"Real brick definitely has a sturdier feel and less maintenance overall, but the cost difference is significant enough that veneer makes sense for a lot of projects."
Totally agree with this. I've seen some high-end homes use veneer beautifully, and you'd never guess it wasn't solid brick unless you got up close. Prep and sealing are key, though—sounds like you nailed that part. Five years in and still looking good is impressive...clearly you did your homework on installation. Nice job.
I've been debating this exact thing for our reno project. Real brick definitely has that charm and sturdiness, but honestly, the veneer options out there now are pretty amazing. My neighbor did a veneer accent wall in their living room, and I swear you'd never guess it's not solid brick unless you literally tap on it. Plus, they saved enough money to splurge on some really cool lighting fixtures that totally transformed the space.
Sounds like you really took your time with prep and sealing—smart move. I've heard that's the make-or-break step with veneer. Five years and still going strong is super encouraging...makes me feel better about leaning toward veneer myself. Thanks for sharing your experience—it helps to hear real-world results from someone who's actually lived with it for a while.
I've gotta admit, I'm usually a bit skeptical about veneer because I've seen some pretty questionable installs over the years. But you're right, the newer stuff has come a loooong way. Saw a client recently who did a veneer fireplace surround—honestly, I had to double-check it wasn't real brick. If you prep and seal properly like you mentioned, it seems like veneer can really hold its own. Still, there's something about real brick that just feels...solid? Guess it depends what vibe you're after and how much hassle you're willing to put up with.
"Still, there's something about real brick that just feels...solid?"
Haha, totally get what you mean by "solid." Real brick definitely has that reassuring heft and texture that's hard to replicate. But honestly, from a practical standpoint, I've seen veneer outperform real brick in certain situations—especially when weight or structural support is an issue. Plus, some of the newer veneers have impressive fire ratings and durability. Guess it boils down to balancing aesthetics with practicality...and how much dust you're willing to deal with during installation.
Good points here. I've had projects where real brick was a must-have just because clients insisted on authenticity, but honestly, veneer has saved my neck more than once—especially on renovations where the existing structure couldn't handle the extra load. That said, I've noticed real brick tends to age a bit more gracefully over decades. Wonder if anyone's seen veneer hold up equally well long-term?
