I've noticed something similar with veneer setups. Had one installed about 6 years back, looked great at first but started seeing moisture creeping in around year three. Real brick walls I've had never gave me issues—maybe old-school is just more reliable long-term?
"Had one installed about 6 years back, looked great at first but started seeing moisture creeping in around year three."
That's interesting... Do you think it might've been a sealing or installation issue rather than the veneer itself? I'm currently planning my first custom build and debating between veneer and traditional brick. Kinda worried now about moisture problems down the line. Did your installer mention anything specific about maintenance or sealing to prevent water intrusion? Curious if that's a common thing people overlook...
Had a similar experience a few years back—turned out the moisture issue wasn't really the veneer itself but rather the flashing and sealing around windows and joints. Once we got that sorted, no more problems. Did your installer use any sort of moisture barrier behind the veneer? Sometimes that step gets rushed or overlooked... Proper detailing makes all the difference.
Good points here—seen this issue pop up a lot. Usually it's exactly as you said, flashing and sealing details. Couple quick things I'd add from experience:
- Moisture barrier behind veneer is non-negotiable. If your installer skipped or rushed it, you're asking for trouble down the road.
- Proper weep holes at the base are also critical. Seen some jobs where they were forgotten entirely—no joke, brick wall turned into a sponge.
- Real brick walls aren't immune either, though. If detailing's sloppy, you'll still end up chasing leaks.
End of the day, good detailing beats fancy materials every time...
"End of the day, good detailing beats fancy materials every time..."
Couldn't agree more with this. A few years back, I went with real brick thinking it'd be bulletproof—ended up with leaks anyway because the flashing was sloppy. Lesson learned.
Couple things I'd add from a budget-conscious perspective:
- Brick veneer can actually be pretty solid if done right. Key is finding someone who knows their stuff and won't cut corners on moisture barriers and weep holes (seriously, can't stress this enough).
- Real brick walls look great, but the cost jump isn't always worth it. You're paying extra mostly for aesthetics and a bit more durability, but if your installer skimps on detailing, you're still stuck with problems.
- Maintenance matters too. Veneer repairs tend to be quicker and cheaper. Real brick fixes... well, let's just say my wallet still remembers.
Bottom line, whichever you choose, don't cheap out on the installer. Good craftsmanship pays off big time down the road.
