Imitation brick cladding - why is it not a good choice?

The use of full-size clay bricks in our homes is not always possible because bricks usually are part of the structural support of the building and should be installed while it is still being constructed. That is why instead, many clients choose products like imitation brick wall cladding. It’s a siding that has been made to look like bricks but can be installed much quicker and at a lower cost. Usually, it is made from plastic or foam, which makes it light, portable, and easy to put on the wall, even by someone inexperienced in that matter. It is easy to see that such materials are not the most resilient ones, especially if we want to install the cladding outside the house where it will be exposed to extreme weather conditions. Also, it may not be a good idea to put such materials in the kitchen or bathroom where there’s changing temperature, steam, and heat.

Imitation brick cladding & asbestos claims

Such products may seem good from afar, but the moment you get close to the surface of imitation brick cladding, you will see that it’s not the real brick, and it may look quite cheap. We should remember that such materials as foam and plastic are also much less resistant when it comes to day to day use and the passage of time. They may chip away or fade their colors. They’re not good for the environment - real bricks can be reclaimed, and often their historic charm adds to their value, but plastic veneer simply creates more waste. There is also information about how in imitation brick cladding asbestos could be found as well. We all know that this mineral is known for its harmfulness and can cause the development of mesothelioma.

Better alternative to imitation brick cladding

Now that we know that imitation brick cladding may not be the best choice for our house - or for our health - we should focus on some other options. Luckily, on the market, we can find many excellent cladding options, which incorporate real bricks. We can choose brick veneer cladding, natural brick slips, or even brick panel systems. All of those products use parts of traditional bricks, which makes them much more stylish and provides a higher quality of finish. What’s more, cladding done with these products offers some of the main advantages of this wonderful material, such as immunity to extreme weather conditions, fire resistance, ease of use, and cleaning convenience. Which brick cladding option will you choose?