Decorative tile under a brick. White brick tiles. Brick-like ceramic tiles - the most common option

For interior decoration of the premises, ordinary brick, as a rule, is not used. It is too bulky and heavy, which creates an unnecessary load on the structure of the house. Also, often the masonry of a brick house has an untidy appearance and cannot decorate the interior.

An excellent option to imitate natural material can be a decorative brick-like tile for interior decoration. It is made from eco-friendly material, not afraid of high humidity, has an aesthetic appearance and well isolates the room from extraneous sounds.

In the West, brick-like tiles have been used in interior design for a long time, while in Russia the fashion for such a peculiar design is just beginning to grow. With a skillful design decision, decorative tiles can advantageously emphasize the interior and become its decoration.

Varieties of tiles

Facing brick tiles for interior decoration can be produced in the form of individual bricks or blocks with ready-made masonry. The second option is easier to install due to the larger block size. But in this case, the staggered order of the bricks is violated, and the masonry no longer looks so impressive.

Examples of brick tiles for interior decoration, photos, see below.

Flexible tile for interior decoration

Flexible brick can be used for interior decoration and facade cladding. In addition to the decorative function, this material has good protective properties. It endures the impact of the external environment, sunlight and microorganisms. A brick made of such material is vapor-permeable and has high strength. Due to the flexible structure, brick-like tiles are easy to handle and install. It has a beautiful appearance and pleasant texture.

Flexible brick is ideal for installation in difficult places: external and internal corners, rounded surfaces, all kinds of protrusions, fireplace areas, door and window openings, columns. The variety of colors allows you to lay out both plain areas and a mosaic of different shades.

Interior cladding panels based on PVC and MDF

Brick-effect panels cover large wall areas and save installation time. Their attachment to each other is carried out end-to-end or by the type of puzzles. The main materials for such panels are: polyvinyl chloride and modified wood fiber tiles.

MDF panels are easy to cut with an electric jigsaw and a hacksaw, while ordinary scissors or a clerical knife are suitable for PVC panels. Also, these panels are easy to install. They perfectly hide defects and surface irregularities, and in the case of mounting on a frame, they also allow you to hide wiring and pipes.

The panels have a varied color palette and various options for imitating the size and shape of bricks, which allows you to create unique interior solutions. They are resistant to high humidity and do not require special surface treatment. There are also options for panels with insulating and soundproofing material, so they can be used for cladding balconies and building facades.

Gallery: brick tiles for interior decoration (25 photos)

GRP panels

The composition of such panels includes concrete and fiberglass, which significantly increases the strength of the product. For resistance to mechanical stress, the panels can be additionally equipped with metal inserts. To obtain an interesting color effect in the manufacture of panels, fiberglass of different colors is used, which differ from the main tone. Also finished panels can be painted if necessary. The material in the board is environmentally friendly and prevents the penetration of radio emission into the room. The main disadvantage of this facing material is its high price.

cement tiles

The tile, which is based on cement mortar, is popular due to the large number of colors, material textures and low price. An important advantage of this material is its resistance to low and high temperatures. The composition of such a brick includes sand, water and Portland cement. This substance is poured into prepared silicone molds and aged until solidified. Further, if necessary, decoration is performed and protective treatment. It is suitable for outdoor and indoor decoration. Such facing material can be made on its own.

Brick-like gypsum tiles

Gypsum tiles are obtained by mixing water, gypsum powder and various dyes. It combines ease of installation, beautiful appearance and reasonable price. Due to its lightness, gypsum tiles for interior decoration can be mounted on almost any structure and partition, including plasterboard walls.

Such material can compete with wood in terms of its ability to retain heat, moreover, it does not deform from changes in the humidity level in the room and has good sound insulation. The breathable structure of the material helps to balance the humidity in the room, giving or absorbing moisture from the air as needed. To create a bright and original interior, it is enough to decorate only part of the room with gypsum bricks, for example, the fireplace area, doorways, niches or parts of the wall.

Gypsum decorative tiles can have a rough or smooth texture, be at the level of the wall or protrude above it. The variety of colors allows you to use gypsum bricks to create an interior in any style. Gypsum facing tiles strongly absorb moisture and particles of dirt and dust, therefore, to maintain a presentable appearance, it should be covered with a layer of paint or varnish.

Ceramic tiles for brick cladding

Ceramic bricks are based on quartz sand and easily melting clay. To give a certain shade are used various dyes. This material is lightweight and holds well even on light floors. According to the texture, it can be glossy, rough or matte.

