I used reclaimed wood for a small garden shed a few years back, and honestly, sealing it made a huge difference. Without it, the wood started looking weathered pretty fast...but with a good natural oil finish, it's held up surprisingly well. Still, brick probably wins on low maintenance.
Brick definitely has the edge on low maintenance, but honestly, real brick walls can be a bit of a headache to install properly—especially if you're picky about details (like me). Brick veneer might seem like a shortcut, but done right, it can look just as good and save you some hassle down the road. I went with veneer on my porch columns last year...no regrets yet. Still, nothing beats the solid feel of real brick if you're willing to put in the extra effort.
I get your point about veneer being easier, but honestly, I've found real brick walls aren't as daunting as they seem—especially if you hire someone who knows their stuff. We redid our garden wall a few years back, and the mason we hired made it look effortless. Sure, it cost a bit more upfront, but the durability and authentic feel have been worth every penny. Veneer looks great, no doubt, but there's something reassuring about knowing it's solid brick through and through...
We went with veneer on a client's remodel last year, and honestly, it turned out beautifully. But I totally get what you're saying about the reassuring solidity of real brick... Have you noticed any maintenance differences over time between veneer and solid brick?
I've noticed veneer tends to hold up surprisingly well, especially indoors. Real brick can sometimes be a bit fussier—I've had clients dealing with moisture issues or needing repointing after a few years. Veneer, on the other hand, usually just needs occasional dusting or wiping down. But I agree, there's something undeniably appealing about the authenticity of solid brick... it just depends if the client values aesthetics and ease of maintenance over that reassuring solidity.
