along with wood and stone, brick is one of the most traditional materials used for construction in the world. history dates the first bricks being created approximately 10,000 years ago for the egyptian pyramids. originally formed of mud, the evolution of brick was greatly improved with the use of unfired clay. the eventual discovery of hardening clay by heating it became the final evolution of brick as a strong and modular form of construction.

kiln-fired remains a vastly popular and recognized building material, however, the introduction of glazing bricks marked a significant development. from a structural perspective, brick with a glossy finish is superior and adds a protective and durable finish to an already strong form of construction. in addition, purely from an aesthetic perspective, glazed brick tile has great visual appeal and is lauded for its decorative attributes.

fast forward to today- there was only one more significant development that would occur in the evolution of brick: the introduction of thin brick.

mastering the craft of making thin brick has helped reenergize with architects and designers both as a structural and decorative material. for clé, we love brick in all its forms but introducing unglazed and glazed brick to our tile line has taken our love for this material to a new level.

currently, clé brick tile collection - one featuring variegated clay bodies with different colors and textural finishes while the other two feature glossy surfaces, one overlaid on a heavily textured clay body, the other on thin brick featuring a smoother, glossy surface.

clé foundry flats are a classic american, affordable and recyclable thin brick made by a family-run business with a long history of working with clay. sourced from materials located within twenty-five miles of the factory, the flats are solidly made with a body that reflects a color palette that is both modern and enduring. made from clay and water, foundry flats are offered in an array of earthy hues ranging from a sooty, volcanic black to a mineral-flecked shade of honey.

this collection features an honest, recycled clay body. made in small batches, coated with abundant layers of hand-ground glazes and fired at the highest of temperatures allows this reliably solid tile to be installed indoors and outdoors for a long-lasting, and low-maintenance finish.

if you love the look of thin glossy brick, but need an affordable finish for large projects or budget-conscious areas, our modern farmhouse brick is a more affordable glossy tile that has all the function of the trusty subway but with a little more surface variegation and a hint of zellige glamor. we are pleased to offer this thin glazed brick in four glossy colors and one matte white finish. modern farmhouse brick combines rustic simplicity with everyday utility making it an easy go-to tile for all classic wall tile projects.

at clé we've got you covered when looking for a brick with integrity, beauty and texture and we continue to explore this exciting old-yet-new surface.