Thin brick applications have been a staple in commercial construction for the past few decades, providing long-lasting solutions, excellent aesthetics, and less expensive project costs when compared to traditional brick construction.  
Now, with advances in the materials providing more product choice and availability, both commercial and consumer sectors are seeing growth of these materials being used in a number of new and creative interior and exterior applications. In turn, more companies and homeowners are considering how to implement thin brick applications as an alternative to more traditional facades. 
A wide variety of colors, textures, finishes, and even upcycled reclaimed brick provide virtually one-of-a-kind customization options for customers. Driven by designers and architects continuing to push for new looks, by specifying thin brick applications into their plans, they can present a well-crafted and unique look to a project while remaining lightweight and cost effective.  
In a world where current and future designers grow up with millions of different textures to use in building their first Computer Assisted Designs, or in Minecraft, there is no denying the overall trend in product offerings moving towards more customization, rapid prototyping, and smaller minimums. Manufacturing the machinery to construct these materials to include high levels of customization options leaves open future advances in product offerings. 
New commercial construction, such as office buildings, schools, shopping centers, student housing, and apartment complexes have seen an increase in the variety of applications now being implemented. In an effort to be as attractive as possible to tenants and customers, these spaces are designed with that goal in mind, while simultaneously needing to maximize the return on their budget. Thin brick is popping up strategically all over these classes of construction. 
In those same commercial applications, thin brick solutions are perhaps making a bigger impact in renovation and refurbishment projects. Since thin brick can be applied to conventional walls, thin brick used in renovation can dramatically change a space with minimal effort and expense. Similarly, new and renovated buildings and homes seeking to match their local village or neighborhood aesthetic find thin brick an attractive option.  
On the homeowner level and DIY front, there are many options when considering thin brick as a solution for the home. Almost any interior or exterior floors or walls, backsplashes, bars, pools, patios, gates, garages and porches are all being designed with the carefully considered application of thin brick or other stone veneers. 
Try simply going online and searching for images or examples of homes that had vinyl or wood siding replaced with thin brick exteriors. The results provide striking examples of improving the curb appeal of a home, not to mention some of the maintenance benefits. However, an entire exterior does not have to be replaced to make a difference. 
According to US Census Bureau data on new home construction in the United States from 2015 and 2017, only 22% of new homes constructed had exteriors finished with brick or brick veneer, while vinyl and stucco combined for 52% of the market, according to the Eye on Housing website. With further advances in technology there appears to be sizable market share ready to be gained with high tech and well-designed thin brick solutions.  
As the use of mixed media continues to be a trend into 2020, thin brick is positioned to have a leading role in the equation. Only the imagination of the designer and the owner are setting the limits on what thin brick can do. 
What are the coolest or most interesting applications or innovations you have seen recently with regards to thin brick? Let us know on Facebook.