Anyone building a home or expanding on their existing one must consider a wide range of building materials. Solid brick is among the most popular, but in recent decades, brick veneer has become a reliable alternative for a type of stone masonry that’s been popular for the last 30 years.
All of that begs the question, “What is brick veneer, and should I use it for my construction or renovation project?” In short, brick veneer is a single layer of thin brick that attaches to your home’s existing wooden frame to create a brick home’s classic aesthetic. However, brick veneer has several advantages over traditional brick masonry.
- What’s The Difference Between Solid Brick And Brick Veneer? Check It Out.
- Which One Is Better, Brick Veneer Or Solid Brick? Let’s Find Out.
How To Tell Brick Veneer From Solid Brick
Appearance is the only real similarity when comparing brick veneer vs solid brick. Despite solid brick walls being thicker and made from individual bricks and brick veneer walls being a single, cohesive layer, the two look nearly identical. However, you will see slight differences upon close inspection.
A solid masonry wall will have header bricks and reinforced arches for structural support. On the other hand, a brick veneer doesn’t need support since it relies on your home’s existing frame and lacks those design quirks. In fact, many people prefer the look of brick veneer over solid brick since it is more uniform without arches or header bricks.
Brick Veneer vs Solid Brick: The Differences
Now that we’ve shown how brick veneer is compares to solid brick, we can examine what sets them apart. Despite their similar appearance, traditional brick walls and brick veneer attachments stand apart in several critical ways.
Insulation
Traditional brick masonry is a heavy material with tiny gaps between individual bricks. Those holes are enough to let air and water pass through, wrecking your home’s internal temperature and potentially spiking your utility bills. However, since brick veneer is an extra layer with the exact properties needed to keep outdoor elements where they belong, brick veneer homes are often among the best insulated.
Durability
The significant advantage that solid brick has over brick veneer is strength. Solid brick homes are robust and resist earthquakes, heavy winds, and housefires as long as they’re well-built and in good condition. While layers of brick veneer won’t make your home more prone to damage from natural disasters, they won’t offer any additional resistance as solid brick does.
Cost
Because of the timeless appearance and durability, solid brick is one of the most expensive home-building materials. On the other hand, brick veneer is a cost-effective way to bring the appearance of solid brick to your home without the high price. It costs roughly half of traditional stone walls.
Ease of Installation
Installing solid brick walls is one of the most demanding, time-consuming renovation projects you can pursue. It requires extensive construction knowledge and additional support structures. Since it’s integral to a building’s strength, you have to set up your brick walls before anything else.
When Is Brick Veneer Better Than Solid Brick Homes?
Brick veneer is a stellar fit for several home styles, but it’s most useful in the following situations.
When You Want The Look Of Solid Brick Homes For A Low Cost
The most common reason people invest in brick veneer is to give their building the beautiful aesthetic of traditional brick without the huge cost. Veneer has the color and appearance of traditional brick, and as previously mentioned, many people even prefer brick veneer’s appearance because of its uniformity.
If You Want An After-Construction Upgrade
One unique benefit of brick veneer is that you don’t have to install it during your home’s initial construction; you can simply add it whenever you’re tired of your home’s existing aesthetic.
If You Need Better Insulation
Chicago has demanding weather conditions year-round. Poorly-built homes suffer the most in intense climate conditions since they struggle to keep weather conditions outdoors. Luckily, brick veneer is an excellent insulator and can add a layer of weather defense to your home if you struggle to keep it at the ideal temperature.
Brick venner has been the go-to material for brick lovers for the past three decades. If you’re considering a brick veneer installation, you should also consider talking to professional masonry contractors Chicago to get the job done right.