Brick Archives - Pacific Stones

The Thin Alternative to Traditional Masonry

Masonry is a method of construction in which single units are laid and bound together using mortar. Typically, masonry construction employs the use of materials like brick, building stone or concrete blocks. In recent years, however, thin masonry veneer products have taken over the market as they offer a less labour-intensive, more affordable way to achieve some of the same results as traditional masonry products. Thin masonry veneer products include thin brick veneer, natural stone veneer and manufactured stone veneer.

Thin brick veneers are available in a range of textures and colours unmatched by stone veneers. For that reason, many prefer thin bricks to other masonry veneer products as it is easier to find brick masonry veneer products to match your specific design style.

What is Thin Brick Veneer?

A brick veneer is a thin overlay used on the frame of a building. Thin brick veneers are versatile and are designed to mimic the appearance of solid bricks. But unlike solid bricks that may be used to build foundations and walls, thin brick veneer products are mainly used for decorative purposes and not to support the entire building. Solid brick structures are built by laying bricks back to back and cementing them in place. On the other hand, brick veneers are placed on the exterior of a building that has been constructed using steel or wooden framing, then covered with wood sheathing or insulation before being covered by brick veneers. So, if you were to remove brick veneers from a building, the structural integrity would not be compromised.

Brick veneers are a great alternative to plain wooden walls as they can be used to create impressive exteriors and stunning feature walls for the interior of your home or office.

Benefits

One distinct advantage of thin brick veneers is that they can be installed after a building is completed. When compared to solid brick, thin brick veneers offer better insulation due to the methods used in construction. Thin brick veneers are also easy to install and more affordable. During installation, small openings are created to allow for proper drainage. These openings, called weep holes, ensure that moisture does not get trapped between the veneers and the exterior walls.

Drawbacks

As with all products, there are drawbacks to consider when working with thin brick veneers. One considerable disadvantage to thin brick veneers is that weep holes may become clogged over time. Additionally, thin brick veneers may not be able to withstand natural occurrences such as earthquakes or extremely high winds.

Are you searching for a thin brick veneer supplier in Surrey?

The use of masonry veneers in Surrey has seen a spike in recent years because of their versatility and aesthetic value.

If you are searching for a thin brick supplier in Surrey, contact us at Pacific Stone. At Pacific Stone, we have been a leading importer of masonry products for nearly 15 years. We are proud to be a distributor of the Royal Thin Brick, MetroBrick® and Summit Brick collections which include, high-quality, affordable, sustainable and easy-to-install brick veneers.

Call us today or visit our sales and design centre where you will find a quiet and accommodating place to plan your next project with helpful staff that can offer advice and estimate costs.

Solid Masonry vs Brick Veneer

Leave a Comment / Brick, Stone Veneer / By pacific

Brick homes are timeless. They are some of the most attractive and sought after properties in real estate. Bricks are durable, low maintenance, strong, and more weather- and fire-resistant than other building materials. They can help to block out noise, are less susceptible to pests, and can increase the value of your property.

But are all brick houses made equal?

Solid Masonry

Solid masonry, also known as solid brick or double brick construction, consists of two layers of brick walls, or an inner wall of cinder or concrete blocks and an outer layer of brick. This double-wall is the skeleton and support of the structure. Each layer of block or brick construction is known as a wythe. Header bricks are installed every six rows to increase the strength and stability of the wall and to ensure the two wythes stay together. Header bricks lay perpendicular across the two layers forming a bridge. On the outside facing of the wall, header bricks blend and look like regular bricks, only shorter.

Brick Veneer

On the other hand, brick veneer construction, as the name suggests, is an overlay or facing of bricks. Unlike solid masonry that consists of two wythes, brick veneer installation only has one. The inner wall is made from other building materials, such as wood and steel, which are more cost-efficient. This wood and steel frame acts as the structural foundation and bears the weight of the construction. Once this is in place, an outer wythe is installed adjacent to the structure’s exterior, creating the appearance of a brick wall. This wall is decorative and has no load-bearing responsibilities.

Spot the Difference

Given both have an exterior facing of brick, how do you tell the difference between the two?

Brick Veneer:

Brick veneers have to weep holes to prevent moisture from being trapped between the inner and exterior walls. After the construction of the foundation, waterproof materials are used to line the inner facing, and the brick wall is installed a few inches away. Weep holes allow air to circulate and any moisture within that space to drain out, preventing water damage. Weep holes are typically finger-sized holes drilled every 32 inches along the foundation walls and above doors and windows.
With brick veneers, there are no header brick patterns.