Thanks to a wide range of colors, ceramic bricks can fit into any style of interior. Also, the advantage of this material is its ease of installation: it is easily cut to the required size and tightly fixed to the wall. Ease of installation allows facing complex elements of the room with ceramic bricks: arches, rounded ledges, columns. The disadvantages of this type of material are its fragility and the high cost of products that reliably imitate brickwork.

Brick-like clinker tiles for interior decoration

The clinker brick contains refractory clay, due to which it has high strength and is used for cladding both inside and outside the room. The material tolerates high temperatures and humidity well, so it is often used to decorate kitchen areas and fireplaces.

Clinker brick has a more massive appearance than other types of facing material and is less susceptible to cutting, but it is able to recreate the texture of natural brickwork as accurately as possible. This type of cladding is quite durable due to its high wear resistance and does not require special care. There is a wide choice of imitation options for clinker bricks: aged, classic dark red or any other color that suits the interior.

Interior styles with imitation brickwork

Decorative tiles imitating brick have found their way into a variety of design styles. But she won the most popularity country style and its varieties: American, Scandinavian, Provencal, English. In these styles, it is used to decorate individual walls, window and door openings, fireplaces and create the effect of “torn” corners.

For English and classic country styles, the choice of natural brown-red shades is characteristic. For Provencal and Scandinavian styles, gray or white brick tiles are usually chosen. In any of these styles, a combination of shades also takes place.

The use of brick tiles is also characteristic of the loft style. This is a rather brutal and rough style, which involves decorating the entire room or most of the walls with tiles. In this case, the color of the tile is chosen closest to the real shade of the brick and the heterogeneity that is inherent in natural masonry is imitated.

In retro and vintage styles, antique-effect tiles with lime stains and chips are used to finish interior elements.

High-tech and minimalism styles are characterized by the use of smooth and even masonry without distinct seams. Gray-brown, white and gray shades of decorative brick are suitable for such styles.

When decorating a room with brick-like tiles, it is important not to overdo it, otherwise, instead of an interesting accent in the interior, you will end up with an untidy room that needs repair. An excessive amount of wall tiles is only permissible if intentionally created interior in loft style.

Invariably popular and spectacular cladding options are: the selection of the dining area, the head of the bed, the area with a TV or a sofa in the living room. A practical option would be to decorate the walls in the bathroom and hallway, an apron in the kitchen or a balcony with facing bricks. A highlight in the interior can be the creation of false niches, windows, frescoes and fireplace zones with the help of decorative tiles.

Brick has never gone out of fashion. Tiles for interior decoration in a brick effect or for the facade of a house, remain popular at all times. It is not often possible to use a real brick for indoor work, since it has a large volume and mass, and it has a relatively high price. In addition, it is rather problematic to make high-quality masonry and embroider the seams well without having at least some experience in such work. New technologies in construction make it possible to obtain a similar result, using other materials that are more suitable for interior decoration. The possibilities for interior cladding have become more diverse. Many color schemes, sizes and types of cladding will fit into any design idea. But there are always nuances when choosing brick tiles.

Despite the fact that brick-like tiles for interior decoration will not be subjected to strong temperature changes or other climatic influences, like facade decoration, you should carefully consider its choice. Ordinary tiles differ in the way they are laid from brick tiles. When choosing a room design, you need to decide what kind of imitation is required. Elements for bricklaying for interior decoration can be made:

• Like one single brick;
• Like a slab of several stacked in masonry;
• Can be applied drawing on the walls with their own hands.

In the first case, laying will take longer, but the result will be a fairly accurate copy.

In the second case, laying is faster, since a large brick-like tile on the wall is easier to glue, but there is a possibility of losing the chess-like appearance of the brick-like clack. This type also remains popular and fits into many interiors, but you need to understand this feature of solid slabs in advance. Another disadvantage of this type of masonry is the thickness of the seams for jointing, in places where they are imitated, the thickness of the material will be very thin, and therefore fragile. Working with solid slabs requires more concentration and care.

In the third case, it means a lot of imitation options in the form of separate drawings on the wall, etc.

The most common materials for imitating bricks are:

• Flexible tile or flexible brick;
• Gypsum brick tiles;
• Cement;
• Clinker;
• Ceramic.

