"Real brick might be messy upfront, sure, but doesn't it tend to age better and add more character long-term?"
That's a really interesting point—I hadn't considered how veneer might age differently. We're currently planning our first custom home, and I've been leaning toward veneer for convenience, but now you've got me reconsidering. Authenticity does matter to us, especially for focal areas like the living room. Maybe the extra hassle upfront is worth it for something we'll appreciate more down the line... Thanks for sharing your perspective!
We went with real brick in our kitchen, and honestly, the upfront mess wasn't as bad as we expected. Just cover everything carefully and prep for dust. Now it looks better every year...veneer just doesn't age quite the same way.
We did real brick in our dining area about five years ago, and I gotta say, your experience sounds pretty familiar. The dust was manageable—just took some careful prep and patience. But the thing that surprised me most was how much character it added over time. At first, it looked a bit too fresh and clean (almost fake, ironically), but after a couple of years, it started to mellow out and develop this really nice patina. Now it feels like it's always been there, you know?
Funny enough, my brother went the veneer route around the same time. Initially, his looked fantastic—super neat and tidy, very uniform. But lately, he's been mentioning how it's starting to feel a bit flat and artificial compared to ours. It just doesn't seem to age gracefully or pick up those subtle imperfections that make real brick so charming.
One thing I'm curious about though: have you noticed any issues with moisture or cleaning? We've had a few minor spills here and there (kids, pasta sauce...you get the idea), and while the brick cleans up okay, I've wondered if sealing it might've been a good idea. Did you seal yours or leave it natural?
Gotta admit, real brick does age pretty nicely—but I wouldn't totally discount veneer. Did a project a few years back for a client who insisted on brick veneer, and honestly, it still looks great. Maybe it's the particular brand or style, but theirs developed a subtle texture and depth over time that surprised even me. As for sealing...I usually recommend it—especially in kitchens or dining rooms—because stains and moisture can be tricky otherwise. Learned that one the hard way after a red wine spill disaster...
Interesting point about sealing—I hadn't really thought much about moisture issues, honestly. I'm currently in the planning phase for a custom home, and we're leaning towards brick veneer mainly for budget and ease of installation. But durability-wise, how does veneer hold up long-term compared to real brick? I'm thinking more about structural stuff like cracking or chipping over time. Also, does veneer handle temperature fluctuations well? We get pretty harsh winters here, and I'm wondering if freeze-thaw cycles might cause some problems down the road...
