Anyone with experience with Thin Brick walls

[RobotDoctor]

Does anyone have experience putting up a thin brick wall using thin brick veneer?  I have seen several videos and read a few articles about how to do this but wanted to see if there are any first hand accounts of this here.  I am going to apply thin brick against the major wall of my home office this week. I am using General Shale English Pub thin brick.  I am only doing the major wall and am not looking for any special patterns, just the standard brick pattern.  The brick has a nice rich earth tone to it (see example  picture).  Any feedback is appreciated.  Thanks.

[soberD]

I did our fireplace.  Flat section about 7' wide by 9' tall.  I'm a capable person but more of a mechanic/handyman than a carpenter, if that makes sense.  

 

Even though I read up, watched videos, etc. I was simply in over my head.  My good buddy who is a bricklayer said just get someone to put it up but I didn't listen (he definitely wasn't offering to do it).  Sections sagged, I struck grout lines at the wrong time, etc.  

 

We get a lot of compliments and it looks great from across the room but it's not perfect, and anyone who cares to look can easily find my mistakes.  I will likely be adding some trim work and crown molding to finish it off, which will help.  

 

I'm not saying don't do it yourself, but being able to practice before doing it for real would be very helpful.  

 

 

[Wooley12]

I worked with a crew installing stone patio's and walls. The masons would use Gorilla Glue when they needed to. The final grouting was a mix of  art as skill. 

 

My FIL was a Cabinet Maker and retired after managing a custom window and door mill. When I pointed out a flaw in a room that I and demoed and rebuilt he said "Your friends won't notice and if anyone points it out, they're not a real friend."

 

Go for it.

[NJBigFish22]

Make sure to take your time on the first course of brick, it will help as you work your way up the wall.  Looking at your office, I would hope your using a different substrate than drywall.  The moisture in the mortar could cause issues of adhesion and potentially mold.  Personally I would strategically remove the drywall and replace with concrete board or hardiboard.

[Mrgreen36]

Screw ledger board to wall to start off of, maybe one or two full courses up. Nice level, and sturdy to start off of. 

 

On sheets, or individual?

 

No issues going directly over the drywall. 

 

I'd probably use mastic, no worries about damp location (shower) and it's sticky. It may be more cost effective to use regular old unmodified thin set mixed on the dry side. 

 

If individual, may need spacers, snap or mark some level lines going up, a few vertical ones as well to mind your bond. 

 

Grouting that stuff sucks. 

 

Usually wet material first then you will probably be cake bagging it on. 

 

 

[RobotDoctor]

I’m applying the thin brick myself.  I’ve never done it before so I’m taking a chance.  It’s going fairly well so far, slow but good.  I’ve talked to a couple of sources regarding applying the thin brick on drywall using construction adhesive and this isn’t an issue.  I’m using Loctite Fast Grab Ultimate and it’s working very well.  I’m using 3/8” wood strips as spacers.  While the installation is going well, it isn’t without a couple flaws.  I centered the brick to the back wall instead of starting the first course butt against the wall by the windows.  This left a small gap (wider than the 3/8” grout line).  I’ve had to cut 3/4” pieces of brick to make up for the excess gap.  My third row had a two or three bricks on the far end move on me (about 1/4”). I didn’t notice it and the next few rows bent down.  I’ve corrected this but now have a wider gap between bricks mid way up on the wall.  A bookcase will cover most of this but it will still be noticeable for the discriminates mason. I’ll finish the wall tomorrow and will then go to mortar.  This will be applied with a grout bag to fill the space between the brick then excess grout tooled off and shaped with a mortar joint tool.  
 

The process of putting the brick on the wall is like a backsplash.  The challenge will be the grout bag.   More to come.  
 

Here’s the wall as of this evening. 

Edited February 3, 2023 by RobotDoctor
Grammar

[TiScape]

Every time I read this thread topic in reminds me of…

 

[RobotDoctor]

The wall is up.  Grout will have to wait.  I’ll be on the road for a few weeks.