22nd June 2018
Utilising the raw façade of bare brick walls has become a mainstream design ploy over the past few years, and is a great alternative to wallpapering or painting rooms. This warehouse-style interior creates a rugged, industrial look that can be utilised to great effect in the kitchen, garage and also in newly-converted lofts.
If you’re in the process of completing a loft conversion, using exposed brick wall should be considered when the building work is finished. If this is something you’re looking into, here are some further design aspects to contemplate.
Innovative Style
The vast majority of modern homes will have plastered walls, either then painted or wallpapered over. Using exposed brick adds a more unique style to your home décor, creating a beautiful, rustic appearance without the need for ultra-modern fads that are not to everyone’s taste.
Also bear in mind that, although your styling options may be limited, brick can also be painted in various shades to expose the natural accent of the masonry work. It’s recommended to use water-based, acrylic paint after cleaning the brick exterior first.
Practicality
For a new loft conversion in particular, it may make sense to retain the original bare brick wall for practical reasons. Lofts can be difficult rooms to manoeuvre around in, especially if you have a low lying ceiling at an acute angle, so retaining the original brickwork may save time, space and also money when coming to decorate.
If your loft is small and you’re not sure of the best use of the space, have a look at What To Make Of Your Small Loft Conversion which details some great ideas to get more out of your existing property.
Brick Condition
If you do wish to plump for this style, then you must first examine the condition of the brick itself. The loft is a room that is sometimes left unattended for many years, meaning the brick exterior may have severely deteriorated over time and will simply crumble away when disturbed.
It’s also likely that a build-up of dirt and grime will make the brick look incredibly unattractive in a decorative sense. You will need to use specialised equipment, such as high pressure steamers and jet washers, or employ the services of a professional brick cleaning company to restore the natural façade.
Insulation
Although maintaining the natural brickwork will bring down decorative costs, you may face increased heating bills as it isn’t a good insulator of drafts. With no plaster or woodwork, there’ll be less protection from the elements – especially as the loft’s position on the roof of the house itself will be more exposed.
Balance
There’s no harm in plastering over one or two walls of the loft conversion, whilst leaving the remaining sides with the original brickwork. This gives you the best of both worlds, combining the industrial feel of exposed brick with more traditional wallpaper or paint jobs too.
In conclusion, consider if it’s viable to leave your new conversion with natural brickwork. Assess the condition of the brick itself and consider how heating bills may be affected by the loss of insulation. If acceptable, make sure to clean the brick surface sufficiently and add a touch of paint if desired, ensuring the exposed brick in your loft conversion becomes as stylish as possible.
If you are looking for help with your home improvement project get in touch with MPK Lofts – we specialise in loft conversions but also provide first class services for garage conversions, extensions and roofing solutions.
22nd June 2018