Commercial Trends Delivered
Inspiration for your next commercial building project is just a click away. Our look book is filled with commercial exterior solutions to get your wheels turning.
Brick alternatives are often used to get the attractive aesthetic of brick siding without all the costly maintenance work needed to keep up its appearance. For commercial properties, using highly durable brick alternatives is a great way to cut back on routine tasks and repair work, since low-maintenance options are designed to look great with minimal effort.
Though there are many options available on the market, not all brick alternatives offer the same level of aesthetic quality and durability. Finding the brick alternative that meets your needs is key to investing properly in your commercial building.
There’s a reason why commercial property owners put so much effort into making their buildings look attractive. The exterior of the building often makes the first impression when potential customers or other users of the space come to visit. When it looks shabby, run-down or outdated, customers often associate these qualities with the services and products offered within — which can affect business significantly.
Not only is it important to have a professional, put-together look that makes customers feel welcomed, but it’s also important that the exterior reflects the style and character of the business itself. Brick is a classic building material that carries a timeless look. When paired with sophisticated colors and designs, brick conveys a unique charm and familiarity that people find appealing.
Traditional brick is often difficult to care for and maintain — not to mention quite costly. For this reason, many commercial property owners have switched to brick alternatives. These alternative materials offer various benefits that can simplify upkeep, cut costs and address other important aspects of maintaining curb appeal.
Take a look at the pros and cons of these popular brick alternatives for commercial buildings.
Though considered cost-effective and quite affordable, vinyl siding is relatively fragile compared to other brick alternatives. It’s built with a plastic composition, so vinyl siding tends to lack authenticity when it comes to mimicking the look of brick, too.
It’s also flammable and damage-prone, which can be two major drawbacks for commercial property owners. However, the benefit of vinyl siding is that it is pretty simple to install, and it comes in a wide range of colors and styles, making projects quick and easy to design.
Inspiration for your next commercial building project is just a click away. Our look book is filled with commercial exterior solutions to get your wheels turning. 
Commercial Trends Delivered
Concrete is another alternative to brick that tends to match the original in terms of strength. Unlike vinyl, concrete is strong and weather-resistant, typically lasting much longer than vinyl.
Unfortunately, concrete siding also tends to be more costly than other brick alternatives. Furthermore, concrete blocks are difficult to work with and must be poured and set in certain weather conditions, so installation may require extra time or labor. Another drawback of concrete is that it tends to settle and shift over time, which can lead to unsightly cracks that can compromise the aesthetic quality of this brick alternative and require further repairs.
Known for its strength, fiber cement is a reliable brick alternative for commercial buildings because it provides the best combination of durability, aesthetic quality, affordability and weather resistance. Due to its composition — sand, water, cement and cellulose fibers — fiber cement can be shaped into all sorts of styles and textures for an authentic surface appearance that closely resembles real brick.
Fiber cement is a top choice for commercial buildings because of its sheer strength and ability to maintain a clean, fresh appearance with minimal effort. But beyond durability, commercial property owners need to be sure they’re getting an attractive brick alternative design that reflects their brand as well — that’s where Nichiha VintageBrick comes into play.
VintageBrick delivers an exceptional color quality and distressed finish for an authentic appearance that makes an exterior look sophisticated and established all at once. The Alexandria Buff and White Wash finishes both have a deliberately aged appearance that can dial up the character of any commercial building. Plus, VintageBrick also features a built-in rainscreen and easy installation system as well, adding practical advantages to boot. They can even be used to enhance the interior design of a space.
Beautify your commercial property with a brick alternative that’s built to last. Contact our experts at Nichiha today to explore VintageBrick options and other innovative fiber cement solutions.