Although the practical attributes of a brick fireplace are always worthy of a conversation — and that’s what blogging is, conversing — the decorative features are equally worthy of discussion. “Decorative” is not quite the right word. We’re really talking about the aesthetic appeal of your firebrick. Even “aesthetic” misses the mark.
Let’s just say the design pattern, the texture, and the palette of your firebrick can accentuate the beauty of an entire room, if not your whole living quarters. Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney is pleased to share some musings on this important subject of firebrick patterns in your interior fireplace.
Before diving into that, allow us a brief digression and minor confession. Some of us wish we had another job. We wish we were tasked with the challenge of crafting poetic and mysterious names of colors along the spectrum of the commercial palette. We wish we could have been the talented person to conjure up color names like peru, burlywood, thistle, or gainsboro. For that matter, while we’re on the topic of firebrick patterns, did you did you know that “firebrick” is a color name frequently used? So, it’s not so much of a digression after all.
Back to so-called firebrick patterns.
There are several common varieties of firebrick patterns, with their own alluring names. (As for the linguistic quandary of “firebrick” as one word, two words, or a hyphenated word, let’s leave that for another day, shall we?)
Split herringbone is one typical firebrick pattern. It consists of interlocking V patterns stacked one on top of the other. For many of us, we think of clothing when we think of herringbone. We think of an English professor in tweed, with patches on the sleeves, sitting by the — wait for it — fireplace! That’s exactly the sort of comfy and classy atmosphere you want to summon with herringbone, split or not. Regular herringbone is a similar pattern, with interlocking L’s, stacked to resemble upside-down V’s. Something like that.
Running bond is a popular firebrick pattern, perhaps the most popular. The pattern is standard brickwork. This is the kind you would see anywhere, such as the exterior of a brick building.
As the name suggests, stacked bond, or stack bond, is a firebrick pattern that stacks the bricks in parallel rows, from bottom to top.
Finally, basket weave, also replicates the name, conveying a bucolic setting. This pattern consists of alternating placements of two bricks, with a pair of adjacent bricks perpendicular to the first two, then two more pairs “weaved” similarly.
Of course, these are just a handful of patterns. Variations upon variations exist.
Old Smokey’s offers industry-leading fireplace brands
We can work with you to create the right look and feel through firebrick design. Call us today at 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 or set up an appointment online. For 20+ years, Old Smokey’s has served homeowners in northern Indiana, northern Ohio and mid-Michigan. Homeowners from Elkhart in the west to Ypsilanti in the east, from Lansing in the north to Defiance and Fort Wayne in the south are served by Old Smokey’s.
Come on in and chat with us!