The Secret to Perfecting the Exterior Color of Your Brick Home
TL;DR
When choosing brick for a new construction home, most people focus only on the brick color. But the mortar actually plays a huge role in how the finished exterior looks. Mortar color and even the sand used in it can dramatically change the final appearance of your home.
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The Hidden Secret Behind Brick Color on New Homes
When most homeowners choose brick for their new construction home, they naturally focus on one thing:
The brick color. But there's an important detail many people don't realize:
A large portion of the color you see on a finished brick home actually comes from the mortar - not the brick itself. This is one of the biggest factors in determining how the exterior of your home will ultimately look.
Mortar Color Changes Everything
Mortar sits between every brick on the exterior of the house, which means it makes up a significant portion of what your eye sees when looking at the finished wall.
That means the color of the mortar can dramatically change the appearance of the brick. For example:
- White mortar creates a bright, high-contrast look
- Gray mortar softens the appearance of many bricks
- Buff or tan mortar can warm up the color of the exterior
Even if you use the same brick, different mortar colors can make the home look completely different.
Even the Sand Matters
Another detail that many homeowners overlook is that the sand used in mortar also affects the color. For example, if you plan to use white mortar, you must use white sand. Otherwise, the color will change and the finished appearance may not match what you expected. Builders pay close attention to this because the wrong combination can alter the entire aesthetic of the house.
Why This Matters When Building a New Home
When designing a new construction home, small choices like this can have a major impact on the final result.
Choosing the right combination of brick color, mortar color and sand color can completely change the visual style of your home's exterior. That's why experienced builders carefully evaluate all three before construction begins.
Tips for Choosing the Right Brick and Mortar Combination
If you're building a new home, here are a few helpful tips:
- Look at Brick Samples With Mortar - Always view brick samples with the intended mortar color, not just the brick by itself.
- Ask for a Mock-Up Panel - Many builders will create a sample wall section so you can see the final combination before the full home is built.
- Consider the Overall Style - The mortar color can influence whether your home feels:
- Modern
- Traditional
- Rustic
- Classic Southern
The Bottom Line
When choosing the exterior of your new home, remember this: Brick isn't the only thing that determines the color of your house. Mortar, and even the sand used in the mortar, plays a huge role in the final appearance. By carefully selecting the right combination, you can ensure your home's exterior looks exactly the way you envisioned.
Building or Buying in the Shoals?
If you're planning to build or buy a home in Muscle Shoals, Florence, or the surrounding Shoals area, Wright Realty Shoals can help guide you through the entire process from design decisions to closing.