10 Summertime Uses for Reclaimed Bricks

It's that time again - spring is in full swing and that means it is time to DIY ourselves all the way to summertime! Here are 10 fun ways to use VintageBricks.com authentic reclaimed thin brick tiles all spring and summer long :

1) Transform your Florida room

2) Edge your pool

3) Edging for your garden

4) Find your chill space

5) Fancy up a fire pit

6) Frame a garden bed

7) Lay a pretty pathway

8) Line your garden

9) Fancy up a chicken coop

10) Give your ride a brand new drive

What are your favorite DIY projects for spring and summer? 

How would you use Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles around your home?

Our thin brick tiles are cut from whole common bricks salvaged from our own demolition company. Vintage Bricks reclaimed tiles are half the weight of common bricks and as easy to install as regular tile.

www.VintageBricks.com

DIY Herringbone Brick Garden Path HOW TO GUIDE

The following tutorial is courtesy of our friends over at The Home Depot - as published in their e-newsletter.

In a simple afternoon you can create a beautiful simple DIY herringbone pathway from Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles. Using old bricks creates the look that your pathway has been there forever!

Supply List:

• Measuring tape
• Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles
• Gravel paver base
• Paver sand
• Wheelbarrow
• Marking chalk or landscape paint
• Tamper or 4- x 4-inch board, approximately 3 to 4 inches long
• Flat-headed shovel
• Broom

Step 1: Measure the length and width of your desired garden path to determine how many Vintage Bricks salvaged tiles you will need. Add 2 inches to your length to find the amount of gravel and sand you will need.
Step 2: Dig a 4-5" deep trench along your desired path, adding 2 inches to the width. Square the sides with a flat shovel.

Step 3: Spread your gravel 1-2" deep along the path, tamp down the gravel

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 with sand
Step 5: Lay your Vintage Bricks thin brick tiles in a herringbone pattern, adding and removing sand to keep brick tiles even. Tap bricks into sand with a 4x4" piece of wood

Step 6: Pour sand over bricks fill the gaps

Step 7: Fill in edges around the bricks with dirt and pieces of grass to create a natural look

Step 8: Clean up any excess sand and enjoy your beautiful new old pathway.

www.VintageBricks.com for 100% eco-friendly authentic old bricks cut into thin brick tiles. Brick tiles delivered to your door!

You Wont Believe the Reason Behind These Bricks!

Photo - Kansas Historical Society

Yes, this brick is real. The "Don't spit on the sidewalk" brick has a unique history from the early 1900's. Back when diseases like tuberculosis were running rampant, Dr. Samuel Crumbine, a public health figure, tried to combat the spread of communicable diseases. He fought against common things such as the public drinking cup, where people shared the same cup without washing it. Most famously, he spoke out against spitting on the sidewalk. His campaign against the spread of diseases included having bricks printed with the message as a friendly reminder.

To get your own historic bricks, go to www.VintageBricks.com and check out our genuine reclaimed thin brick tiles, to use indoor or out.

The Grisly History of the Chattahoochee Brick Company

A recent article posted by Atlanta's WABE (NPR) station unveiled an important, though shocking, historical element about Atlanta's Chattahoochee Brick Company bricks.
The Chattahoochee Brick Company factory once stood on the westside of Atlanta, around the early 1900's. It is now an empty lot with some brick piles, an odd cemetery, and debris. The lot is up for sale, with many Atlantans pushing for it to become a memorial for the workers and families of the Brick Company.

The Chattahoochee Brick Company factory

The Chattahoochee Brick Company's labor was made up what is referred to as "neo-slavery", using the free labor of primarily black people who had been arrested for petty crimes (if any crimes at all).  These workers were severely abused and many many of them perished at the factory. This leads people to believe that there are graves there, as there is a cemetery on the property.

Atlantans are pushing for the remembrance of these workers and their families, and having their story be told, instead of forgotten.  The Chattahoochee Brick Company lot is up for sale, and it would be a great injustice for all of the suffering that has gone on there to be forgotten, lost in cement.

Though the history of our Vintage Bricks may not be one that we are happy to tell, it is one that should not be forgotten.

Read the original article here
More information 

www.VintageBricks.com

Fifty Shades of Savannah Gray - The Most Sought After Bricks in the South

Savannah Gray bricks, would you know them if you saw them? They are a brick lovers dream and those who can salvage them, could earn a hefty profit. Savannah Gray bricks are 200 year old hand-formed bricks from Savannah, Georgia and are extremely rare.

historic savannah gray bricks

Not everyone is aware of the rarity of the Savannah Gray bricks and they have been found in trash piles from buildings that have been demolished, without consideration of where there offset materials go. Our demolition company, Southern Demolition, offsets many of our materials to divert them from landfills to find new uses. These uses include historic restoration projects and home renovation, with things such as antique mantles and housewares sold through our sister company The Deconstructed House; and our brick and thin brick tile company, Vintage Bricks. Vintage Bricks sells authentic salvaged brick tiles that are cut from reclaimed bricks to be used in applications such as kitchen backsplashes, flooring, walkways, etc. Vintage Bricks is still actively searching for our Savannah Gray bricks to add to our collection of historic thin brick tiles.

handmade history

The historic Savannah Gray bricks were each hand-formed by slaves at a plantation called the Hermitage, which stopped making the bricks during the Civil War. Without knowledge of the importance of preservation, many of the historic bricks in Savannah were destroyed during the 1950's. We now know the importance of saving reusable materials from landfills is vitally important historically and environmentally. To support the diversion of reusable materials from landfills please visit us at www.VintageBricks.com 

Fixer Upper Loves Vintage Bricks!

Do you guys love the HGTV show, Fixer Upper, as much as we do? The goofy antics of Chip and the crazy good stylings of Joanna Gaines are right there at the top of our list.

HGTV's Fixer Upper Season 2 Episode 2 "The Dutch Door House" 

We revisited some episodes from season 2 and noticed something interesting. Chip and Joanna sure do love reclaimed brick tiles! In season 2, episode 2, featured below; the Fixer Upper stars used old reclaimed brick tiles in both the laundry room and on the gorgeous front walkway.

BEFORE 

AFTER - WHAT A DIFFERENCE !

The new reclaimed brick tile walkway, which was the special addition chosen by the couple, adds dramatic curb appeal to the 1940s house. To recreate this look on your own home, get your own reclaimed brick tiles at www.VintageBricks.com

The reclaimed brick tile flooring featured here in the laundry / mudroom is a great alternative to traditional stone tiles and much more cost effective and easy to maintain.

Fixer Upper loves reclaimed brick tiles and so should you! Our reclaimed brick tiles are sliced from authentic salvaged bricks. Get yours today at www.VintageBricks.com

Reclaimed Thin Brick Tile Installation - See How It's Done!

Recently, we put up a video on our Vintage Bricks channel on YouTube, showing off our thin brick tiles. 

Watch the installation video of a kitchen backsplash, below:

Let us know in the comments: how would you use genuine reclaimed thin brick tiles from Vintage Bricks in your home?

www.VintageBricks.com

Thin Brick Tiles - Demystified

What the heck are thin brick tiles, you ask? Why not just use whole bricks?

www.vintagebricks.com

Our genuine reclaimed thin brick tiles are the faces cut from salvaged bricks.
The old bricks are cut into 1/2" slices to create thin brick tiles.

Thin brick tiles are much lighter than traditional whole bricks and can be applied directly to a wall. Thin brick tiles can be used for kitchen backsplashes, interior walls, exterior paths, etc.

Vintage Bricks wall install in progress - almost done!

Vintage Bricks kitchen backsplash tile install

Vintage Bricks tile floor

The lightness of the brick tiles allows them to be used practically anywhere! Using reclaimed materials in your housing projects helps keep useable materials out of landfills. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

www.vintagebricks.com 

9 New & Different Uses For Reclaimed Bricks That You Haven't Thought Of

Here are 9 new and different uses for authentic reclaimed bricks and brick tiles. Check out www.vintagebricks.com to get your thin brick tile projects started :

Say it with negative space - Have something to say? Bring out your artistic side and say it with the negative space in a reclaimed brick wall for a HUGE look!

Remembrance bricks - Bricks can be engraved for a loved one, a family pet, a favorite poem or verse, anything! Adding an engraved reclaimed brick or brick tile to your home is the perfect way to make a lasting mark.

Garden boxes - Old bricks make great garden elements. Garden boxes made from vintage bricks will stand the test of time.

Outdoor faucet / dog waterer - Why not make your outdoor faucet fancier? Fido loves reclaimed bricks and brick tiles. 

Outdoor shower - Who hasn't lusted after an outdoor shower? Authentic salvaged bricks are the perfect solution to getting to your true hippy roots.

Bird bath - Okay, so this one may not be a "new" idea, but where have all the bird baths gone? It's time to bring back bird baths and reclaimed bricks have the perfect patina for a lived in look.

Decor - Rustic outdoor wedding, anyone? Reclaimed bricks have so much potential for decoration

Garden bricks - Bring out your creative side and paint some old bricks!

Fire pit - The fire pit, nothing new here. BUT consider a new shape - this tear drop shaped fire pit is a beautiful element in the garden. When it's no longer being used for a fire pit it would be a lovely feature for a plant or water fountain.

Visit www.vintagebricks.com to view our selection of genuine salvaged thin brick tiles cut from reclaimed bricks

Reclaimed Brick Tile Patterns - from Ordinary to Extraordinary

When you think of laying bricks, several traditional patterns come to mind - maybe you think of the trendy herringbone or subway tile patterns, but there are so many more. 

Our salvaged brick tiles can be laid in any way you choose! Tell us in the comments below what pattern is your favorite?

www.vintagebricks.com

Running Bond

Traditional Herringbone

Crosshatch

Going beyond the traditional brick tile patterns can make a huge visual impact. Check out these artistic designs -

Crosshatch Variation

This crosshatch variation reminds us of parquet flooring - consider bricks for a similar look, but half the price! Genuine reclaimed bricks and brick tiles from www.vintagebricks.com makes beautiful flooring for any room in the house.

Circular Garden Rug

Intricate Garden Rug

Beautiful brick flooring, outdoors or indoors. There are so many ways to pattern a garden "rug". Use an inspirational image and copy it in your outdoor space for an eye-catching space.

Multiple Patterns

Detailed Patternwork

Pattern Art

Useful Brick Patterns - Solar & Noise

This last design is not just interesting, it is useful! The way that these bricks are laid out and turned works to keep noise and sunlight out.

Whatever design you choose to use for your home, consider using recycled bricks. Every brick tile from www.vintagebricks.com is cut from a genuine salvaged brick straight from our demolition company, Southern Demolition. To learn more about our company and to purchase your own brick tiles, visit www.vintagebricks.com or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/vintagebricksatlanta