"Maintenance-wise, is there really less upkeep with solid brick over the long haul?"
Good question—my parents' old place had solid brick walls, and honestly, they weren't exactly maintenance-free. Repointing mortar every decade or so adds up... Wonder how veneer compares cost-wise in the long run?
That's a fair point about repointing—it's definitely something people overlook. From what I've seen, veneer can have its own headaches too, like moisture getting trapped behind the brick layer... and then you're dealing with mold or rot issues. Cost-wise, veneer might save you upfront, but I wonder if those hidden problems could balance things out over time. Seems like there's no clear winner here, just trade-offs depending on your priorities.
Good points raised here, but honestly, if veneer is done right—with proper drainage and flashing—it can hold up pretty well. I've seen plenty of veneer jobs last decades without mold issues. Still, nothing beats the charm of solid brick, headaches and all...depends how much hassle you're willing to embrace, haha.
"Still, nothing beats the charm of solid brick, headaches and all...depends how much hassle you're willing to embrace, haha."
True, there's something uniquely appealing about solid brick—especially as it ages and develops that beautiful patina. But I'm curious, has anyone here successfully blended brick veneer and real brick in a single project? Wondering if mixing both could strike a balance between practicality and charm, or if it'd just end up looking mismatched...
"Wondering if mixing both could strike a balance between practicality and charm, or if it'd just end up looking mismatched..."
I've seen it done successfully a few times, but it really hinges on how carefully you match the veneer to the original brick. The key is consistency in color tone and mortar style—if those are off, even slightly, it can look awkward. One project I worked on involved extending an older brick home with veneer for budget reasons. We spent ages sourcing veneer that matched the original brick's weathered look, and honestly, from a distance you'd never know the difference. Up close though...well, let's just say a keen eye could spot it.
Another thing to consider is placement. If you're blending veneer and solid brick on separate elevations or distinct architectural features (like an addition vs. original structure), it's usually less noticeable than mixing them randomly on the same wall.
So yeah, it's doable—but definitely requires some careful planning and attention to detail to pull off convincingly.