of Wight needed replacement bricks and specials that mirrored the surviving brickwork.
The new bricks not only had to be matched in colour, but also the varying levels of naturally-sustained weathering. Working alongside the architects, Reclamation Cambridge Buff handmade bricks were found to be a match and were custom weathered to blend so well, you couldn’t tell the difference between the old bricks and new.
You’ve now learnt what weathered brick options are available and hopefully feel inspired to go off and order samples or speak to specialists.
To quickly recap, for new builds that lack historic connotations and aren’t in a conservation area, we recommend shopping around to see what standard weathered bricks are available from suppliers first. With so many choices on the market, you’re likely to find something that encapsulates your vision of established brickwork, as opposed to obviously new-looking bricks.
Alternatively, if your project needs weathered bricks to match existing brickwork or blend with surrounding buildings, going straight for dual-faced bricks with a similar colour and texture, or getting help with brick matching can save you precious time.
Whichever method you choose, don’t feel you have to settle for a sub-par weathered finish.
Whether you’re planning a traditional-style build or extending an existing one, we can help you find the right bricks.
We have a wide range of weathered bricks available to choose from, as well as dual-faced bricks, with no prior customisation needed. Several of these options have previously been used for both extensions and new builds. Just request samples of the ones you like.
If you’re intrigued by custom blending but don’t want the hassle of trying to work it out yourself, using our bespoke blending and weathering service can uncover unique blends you may never have considered.
And lastly, should you have existing brickwork which is proving tricky to match, we offer a free brick matching service. Just send us a few images of your bricks and we’ll get our specialists on the case.