Today, brick is being reinvented with recycled materials, bright colors, unique textures and bold shapes. Our team of experts lead modern brick design through innovative additives and custom application techniques. From cities to suburbs, Vibrantz’s brick colorants create contemporary styles that prove this age-old material remains timeless.

Vibrantz is giving brick new life

Like the work of forecasting groups in fashion or interior design, our clay colorant team stays attuned to shifts and consumer trends within the building materials market. Each year our team conducts extensive research to establish a comprehensive brick color forecast. The forecast combines input from internal engineers, color scientists, commercial sales representatives and construction material trends. Using this data, we develop concept boards that incorporate our existing color library and 16 new colors. 

The future is in full color

The 2025-2026 forecast highlights a vibrant cerulean blue, pairing it with touches of green, muted yellows, beiges and rich reds and oranges. This surprising palette may make you question if vivid colors are practical for the building materials market. This is by design.

The forecast aims to create a buzz around new and unexpected combinations. It also promotes our unique application methods that can create the appearance of movement, texture, contrast and other visual effects on brick surfaces. It encourages customers to harness the power of color chemistry and to benefit from the collective expertise that Vibrantz brings to market.

It is important to recognize that you are not limited to the color of your raw materials. You can differentiate your products and stand out from competitors by using different color solutions. Just because a blue is very bold, it does not mean that it cannot belong in a brick color palette.”
– Rob Simpson, Product Development Engineer

Synergistic team collaborations at Vibrantz

As dedicated stewards of the brick industry, we strive to unlock new potential in the field. We continuously explore new opportunities to drive innovation. Each year, we exhibit at the Clemson Brick Forum, reinforcing our commitment to the industry’s economic success. This year, our Advanced Materials and Performance Coatings teams showcased Vibrantz’s Coverinks for structural ceramics and our latest through-the-body and surface colorant technology.

The forum and forecast also fostered a collaboration between Vibrantz’s Color Solutions and Advanced Materials teams. By combining our expertise in pigment technologies and color science, we deliver even greater value through our unmatched color solutions.

Lay the foundation for success with our clay materials team

Our clay materials team is passionate about making our customers’ jobs easier. We work closely with you to tailor formulas to meet your specific production needs. With a focus on quality and consistency, we provide solutions that ensure superior products and make your customer experience seamless. To learn more about the 2025-2026 brick color forecast or other Vibrantz color trend promotions, contact your local sales representative or explore more our of products.

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Architects, builders and urban planners seek eco-friendly solutions that address the escalating demand for cooling while mitigating the environmental impact of traditional approaches. Innovative technologies like near infrared (NIR) reflective pigments and dispersions, or “cool colors,” are increasingly utilized in building and construction design to significantly reduce the amount of heat absorbed by structures, lessening the reliance on AC systems. 

Sustainable solutions for urban living 

By mitigating the absorption of solar radiation in comparison with other pigments in same color space, these colors reduce the impact of the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. The vast expanses of concrete, asphalt and other heat-absorbing dark surfaces prevalent in cities primarily cause this effect. This excess heat can lead to various issues, including increased energy consumption for cooling, elevated air pollution levels and discomfort for residents.  

Incorporating cool colors into building exteriors and urban infrastructure can help create a more comfortable and healthier urban environment for residents. Additionally, cooler surfaces can help lower AC demands, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. As cities grapple with rising temperatures and the challenges of climate change, integrating cool colors into urban landscapes is a simple yet impactful strategy to enhance sustainability and resilience. 

Achieve cooler temperatures without compromising aesthetics or performance 

Beyond energy efficiency, cool colors also improve the durability of exterior coatings in buildings, roofs, pavement and cement. Enhanced protection against thermal stress ensures building and construction materials maintain their aesthetic appeal for over time, reducing the need for frequent maintenance. This translates into cost savings and a longer life span for building exteriors and materials, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable building practices. 

At the core of cool colors are NIR pigments and dispersions designed to reflect a higher percentage of sunlight compared to traditional coatings. This innovative approach to color science maximizes energy efficiency and empowers architects and designers with a wide range of design possibilities. 