Solid Masonry:

The header bricks used in most solid masonry construction are identified as a row of shorter bricks in the facing of the wall. This is usually seen every sixth row of the brick pattern.
To protect windows and doors from the weight of the bricks, horizontal support beams, known as lintels, are sometimes installed. Another support structure typically seen are masonry arches. These are parallel to the wall and usually consist of two rows of bricks in an arch.
The door jams and windowsills of solid masonry constructions are usually very deep. Windows and doors will be set back almost one brick length, due to the structure having two wythes.

Pros and cons of brick veneers

Pros:

Brick veneers can be installed at any time after construction and can be changed if desired.
Brick veneers offer a more cost-effective way to get the look and feel of solid brick. The veneers are easier to install, minimizing labour and material costs.
Weep holes allow wind to fill air cavities between the inner construction and the outer wythe.
This helps to keep moisture out. The space between the layers also facilitates the option to add insulation if needed.

Cons:

With only a single layer of brick, brick veneer constructions are not as durable as solid masonry. They are susceptible to termites, fires and decay.
If not installed properly, brick veneers are susceptible to water damage.

Pros and cons of solid masonry

Pros:

Solid masonry is long-lasting. However, material and labour costs per square foot can be high when compared to brick veneer installations.
Solid masonry is resilient and near impervious to decay, pests, termites, and fires.

Cons:

Because bricks form the foundation and walls of the building, the installation of solid masonry can only be done in the initial stages of construction.
Since the walls are solid brick, they cannot be packed with insulation, which may result in higher utility costs. This also makes them less ideal for climates with extreme winters.

Brick veneers in Surrey

The choice between solid masonry and brick veneers is a matter of personal preference as both options have benefits and drawbacks.

If you prefer brick veneer installations, finding the right brick veneer supplier is key to the integrity of your next construction project. If you are searching for a brick veneer supplier in Surrey, contact us at Pacific Stone.

Pacific Stone is a premier brick supplier carrying the Royal Thin Brick, MetroBrick® and Summit Brick collections– lines of beautiful, affordable, sustainable, and easy to install brick veneers. Visit our website and browse our collections or contact us today.

Home Improvement with Thin Brick Veneers

Leave a Comment / Brick, Stone Veneer / By pacific

Regardless of your personal style, thin brick veneers can provide decorating versatility as well as add texture, beauty and character to your home.

Thin brick veneers are lightweight manufactured bricks that resemble traditional bricks but are very slim and lightweight. As a result, they are easy to install on any type of wall, including façades, fireplaces, chimneys, backsplashes, and even ceilings, to accentuate any home design theme.

They are an excellent option to decorate both exterior and interior walls as well as free-standing landscaping walls, allowing you to greatly alter and improve your home as desired.

Thin brick veneers are especially suitable for homeowners who want to get the look of full brick, whether modern or rustic, but are on a tight budget. You are able to choose from a variety of styles, textures, colours and cuts, to bring your space to life, whether your desire is to create a focal point or provide a backdrop to complement or contrast the building’s other design elements.

Overview of thin brick veneer installations

Although they were first developed in the 1950s as a way to reface existing construction, thin brick veneers have become increasingly popular in existing exterior and interior applications in home improvement due to their natural sourcing, insulating properties, longevity, and sustainability.

Being a quarter to a third the size of full bricks, they are easier to carry and require less raw materials, thereby providing a more environmentally friendly option for you the homeowner. For example, they can eliminate the brick ledge, heavy footers, lintels, and headers required to support the installation of solid masonry and provide you with more conditioned square footage to use or sell.

If you are thinking about saving time, thin brick veneers are also easier and faster to install when compared to traditional brick structures. Traditional bricks form a part of the building’s structural support system and are built as free-standing walls tied back to a supporting structural wall, while thin brick veneer installations do not have the same requirements and so require less time on the job.

Due to thin brick veneers having the ability to reflect sound waves and absorb energy, it also provides excellent support for noise reduction.

Low maintenance

Thin brick veneers are relatively low-maintenance, thanks to their durability and colour retention. They are also able to lower the impact of damage, wear and tear and heat, as unlike other types of veneers, they do not fade, melt, or dent. They also have increased thermal performance when added to existing walls as they store and release heat at a slower rate, and so require less insulation than non-brick walls.

Generally, thin brick veneers will add the classic beauty of full brick to your home without the weight, mass and cost of concrete. It is perfect for you if you are seeking to upgrade and increase the value of your space by making it simple but beautiful.

Since thin brick veneers are meant for the long-term replacement of other siding materials such as tile, vinyl siding, wood or aluminum, and are relatively easy to install, it is evident why they are becoming a popular choice for homeowners.

Pacific Art Stone is a premier brick supplier carrying the Royal Thin Brick, MetroBrick® and Summit Brick collections– lines of beautiful, affordable, sustainable, and easy to install brick veneers. Visit our website and browse our collections or contact us today.