Decorative tiles are well suited to imitate brickwork, both for interior and exterior decoration. This is a modern finishing material that has not only decorative properties, but also additional characteristics, such as:

• Resistance to precipitation;
• Vapor permeability;
• Resistant to sunlight;
• Resistance to the appearance of microorganisms.

Such material is quite easy to mount on the wall surface. It is especially comfortable to work with rounded surfaces or corners.

They are used for interior decoration of corridors, living rooms, kitchens, basements, loggias (balconies). Tiles are also used for fireplaces of all shapes, columns and other architectural forms, regardless of the complexity of shapes and curves.

Depending on the design decision, they can be used to finish all walls or one wall, or to create a “brick insert” in the overall interior. Tiles are made of thin material, so they can be glued to a specific area of ​​the wall, choosing different shades and shapes.

Installation work for flexible tiles

The main advantage of such material is the method of its installation. No power tools or other heavy construction equipment is required to install the slabs. You will need:

• Spatula for glue;
• Spatula with teeth for applying glue;
• Building level about a meter long;
• The usual ruler is about 1 meter long;
• Cord for marking (beating track);
• Pencil;
• Scissors (strong, sewing);
• Round brush of medium hardness, for jointing seams.

In addition to the main material, you need to treat the walls with a primer. For installation, use ordinary tile adhesive. For convenience, you can buy ready-made mortars in buckets. Different materials of flexible tiles may have different properties, so you should consult the seller when buying.

Before starting installation, the walls should be leveled. Flexible tiles are thin in size, so smoothing out irregularities with it will not work. Having prepared the walls, as for a fine finish, a primer and antiseptic solutions should be applied so that a fungus does not form under the masonry. Such material is polymeric, which is why its service life is quite long. After the soil dries, proceed to installation. It is necessary to glue the tiles at a temperature of at least +5 Celsius, otherwise it may later peel off from the surface due to poor adhesion of materials.

Operating procedure:

• Stitching is done with a thin brush moistened with water. This must be done almost immediately, before the solution has time to set. Alignment occurs along vertical and horizontal seams.

For flexible tiles, you do not need to buy a separate grouting solution, this can be called another advantage of such an imitation. The material should be purchased from one batch, like an ordinary brick, so that there are no differences in shades.

Gypsum tiles

Gypsum facing tiles imitating decorative bricks are the most cost-effective. The products are light in weight, so it is not difficult to mount them on the wall. It also allows you to use it when finishing "weak" thin walls, since the load on the wall will not be significant. However, to achieve good adhesion to the wall, a gypsum-based adhesive must be used. The main disadvantage of this material can be called poor moisture resistance. Gypsum itself strongly absorbs moisture, so it is not recommended to use them in rooms with high humidity.

Special additives and solutions are applied to the surface of some imitators, allowing the use of gypsum materials even for exterior facades, but such material is a little more expensive. These types of tiles are mounted on a special adhesive for outdoor use (“reinforced adhesive”, “adhesive for complex substrates”).

Brick-like tiles for interior work are available in various shapes, for the convenience of laying corners. Thanks to such elements, you can not only make brickwork neat, but also more durable, since the corners will not chip off.

The disadvantage of all solid materials for brick finishing is the need to purchase mortars for grouting. The seams have not only an aesthetic function, but also create a continuous masonry layer that protects the surface of the walls.

Brick wall cladding

The main advantage of Portland cement slabs is a variety of colors, as well as low cost. In addition, products made from Portland cement have high physical and mechanical properties. In other words, high material strength, wear resistance and resistance to temperature extremes. Such material can be used even in basements without heating.

Most often they are made under the old brick. For production, cement 400 or 500 grades are used. Plasticizers and additives are added to the solution to increase the strength of the material.

The solution is placed in silicone molds, and after setting they are decorated to the desired color or texture. For self-production, you can purchase special silicone molds, they can also be used to make gypsum blanks. The form can be made by hand.

Clinker tiles

Clinker boards have a high price, which is why their use as an interior finish is rare. Clinker has good performance, it is resistant to the external environment, and therefore you can often find it in the cladding of building facades. Application for interior decoration is advisable if it is necessary to mount it not on a fireplace or stove.

In the manufacture of this material, natural environmental substances are used. Clay is used as a raw material, which is fired at a temperature of about 1300 degrees. The result is a durable material that is resistant to all types of natural precipitation.

Clinker tiles have good hygroscopic properties. They do not absorb moisture, which is why they have good frost resistance. The strength of the material ensures long-term wear resistance of the plates.

