- Totally agree with you on the veneer front—went that route myself a few years back.
- Real brick has amazing charm, no doubt, but man... the cost and hassle of repairs can really sneak up on you.
- Had friends who bought a gorgeous old brick place; looked fantastic, but insulation was a nightmare. Heating bills through the roof every winter.
- Veneer gave us flexibility for upgrades without sacrificing too much of that classic look.
- Still, gotta say, whenever I walk past those historic brick homes downtown, there's definitely some envy creeping in, haha.
Real brick definitely has its quirks, but I wouldn't write it off completely. I've worked on a few older homes where we managed to significantly improve insulation without losing the original brick charm. It takes some creativity (and yeah, extra budget), but the results can be pretty rewarding. Veneer is practical, sure, but there's something about the texture and depth of real brick that's hard to replicate... even with the best veneers out there.
Worked on a renovation last year—1920s brick home, beautiful but drafty as heck. We ended up using internal insulation panels to keep the exterior brick untouched. It was definitely trickier (and pricier) than veneer, but the thermal performance improved dramatically without sacrificing aesthetics. Veneers have come a long way, sure, but real brick just ages differently... there's a depth and subtle variation that's tough to match. Guess it depends how much you're willing to compromise on authenticity vs. convenience.
Did a custom build recently where the client opted for real brick walls, insisting on authenticity. Beautiful result, but yeah, insulation was a headache—we ended up framing an inner stud wall with spray foam insulation behind drywall. Worked great, but definitely more labor-intensive (and costly) than veneer would have been. Veneers nowadays can look pretty convincing, but real brick just has that character you can't fully replicate. Depends if you're after the look alone or the whole package...
"Depends if you're after the look alone or the whole package..."
Exactly—are you planning to sell soon or hold onto the property long-term? Real brick definitely has character, but from a developer's standpoint, veneer often makes more sense financially and logistically. I've had buyers who couldn't even tell the difference until they touched it. Is that extra authenticity worth the added costs and headaches in your market? Something to consider before diving in...
