A guide to brick colours

An overview of the different colours of facing bricks, how to choose a complementary mortar colour, and brick matching.

Brick colour plays a huge factor in the finished look and feel of a project. From warm, rich reds to bold black and striking white, facing bricks are available in a whole spectrum of colours.

The colour of clay bricks is influenced by the chemical and mineral content of the raw materials, the firing temperature and the atmosphere in the kiln. All these factors affect the final colour tone, meaning that there is a huge variety of clay brick colours on offer.

Discover examples of different brick colours below.

Brick colours

Large modern red brick building with man walking past

Red Bricks

A classic red clay brick offers a warm colour tone, ranging from bright and bold to rich, dark reds. These bricks are as versatile as they are timeless.

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Orange Bricks

Create warmth and vibrancy with orange clay facing bricks, is ideal for traditional charm or a contemporary aesthetic.

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Buff and Yellow Bricks

Buff, yellow and cream bricks are bright and vibrant, ranging from off-white tones to rich, golden yellows that evoke warmth and depth.

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Curved wall modern school with white brick facade

White Bricks

White bricks reflect light and radiate elegance. See how white coloured bricks can make projects stand out from the crowd.

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Pedestrians walking past modern grey brick houses

Grey Bricks

Make a modern statement with grey bricks, from whiter shades to deep, dark charcoal tones.

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Multifamily setting with black glazed facing brick slips in Crakow

Black Bricks

Bold and beautiful, black facing bricks can help architects make a statement with light and shadow.

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Blue Bricks

Including glazed blue bricks and classic blue engineering bricks, blue clay facing bricks offer a different palette of colours for a unique aesthetic.

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Green glazed brick extension on terraced house

Glazed Bricks

Build outside the box with a rainbow of colours. Glazed bricks offer architects a whole spectrum of colours.

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Brick colour variation

Clay bricks are a natural product therefore colours may differ slightly from one production run to another. The mixing of bricks from packs will provide a good balance of colour, particularly with ‘multi’ coloured products, and help to prevent ‘colour banding’ within elevations of finished brickwork. Unless advised otherwise, mix from a minimum of 3 packs.

Using differing colours and textures of bricks can result in some striking facades, be mindful though that different brick types have different dimensional tolerances and if blending imported bricks with UK bricks there may even be differing sizes to take into consideration. By working with us closely, we can help you with the selection of your bricks and the creation of your design.

Blending

Currently there is a growing trend for projects to incorporate a mix of different products to create their own signature blend for a building. This gives customers the chance to create a project that is entirely unique in appearance and character. We’re able to offer this service, with access to the largest range of bricks available in the UK, meaning that customers can mix and match from a huge selection of colours and textures for complete individuality.

Mortar colour

Mortar accounts for 15 - 17% of the visible brickwork of a wall, depending on the bond pattern, so another key consideration for determining the overall appearance of a building is mortar colour.

The same brick can have a totally different appearance depending on what mortar colour it is paired with. It is important to check that your mortar will suit the surrounding built environment, particularly when repointing existing brickwork.

We would recommend trialling different mortar colours as part of the selection process, in order to ensure the end product has the exact look and feel that you’re looking for.

Architect or designer comparing brick sample in front of computer screen

Brick matching service

Do you need help with a brick match? We offer a free brick matching service.

Brick matching can be tricky, so if you require assistance in identifying a brick or finding the closest Wienerberger product match, we’re here to help.

Simply send an image of your brick/s that you would like us to match and if we are unable to identify the brick, we will arrange for one of our Area Sales Managers to contact you to discuss your options further.

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Glazed Bricks

Glazed bricks continue to see a growing rise in popularity in recent years, especially in the specification market. Wienerberger's glazed brick range offers a core range of standard colours, with a bespoke service where custom colours, shapes and sizes can be ordered. We can even provide our special shaped brick range with a fully customised glazed face to match standard sized bricks for a seamless effect on the facade.

The possibilities are endless, offering architects and designers a true artist’s palette with a choice of colors and hues. Looking to create a statement facade with a glazed brick finish? Our Crystal range of high specification facing bricks features a spectrum of 12 opaque shades, including brights and neutrals. Available in 9 captivating shades, the Pearl collection of glazed bricks features a slightly translucent and high shine glaze for a soft and radiant effect.The Pearl collection offers a palette of colours from bold and vibrant to subtle and understated. View the full collection here.

These glazed bricks not only deliver a striking visual impact but also boast a resilient ceramic finish, ensuring easy maintenance and durability in diverse weather conditions. Wienerberger's glazed bricks seamlessly blend beauty and practicality, preserving your structure's vibrancy and original design throughout its lifetime.