decorating concrete blocks to make them look like bricks?

swimmydeepo · 2006-09-01T09:33:49+00:00

This would probably sounds too wacky for all the pro out there, butsurely there must be a way of turning concrete blocks into lookalikebricks?!I am about to rebuild an external wall (the back only) and I would liketo use blocks instead of bricks (for costs and timing reasons).The main problem is a cosmetic one as I am dealing with a terrace houseand all the other houses use red bricks.Here are some ideas:1) I decided to do an experiment using a router to carve brick patternsinto a block. The final result looks fine (the bricks part should bepainted), but the router bit is badly worn out.2) Now I am thinking of using an angle grinder to do most of thecarving and using the router where the grinder would be unpracticable(mortar junctions).3) Another idea would be to use stucco like material to 'build' brickson the face of blocks.4) On a lesser impact, why not use a thick layer of texture paint?5) Or maybe there are out there merchants selling decorative blockswhich looks like bricks?Been there before?Please let me know.Alex