HOW-TO GUIDES
How to install brick slips
Updated 08/26
By: Tommy Writer
Brick slips give you the look of exposed brickwork without knocking through to structural brick or building a new wall from scratch. This guide covers what they are, how to fit them, and the practical details - like wall weight limits - that often get missed.
What brick slips actually are
The tools and materials you'll need
How to fit brick slips step by step
Whether your wall can take the weight
What brick slips installation typically costs
Whether to DIY or hire a professional
What are brick slips?
Brick slips (also called brick tiles) are thin slices of real clay brick, made from the same material as a standard brick but cut down to a fraction of the thickness.
Once fitted and pointed, they're genuinely difficult to tell apart from a full brick wall. They're fixed either directly to a wall or to plasterboard/backer board panels, which are then mounted in place.
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Tools and materials you'll need
Bonding primer
Brick slip adhesive
Adhesive spreader
Spacers
Brick slip pointing mortar
Protective floor covering or dust sheet
Face mask and eye protection
Spirit level
Bucket for mixing
Hammer and chisel
Brick jointer and pointing trowel
Wire brush
Can your wall take the weight?
This is the step most DIY guides skip, and it matters.
Brick slips typically weigh somewhere between 20kg and 35kg per m² once adhesive and mortar are added, depending on the product. Standard plasterboard is only rated for around 32kg per m², so once you add adhesive and grout, many brick slip products will exceed what plasterboard alone can safely carry.
If you're fixing to plasterboard or a plaster skim wall rather than solid masonry, check the manufacturer's weight rating first.
In many cases you'll need to fix a cement fibre board or tile backer board to the wall before you start, rather than fitting straight onto plaster.
When in doubt, ask your brick slip supplier for the exact weight per m² of your chosen product, then check it against your wall's actual construction, not just what looks solid.
How to fit brick slips in 6 steps
1. Prepare the wall
Clean the wall thoroughly, removing dirt or grease with a scouring pad if needed, and make sure it's completely dry before you start.
2. Add the primer
Apply a bonding primer to the wall (or to the plasterboard/backer board panel if that's what you're fixing to). This is typically PVA-based and creates a sealed surface - it isn't the adhesive itself.
3. Prepare the adhesive
Use a purpose-made brick slip adhesive with high bond strength, and follow the manufacturer's mixing instructions closely, as products vary.
4. Position your first brick slips
Work from the bottom up in horizontal strips, using a spirit level to keep lines accurate. Brick slip spacers help keep gaps uniform as you go.
If you want flush mortar joints rather than recessed ones, leave the spacers in place and apply mortar directly over the top of them.
5. Apply the pointing mortar
The adhesive holds the slips in place; the mortar is purely decorative, giving the finished brick effect. Follow the manufacturer's mixing ratio carefully, and use a pointing trowel to push mortar fully into the gaps between slips.
6. Fix the panel to the wall (if using panels)
Make sure adhesive and mortar are completely dry before mounting a pre-assembled panel, then follow the panel manufacturer's fixing instructions for your specific wall type.
Brick slips are commonly fitted by tilers or bricklayers, and sometimes general builders too - a tiler is often best placed for a precise, pointed finish, while a bricklayer may suit larger exterior projects.
Fixing to plasterboard panels vs. direct to the wall
Plasterboard panels are a popular choice because:
They give you a ready-made flat surface to work from
You'll typically use less adhesive than fixing direct to an uneven wall
Panels don't need skimming first
It's generally a quicker, less messy installation
Just bear the weight limits above in mind - if your brick slips are on the heavier end, a cement fibre or tile backer board is the safer choice over standard plasterboard.
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Brick slips on a chimney breast
Chimney breasts are one of the most common places to use brick slips, giving a fireplace feature wall without a full brick rebuild:
Check the chimney breast is structurally sound before starting
Remove furniture or mantelpieces and clean the surface thoroughly
Apply adhesive in small workable areas at a time
Fix brick slips with spacers, working from the bottom up in horizontal lines
Leave to dry fully
Point between the slips once dry
Use fire cement rather than standard pointing mortar around a working fireplace, since it's designed to withstand direct heat.
How much does brick slips installation cost?
Fitting brick slips yourself takes precision, and a uniform pattern is genuinely hard to get right without experience - it's one of the more common reasons homeowners end up calling a professional partway through a DIY attempt.
Supply-and-installation typically costs around £195 per m², with materials alone (supply only) costing roughly £65 per m².
Actual pricing depends on the complexity of the job, your location, and the tradesperson you hire.
Brick slips installation cost
With cladding becoming ever more popular with British homeowners, brick slips are also gaining popularity as an alternative solution for sprucing up your home’s exterior – or interior for that matter. In this guide we look at the average brick slips installation cost in the UK.
Common problems with brick slips
Poor planning around the pattern and layout, which is difficult to fix once slips are fitted
Bonding failures from incorrect adhesive choice or poor surface prep, leading to slips cracking or falling away over time
Underestimating wall weight limits, particularly on plasterboard, as covered above
Routine maintenance is straightforward: a soft brush or vacuum to remove dust, and a gentle wash with water for general cleaning.
Stains can usually be lifted with a mild detergent and a non-abrasive cloth.
Checklist: fitting brick slips
Brick slips installation checklist
FAQs
A dedicated brick slip adhesive, either cement-based or epoxy-based. Epoxy is generally the better choice on non-absorbent surfaces.
Tilers and bricklayers are the two trades most commonly experienced with brick slips, though general builders may also take on the work.
Usually not for interior work. For exterior brick slips, you may need permission if your property is in a Conservation Area, National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Broads.
Sometimes, but only if the product's weight (including adhesive and mortar) stays within the plasterboard's rating, generally around 32kg per m². Heavier products need a cement fibre or tile backer board instead.
With correct adhesive, preparation, and reasonable maintenance, brick slips are considered a durable, long-lasting finish both indoors and out.
Yes, it's achievable as a DIY project, though achieving a genuinely uniform pattern takes care and practice. Many homeowners choose a professional for exactly this reason.
Both. The adhesive does the structural work of holding the slip in place; the mortar pointing is purely cosmetic, completing the authentic brick look.
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