Interesting perspective, hadn't really thought about the remodeling angle before. Makes sense that solid brick could complicate things later on. I'm curious though, does brick veneer hold up as well over time? Like, I get that it's cheaper and easier upfront, but does anyone have experience with how it ages compared to solid brick? I've seen some older brick veneer houses where the veneer starts looking kinda shabby after a few decades—cracks, loose bricks, that sort of thing. Maybe that's just poor installation or maintenance though...not sure. Would be good to hear from someone who's had brick veneer long-term—did it stay looking nice, or did you end up wishing you'd gone with solid brick in the first place?
Brick veneer can definitely hold up well, but a lot depends on proper installation and ongoing maintenance. I've seen veneer homes from the '70s still looking sharp because they had good moisture barriers and regular upkeep. On the flip side, poorly installed veneer can trap moisture, leading to those cracks and loose bricks you're mentioning. Makes me wonder...has anyone noticed if certain climates or regions seem to impact veneer durability more than others?