The decorative component of such plates is as diverse as the physical and mechanical indicators. There are many color schemes of materials on the market with different textured patterns that mimic an old interior or a new coating. The surface may be smooth or rough. There are a variety of sizes of clinker slabs.

Ceramic tiles are made from clay and sand. To give color, various dyes are added. Such material does not have much weight. (because of which it can be mounted on any wall), has many shapes and colors and has the same decorative properties as clinker. The main disadvantage is the fragility of the material. The price of such plates is not high, but it is the expensive materials that really look beautiful, since the cheap ones look like ordinary tiles.

Installation of brick tiles

All hard types of imitating tiles are mounted approximately the same. The differences are only in the use of different adhesives. To work, you need all the same tools as for flexible tiles, but plus they require a grinder with a diamond wheel on stone for sawing plates.

Installation work is much more difficult, the presence of skills will be an additional plus. Facing is similar to bricklaying, only if it had a thin thickness. The order of work is this:

In Europe and the USA, brick wall decoration has long been a popular style in the interior. Such walls look good in studio apartments with large windows. In our region, few people make such walls, being afraid to give them a too gloomy and brutal look. In fact, this is just an illusion, brick-shaped walls look spectacular, practical and simply beautiful.

We also suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video material on the installation of gypsum tiles under the brick:

One of the most fashionable and modern interior design trends can be called the design of materials that imitate brickwork. Rooms decorated in the Loft style look stylish, catchy and extravagant, and the most profitable solution for creating such an effect would be to use special brick-like tiles that can decorate any type of room and give an unusual look to furnishings.

Application

Interior tiles can be used for decoration:

living room

• Hallways and corridors

  Interior items

  Stoves and fireplaces

Varieties

High-quality tiles, which after laying on the wall are really difficult to distinguish from bricks, are made from natural ceramics and artificial stone.

Most of all, the tile satisfies the condition of external resemblance to real masonry:

ceramic

It is made from natural low-melting clay using the same technology as facing ceramic bricks, so decorating rooms with such tiles creates a complete illusion of real brick walls. Suitable for decorating any vertical surfaces in dry and wet rooms, facing fireplaces and any design solutions with Loft style. Color variations in this case can be varied - from an almost perfect white shade to any natural, as well as deep dark tones and their combinations.

Clinker

Clinker tiles are a stronger and more durable type of ceramic tiles. Special strength characteristics are achieved through the use of refractory clays as raw materials with the addition of metal oxides: aluminum, iron, calcium and magnesium, as well as high firing temperatures from 1200 to 1300 C. The range of color variations and textures is no less wide. Depending on what visual effect is required to achieve, the products are treated with water, sand, rollers and brushes before firing. Clinker is the most reliable and durable facing material of all presented, and in the interior it can last almost indefinitely.

hand molded

Another subspecies of tiles, the main advantage and distinctive feature of which is a special rough surface with an easily recognizable texture of old brick. This effect occurs due to a special technology in which clay raw materials for the future product are manually placed into molds. The color is often uneven with gradient transitions, mixtures of colors and tan to give the appearance of uneven firing. Similar decorative effects are formed during the baking process when coal, powder impurities and oxides are added to the oven. When using such tiles in the interior, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from genuine old masonry.

Made of artificial stone

In the manufacture of artificial stone products, natural natural ingredients are used: clay, purified quarry sand and crushed rocks: dolomite, limestone, gypsum. The color is provided by safe pigments, usually of a natural shade, which gives the final product a great resemblance to the front brick surface.

Advantages

With facade cladding, the thickness of the brick (especially hollow brick) becomes an advantage, as it provides additional external thermal insulation of the building. With interior work, dignity turns into a disadvantage, since the extra volume eats up space without bringing significant benefits in maintaining heat. Wall tiles are a more economical and smart solution. In addition, it is cheaper, because it takes less raw materials to manufacture it, which in turn reduces the cost.

Additional advantages include a lower consumption of adhesive solution, in comparison with the cost of classical masonry, which reduces the cost of work.

The works themselves are also not difficult, and their implementation does not require special construction training.

Someone likes wallpaper, someone prefers the spartan atmosphere that creates brick effect tiles for interior decoration, a great solution for the original design. By the way, not only the kitchen, but also the living room, and even more so the entrance hall, are noticeably transformed if a tiled coating is used in them, the main thing is that the decoration is done with high quality. And how to achieve the desired result, not knowing the characteristics of the material?

How are brick tiles used for interior decoration?

