Oh the coveted exposed brick wall. Its the urban equivalent of a three-car garage, or a wrap-around porch; an almost magical element of a home that adds character and value. A newly renovated apartment with an exposed brick wall provides a striking contrast between history and modernity, and fits right in with the shabby chic couch. The clincher in this type of aesthetic is the quality of the brick. Shiny new bricks lack the element of style that old bricks offer, which is creating a demand for reclaimed bricks.

Reclaimed Brick Tiles. Designed by Vintage Brick Salvage.

Reclaimed brick has become popular both aesthetically and as a response to sustainable building practices. Brick is already a relatively green material as it is made from natural materials that are chemically inert. The practices of manufacturing brick are environmentally conscious and are becoming more so as technology develops. That being said, there is nothing better than reusing a product instead of making more.

Vintage Brick Salvage is a Chicago based company that recycles brick all over the Midwest and Eastern United States. They stock common brick and paving brick, as well as making a thin brick tile that can be used as flooring and wall tiles at a fraction of the weight. A false exposed brick wall can easily be faked with the thin brick tile, and with much less effort than laying a new brick wall.

The aging of bricks over time results in an authentic look that is impossible to duplicate. There is something about new brick feels more functional than beautiful, which leaves a lot of new brick construction looking stylistically lost. I like reclaimed brick for its sustainability and natural charm.