When building an extension, or adding new bricks to any existing masonry structure, unmatched brickwork is a common problem. And while you may find bricks the same size, texture, or colour, sourcing bricks with all three properties can prove more challenging.
A lot of houses in the UK are built from bricks that are no longer made, and even those that are still made could be rare.
This can result in bricks that look out of place, and reduce the curb appeal and value of your property.
But don't worry: brick tinting and brick weathering services are here to save the day - and we're here to provide the expertise you need to get the job done right!
Contact our expertsWhat is brick tinting?
Brick tinting involves altering the colour of a brick to match existing brickwork and improve the visual appeal.
It's primarily used when building extensions or in situations where new bricks have been added (e.g. filling in a doorway, replacing damaged masonry etc) resulting in a colour variation from the existing structure.
Brick tinting is the solution when the original brick has been discontinued or simply can't be found in the required timescales for a project.
What about weathering?
Sometimes people need their bricks to have a more aged or weathered appearance. Brick weathering can help tone down the colour of new bricks and match them to century-old bricks.
For instance, if you are undertaking renovations or remedial work on an older or historic building, you may want to darken the bricks and make them look like they have been exposed to the elements over many years.
This can even be the case for bricks that have been in situ for only 10 years; the newer ones can look markedly different.
Brick tinting is the solution when the original brick has been discontinued or can't be found for a project
Why do it?
There is an increasing need for brick tinting and brick weathering within the UK.
Most of the time, it comes down to the fact that you simply can't find the perfect match - and even if you do manage to find the same brick used on your original masonry structure via our expert Brick Matching service, you will still have to battle production defects, batch colour variations, and even weathering (as your bricks have been outside and exposed to the elements).
The bottom line is that your new bricks will likely look different from any existing brickwork, which makes brick tinting and brick weathering essential parts of the process in order to get the perfect match on many properties.
How it works
Every brick is different, and the same can be said for brick tinting projects. The mixture is carefully formulated on site and consists of water, various iron oxide colour dyes and a fixing agent (e.g. potassium silicate).
However, before any permanent tinting occurs, the solution is always tested on a small sample area beforehand to match the colour and get prior approval.
There is no fixing agent applied to the sample, so the tint can easily be washed off and the colour corrected if needed.
Once there is a perfect colour match, a fixing agent is added to the mix, and the tinting solution is applied brick by brick. The process is completed by qualified technicians, who can generally complete approximately 15-20 square metres per day (although this will vary depending on the project).
There are also other factors that can impact the duration such as the number of coats needed, the texture of the brick, level of access, and even weather conditions (brickwork needs to be dry to absorb the tint).
What about the bricks?
Nearly all types of bricks can be tinted, although more absorbent bricks perform better.
Hard bricks (such as smooth facing or engineering bricks) are very dense and have a low water absorption rate, so they require a different type of tinting solution (acrylic based).
In addition, bricks that have been sealed, painted, or treated with a waterproofing agent cannot be tinted. However, this will be identified and assessed before starting your project.
Is it safe?
Brick tinting does not damage your brickwork in any shape or form. The tinting solution absorbs directly into the brick and dyes the surface, rather than coating the face of the brick, like paint. Therefore, your bricks will still retain their physical properties and technical characteristics as per the manufacturer.
Brick tinting is also a permanent solution and comes with a 40-year guarantee. It's recognised by the BDA (Brick Development Association) as a remedial process within the industry.
Top tinting tips!
To get the best results from your tinting or weathering, we recommend the following:
⦿ Don't forget your mortar - slightly different shades can also make brickwork look different too.
⦿ Source bricks that are the right size and have a very similar texture to your existing brickwork - we can help you with that!
⦿ If you can't find an exact match, go for bricks that are close but slightly lighter in colour than your originals - it's much easier to tint bricks which are a darker colour.
⦿ Where possible, order new, clean clay bricks as they have much better porosity over second-hand or reclaimed bricks.
⦿ Make sure your bricks haven't already been sealed, painted or waterproofed - this will help ensure that they can be tinted effectively.
We're here for you
Having been around for 19 years, we work with the very best people in the industry when it comes to finding the perfect partner for your brick tinting and weathering projects.
Plus, our essential Brick Matching service has been designed to help you find the best solution with minimum fuss in super-quick time - and it costs just £29.99 (inc. VAT), which you'll get back if you decide to buy your bricks through us too.
Our expert team is standing by to help you on your journey to successful brickwork right now - get in touch and we'll get to work!