Enhance energy efficiency with Vibrantz’s cool colors 

Vibrantz is a leading supplier of “cool colors” –– NIR reflective pigments and dispersions designed to help lower heat absorption of building exteriors to improve energy efficiency​. Our cool colors are proven to: 

• Improve building efficiency by up to 20% 
• Reduce AC consumption, lowering energy bill costs 
• Increase the durability of exterior materials 

In addition to exteriors, our cool colors are commonly used in coatings for roofs, walls, asphalt and cement materials. As primary contact points with sunlight and heat, these materials are critical for implementing energy-efficient solutions in urban environments with hotter climates. 

Our team of color scientists offers technical support through formulation development, testing capabilities and customized energy savings estimation tools. 

A multifaceted solution for a sustainable future 

Cool colors cater to a more environmentally responsible building and construction industry and ushers in a future when energy-efficient buildings become the norm. The adoption of cool colors not only addresses the challenges posed by the increasing demand for cooling systems but also paves the way for a more sustainable future. Contact us to learn more about the impact cool colors can have on sustainable building practices.  

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Not only is brick proven to withstand the test of time, but it is a way for builders to incorporate nature’s color palette into architectural design. The finished colors of the clay – mined from the ground and then fired in kilns to become brick – have inspired builders and home designers for centuries.

Why build with brick?

Prized for its classical curb appeal, durability and low maintenance, brick is among the most preferred types of exterior cladding.

Clay brick requires virtually no maintenance over time and is naturally energy efficient, saving companies and homeowners time and money in the long haul. It is sustainably sourced and manufactured, recyclable and reusable on new projects, renovations and more.

Brick has become a timeless design staple offering customization based on colors, sizes and patterns.

Ensuring optimal color, brick by brick.

Color is one of the strongest expressive elements when it comes to brick design. Builders and homeowners desire limitless color options to bring their unique visions to life. Vibrantz is the largest global supplier of clay colorants and the only U.S. manufacturer of manganese colorants for the North American brick market. Our wide range of “just add water” applied surface coatings are individually formulated and custom engineered, predominantly for the residential construction market.

Our custom-engineered Red Crown® engobes provide the solutions our customers need to optimize desired color applications and heat work needs, minimize risk and increase productivity. Our clay-based engobes offer excellent opacity, extending the natural color pallet of every heavy clay manufacturer.

Color forecasting for custom blended products.

Our team provides an annual clay brick color forecast that identifies trends in the construction and interior design worlds, which we use to formulate unique products for our customers. In recent years, brick manufacturing processes have evolved to enable an almost infinite number of color choices. As the popularity of brick colors change regularly, Vibrantz partners with brick industry trade organizations to monitor design trends.

Every fall, our Advance Materials team presents upcoming brick color forecasts at the Clemson Brick Forum in partnership with The National Brick Research Center.

“Evaluating and researching upcoming color trends is an ongoing part of our job,” said Bryce Switzer, brick and tile business manager at Vibrantz. “We are constantly testing and developing new colors based on the market changes and annual forecasts. We take pride in our wide range of brick color and performance choices enabling our customers and end users to achieve the look they desire.”

Our products meet requirements and exceed expectations.

We design products to meet specific individual requirements and expectations of clay customers globally. We’re committed to giving hands-on access to specialists and the extensive resources needed to meet today’s color development challenges. Our engobes for bricks are manufactured on four continents, offering customers regional technical expertise and commercial support.

In efforts to enhance our customer experience in the U.S., we recently opened a new facility in Houston, Texas, where we make engobes for bricks and tiles, as well as products that serve additional markets.

Partner with us to achieve the look you desire.

Brick manufacturers around the world understand that no two brick plants are created equal. Raw materials from location to location will vary, along with firing temperatures and colors. Vibrantz partners with individual brick plants, matching their unique set of variables to custom designed products. We give customers peace of mind by ensuring the adhesion and color consistency of each product will achieve the desired look and feel.

Vibrantz’s array of engobes for clay bricks allow for more creativity and flexibility in designing projects, helping customers’ projects stand out.

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