Once utilized primarily for structural support, brick siding now adds a timeless aesthetic to any business or home’s exterior. The earliest documented use of brick dates back thousands of years to Turkey. This eventually led to robust brick homes in Europe. Now, brick is used as a durable and classic addition on many structures. Let’s take a look at the many advantages (along with downsides) of a brick exterior.
Disadvantages of Brick Siding
Let’s get this out of the way first. Yes, brick is an amazing building material. But, as with any other type of siding, it’s not without drawbacks.
Expensive Repairs
One of the biggest issues is repair. Unlike other siding options, masonry can require difficult and labor-intensive repairs. This can range from repointing – the process of revitalizing the external layer of mortar – to having to remove an entire wall in order to replace a few bricks.
Moisture Issues
Also, since brick is made up of organic material, it’s susceptible to degradation from moisture. It’s crucial to safeguard it from water seepage. If not properly cared for, this can result in crumbling mortar and brick, along with mold if moisture makes its way to the back of the wall.
Routine Inspection and Cleaning
The key to the longevity of your brick exterior? Routine cleaning and inspection. If you’re able to catch issues early on, this can save you a lot of time and money down the road. Cleaning and applying a sealant when needed, for example, can provide boosted protection of waterproofing and good looks. Now, let’s check out the pluses of brick siding.
Advantages of Brick Siding
Is a brick home better than siding? Well, this depends on a few factors. Obviously, your aesthetic preferences play a huge role. But if you love the look of brick, then it’s pretty much a no-brainer. Below, you’ll find numerous reasons why masonry is a great pick!
1. Durability
If you’re looking for a solid and robust siding option, it’s hard to beat brick. With proper installation and maintenance, brick siding can last for many years. It was primarily used as a load-bearing material for many centuries, so you know it can handle its own. This material is a proven champion when it comes to weather resistance, taking a beating with stride from wind, storms, and more. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors, making it easy to fit in with the overall visual design of your property.
2. Insulative Properties
Again, brick comes out on top when it comes to heat and sound insulation. As a heavy and dense material, it helps with temperature regulation, keeping the cold and heat at bay. This is particularly advantageous in extreme conditions, from sweltering summers to frigid winters. You’ll love the energy savings over the course of its use. And then there’s the noise suppression. If you live in an especially noisy area (where there’s a lot of activity or traffic), a brick exterior can act as an excellent sound dampener. When compared to other siding types like vinyl, brick siding is leaps and bounds ahead of the curve!
3. Enduring Look
Having been around for thousands and thousands of years, brick is a perennial favorite for its lasting visual appeal. You don’t have to worry about it going out of style! And if you’re looking for a little change, there are a number of applications that include everything from whitewashing to German Schmear. But in its natural form, brick exterior has the track record of standing tall through myriad trends. Simply put, it’s hard to go wrong with brick siding.
4. Ease of Maintenance
So, we know brick is durable. But is it easy to maintain? Aside from any structural damage that can arise from settling, earthquakes, and extreme weather damage, the siding offers pretty easy maintenance. All you have to really do is keep on top of routine cleaning and sealant to enjoy years (if not decades) of outstanding protection and attractiveness. It hides signs of dirtiness much better than other siding choices, too. The key is to inspect your brick every now and then, making sure to catch any issues as early as possible. This way, you won’t have to spend a ton on repairing crumbling mortar or cracked bricks later on.
5. Increased Home Value
Does brick siding add value? Yes, yes it does! Along with its strength and insulative properties, the long-lasting siding material provides something vinyl and other materials simply can’t touch: fireproofing. Couple this with sound and weather resistance, and brick can actually increase your property value. In a lot of cases, this boost can be as much as 6%-10%. Strong, reliable, and timeless, masonry adds an elegant quality to any home.
6. Numerous Design Choices
As mentioned previously, brick comes in myriad colors, allowing you to customize it to your heart’s content. But did you know that brick siding also comes in a variety of shapes and styles? One of the most charming aspects of this organic material is that no two pieces are the same. This adds a ton of character and charm. You can play with a number of designs and orientations, too, opening up a world of creativity. From corbelling to stretching courses, you are certainly not limited to standard neat rows. Of course, if that’s exactly what you want, then it’s simple enough to do with this versatile siding option!
7. Environmentally Friendly
Though created via an extrusion process, brick nonetheless is eco-friendly. Clay and shale, the primary components, are superabundant. Combine that with the longevity of brick – it can last for many decades – and you have a material that’s not only organic and environmentally sustainable but one that also literally stands the test of time. On top of that, brick pieces can be reused for a number of other building projects!
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