To match brick, start with size and then color: new brick should have the same face height, length and bed depth as your existing brick, and its colors should match the original blend. Champion Brick in New Berlin, WI specializes in matching brick, both new and old, for repairs and additions across the Milwaukee area. Send us your brick’s measurements and a photo through our Brick Match Request Form, or visit our showroom to talk with a brick expert.
Even the best brick repair or addition job can be greatly hindered by a poor match of the existing brick. When enclosing an open area, repairing damaged brick, or filling in a removed door or window opening, we want to match the existing structure so that the new brick matches seamlessly with the old. This is truly one of the most difficult tasks for a bricklayer, but with a few careful considerations and techniques, and the guidance of an expert, you can match your existing brick nearly imperceptibly. Champion Brick has become the premier source for brick matching in the New Berlin, Milwaukee, and Southeastern Wisconsin areas.
It’s important to start your search early. As soon as you’ve decided that you’re going to embark on your brick build or repair project, it’s time to start looking for your match. The best strategy is to speak with the experts, and for expert brick advice, look no further than Champion Brick. Contact Us today, and we’ll work with you to match your brick as closely as possible. Alternatively, you can fill out our Brick Match Request Form to enter your details and get the ball rolling on finding your match.
Take some detailed pictures of your existing brick from multiple angles and in multiple lighting conditions. Feel free to stop in at our showroom and speak face-to-face with a brick expert who can guide you towards the perfect match for your project.
Our experts know that it’s not only a matter of finding a brick material that is a match, but it’s important to capture the subtle details and variations among the existing bricks. To achieve this, we can recommend a mix of two or more different brick to help better integrate the new brick into the existing structure. There is careful thought involved with mixing brick. We’ll help to ensure that the different bricks are not only a match in terms of colors and proportions, but that they also work together in face height, length, and bed depth.
Although Champion Brick has a vast catalog of available brick, and we have deep resources and experience to find matches effectively, there are situations in which an existing brick is so unique that it can be hard to match it convincingly. In these situations, there may be alternative options such as masonry staining or other treatments to more closely approximate the look of the original brick. Being brick experts, Champion has seen and done it all, and we have the knowledge and expertise to guide you and find your best solution.
Match the Size First, Then the Color
The two main parts of brick matching are size and color. If new brick doesn’t match the old in both, the new brickwork can look out of place or sloppy, and that can affect the value of your property.
Size matters more than color, because color can be changed but size cannot. If the length and face height of the new brick don’t match the original brick, the wall ends up irregular, and your mason will have a hard time lining the new courses up with the existing work.
How to Match Brick Color
You don’t have to match the color exactly, but the closer you get, the easier the job will be. Keep three things in mind.
The Blend
Many brick walls use a blend of different colored brick. A wall with four colors is called a four-way blend. Each color in the blend needs a match, because even one color that is slightly off will stand out.
The Percentage
Each color makes up a share of the wall. For example, a four-way blend might be 40% of one color, 30% of a second, 20% of a third and 10% of a fourth. Your new brickwork should use the same colors in the same proportions. If a color that should be 20% of the wall ends up at 30%, the new section will look off.
The Arrangement
Arrange the colors the same way as the original brick. If black brick never touches red brick in the existing wall, it shouldn’t touch in the new section either.
Finding the Original Brick
The best match is often the original manufacturer’s brick, but tracking it down can be harder than it seems. When a manufacturer changes facilities, a brick sold under the same name can look different, because the raw materials, machinery and process have changed. If you can’t find the original brick, look for one with the same size and texture.
What If the Color Still Doesn’t Match?
Get the color as close as you can. If it still differs from the original, the new brick can be stained. First make sure the brick is absorbent (a simple water test will tell you), then use a proven masonry stain system. It takes more work, but it can make the new brick look like the original.
Take Your Time
Matching brick size and color can be a long process. Settling for a brick that doesn’t match to save time can leave you with sloppy, discolored brickwork, so be patient and look at all your options. Browse our match brick options, or send us your details with the Brick Match Request Form.
Brick Matching FAQ
What do I need to request a brick match?
Measure one of your existing bricks and fill out our Brick Match Request Form. It asks for the brick’s height, length and depth in inches, your contact details and how you’d like us to reach you, and lets you upload a picture (jpg, gif, png or pdf, up to 50 MB). You can also call us at 262-786-8260.
What photos should I send?
Take detailed pictures of your existing brick from several angles and in different lighting. Actual brick color may vary from what you see on a screen, so please don’t make a final selection from website photos. Come see the brick in person before you decide.
Which matters more, size or color?
Size. Color can be adjusted with a masonry stain, but size can’t. New brick should match the face height, length and bed depth of your existing brick. Each brick in our Match Brick category lists its size, such as Modular (M/S), Standard (S/S) or Norman (N/S).
Can I see brick samples before I choose?
Yes. Many of the brick in our Match Brick category are in stock, and you can view samples in our indoor showroom at 1850 S Calhoun Rd in New Berlin. Our showroom is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday, 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Check our showroom page for holiday hours.
Does mortar color matter when matching brick?
Yes. Mortar color affects how the whole wall looks. It can make individual brick stand out or give the wall an even, single-color look. Try a test area and look at it at different times of day before you commit. We carry pre-mixed mortar colors with our brick accessories, and our guide on choosing a mortar color has more tips.
Contact Us for Your Next Brick Project
Champion Brick is your Milwaukee, New Berlin, and Southeastern Wisconsin brick experts. If you have questions about any of our products or services please call us at 262-786-8260 or submit your message on our contact form to message us.
