Fair points, but honestly, I've seen too many solid brick structures develop hairline cracks over time—even with decent foundations. Sure, veneer has its moisture issues, but that's usually down to poor flashing or drainage details. With proper detailing, veneer can be just as durable and far less sensitive to shifting soils. Solid brick looks great, no doubt, but for most modern builds, I'd still lean towards veneer for practicality...and budget.
I've been going through this exact decision process myself recently. Initially, I was dead set on solid brick because, well...it just seemed sturdier. But after talking to a few builders and neighbors who've built recently, veneer started making more sense. One neighbor showed me step-by-step how they handled moisture barriers and flashing details—honestly, with proper installation, veneer felt pretty solid. Plus, the savings let us upgrade elsewhere, which was nice. Still love the look of traditional brick, but practicality won out here.
"Plus, the savings let us upgrade elsewhere, which was nice."
Had a similar experience recently—went veneer and put the extra cash into better insulation and windows. Curious though, anyone notice a difference in resale value between veneer and solid brick homes?
"Plus, the savings let us upgrade elsewhere, which was nice."
I get the logic behind going veneer and investing elsewhere, but from my experience, solid brick can sometimes edge out veneer in resale value—especially in neighborhoods where buyers prioritize durability or historical charm. Not saying veneer isn't practical (it definitely is), but if resale is a big factor, it might be worth double-checking local market trends or chatting with a realtor who knows your area well.
"solid brick can sometimes edge out veneer in resale value—especially in neighborhoods where buyers prioritize durability or historical charm."
That's a fair point, and I totally get the appeal of solid brick. But honestly, when we were doing our remodel, the cost difference was pretty significant, and veneer ended up being a lifesaver budget-wise. We were able to put that extra cash toward better insulation and upgraded windows, which, funny enough, ended up being a big selling point later on.
I remember talking to our realtor about it, and she mentioned that buyers in our area were more concerned with energy efficiency and comfort than the authenticity of the brickwork. I guess it really does depend on local expectations and neighborhood trends. She also pointed out that veneer these days is miles ahead of what it used to be—much more realistic looking and durable, so the gap between veneer and solid brick isn't as noticeable as it once was.
One thing I'd suggest, though, is checking out some homes in your neighborhood that recently sold. We did a quick drive-by of a few listings and open houses just to see what finishes were common and what buyers seemed drawn to. It gave us a good sense of what was expected without relying solely on realtor advice or online research.
On a side note, installation matters a lot. We had a friend who went veneer but skimped on installation, and it definitely showed after a few years—cracks and moisture issues popped up. So if you do go veneer, make sure the contractor knows their stuff. Saving money upfront isn't worth headaches down the road.
Anyway, just my two cents from personal experience... good luck with whichever route you choose!
