I've seen veneer hold up surprisingly well, actually. My parents' place has brick veneer siding that's pushing 25 years now, and aside from a few minor repairs (mostly mortar touch-ups), it's still looking pretty solid. Granted, real brick does have that timeless charm as it ages, but if budget's tight or structure's an issue, veneer can definitely be a reliable alternative long-term. Just gotta make sure it's installed properly—seems like that's the key factor in durability.
Proper installation is definitely the make-or-break factor with veneer, you're right on that. I've worked with brick veneer on a couple of DIY projects, and honestly, it's held up well so far—no major complaints. But one thing I've noticed is that moisture management behind the veneer is critical. If water gets trapped back there, you're looking at mold or rot issues down the line. A good vapor barrier and proper flashing around windows and doors can save you a ton of headaches later.
Real brick walls are obviously more forgiving in that sense since they're solid and breathe better naturally. But if you're careful and thorough during installation, veneer can be pretty trouble-free.
Curious though—has anyone here had experience retrofitting brick veneer onto an older home? Wondering how tricky it is to get everything sealed up properly when dealing with existing structures...
I retrofitted brick veneer onto my parents' older ranch-style home a few years back, and honestly, sealing everything up was a bit of an adventure. Older homes rarely have perfectly straight walls or level surfaces, so getting the flashing and vapor barrier just right took some patience (and a fair amount of colorful language...). But once we got past that hurdle, it's held up surprisingly well—no moisture issues yet. Just be prepared for some unexpected quirks along the way.
"Older homes rarely have perfectly straight walls or level surfaces, so getting the flashing and vapor barrier just right took some patience (and a fair amount of colorful language...)."
I can definitely relate to this. A few years ago, I oversaw a renovation project where we added brick veneer to a mid-century bungalow. The unevenness of the original structure made aligning everything a real challenge—especially around windows and doors. We ended up spending more time (and budget) than anticipated on adjustments. Still, the final result was impressive, and it's held up nicely. Curious though, did you find any unexpected structural issues behind the walls during your retrofit?
- Totally get the frustration with uneven surfaces...did a brick veneer job on our 70s ranch and found warped studs and some water damage behind the siding.
- Ended up reframing a few sections and beefing up insulation.
- Worth it in the end, but yeah, budget took a hit.
