Silane sealers can be pricier upfront, but considering their longer lifespan and deeper penetration, they might actually save money long-term. Silicone works fine, but I've noticed it doesn't hold up as well against weathering... just something to think about.
I've been thinking about this too lately. When we built our place, we went with real brick, and honestly, it was a bit of a headache at first—extra costs, longer build time, etc. But now, after a few years, I'm glad we did it. It just feels super solid, you know? Plus, I haven't had to worry much about weathering or maintenance.
As for sealers, I hear you on silane vs silicone. I've mostly used silicone myself and it does the job okay-ish... but yeah, it definitely fades faster than I'd like. Maybe I should consider silane next time around. Do you think the deeper penetration actually makes that big of a difference long-term? Like enough to justify the upfront cost difference? Curious if anyone's done a side-by-side comparison over several years...
"Do you think the deeper penetration actually makes that big of a difference long-term? Like enough to justify the upfront cost difference?"
I've done some builds with both silicone and silane sealers, and honestly, the silane does seem to last noticeably longer. Silicone starts strong but fades quicker, especially in harsh climates. Silane's deeper penetration helps it hold up better against freeze-thaw cycles and moisture issues. Yeah, the upfront cost stings a bit, but fewer callbacks and less hassle down the road makes it worth considering... at least from my experience.
I've mostly worked on interiors, but I remember one project where the client insisted on real brick walls inside. We went with silane after some back-and-forth, and honestly, years later, it still looks great—no moisture stains or flaking. Definitely seems worth the extra upfront cost.
Interesting experience with the silane. I went the real brick route on my own build a few years back, and honestly, I had mixed feelings at first. The upfront cost and extra labor definitely gave me pause, but now I'm glad I stuck with it. There's just something about the texture and warmth real brick brings that veneer can't quite match. Haven't had moisture issues either, though I did spend extra time sealing and prepping... seems like it paid off.
