I was asking myself the same thing a few months ago when we were finalizing plans for our house. We ended up going with brick veneer mainly for budget reasons, but your concerns are valid. Our contractor emphasized the importance of proper moisture barriers and good installation practices. So far, no issues, but it's early days yet... I guess the key is really making sure your builder knows their stuff to avoid those hidden problems down the line.
Good points all around. I've been building custom homes for a while now, and honestly, brick veneer can be just as solid as traditional brick walls if done correctly. A few quick thoughts from my experience:
- You're spot-on about moisture barriers. That's the number one thing I always stress—no cutting corners there. Proper flashing, drainage planes, and weep holes are critical. Most issues I’ve seen are from rushed or careless installation rather than the materials themselves.
- Real brick walls do have their charm and durability, no question. But they come with their own headaches—higher costs, longer construction time, heavier structural support needed... it adds complexity for sure.
- Anecdotally, I've had clients go both ways. One couple insisted on real brick because they wanted an authentic, old-school feel. It turned out beautiful, but they definitely spent more than initially planned. On the flip side, plenty of folks have gone veneer and years later they're still happy with it—no regrets or major issues.
- One minor disagreement I'd offer is the idea that veneer automatically means hidden problems down the road. It really comes down to how meticulous your builder is with detailing. If they're careful and experienced, brick veneer can hold up extremely well over time.
Bottom line, you're already thinking about the right things here—quality installation and moisture control are key. If you've got a good builder you trust (sounds like you do), you're probably in good shape either way. Good luck with your project...sounds exciting!
Totally agree on moisture control—seen too many good veneers ruined by sloppy flashing. Real brick is great, but honestly, most homeowners underestimate the extra structural work (and cost) involved. Had a client once who insisted on solid brick walls...beautiful result, but man, their budget took a beating. Veneer done right holds up just fine, and your wallet will thank you later.
"Real brick is great, but honestly, most homeowners underestimate the extra structural work (and cost) involved."
Yeah, learned this one the hard way myself. Had a small development project a few years back where we went with solid brick walls at the client's request—looked fantastic, but the structural engineer practically became my best friend by the end of it. Veneer done properly is plenty durable and saves a ton of headaches down the line...live and learn, I guess.
Yeah, learned this one the hard way myself.
Interesting points here...I was leaning toward solid brick myself, but now I'm second-guessing. Is veneer really that durable long-term? I mean, it sounds good, but does it hold up well enough to justify the savings?
