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Many products look like brick; real clay thin brick actually is brick. The best real clay thin brick is fired clay sliced thin, so the color runs through the piece and the texture ages like a real brick wall.
We compared mesh-mounted clay brick, authentic Old Chicago common thin brick, herringbone clay mosaics and clay-manufactured black brick.
Quick Answer: The Best Real Clay Thin Brick
- Best Overall: Tenedos 2×8 Tumbled Real Clay Brick Tile, Mesh Mounted (5 Sheets, 8.7 sq ft)
- Best Authentic Old Brick: Authentic Old Chicago Common Thin Brick Veneer, Full Range (50 pcs, 7 sq ft)
- Best Herringbone Clay: MSI Ackland Terabrik Rustic Rouge Herringbone Clay Brick Mosaic (12.5 x 25.5 in, 5 pcs, 8.7 sq ft)
- Best Gray Clay: MSI Ackland Terabrik Vintage Light Gray Taupe Herringbone Clay Brick Mosaic (12.5 x 25.5 in)
- Best Black Clay Brick: Old Town Black Faux Brick Wall Tiles, Clay Manufactured Thin Brick Veneers (100 pcs)
Tenedos tumbled real clay brick tile is the best real clay thin brick because it is kiln-fired red clay pre-mounted on mesh for even joints. Old Chicago common thin brick is best for genuine salvaged character, and MSI Terabrik is the best herringbone clay.
Best Real Clay Thin Brick Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenedos 2×8 Tumbled Real Clay Brick Tile, Mesh Mounted (5 Sheets, 8.7 sq ft) | Best Overall | Mesh-mounted real clay brick | Kiln-fired clay bricks pre-set on 11 x 28 in sheets | Check Price |
| Authentic Old Chicago Common Thin Brick Veneer, Full Range (50 pcs, 7 sq ft) | Best Authentic Old Brick | Authentic thin brick veneer | Old Chicago common brick in a pink-to-yellow full range | Check Price |
| MSI Ackland Terabrik Rustic Rouge Herringbone Clay Brick Mosaic (12.5 x 25.5 in, 5 pcs, 8.7 sq ft) | Best Herringbone Clay | Mesh-mounted clay brick mosaic | Herringbone already laid on mesh, floor-capable | Check Price |
| MSI Ackland Terabrik Vintage Light Gray Taupe Herringbone Clay Brick Mosaic (12.5 x 25.5 in) | Best Gray Clay | Mesh-mounted clay brick mosaic | Soft gray-taupe herringbone clay brick | Check Price |
| Old Town Black Faux Brick Wall Tiles, Clay Manufactured Thin Brick Veneers (100 pcs) | Best Black Clay Brick | Clay thin brick veneer | Real-texture Old town black thin brick pieces | Check Price |
The 5 Best Real Clay Thin Brick
Our picks for the best real clay thin brick, ranked by material authenticity, color, install format and value.
Tenedos 2×8 Tumbled Real Clay Brick Tile, Mesh Mounted (5 Sheets, 8.7 sq ft)
1Tenedos sells real kiln-fired clay bricks pre-mounted on mesh sheets, which keeps the joints even and speeds up backsplashes and fireplace surrounds.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real clay, not imitation
- Mesh sheets keep spacing even
- Fast install for a real-brick result
Cons
- Needs thinset and grout
- Sheet seams need care to hide
📄 Detailed Review
- Material: Kiln-fired red clay
- Brick size: 2.25 x 7.5 in
- Sheet size: 11 x 28 in, mesh backed
- Coverage: About 8.7 sq ft (5 sheets)
- Finish: Tumbled
Stagger sheet edges and fill any gap with loose bricks cut from a spare sheet.
Seal the clay before grouting so grout haze wipes off easily.
Authentic Old Chicago Common Thin Brick Veneer, Full Range (50 pcs, 7 sq ft)
2This box is sold as authentic Old Chicago common thin brick in a full color range, the look of salvaged brick walls in old Midwest buildings.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Authentic Old Chicago character
- Wide natural color range
- Real masonry texture
Cons
- Small coverage per box
- Pieces vary in size and edge
📄 Detailed Review
- Style: Old Chicago common
- Color: Full range, pink to yellow
- Count: 50 pieces
- Coverage: About 7 sq ft
- Install: Mortar or thin brick adhesive
Blend bricks from several boxes as you go so pink and yellow tones spread evenly.
Use a wider, slightly recessed mortar joint to match the old-building look.
