Solid Brick vs. Brick Veneer

A brick exterior provides homes and commercial buildings with a distinctive appearance. It lends a balance of strength and style found in few other building materials. And if that is the look that you prefer, there are two ways to achieve it — solid brick or brick veneer. There are significant differences between the materials, installation costs and specific benefits to each.

Materials

Solid bricks are generally made from natural materials such as clay and shale. They are heated in a kiln or furnace at 2,000 degrees and bound through a process called vitrification.

Veneer bricks can be produced by using a similar clay base, cement or manmade textile products. Veneers are a significantly thinner, tile-like product.

Installation

The cost of installing a brick wall runs a little more than $14 per square foot, depending on region and construction variables. Brick walls are generally built during initial construction and may be part of the support structure. They are often integrated into the building's design and require an experienced mason.

The cost of installing veneer brick wall can be as low as $11 per square foot or more than $15, depending on the grade of material, region, and construction variables. Keep in mind that veneer wall construction often involves some demolition and prep work that adds to costs. Veneers can be added at any time. Because they are a thin style-oriented addition, meshing veneer into a building’s structural design isn’t necessary.

In short, the difference often comes down to strength vs style.

Solid Benefits

Brick construction resists the elements and often lasts for hundreds of years. It doesn’t require wood support, which makes it impervious to pests such as termites, powder post beetles, and nesting carpenter ants. When considering solid brick, think about the Three Little Pigs. The Big Bad Wolf couldn’t blow the brick house down.

Veneer Benefits

Veneers are primarily stylistic upgrades. They are fairly simple to install. Most general contractors or DIY homeowners can handle the work. Like solid brick, they are resistant to the elements and help repel moisture. Veneers come in an assortment of colors and textures. The big upside to veneer brick, however, is being able to enjoy a brick façade on any existing home.

While neither solid brick nor veneer require ongoing maintenance. Both give a property a certain style and protect from the elements. It’s generally more cost-effective to go with a brick during initial construction and veneer on existing structures. Either way, both are a win for any property owner.

If you're looking for a professional masonry contractor, contact Soulliere Decorative Services today. We have a variety of masonry services to suit your needs. 

How Pavers Can Enhance Your Home

If you have been considering the use of brick pavers for creating a stylish entryway for your home, you are in luck. Pavers can do more than just add to the exterior design. When you choose professional brick paving for your landscape it also adds...

How Pavers Can Conserve Water

Permeation is the process through the earth gets the water to the surface below. The water can be through rain, flood, snowfall, etc. The level of groundwater is dependable on the permeation. The wells and reservoirs are all depending on this...

Create A Fall Fire Pit With Pavers (Brick Paving)

Nothing quite has the ambiance and allure of a backyard fire pit in the evening. The stars are out and the flames make you feel relaxed. They’re also great gathering spots for friends and family. If you are considering adding a fire pit to...

Benefits of Having A Stone Patio

Summer is here and it is time to style up the patio to match the season. You want something to go with the summer atmosphere that is welcoming and says, "Let's have a party." Why not go for a stone patio? It is not as crazy as it...

What Are The Best Stones For Paving My Walkway?

Most homeowners are so focused on swimming pools, built-in home features like barbecues that they tend to forget about walkways. Walkways are crucial as they are necessary for getting from a point A to B, and also they connect different focal to...

Why Should I Add Hardscape To My Landscape?

How can hardscaping improve my landscape?  There are several benefits to having your land hardscaped. It is great to have a lush and verdant landscape with a lot of flowers, trees and shrubs. However, hardscaping adds a special something to...

What To Look For In A Masonry Contractor

Choosing a qualified masonry contractor for a specific job depends partially on the materials that the job requires. While most masons can work with a variety of materials, some specialize in certain types of work and excel in doing so because of...

Benefits of Driveway Pavers

Driveway pavers are increasingly used in the place of concrete for commercial and residential driveways. The pavers offer a number of benefits over concrete that include the following: Repair Costs Concrete driveways regularly pit and crack...
586-221-4147