7 Things You Should Know Before Installing Brick Floors
I had believed that I required an exposed brick wall, a plush sectional, and a huge blanket. But it turns out I actually need brick floors after getting sidetracked by Instagram kitchen inspiration. Actually, there isn’t any other choice.
Nearly 40,000 Instagram users who “liked” a photo of a kitchen with brick flooring that House Beautiful uploaded realized they also required the look. “Kind of makes me want to go barefoot, open the windows, and prepare a pitcher of sangria,” one user wrote, summarizing the emotions nicely. The main issue was that I had little knowledge about brick flooring. Is it truly made of brick? How in the world is the maintenance? I looked into it so that you don’t have to.
Brick is an extremely durable flooring option.
Brick homes from hundreds of years ago can still be found standing in each historical city. The ability of brick to survive harsh environments is one of its greatest qualities.
But you should be wary of moisture damage.
To prevent mold and cracking, a sealer must be periodically applied to the bricks. Bricks may withstand rain effectively when placed vertically, but when placed horizontally, moisture can accumulate and seep beneath the surface.
It’s not the most comfortable flooring option.
Brick is fantastic because it is durable, but it is not particularly comfortable underfoot. You’d probably need some form of mat or rug to help you stand for extended amounts of time if your kitchen has a brick floor because it won’t feel great on your feet.
It can be cheaper than other flooring options.
According to Houzz, brick will often cost less than $10 per square foot. Even if installation fees aren’t included, it’s still less expensive than, say, marble flooring, which can run up to $20 per square foot.
It will make your furniture a little rocky.
Your flooring will never be perfectly level, thus it is likely that your kitchen benches may sag slightly. It isn’t perfect, but it still has a fantastic appearance.
You can leave it textured, or seal it with a glossy coating.
The brick can be left unfinished so that it has a rough and uneven surface if you want to go for a truly rustic appearance. However, if you prefer a more polished appearance, you can have a wax coating applied to seal it.
If you don’t want actual brick, you can use tile.
You can always choose a tile that mimics brick instead of committing to brick (they can cost around $5/square foot). There are possibilities at places like The Tile Shop, Lowes, and Home Depot.
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