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Building a Home Design Dilemma Exterior

Thoughts on Old Texas Brick?

last year

We're building a custom home that will be almost entirely brick exterior, some off-black accents and a tiny bit of stone. We love the look of old san luis brick from old texas brick, but I'm finding mixed reviews online. We're in the DC area, so summers are brutal and winters are almost as brutal. Anyone used it? How is the company and how does the brick hold up? Costs compared to Belden? I haven't found anything else that comes close to the look we're going for without having to hire someone to do a mortar wash.

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Comments (5)

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Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
Is "off-black" the same as 'grey'?

Do they make an Old DC Brick?
Rachel Garrido
last year
We are in the process of building in the Nashville, TN area and are planning to use Old Texas brick in Charcoal Antique. It has been the only option we have found that gives that beautiful, tumbled look. Friends just finished a home nearby and used the Grey Antique. It looks gorgeous and they are very happy with it. It's only been up since December, though, so I can't speak to how well it holds up. Good luck with your decision!
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ptreckel
last year
Isn’t Georgetown full of beautiful red brick Federal townhomes? Isn’t there an indigenous brick there? As Mark Bischak, Architect notes, don’t they make an Old DC Brick??? I have often noted that architecture and building materials native to their area are often the best choice in both looks AND durability. Shop Local makes sense here, I think.
worthy
last year
Brick standards don't change from region to region.

As for Old Texas brick, there's more than one company using that name.

I'm not aware of any brick plants in D.C.

As for style, no one can comment when they haven't seen the brick or the house design.

if you really want to be local and authentic, you may be able to source re-cycled bricks from D.C. teardowns.
kevin9408
last year
last modified: last year
Bricks come in different hardness levels, I can't remember the scale they measure the hardness but ask your brick yard. If you can put a scratch in a brick with your finger nail it's a soft brick. But lets be clear, the DC area does not have brutal weather, and not even close to it. Mild is more the case with rarely any freezing temperatures and believe you're worrying about nothing.

The capital was made with sandstone exterior walls which is very soft and can easily be scratched with your finger nail, but it lasted 200 years. They replaced most of it with limestone which still is a soft stone and should last at least 300 years. Nearly any brick you select will last at least 10 times longer then you will. I remember now, Mohs scale.

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