MSI Ackland Terabrik Rustic Rouge Herringbone Clay Brick Mosaic (12.5 x 25.5 in, 5 pcs, 8.7 sq ft)
3MSI Terabrik comes as clay brick already laid in herringbone on mesh, the easiest way to get a true herringbone brick floor or wall.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Herringbone pattern done for you
- Real clay, 1/2 in thick
- Listed for floors and patios
Cons
- Heavy boxes
- Must be sealed and grouted
📄 Detailed Review
- Material: Clay brick mosaic on mesh
- Sheet size: 12.5 x 25.5 x 0.5 in
- Coverage: 8.7 sq ft (5 sheets)
- Finish: Tumbled
- Uses: Fireplaces, walls, mudroom floors, patios
Dry-lay several sheets first to hide the sheet outline in the pattern.
Seal before and after grouting on floors.
MSI Ackland Terabrik Vintage Light Gray Taupe Herringbone Clay Brick Mosaic (12.5 x 25.5 in)
4The light gray-taupe Terabrik is the same herringbone clay mosaic in a softer modern color.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Modern light gray tone
- Herringbone pre-set
- Real clay
Cons
- Limited stock at times
- Heavy to ship
📄 Detailed Review
- Material: Clay brick mosaic on mesh
- Sheet size: 12.5 x 25.5 x 0.5 in
- Coverage: 8.7 sq ft (5 sheets)
- Finish: Natural, multi-tonal
- Uses: Walls, fireplaces, floors
Pair with warm white grout for a Scandinavian look.
Order every box at once to keep tones consistent.
Old Town Black Faux Brick Wall Tiles, Clay Manufactured Thin Brick Veneers (100 pcs)
5Clay-made black thin brick veneers for a dramatic, real-brick feature wall.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Individual bricks look real
- Real joints you can grout or leave open
- Flexible layout
Cons
- Slower install, brick by brick
- Check material before using near heat
📄 Detailed Review
- Material: Clay manufactured (per listing)
- Color: Old town black
- Coverage: About 14 sq ft (100 pcs)
- Install: Thin brick adhesive or mortar
- Use: Interior walls, fireplaces (per listing)
Set a level line and use spacers for even joints.
Use the adhesive or mortar the maker recommends.
How We Chose the Best Real Clay Thin Brick
To choose the best real clay thin brick, we only included products sold as real or clay-manufactured brick, then compared color, finish, format and value.
Cut brick outdoors, use water or a vacuum shroud and wear a respirator, following the OSHA crystalline silica guide.
Product details in this guide come from manufacturer specifications and patterns in verified owner feedback; we do not claim hands-on testing we have not done. Read more on our How We Test page.
Buying Guide: Best Real Clay Thin Brick
Use these points to choose the best real clay thin brick.
Color runs through
Fired clay has color all the way through, so chips and cuts still look like brick.
Weight
Clay thin brick is heavier than flexible or plaster slips; use a solid substrate.
Cutting
Clay needs a diamond blade on a grinder or wet saw.
Mesh vs. loose
Mesh sheets install faster; loose bricks give more control over pattern and color.
Seal porous clay
Seal clay before grouting in kitchens and baths.
Expect variation
Real clay varies in color and size; blend boxes.
Real Clay Brick Tips
Work like a mason.
- Blend bricks from several boxes.
- Cut with a diamond blade outdoors.
- Seal before grouting.
- Strike joints when firm.
Questions about the best real clay thin brick:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best real clay thin brick?
Tenedos tumbled real clay brick tile is our top pick for kiln-fired clay on mesh sheets.
How can I tell real clay thin brick from faux?
Real clay has color through the body, weight and a ceramic ring when tapped.
Is real clay thin brick heavy?
Heavier than faux slips but far lighter than full brick.
Can real clay thin brick go outside?
Many can; follow the maker guidance and use exterior-rated mortar.
Do I need to seal clay thin brick?
Sealing helps in kitchens, bathrooms and on floors.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best real clay thin brick is the Tenedos Real Clay Brick Tile. Choose the Old Chicago Common Thin Brick if you want genuine salvaged character, or the MSI Terabrik Rouge Herringbone for a herringbone clay pattern.
Related Guides
More thin brick and veneer guides:
- Best Faux Brick on Amazon
- Best Grout for Thin Brick Veneer
- Best Angle Grinder for Cutting Thin Brick
- Best Masonry Blade for Cutting Thin Brick
- Best Mortar for Thin Brick Veneer
Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
