Good points on drainage—honestly, that's usually the make-or-break factor. A few things I've noticed from experience:
- Weep holes are essential, but placement matters. Seen plenty of setups where they're blocked by landscaping or mulch... defeats the purpose.
- Cavity trays are great, but only if installed correctly. Had a client whose builder skipped corners—ended up with damp patches inside.
- Climate definitely throws curveballs. Even perfect setups can struggle in humid coastal areas.
Brick veneer can look fantastic without the full headache, but real brick done right is hard to beat.
Totally agree about drainage being key—seen too many nice brick setups ruined by moisture issues. I'm leaning toward veneer myself, mostly because of budget constraints, but I do wonder about longevity. Anyone here had veneer walls for a long time? Curious how they hold up after, say, 10-15 years... especially in areas with harsh winters or lots of rain. Would hate to save money now only to pay double later fixing problems.
I've seen veneer walls hold up surprisingly well, even in tough climates. Had a client about 12 years ago who went with veneer due to budget, and honestly, their place still looks great today. The key was proper installation and regular maintenance—checking caulking, flashing, and drainage every couple of years. Real brick is fantastic, sure, but don't underestimate veneer if it's done right. You're already thinking about drainage, so you're ahead of the game there... I'd say trust your instincts and don't stress too much about longevity.
"Real brick is fantastic, sure, but don't underestimate veneer if it's done right."
Yeah, agreed—installation quality really makes or breaks veneer. I've seen some poorly installed veneers that didn't last half as long. Curious though, have you noticed any significant resale value differences between veneer and solid brick homes?
From my experience, resale value differences aren't huge if the veneer is done well. A few things I've noticed:
- Buyers mostly care about curb appeal and maintenance—good veneer checks both boxes.
- Solid brick might fetch a slightly higher price in historic neighborhoods or areas where authenticity matters.
- But honestly, most buyers I've met don't even ask unless they're specifically into older homes.
Bottom line, quality installation and upkeep matter way more than solid vs veneer in most cases...
