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What Are the Different Types of Brick Backsplash?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

The two most common types of brick backsplash are faux-brick backsplashes and real brick backsplashes. A brick backsplash can be built on the wall above a sink or stove, or around the entire perimeter of a countertop in a kitchen to protect the walls from food and liquid splashing and staining. Real brick is a more expensive option that will also take up more space and require more skill to install, while a faux brick version of the backsplash can be installed more easily for less money. The faux brick will also take up less space on the wall.

A faux brick backsplash uses tiles shaped and textured like bricks. These tiles are thin and relatively easy to install, though the project will take a fair amount of time and patience to complete, depending on the size of the backsplash. The faux bricks are secured to the wall using an epoxy, glue, or other securing agent rather than being laid the way real brick will need to be laid. This option will give the homeowner the look and feel of brick without the investment of time and money in a bricklaying project.

A faux brick backsplash uses tiles shaped and textured like bricks.
A faux brick backsplash uses tiles shaped and textured like bricks.

Real bricks are heavier, more expensive, bulkier, and more difficult to install. They will, however, create a backsplash that is incredibly durable and attractive, provided the bricks are laid properly. This type of brick backsplash will need to be constructed by an experienced bricklayer, since bricklaying can be difficult to do properly. In modern construction, real brick is used far less than faux brick because it is more expensive, difficult to install, and generally just not necessary for most kitchens. It is a good choice, however, for kitchens that use open-flame ovens or wood stoves, since brick is fire retardant and can add an element of safety to such kitchens.

A backsplash is designed to protect the wall behind the sink from moisture damage.
A backsplash is designed to protect the wall behind the sink from moisture damage.

The style of real or faux brick used for the brick backsplash can vary. The bricks can come in different sizes, which will have an effect on the overall aesthetic of the backsplash as well as the cost of the project, and the color of the brick can vary significantly as well. The typical brick color is a deep red, but bricks are also available in orange, gray, or a mix of other colors. Sometimes reclaimed bricks can be used to make the brick backsplash, which will give the kitchen space a more vintage look.

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    • A faux brick backsplash uses tiles shaped and textured like bricks.
      By: Paul Hill
      A faux brick backsplash uses tiles shaped and textured like bricks.
    • A backsplash is designed to protect the wall behind the sink from moisture damage.
      By: vvoe
      A backsplash is designed to protect the wall behind the sink from moisture damage.