New horizons

If you're looking for the reliability of brick, but want a distinctive look for your new home, you could consider staining your brickwork with a new process that is more cost-effective than rendering and less work than paint.

Colourbrick® from Austral Bricks permanently stains new bricks and mortar, producing a consistent matt finish that lets the texture and detail of brickwork show through, says Cindy Driscoll of Austral Bricks.

"You can create fascinating visual effects such as banding and feature entrances you are no longer restricted to traditional brick colours," she says.

"There are 27 contemporary colours to choose from, or we can create an exact colour match."

Up to three coats of the permanent colour are rolled onto the bricks and mortar, penetrating 2 to 3mm into the specially manufactured base brick.

"This means that the stain is colourfast it won't peel, crack, fade or come away from the wall," says Driscoll.

"It's guaranteed for 25 years, even in the extreme New Zealand weather."

But it's the design options offered by the Colourbrick range that are really creating interest among customers, says Driscoll.

"Homeowners and developers can combine the durability of bricks with the exciting colour options offered by Colourbrick," she says.

For details, or to visit one of Austral Bricks' display centres, contact Austral Bricks, phone 0800 Austral (287 8725). Website: www.australbricks.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas