"It added some upfront cost and complexity, but honestly, it seemed worth it."
Couldn't agree more. I've specified rainscreen systems behind brick veneers on several projects now, and the difference in moisture management is night and day. Traditional brick veneer setups often trap moisture, leading to efflorescence or even mold issues down the line. The air gap isn't just about drainage either—it significantly improves drying potential, extending the lifespan of your wall assembly. A bit pricier upfront, sure... but compared to remediation costs later? It's a no-brainer.
"Traditional brick veneer setups often trap moisture, leading to efflorescence or even mold issues down the line."
Exactly. I've seen interiors ruined by moisture issues behind brick walls—beautiful finishes warped, paint peeling, and don't even get me started on mold remediation costs. Clients sometimes balk at the upfront expense, but when you lay out the potential headaches (and wallet aches) down the road... most come around pretty quickly. Definitely worth pushing for the rainscreen approach if you can.
"Clients sometimes balk at the upfront expense, but when you lay out the potential headaches (and wallet aches) down the road... most come around pretty quickly."
Couldn't agree more. When we built our house, I initially hesitated at the extra cost of a rainscreen. But after seeing a friend's renovation nightmare—mold behind the brick veneer, warped drywall, the works—I reconsidered. It's definitely an investment up front, but peace of mind is priceless. Glad we went that route in the end.
We went through something similar when renovating our place. Initially, I thought brick veneer would be fine—cheaper, quicker, seemed solid enough. But after talking to a neighbor who had moisture issues behind their veneer (similar mold horror story), we bit the bullet and went with real brick walls. Definitely more hassle and expense upfront, but zero regrets now. Curious though, did you notice a significant difference in insulation or energy efficiency after adding the rainscreen?
"Curious though, did you notice a significant difference in insulation or energy efficiency after adding the rainscreen?"
Funny you mention that—when we renovated our old townhouse, we debated the same thing. We ended up going with brick veneer but added a rainscreen system behind it (after hearing some mold horror stories ourselves). Honestly, I was skeptical at first... seemed like another pricey "must-have" from the contractor. But surprisingly, it made a noticeable difference. Winters felt warmer without cranking up the heat as much, and summers were definitely cooler inside. Our energy bills dropped enough to make me feel a bit smug about the decision.
That said, I totally get why you'd go for real brick walls. There's something reassuringly solid about them, and they age beautifully too. If budget hadn't been a factor, I'd probably have leaned that way myself. Either way, seems like avoiding moisture issues is key—mold is no joke!
