Brick veneer or real brick walls - worth the extra hassle?

Good points overall, especially about detailing being key. A couple things I'd add from experience:

- Veneers can look great initially, but I've found real brick ages better over decades.
- Repairs on real brick seem simpler - matching veneer colors after 10+ years can be a nightmare.

Curious, have you run into long-term maintenance issues with veneers?

The repair issue you mentioned is a real advantage for full brick. With veneer, I’d check replacement availability before choosing a product, not just the sample on the wall. Colors, textures, and profiles get discontinued, and even a small patch can look obviously different after a few years of weathering.

I’d keep spare pieces from the original installation and record the manufacturer and product line. It’s also worth asking the installer how individual units are replaced without damaging the drainage layer behind them. A quality veneer can last well, but its long-term appearance depends partly on whether future repairs can be matched.