"Honestly, brick veneer done right is solid enough for most homes—just pay attention to flashing details and weep holes."
Yeah, I was skeptical at first too, but after doing some research and talking to a few contractors, I went with brick veneer on my place. It's been about four years now, and honestly, zero regrets. Real brick would've blown my budget, and the veneer still looks great. As long as you get someone who knows their stuff, it's totally worth saving the extra cash...
"Yeah, I was skeptical at first too, but after doing some research and talking to a few contractors, I went with brick veneer on my place."
Glad it worked out for you! I've had brick veneer on my house for about 12 years now, and it's held up surprisingly well. One thing I'd add—make sure you keep an eye on the mortar joints every few years. Even though it's veneer, weather can still cause minor cracking or deterioration over time. I usually do a quick walk-around inspection every spring, just checking for any loose bricks or cracks in the mortar. If you catch issues early, they're pretty easy to patch up yourself with some mortar mix from the hardware store.
One thing I've wondered about though... has anyone here had experience with insulating behind brick veneer? When we did ours, insulation wasn't really discussed much, but lately I've been thinking about energy efficiency and wondering if there's a practical way to retrofit insulation without tearing everything apart.
If you catch issues early, they're pretty easy to patch up yourself with some mortar mix from the hardware store. One thing I've wondered about though...
Retrofitting insulation behind brick veneer can be tricky without major demo, honestly. I've seen some folks use blown-in insulation through small drilled holes, but results vary. Might be worth checking with an insulation specialist before committing—could save you headaches down the road.
I've seen blown-in insulation work pretty well, but you're right—results can be hit or miss depending on how evenly it fills the cavity. One trick I've found helpful is to drill small test holes first in less visible spots to gauge how much space you've got behind the veneer. Also, make sure you're using a moisture-resistant insulation material, since brick can wick moisture inward sometimes...better safe than sorry.
Good call on the moisture-resistant insulation—brick can definitely surprise you with how much moisture it pulls in. I've had mixed results myself with blown-in insulation behind brick veneer. One time, I drilled test holes like you mentioned, thought I had it all figured out, but still ended up with a couple cold spots. Turns out the cavity wasn't as uniform as I assumed. Still, your method of checking first in less visible areas is smart...wish I'd thought of that earlier. Brick veneer can be tricky, but when done right, it's worth the hassle. Real brick walls are obviously sturdier, but the veneer route saves a lot of headaches if you're retrofitting an older home. Either way, sounds like you're on the right track.
