"Pinterest makes everything look effortless. In reality, it's definitely more involved than just stacking bricks randomly."
Haha, ain't that the truth... Real brick walls do take extra effort (and cash), but honestly, veneer just doesn't age the same way. If you're after character and longevity, real brick's worth the hassle every time.
Real brick definitely has its charm, no argument there. But veneer has come a long way lately—some of the newer stuff is pretty convincing, even up close. Plus, real brick can be a pain when it comes to foundation support and moisture issues... learned that the hard way on a recent build. Curious if anyone here's had veneer installed for more than a decade—does it really hold up long-term, or does it start looking fake eventually?
"Curious if anyone here's had veneer installed for more than a decade—does it really hold up long-term, or does it start looking fake eventually?"
Installed brick veneer about 12 years ago on our place. Still looks pretty good overall, but I've noticed some fading on the south-facing side... sun exposure maybe? Wonder if real brick would handle that better long-term.
I've had real brick walls on my house for about 20 years now, and honestly, fading isn't really an issue. But before you jump to conclusions about real brick being better, keep in mind it comes with its own set of headaches. Real brick needs proper drainage and moisture barriers behind it—otherwise, you're looking at potential water damage or mold issues down the line. Plus, repairs can be a pain if something does go wrong.
Brick veneer might fade a bit faster, sure, but it's usually easier (and cheaper) to maintain or replace sections if needed. If your south-facing side is fading noticeably, you could always consider applying a breathable masonry sealer or even just giving it a gentle power wash every few years to freshen things up. I've seen neighbors do that with pretty good results.
Bottom line: real brick isn't necessarily the magic bullet for durability—it just trades one set of maintenance tasks for another.
"Real brick needs proper drainage and moisture barriers behind it—otherwise, you're looking at potential water damage or mold issues down the line."
You're spot-on about moisture barriers. I remember a client who insisted on real brick but skimped on proper drainage behind it... fast forward a few years, and they had some serious mold problems creeping in. Brick veneer definitely has its perks, especially if you're not keen on meticulous upkeep. But then again, nothing quite matches the feel and look of real brick if you're willing to put in the extra effort.
