"Ended up reframing a few sections and beefing up insulation."
Curious about this—did you notice a significant improvement in energy efficiency afterward? We're debating veneer vs. solid brick, and insulation's a big factor for us...
solid brick, and insulation's a big factor for us...
We went with veneer and extra insulation on our build last year. Honestly, the insulation made a bigger difference than the brick choice itself. Our energy bills dropped noticeably once we beefed it up, especially in winter. Solid brick looks great, but from what I've seen, it's not a huge advantage efficiency-wise unless you're really into that traditional look. If insulation's your main concern, I'd prioritize that over solid brick walls.
We did solid brick on our first house—mostly because we loved the look—and while it did feel solid and quiet inside, I can't honestly say it helped much with heating costs. The insulation was pretty thin, and winters were rough on our bills. On our next build, we went veneer with thicker insulation, and the difference was noticeable right away. If you're mainly worried about efficiency and cutting costs long-term, I'd definitely lean toward prioritizing insulation quality over solid brick walls.
That said, if you really prefer the traditional look and feel of solid brick, there's nothing wrong with choosing it—just make sure you budget extra for insulation upgrades elsewhere in the build. Either way, sounds like you're thinking this through carefully...good luck with your decision.
We went through something similar when we renovated a few years back. I totally get the appeal of solid brick—it's beautiful, classic, and feels substantial. But honestly, from an interior design perspective, there's a lot you can do to replicate that warm, traditional feel without sacrificing energy efficiency.
One of my favorite tricks is pairing brick veneer with reclaimed wood accents or exposed beams inside. It still gives that cozy, rustic vibe without the downsides of thin insulation and higher heating bills. We did this in our own place, and guests always comment on how warm and inviting it feels. Plus, we saved quite a bit on energy costs compared to friends who went for solid brick walls.
But if you're really set on the solid brick look (which I totally understand), you might want to consider investing more heavily in insulated windows or even spray foam insulation elsewhere in your build. Those upgrades can offset some of the heat loss you'd experience with solid brick walls. Also, rugs, heavy curtains, and strategic furniture placement can help with warmth and acoustics inside your home—I’ve seen it make a noticeable difference.
Ultimately, it’s about finding that sweet spot between aesthetics and practicality. There’s no wrong choice here... just depends on your priorities and how much you’re willing to tweak other parts of your build. Hope this helps a bit!
We just finished building our custom place last year, and I went back and forth on this exact issue for months. In the end, we went with brick veneer and honestly haven't regretted it at all. The savings on heating alone made it worth it, plus it freed up budget for some nice interior touches like reclaimed wood shelves and beams. Curious though—did anyone find a noticeable difference in soundproofing between veneer and solid brick? That's one thing I still wonder about...
