Whether making light home improvements or developing a new commercial building, the right bricks are crucial for your project. Though most people agree that the charming look of a brick exterior is a classic architectural choice, there is a debate about whether full brick or thin brick is best.
Learn more about the differences between full brick and thin brick to make a well-informed decision and select a suitable material for your needs.
What Is Thin Brick?
Thin bricks are a thinner alternative to traditional bricks. However, they are still made of the same materials as regular bricks, including concrete, shale, clay and cement.
Thin bricks are generally ½ to 1 inch thick, making them lighter. They can be applied to existing walls, enabling you to achieve the timeless brick look without rebuilding. As a highly versatile building material, they are used in residential and commercial projects. Thin brick applications include:
- Interiors: Thin bricks can be used for kitchen backsplashes, accent walls, decorative ceilings, fireplaces and service counter fronts.
- Exteriors: They can also enhance the appearance of outdoor structures ranging from columns to patios.
- Flooring: Thin bricks are durable enough to be used in areas with high foot traffic and are commonly used as flooring in entrances and commercial environments.
- Landscaping: They’re also great for creating beautiful walkways, stairways, sidewalks and garden walls.
What Is Full Brick?
Full bricks refer to traditional clay or concrete bricks, typically measuring 3 5/8 inches in thickness. These bricks are used to build walls and structures in all kinds of buildings, from offices to homes.
Like their thinner counterparts, full bricks can also be used indoors to create fireplaces, feature walls and other architectural finishes.
Comparison of Thin Brick and Full Brick
To choose between thin brick and full brick, consider their similarities and differences and the needs of your upcoming project.
Cost Comparison
If you are on a budget, the cost comparison of thin brick and full brick may sway you toward choosing the former. For the construction materials alone, you can expect to pay between $3 and $8 per square foot for thin bricks. Full bricks cost an average of $5 per square foot but can also fluctuate to as low as $3 and as high as $8.
While the initial brick cost comparison may not show a significant difference, you’ll still need to factor in labor fees. Installation is often priced between $70 and $110 per hour, depending on the brick type. Full brick costs much more to install, so your total costs will usually be much higher than thin brick.
Installation Process
As mentioned earlier, thin bricks are placed over other structures. Rather than using traditional bricks to build a new wall, thin bricks are applied to existing walls with an adhesive, either individually or as panels. As a result, they are much quicker and easier to install and don’t require highly skilled labor — this explains why their installation costs are also more affordable.
Installing full bricks takes much longer and requires extensive technical know-how, as traditional mortar and bricklaying methods are necessary.
Weight and Structural Impact
Another key difference between full brick and thin brick is their thickness and weight. Thin bricks are approximately five times thinner, so they are the more lightweight option.
Due to the differences in weight, thin bricks are not used as structural building materials, whereas full bricks are. Full bricks would be a more suitable option if you need to create entirely new structures or if you want the bricks to be part of your building’s structure. However, as bricks are heavier, they will often need additional support and require you to build a foundation, which can be a limitation.
Thin bricks are an excellent choice to easily upgrade structures made from concrete, steel or wood. In this case, the structural support comes from the material used to make the backup wall, and the thin brick serves the aesthetic purpose of adding a touch of warmth and texture.
Durability and Longevity
Compared to full brick’s durability, thin brick is also incredibly robust. Both masonry options are long-lasting as they are made from the same materials. Full brick and thin brick are resistant to damage, extreme weather and fading, so they can last for many years while still looking new.
Aesthetic Differences
Another similarity is that thin brick and full brick look almost identical, offering a sophisticated look and feel. Only an extremely trained eye could tell them apart by analyzing the pattern on the header bricks.

Pros and Cons of Thin Brick
The advantages and disadvantages of thin brick can also help you decide whether this option is suitable. Along with being an affordable way to easily revamp any space, the benefits of thin brick include:
- High durability: Unlike other brick alternatives such as fake brick or stone veneer, thin brick is immune to rotting, insects, chipping and fading. Using thin brick is an affordable way to boost the aesthetic appeal of a building or its interior without sacrificing material strength.
- Various options: Thin brick is available in various colors and finishes, ensuring you can achieve your project’s desired look, no matter the scope. For example, homeowners may opt for a white finish for a farmhouse charm, whereas municipal buildings may prefer traditional red brick.
- Sustainability: These bricks are more compact in size, so they use 80% less shale and clay than their full counterparts. They also don’t need steel lintels or brick ledges, meaning you can use less material overall. Lastly, thin bricks are also more energy-efficient than standard bricks — they may increase the R-value of a wall, which measures its ability to insulate. With proper insulation, your energy costs may decrease.
- Good return on investment (ROI): Though full brick and thin brick are similar in appearance and longevity, the latter is much more cost-effective. As a result, thin brick offers you a better ROI — you can get the same aesthetic benefits and durability of brick for a fraction of the price.
While thin brick outperforms full brick in almost all aspects, ranging from installation to eco-friendliness, one drawback exists. Thin brick may not offer the structural support that full brick does. However, even this can be a bonus as you likely won’t need to hire a structural engineer when installing thin brick — instead of being a key part of the structure, it is an aesthetic finish.
Pros and Cons of Full Brick
The main benefits of full brick are its superior structural support and durability. Walls and structures built with traditional brick can be exceptionally sturdy and may last for hundreds of years if installed correctly and cared for.
However, full brick also falls short in many ways, especially compared to thin brick. The disadvantages of full brick include:
- Price: Building a brick home or other structure is expensive, especially when you include the cost of a foundation. Brick houses can cost an average of $302,000 to build.
- Poor insulation: Traditional bricks are extremely porous, which means they are more prone to absorbing moisture and can make your home or building cold and musty.
- Challenging repairs and renovations: Along with a hefty price tag, repairing can be tricky as you may not be able to find bricks that match those that make up the rest of your home or building. Plus, the costs of renovations, such as adding windows, new wiring or plumbing, will be much higher than those of buildings using thin bricks and other materials.
Ideal Use Cases for Each Type
When deciding between these two masonry options, keep the scope of your project in mind. In some instances, projects might be better suited to full brick versus thin brick and vice versa.
Due to their simple installation, thin bricks are ideal for light renovations and projects with time constraints or a tight budget. They allow you to renovate or transform any interior surface much quicker and with less mess, as you don’t have to rebuild walls. Thin bricks can also bring new life and character to your home’s or commercial building’s exterior.
Because of their solid masonry, full bricks are more suitable for constructing new homes and commercial buildings. They provide exteriors with stable structures that extend through the wall, making them ideal for creating load-bearing walls.
What if you are trying to lower your costs and need to build new structures? One solution would be to use structural materials such as wood or steel and add thin brick. In essence, you can use thin bricks in all scenarios.

Choose Thin Bricks for Your Upcoming Project
Thin bricks are more convenient and affordable than full bricks while still offering durability and a classic aesthetic. By choosing thin bricks, you can save time and money in your upcoming project.
BEST Panel Company aims to provide the highest quality thin brick and brick panel systems for walls and floors. Our thin bricks are made of real kiln-fired clay and are available in hundreds of colors. Lightweight but robust, they have a 25-year warranty. Choose thin bricks, and request a quote today to discover the best option for your needs!
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