Tile School: Glazed Thin Brick 101

Durable, versatile, and timeless, Glazed Thin Brick can work its magic in a variety of styles and spaces. Our hand-mixed glazes atop this beloved material add a hint of rustic texture and a heap of sophistication wherever you install it.

From selecting trim to avoiding add-ons, this blog dives deep into everything you need to know about Fireclay Brick.

Brick Basics

Our Glazed Thin Brick comes in two versatile sizes: standard, which is 2.5" wide x 8" long, and Norman, which is more elongated at 2.5” wide x 11.5” long.

Both sizes are made in California and are ½ inch thick, much thinner than a typical 3 ¾ inch brick block. This weight difference is not only aesthetically pleasing, it also results in potentially an 85% cost and emissions reduction.

Glazed Thin Brick is available in 36 lead-free glazes, from soft neutrals to vibrant, saturated hues. Bring home up to 5 free color samples to preview your favorites in person.

Where Can Brick Be Installed?

From kitchens to bathrooms to fireplace surrounds, Glazed Thin Brick is suitable for almost any application. Use our Brick as you would field tile–the classic sizes and textured finish make it an ideal choice for an array of design styles.

If you’re working on a commercial project, this is a great option for restaurants, retail spaces, hotels, and more (note: we don’t recommend Brick for commercial flooring, although it’s acceptable for residential floors). It can even be used as a decorative finish on exterior facades, as this San Fransisco apartment building demonstrates.

Exterior suitability is based on geographic location and factors unique to your application. Check with your Design Consultant if your application is suitable for Glazed Thin Brick.

One thing to keep in mind is that because it's made of more porous materials, our Brick cannot be installed in steam showers, shower pans, or pools. While we don’t recommend Brick for steam showers or shower pans, it can absolutely be used for bathroom wall and floor applications. And although fireplace surrounds are a great application for Brick, it cannot be used inside a working firebox.

Brick Trim Options

The edges of your Brick Tile will not come glazed unless specified. The most common trim option we offer with our Glazed Thin Brick is a glazed edge, on either the long side of the brick or the short side. Glazed Long and Short Edge pieces are sold by the Linear Foot, and quantities should include overage (more info on ordering overage below).
 

We can also make Glazed Left Corners and Glazed Right Corners, where the brick is glazed on one long and one short edge. Please make sure to determine which corner best suits your project–orientation matters!

For larger projects, we have 90-degree Brick Corner pieces available for a seamless wrap-around look. This trim option has a 500-piece per-order minimum.

The Importance of Grout Space

Grout space is important as it alleviates stress on the brick material— especially if your home is still settling. It's brick industry standard to include a 3/8" grout space in the number of brick pieces there are per square foot. At the recommended 3/8" install grout space, there are 6.12 pieces Fireclay Glazed Thin Brick/square foot.

If you decide to install your bricks with a tighter grout space after purchase, you will run short on material.

Keep in mind the tighter you choose to install your bricks, the more noticeable the size variation of the handmade bricks will be. For example, see the difference between the blue fireplace surround with larger grout spacing against the white fireplace surround with tighter grout spacing.

How to Order Overage

It's important to purchase overage to avoid the risk of running out of handmade material during your installation which leads to add-on orders. Based on your intended grout space, here are the overage amounts we generally recommend:

• 3/8" grout joint (Fireclay recommended, industry standard): order at least 10% overage

• 1/4" grout joint: order at least 16% overage

• 3/16" grout joint: order at least 20% overage (we don't recommend installing tighter than this)

• Your trim quantities should also include 15-20% overage

For more intricate patterns, for example, herringbone, we recommend ordering an additional 5% on top of your overage quantities. Any leftover tile can be used for attic stock in case of future remodels, damage, or unforeseen circumstances.

Brick Installation Inspiration

Whether you choose to go with a classic offset pattern, a modern stacked install, or something unexpected and unique, our glazed Brick will leave a lasting impression–especially when it’s installed floor to ceiling, like this sage green fireplace.

Note: Brick is suitable for fireplace surrounds, but cannot be used on the inside of a working firebox.

If your taste leans modern, you’ll love this bright kitchen. A straight-set installation of Brick in our fan-favorite Columbia Plateau glaze creates an eye-catching backsplash with subtly rustic appeal.

This ethereal outdoor shower, featuring white Brick in a classic offset pattern, is a creamy backdrop to its brass hardware and a dreamy spot to rinse off under the California sky.

Stretching from countertop to ceiling, our Brick in San Gabriel shows off its handmade variation and exudes elegant charm in 2022’s Real Simple Home.

Detroit Achievement Academy boasts a playful pattern in a bold blue Brick shade on its drinking fountain wall.

A stacked pattern adds a touch of modernity to Bryce Dallas Howard’s traditional pink and green kitchen designed by Claire Thomas.

Brick on the floor pairs beautifully with a ceramic glazed tile backsplash, especially when it’s laid in a fun pattern like this double herringbone.

Vertically stacked turquoise brick draws the eye up, up, up to the large skylight that shines down on this handsome column fireplace.

We love Designer Jon De La Cruz's fresh take on the traditional offset with stacked blocks of three slate grey bricks.

This farmhouse kitchen gets a pop of pattern with a beautifully timeless herringbone backsplash.