When tile first appeared on the construction market about ten years ago, it was assigned the role of only an external coating, and, due to the high cost, mainly facades were faced. Then this finishing material was also used in restoration work, however, in this case, all elements were made to order. Over time, the technology for manufacturing ceramic imitation bricks has become more perfect, and the tile turned out to be a great find for designers. Today, such cladding is a common element of decor in many modern apartments and houses.

The simplest option is a frame for window and door openings, as well as for various kinds of niches and, of course, mirrors rigidly fixed to the wall. For this purpose, ceramics imitating old masonry are best suited. A similar effect is obtained when covering fireplaces or, separately, mantelpieces with this material. Very often, brick tiles for the kitchen are used in the manufacture of an apron. Another option for decorating a room that does not require a large consumption of tiles is facing an external or internal corner. The less symmetry in the finish, the better, a more holistic, natural picture is obtained.

Do not overestimate the importance of cladding in decor, everything should be in moderation, if all the walls are covered with ceramics, the room will look like a basement.

Brick-like ceramic tiles are also effectively used for interior decoration of a wall fragment. The latter option is good for zoning, for example, lining the wall behind the TV. It is very interesting to experiment with combining different types of ceramics. For example, finish part of the wall with an imitation of red building bricks, and the other with tiles for masonry, but of a different color, for example, yellow, and you get the impression that pieces of two different buildings are connected in the building. And, of course, it is possible to combine cladding with wallpaper or decorative plaster.

What is a decorative brick tile?

To date, there are several options for cladding, differing in the method of manufacture and component composition. This is known to many clinker, as well as polymer cement and ceramic tiles, and similar finishing materials are made from gypsum. The first type is obtained from plastic clay by firing it at a temperature within 1200 degrees, in the process of extrusion (squeezing out the liquid mass, followed by cutting) or pressing in special forms. Most often, each decorative brick-like tile imitates a separate building block, while exceeding the original in terms of reliability, especially in terms of moisture resistance and resistance to alkalis with acids.

However, there is another option, when a whole panel is made in a mold from several rows of masonry, 2-3 stones long, with authentically made seams. This kind of cladding is most often made from a polymer-cement mixture, as well as from ceramics, and is a cheaper type of finishing materials. One panel covers a fairly large area, which saves time and effort, but the brick imitation in this case is not complete, since the repeating elements are too similar. In addition, in places where seams are simulated, the material is somewhat weakened, especially in polymer-cement cladding, which is thinner and lighter than ceramic.

However, not only clay or white cement along with brittle gypsum can be used to make tiles. Often, these wall covering materials are made from glass, with which imitation of ice blocks or even marble bricks is achieved. Moreover, the glass mass can be turned into an imitation of gold, silver or cobalt by adding some additives. Tiles are very beautiful, including a complex of ceramics and glass, due to which there is an effect of depth and volume in a seemingly ordinary “brick”.

Laying tiles under a brick - the nuances you need to know

Of the little things that are not taken into account when decorating a room, sometimes there are very significant flaws, because of which it may be necessary to redo part of the work, and sometimes start all over again. This is especially true for wall cladding with ceramics. It would seem, well, what's so difficult - stick and forget. But no, as a result, a poorly executed coating crumbles quite easily. Therefore, we will study it in all aspects and start with the features of fasteners. The fact is that on the back side of the tile, whether it is a glossy ceramic brick or clinker, it is always made rough, for better connection with the surface through the mounting mixture. The latter can be either cement mortar with additional components or glue, and what exactly to use depends on the characteristic features of the tile and the place of decoration.

So, if you need to cover a stove or fireplace with an imitation of brick, it is better to use cement, regardless of the mass of the individual elements of the cladding, their thickness and decorativeness. It is very difficult to choose an adhesive composition that can withstand high temperatures, and an ordinary cement-sand mortar with the addition of PVA or CMC in an equal proportion with Portland cement copes well with the task assigned to it. You can also find hot glue, but it is much more expensive, and installation with it is best done with small amounts of work. For wall cladding, it is easier to use a conventional tile composition. So, what is the laying of tiles under the brick - figured out, it remains to find out how.

