Totally get your point about detailing—seen it myself plenty of times. I've worked on projects where clients insisted on real brick, thinking it'd solve all their durability worries, but ended up disappointed because the install was rushed or sloppy. Honestly, veneer can look amazing and hold up great if the installer knows their stuff. Good craftsmanship really is everything... learned that the hard way too!
"Honestly, veneer can look amazing and hold up great if the installer knows their stuff."
Couldn't agree more. We went with brick veneer for our kitchen remodel mainly to save on costs, and I was a bit skeptical at first. But our installer was meticulous—took his time, paid attention to detail—and honestly, it turned out better than some real brick walls I've seen. Craftsmanship really does make or break it... glad we didn't overspend on real brick after all.
Interesting perspective, and yeah, craftsmanship definitely matters. But have you thought about the long-term durability? I've seen veneer hold up well indoors, but outdoors or in high-moisture areas it can be hit or miss. Real brick tends to handle moisture and temperature swings better. Curious how your veneer holds up over time—hopefully it stays looking great, but something to keep an eye on...
Good points about moisture and durability. I've actually had mixed experiences myself. A few years back, I worked on a residential project where the client insisted on brick veneer for an outdoor kitchen area. We took extra precautions—sealed it well, proper flashing, drainage gaps, the whole nine yards. It looked fantastic at first, but after about three winters (we get pretty harsh freeze-thaw cycles here), we started noticing some minor cracking and slight discoloration around the edges.
On the flip side, I've seen veneer hold up surprisingly well indoors or in sheltered outdoor spaces like covered patios. Real brick definitely has an edge outdoors, especially if you're dealing with heavy rain or snow regularly. But honestly, with careful detailing and regular maintenance checks, veneer can still be a decent option if budget or weight is a concern. Just gotta be realistic about expectations and prepared to do some upkeep down the line...
Interesting experiences for sure, but I'm wondering if the cracking and discoloration might've been more about the specific veneer product or installation rather than brick veneer in general? I've had a couple outdoor kitchen projects use high-quality thin brick veneer with no major issues even after several harsh winters. Maybe it's worth looking into higher-grade veneer options or different mortar mixes before ruling it out completely...
