I've seen high-grade veneer hold up pretty well, too, but honestly, even the best veneers can struggle in certain climates. If you're dealing with heavy moisture or freeze-thaw cycles, real brick might save headaches down the road... just something to keep in mind.
I've worked with both veneer and solid brick in a couple of my own builds, and climate definitely plays a role. Veneer can look great initially, but after a few harsh winters, I've noticed some slight cracking and moisture issues creeping in—nothing catastrophic, but enough to make me reconsider. On the other hand, the real brick wall I put up on our last project has been rock solid despite similar conditions. It's pricier and more labor-intensive upfront, but fewer headaches down the line might be worth it.
I've seen veneer hold up pretty well if you get the detailing right—good drainage plane, proper flashing, and breathable barriers behind. But yeah, skip any of that and winter will find every shortcut you took...ask me how I know, haha.
Curious if you've noticed much difference in long-term thermal performance between veneer and solid brick walls? I've seen veneer setups perform pretty well moisture-wise when detailed carefully, like you mentioned, but I've always wondered how much the air gap and insulation detailing behind veneer affects overall thermal stability compared to traditional solid brick. Ever had a chance to compare energy bills or comfort levels between the two setups through a harsh winter?
I've lived in both setups and honestly, when veneer walls are detailed right, the difference in winter comfort isn't huge. Solid brick has a certain charm, but a carefully insulated veneer wall can hold its own surprisingly well through harsh winters...might even save you a bit on heating costs.