Laying tiles under a brick - a step by step diagram

Step 1: Preparing the base

In order for the cladding to hold well, there is absolutely no need for irregularities on the walls, if any, the coating will lie in waves. Therefore, we carefully level the base, cutting down the protrusions (small potholes and depressions are acceptable, the glue will hold better), and if necessary, we also plaster. Then we cover the entire intended space with a deep penetration primer, when it dries, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Applying glue

Here you can go two ways. Most masters and beginners prefer to cover a certain section of the wall under 2-3 tiles with a mounting compound, while someone does the opposite and applies the adhesive mass directly to the facing element. Both options are acceptable, the main thing is that the layer is thick enough, but not excessively, half a centimeter is enough, then with a special notched trowel we draw the grooves that are needed for the composition to sink under the tile.

Step 3: Laying

With the help of the level, we draw a line along which we will put our first ceramic cladding element. It is better to start from the corner, having previously calculated the rows so that when passing sockets or switches, you have to cut no more than one plate. Next, decorative panels for brick walls, suitable for interior decoration, are pressed onto the prepared adhesive or cement "cushion", laying out the first row. We smooth out the composition that has come out in the seams with a special rubber narrow spatula or a small piece of hose. If we are talking about panels on which several "bricks" are reproduced, we join their edge to edge, if each tile imitates a block, we put the rows in a checkerboard pattern.

Step 4: Grout

After the fragment of the wall you have chosen is covered with cladding, we wait until the adhesive composition hardens slightly, after which we gently cover the special grout mixture with a rubber spatula into the seams. Then it remains only to wait for its incomplete solidification in order to push it deeper with the same piece of hose. We clean the resulting finish with a damp sponge and admire the result.

Traditionally, the facades of buildings were decorated with bricks. For interior decoration, other, more aesthetically beautiful materials were used, the simplest of which remains plaster. But with the advent of new trends in design, more and more attention began to be paid to bricks in the interior. Its negligence and original texture organically flow into a number of stylistic trends. It is expensive to clad walls with real bricks, and full-fledged masonry “eats up” a lot of extra space. A number of high-quality imitations have been created that are visually difficult to distinguish from the original. Decorative brick tiles are used to decorate houses both inside and outside. Depending on the type of material that was used to make it, it can be as strong as the original. Let's talk about how to properly install tiles and consider fashionable options for decorating walls.

Varieties of material

Decor tiles imitating bricks are made from different materials. Some prove to be durable, while others have a more presentable and unusual look. The main classification includes five types:

• Ceramic tile. A traditional timeless option that has stood the test of time and has shown excellent results in terms of durability.
• Clinker. Frost-resistant material, which is often used for finishing the facades of houses.
• Gypsum tiles. A beautiful material that can be adjusted at the manufacturing stage.
• Concrete tiles. It is made using the technology of pouring a liquid composition into a mold until it is completely hardened. Concrete is strong, durable, easy to paint, but strongly "cools" the room. In general, it refers to materials for rough finishing and is used to create another type of tile - paving.
• Flexible. An innovative option that has a small thickness, but at the same time reliably protects the wall surface.

To create decorative bricks, not only these materials are used. Various hardening mixtures are used, which can be made from natural, synthetic components.

Flexible tiles really bend well and its name is not at all a publicity stunt to lure buyers. According to the degree of plasticity, it resembles foam rubber. The material is made from sand and acrylic with the addition of pigments. The main advantage of flexible tiles lies in the ability to carry out laying in the corners without violating the integrity of the fragments, that is, they are simply bent and fixed on the wall. When it is necessary to cut off some part for finishing the edges, the material can be easily cut. The flexible tile authentically imitates a brick, and reliably protects a wall surface. It can be used as a finishing material and for decorating the facade of a house, but the difficulty in removing dirt from the surface becomes a serious obstacle to such decoration. Flexible tiles are environmentally friendly and non-flammable, but they cannot be treated with detergents containing alkalis.

Despite its external “unreliability”, the material will last for many years, and its installation will seem easy even for beginners.

plaster

The option is popular because of its cheapness, but in terms of quality it is much inferior to ceramics and clinker. Gypsum tiles can be made with your own hands, having previously bought molds for pouring. The surface of each fragment will have to be treated with a special composition. Unfortunately, the protective layer will not be able to save the material from the harmful effects of moisture for a long time. In addition, any mechanical impact (up to a punch) will cause the fragments to split. Gypsum is beautiful, but completely impractical. It can only be used as a decor for interior decoration in those rooms where there is always dry air. Due to the fragility of the material, its surface after manufacturing can be decorated with cracks and roughness, which are typical for real brickwork.

