Matching existing "thin brick"

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

June 10, 2004

I moved into a condo recently that has brick veneer on one wall in the kitchen. There are four missing bricks, and I'd like to replace them. I have tried home centers, but the kind I need aren't available there. No one seems to know where I can find these missing pieces of "decorator" brick.

Loretta Maino, Coram

This decorator brick, also called "thin brick," has become popular in interior and exterior applications. Try scouring masonry supply yards close to home. If you can, bring a sample piece of brick with you. Or take a picture of the brick wall and bring that along. The Brick Industry Association lists two New York metropolitan supply yards as distributors of thin brick: Auburndale Mason Supply in Bayside (718-357-7889) and Glenwood Mason Supply Co. in Brooklyn (718-859-6500). Contact the Brick Industry Association at its Web site, www.bia.org, and ask for help with your search.

Here's another tip: If you find a full piece of brick that is close in texture and color to the veneer, have it cut to the proper thickness - most likely a half inch - with a wet saw. Use a construction adhesive - some are made especially for brick - to secure it to the wall.