How to Install a Thin Brick Interior Wall

Looking to create a brick wall inside the interior of your home? Thin brick flats can be used to create a variety of looks, such as a country-style, rustic vibe, or classic décor. These very thin slices of brick can be used to line a wall of the interior of your home to create a faux brick wall on the interior only. There are no replacing walls, tearing out plaster, or the like—instead simply install thin brick flats on top of the already existing wall.

Step 1 - Choose Your Materials

Thin brick should be available at your local hardware or tile store. Typically called “thin brick flats,” they look like full bricks on the outfacing edge in order to give the appearance of full bricks. Most stores should have a few styles to choose from or be able to special order styles for you. You’ll also need a few bags of mortar, depending on how large of an area you plan to cover, as well as a bag of grout and some hand tools.

Step 2 - Prepare the Wall

Before you install the thin brick, the wall should be clean and free of debris. Remove everything from the wall, including all nails and screws. Take off all outlet covers with a screwdriver. It’s also a good idea to wipe down the wall with a damp cotton cloth, then let it dry completely before you begin. This will help the mortar set more easily. Protect the floor at the base of the wall a few feet out with large plastic sheets, tarps, or heavy-duty paper.

Step 3 - Sketch Some Guidelines

Before you start attaching bricks to your wall, it’s important to use a pencil and a yardstick or ruler with a level to draw horizontal lines on the wall as a guide for you to place the bricks. This will help ensure that the bricks are applied straight across and evenly. Draw three or more lines in pencil across the wall to use as your leveling guide.

Step 4 - Mix the Mortar

Mix the mortar according to the directions on the package but in small batches. Use a mixer and a bucket, being careful not to make too much mortar at a time, as it can dry out very quickly. Place the bucket of mortar and the bricks next to the wall before you begin.

Step 5 - Set the Thin Bricks in the Wall

Use a metal trowel to apply the mortar to the back of a brick flat, and then place it on your interior wall. Make sure it doesn’t budge. Start in one bottom corner and work your way across the wall in even lines, as if you were stacking real, full-size bricks. This will help ensure that your brick flats are in even lines across the wall. If there are spaces where windows, electrical boxes, or walls will need a smaller brick at the end of the row, you can apply those smaller pieces later.

Step 6 - Cut Smaller Bricks

For those spaces that need smaller bricks to complete a row along a wall or window, measure the size of the brick needed with a tape measure or ruler before cutting. Next, measure a brick flat and cut it to that length with a tile cutter or saw. It’s important to be very precise here so there aren’t any large gaps when you’re finished. Apply these bricks to the wall with mortar.

Step 7 - Fill in the Gaps With Grout

After all of the bricks have been laid in place, it’s time to fill in the spaces between with grout. The mortar is the glue to hold the brick pieces in place, and the grout is the filler between the brick flats. A grout bag is ideal for this project, as the small nozzle allows you to squeeze the grout evenly between the brick flats without getting it everywhere. After letting the grout set for a few minutes, use a small metal spoon or a grout scraping tool to even out the grout. Let it dry completely before cleaning up and reattaching outlet covers.