Clinker

Clinker is referred to as bricks. It is based on a mixture of refractory shale clays and feldspar, which, after firing at ultra-high temperatures, become incredibly hard. The Germans gave the original name to the material because of the special sound that the elements make when they collide with each other. Clinker tiles are universal and are used for both external and internal finishing work. The material has all the advantages of ceramics, but it is stronger and more durable.

ceramic

Ceramic tile is no different from ordinary tiles used in kitchens and bathrooms, except for a rectangular brick shape rather than the standard square one. The material is made from a special grade of clay, which is mixed with quartz particles, pigments and carbonates. Ceramic tile has a relatively low weight, retains color even with constant contact with the sun's rays, and does not respond to changes in humidity in the room. The material is durable and strong. Ceramics can have a different texture, but matte and glossy surfaces remain the most popular options. The color range allows you to choose tiles for a specific range of interior.

Styles with brickwork

Brickwork is not suitable for all areas. It has become a kind of hallmark of the loft. The "combed" industrial style due to this decor emphasizes the conciseness of the interior and the close "kinship" of the room with the workshop. The tile usually has a rough surface and mimics a rough brown brick. In minimalism, such a cladding will decorate a practical environment without frills. For this direction, materials of calm tones (gray, white) with a smooth surface are chosen. In high-tech, neutral shades are also used. A stylish solution would be a brick tile with a glossy surface that imitates metal. With country and Provence, the option is combined “with a creak”. In the style of the French hinterland, bricks are used only in gentle tones, and the country accepts a rough texture, as in a loft. In the Gothic direction, tiles with the effect of Venetian plaster are used, that is, with a surface that resembles marble in chaotic stains.

Ideas for using brick tiles

Brick tiles decorate only certain sections of the walls in the rooms. If you cover the entire surface with this material, then the design will put pressure on the household and cause psychological discomfort. In rare exceptions, decorative tiles are used to decorate the entire room when it is necessary to realistically recreate a medieval interior. Such decor will look appropriate only in specific rooms, for example, in a fireplace room.

In the hallway and corridor

In the hallway or corridor, with the help of decorative bricks, attention is focused on individual elements. Most often it is a doorway or a large mirror. Open corners are also decorated with material. The “torn edge” technique is very popular, in which the edges of the masonry have a sloppy look. Such "negligence" is perfectly combined with strict interiors, diluting the atmosphere. If the hallway or corridor is cramped, then it is recommended to use light-colored material.

In the living room

A fireplace is considered a stylish and cozy element in the living room. To make this section of the room look more colorful, it is decorated with brickwork. In this case, only ceramics or clinker can be used, since the material must be refractory. If the fireplace is located in a corner, partially adjoining walls are decorated with tiles. The original solution would be to decorate two surfaces located opposite each other. So that even a dark brick does not create a gloomy atmosphere, a large, bulky mirror is hung behind the sofa, and a wide TV is installed opposite. With such a finish, a snow-white sofa, a glass coffee table and a soft carpet that completely covers the floor will be in harmony. The accent wall is also decorated with tiles, on which a TV and a group of paintings, photographs, posters are placed. In rare cases, bricks run in a narrow vertical strip from ceiling to floor. This solution is effective in combination with simple plaster. The combination of real brick with its imitation looks non-standard. At the same time, the rough texture of the first contrasts with the smooth surface and well-groomed appearance of the second. The top of the wall is decorated with genuine brick, and starting from the line at eye level, it is lined with decorative tiles.

In the kitchen

Decorative tiles most often decorate the wall, which has a kitchen set. If such a design will "press" too much on a person, then they are limited only to an apron, which is traditionally made of ceramics. The original option would be to create a "niche" for the hood, which will imitate a similar element above the stove. Its surface is finished with aged brick tiles. If the kitchen is combined with the dining area, then the room can be zoned using a false wall. In order not to spoil the visual perception of space, it is recommended to build this partition not to the ceiling, but to the height of a person. Gypsum cannot be used to decorate the kitchen, as the material will quickly become completely unusable. In spacious rooms with an island layout, it is recommended to use black brick with light seams in the masonry, which will contrast with the gloss of the white bar counter and be combined with a dark suite. With the help of decorative tiles, you can emphasize the features of a custom-shaped kitchen. To decorate small rooms, they resort to a tricky move: they use mirror bricks that will visually enlarge the space, expanding its boundaries. A similar option is suitable for loft and high-tech. If the interior is supplemented with elements made of metal (chrome-plated surfaces), then this effect can be doubled.

