Enhancing the Colour of English Brickwork: Fid-Bau Portal

Enhancing the Colour of English Brickwork

Sloane, Peter

Since medieval times, craftsmen have adopted a range of illusive techniques for enhancing the natural appearance of brickwork. Today, most people walk through city streets completely unaware that many seemingly untouched brick buildings have been coloured in some way. Subtle hues differentiate many of these buildings from their neighbours, but with the loss of craft knowledge in post-war years, many property owners crudely painted brickwork in an attempt to improve its appearance—often with damaging consequences. However, nowadays, newer tinting techniques are increasingly being used to address localized, unsightly variations in brickwork. Lack of knowledge surrounding these practices can sometimes lead to poor material choice and inappropriate use, and can also result in missed opportunities for the non-invasive solutions they offer in certain circumstances. This paper attempts to clarify the differences between modern and traditional practices before considering, alongside principles and philosophies of repair, their possible uses within building conservation today.