Solid Masonry vs. Brick Veneer Installation: The Pros and Cons.

There are two ways to build a brick building.Is one better than the other?Why do you think so?

Up until the mid-1900s, solid masonry was a common construction.This is also known as brick and block construction.This form of masonry construction uses several layers of brick to hold them together.Solid masonry walls built before 1900 were over 20” thick.The inner wythe can't be seen from the outside so it was replaced with concrete or cinder block.Metal ties can be used in solid masonry walls.Most of the original ties that were used on the older solid walls have rusted away.

Solid masonry was a good way to build.They were with an 8 inch or greater wall thickness.

A wide variety of roof structures can be supported.The carpenters worked together to build the floor joists at the same time the brick was being built.

The main building support is the biggest difference between brick veneer and solid brick.The building is supported by solid masonry.The brick is on the exterior for aesthetic purposes, while the concrete, steel, or wood that makes up the backup wall is the structural support.A solid masonry building would consist of several wythes, while the brick veneer only has one.It is possible to add insulation and mortar collection material between the brick and the backup wall.The brick veneer walls must have flashing and weep devices that allow water to leave the building.Cavity walls were brought back into use in Great Britain in the late 1800s but were not very popular until the mid-1900s.

The level of thermal transfer is different between brick veneer and solid brick.By its thermal properties, brick is not an effective insulator.There is room between the exterior veneer and the backup wall for insulation material.The brick veneer walls are more energy efficient.

Water drainage is not waterproof.The bonds between mortar and masonry units limit water penetration.Solid masonry walls rely on their mass to absorb water.Cement plaster is not susceptible to water damage like gypsum, which is used today, and older solid masonry wall buildings were not air-conditioned.The lack of insulation kept the wall warm.When it's necessary, Cavity Walls rely on weep systems to remove the water from behind the bricks.

A structural wall is a solid masonry wall.The brick veneer walls are not structural.

Most residential homes are built with wood, while larger buildings are constructed with steel, concrete or CMU backups.Different masonry veneer anchors are needed to attach the outside brick to the interior support material.

The corrugated sheet metal anchor can only be used with wood backups with 1 inch of airspace in between the materials.Larger spaces will need sheet metal anchors.In wood, steel, masonry, or concrete backups,adjustable anchors can be effective.Concrete and Steel Stud backups have the potential to have issues.

Solid masonry walls will fall off if they are not properly maintained.In some cases, Spiral Remedial Ties can screw the wall back into place.In some cases, the wythe is removed and attached to the brick with a small anchor.Adding flashing and insulation to the exterior of the solid masonry wall is one way to add a brick veneer.