In the bedroom, it is not recommended to use flashy bricks. In a room that is designed for rest and sleep, it is better to use pastel colors and white. The accent wall is trimmed with masonry at the head of the bed or opposite it. Complement the design with a couple of paintings, stylish sconces or stone letters. White brick is in harmony with plaster or delicate wallpaper, decorated with floral ornaments. If a material with a relief surface is used, on which there are roughnesses, it is emphasized by an additional decorative lighting system. For a modern bedroom with a hanging bed, white brick tiles are used to decorate the wall at the head of the bed. Complement the decor with a long open shelf for books and matching panel curtains. In minimalist bedrooms, an abstract painting is hung on the wall, and plastered surfaces are decorated with weaving plants in hanging planters. In rare cases, when a fireplace is planned to be installed in a room, it is placed between the windows. This section of the wall is decorated with dark brick, which contrasts with light curtains, but is combined with wooden ceiling beams. Such a design solution is close to the style of a chalet. To emphasize the negligence of the design, you can not buy paintings, but depict graffiti directly on the wall.

The brick surface can take a direct part in the zoning of the combined room. At the same time, a partition made of frosted glass or plastic will become a stylish addition.

In the bathroom

Traditionally, tiles are used to finish the bathroom. Ceramic tile under a brick is in no way inferior to this material in terms of its characteristics. In the bathroom, only one wall is usually finished, which will become accent. In small rooms, you can not use the material of dark shades. The tile imitating plaster texture will organically complement the tile. In this room, it is not recommended to use the “torn edge” laying. A combination of two types of tiles will look stylish:

Reflective pieces are woven into the regular tile over the sink to create an asymmetric mirror, and partially add individual pieces in the shower area.

Laying technology

The laying technique includes four stages:

• Preparatory work and surface treatment.
• Application of composition.
• Tile fixing.
• Final grouting.

Even a beginner can cope with the installation of any type of tile. First you need to measure the room and calculate the required amount of material. When laying individual bricks, you need to focus on a straight line that is applied to the wall so that the rows are even.

The wall must be cleaned of dirt or a layer of old paint, and the previous finishing material must be dismantled. In the presence of large defects, they must be repaired with putty and carefully level the surface. After the composition dries, an additional layer of primer is applied. It will ensure good adhesion between the adhesive and the wall. After the primer dries (it is advisable to wait a day from the moment of application), it is covered with a bonding agent. In its role can be building glue or cement mortar. The layer thickness should not exceed 0.5 cm. The composition can only be applied to the wall, to the back of the tile, or both options can be used at once. At the same time, the processed piece of the surface to be decorated should not exceed 0.5 m in area. Keep in mind that the composition can quickly harden, so you will have to glue it quickly. For lining fireplaces, cement mortar is used, as other substances may not withstand heat.

If the reverse side of the fragment is smooth, then a spatula with serrated edges is used to apply glue or cement mortar. In cases where the "wrong side" of the tile has a relief, then a tool with a straight working part is used.

Laying tiles

For any type of installation, it is recommended to move from the corner to the center. Each fragment is pressed against the surface with force and, if necessary, its location is adjusted until the tiled brick is fixed. Excess adhesive or cement mortar must be removed immediately with a rubber spatula. To make the seams the same, it is recommended to use rubber spacers. The options for laying decorative tiles are the same as for conventional bricks. Among the most aesthetically beautiful note:

• Spoon laying with an offset of 1/2 and 1/4. This is a traditional option that is found in typical houses.
• Chain laying. It is characterized by the alternation in each row of long bricks with square fragments, which are equal to half of them.
• Cross masonry. In the first row of plates, whole fragments are laid, and in the second - their halves. The main thing is that the small pieces are located directly above the center of the large ones. Thus, brick "crosses" will be obtained.

Silesian, Gothic, Flemish and chaotic masonry are also in demand. In the latter case, each brick is located as the designer wishes. The result can be a very original composition. After the tiles are fixed, it is necessary to grout the joints so that they take on a neat appearance. For these purposes, special compositions based on cement or epoxy resins are used. After the mortar has dried, its excess is removed from the surface of the tile with a damp cloth.

Conclusion

It is not necessary to finish the room with only one type of tile. Bricks can be combined in color and texture. Using masonry from excellent fragments, they perform zoning of a room or emphasize individual design elements. The combination of shades is usually performed according to the principle of analogy, since a contrasting composition can add "heaviness" to the space. The color of the brick must be continued in the furniture or flooring.