The Cost Of Designer Walls XL Brick Panels Vs Brick Slips

Are you considering an exposed brick wall for your home or business? Our panels are indistinguishable from real brick walls, but from a cost perspective how do they compare to brick slips?

Usually in the long run with installation taken into account, ours are considerably cheaper.

Browse our XL Faux Brick Panel range | Browse our XL Faux Stone Panel range

At first glance, traditional brick slips (thin tiles that look like real bricks to create the illusion of a brick wall) might seem like the affordable way to achieve an exposed brick wall. And yes, whilst our XL brick panels are a high-quality product that is initially more expensive once you factor in the total cost of materials, labour and time it becomes clear that Designer Walls XL faux brick panels offer not only realism, the highest quality and long-term ease of maintenance but an economical solution that matches and can even beat brick slips.

Get a quote on our brick wall panels – all we need is your wall dimensions and a postcode or location.

Here’s a breakdown of the hidden costs with brick slips, and why our XL panels consistently save our clients money:

1. Faster Installation = Less Labour Cost

Brick slips must be installed one piece at a time — a meticulous and time-consuming process involving: surface prep, individual placement, grouting and drying time.

This is a long process that can take days, especially over large areas.

In contrast, Designer Walls XL brick panels are huge. They cover massive areas (3.33m x 1.35m approx depending on the design) and can be simply screwed directly to the wall — no cement, grout, or drying time required. A quick and clean install job that can installed within a day.

2. No Specialist Trades Required

Installing brick slips to a professional standard can require skilled labour, maybe of a bricklayer or tiler for a proper installation. There may also be a longer wait time looking for this labour, its unlikely a skilled labourer would be able to jump on a project with only a few days or weeks notice.

Our brick panels are more straightforward to install by general contractors and builders. Depending on the project, location and dates available, we can install locally ourselves. Whilst we recommend using some with knowledge on installation, we even have had savvy DIYer clients who have installed them in the past.

3. No Downtime on Drying or Setting

No drying time, no waiting and a bonus point – there’s minimal mess compared to brick slips.

Our panels are dry fit meaning there is no need to wait for cement to dry. All that is required is some grout which we will supply you with that covers any joints at the end of the installation process.

You can move from install to finished space in as little as a single day — improving project efficiency and reducing time-related costs.

4. Reduced Maintenance and Repairs

Over time, brick slips can crack, chip, or suffer from grout deterioration — especially in busy commercial settings or high-traffic areas. Fixing these issues can be time-consuming and costly.

In contrast our XL panels are virtually indestructible. Designer Walls panels are built to last. Their resin and fibreglass construction resists impact and doesn’t crack or crumble.

We regularly challenge passers-by at design shows we attend to try and break samples of our panels by jumping on them and throwing them. They are also easy to uninstall and reapply without damage making them a top choice for temporary spaces like film sets or events.

An Example Quote Comparison For Our Brick Panels Vs Brick Slips

As of 2025 Check A Trade has found the average cost of a brick slip to be £65 per m² with brick slips installation cost being around £195 per m² costing roughly £260 for a 1m2 wall.

Our XL brick panels are 4.34 m² depending on the design chosen and whilst initially more expensive, can be installed at a much more budget friendly cost especially when installing larger amounts. To order and pay for installation for one of these 4.34 m² XL Faux Brick Panels would be approximately £644 (plus VAT). In comparison for brick slips in the same meterage, plus installation of the brick slips could vary to around £846 (plus VAT).

In the long run the price, quality and realism of our panels exceed brick slips.

Get a quote on our brick wall panels – all we need is your wall dimensions and a postcode or location.

A Smarter Investment from Day One

While brick slips can seem like a low-cost option, the real cost adds up quickly. With Designer Walls XL Panels, you’re not just buying a product — you’re investing in a faster, cleaner, more efficient way to build beautiful spaces.

Not only do Designer Walls XL panels save you time and a bit of money, but they also deliver the most realistic brick wall look on the market. Your guests, customers, or clients will never know they’re not real bricks!

Next Steps

Why not browse our XL brick panels and choose some of your favourites, request a quote based on your wall sizes and location, or request a sample to see the quality for yourself.