Solid Masonry vs Brick Siding
When people describe brick siding, they mean the home’s outer covering. Like a home can be built of wood, steel, or concrete blocks and covered in wood or vinyl 1 siding, any home structure can be covered with brick. This is known as brick siding.
Brick masonry or solid masonry is the process of building the home’s walls with bricks. Rather than building a wood frame first and covering it with brick, brick masonry walls are made of two layers of brick to make a strong, durable structure.
Brick siding can be applied to any home’s exterior. Use brick masonry if you want to build a brick home from scratch. Most homes today with a brick exterior are wood-frame homes with a brick siding exterior.
Brick siding is sold and installed by the square foot. And like other siding materials, brick siding comes in several styles and colors, which means that it has a range of costs. The average cost of installing brick siding is between $9 and $17 per sq.ft. These figures represent an average range, but it is possible to find budget siding and luxury siding options at lower and higher price points. This cost range varies depending on the brick’s type and style. Use the table below to gauge your approximate cost range based on the square footage you want to cover with the brick veneer 2.
| Square Footage | Average Cost (Installed) |
|---|
| 500 sq.ft. | $4,500 - $8,500 |
| 1,000 sq.ft. | $9,000 - $17,000 |
| 1,500 sq.ft | $13,500 - $25,500 |
| 2,000 sq.ft. | $18,000 - $34,000 |
| 2,500 sq.ft | $22,500 - $42,500 |
Brick Siding Cost by Type
Several types of bricks can be used for siding and vary greatly in cost, from just $2 per sq.ft. for traditional brick siding up to a high of $25 per sq.ft. for interlocking brick or custom brick siding. Options include traditional, full, and less expensive thinner bricks. In some cases, the brick you choose may also be influenced by where it is installed and whether it is your home’s main siding. Some may choose their brick siding based on price or ease of installation. Some bricks arrive at your home for installation as single bricks. Other types are manufactured like brick sheets where each side interlocks with the other sheets. Ultimately, the brick siding you choose may come down to the amount of brick siding you want on your home, the weight of the siding, and how it impacts the structural integrity of your home. For example, traditional brick siding features full size bricks that the contractor attaches to the home with metal anchors. Meanwhile, face brick veneer is only 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of traditional brick and is easier to install.
An even thinner option is thin brick veneer strips, which are just 3/8" to 1” thick. Thin brick veneer is often sold as individual bricks, allowing for customization during installation. On the other hand, panel brick siding is a great choice for homeowners who want a quick installation process that does not require mortar. Contractors use an adhesive to attach the panels to the wall. One interesting option is interlocking brick siding, which is the interlocking type that does not require mortar and is installed quite quickly. Homeowners needing a lightweight siding may choose panel brick siding, a synthetic brick that looks like regular bricks but weighs much less. Meanwhile, at the top end of the cost scale, handcrafted brick siding is the most authentic looking brick siding and offers a complex, rustic appearance on homes. The table below showcases the costs of the different types of brick siding.
| Type | Costs per Sq.Ft. (Materials Only) |
|---|
| Traditional Brick | $2 - $7 |
| Face Brick Veneer | $3 - $5 |
| Interlocking Brick | $6 - $25 |
| Brick Panel | $7 - $11 |
| Thin Brick Veneer Strips | $10 - $14 |
| Handcrafted Brick | $14 - $25 |
Cost to Install Brick Siding by Style
While most people who have seen brick homes know what that looks like, brick siding can be applied in a few styles. This can be accomplished by mixing the brick with other materials, installing the brick in patterns, or giving it a coat of whitewash or paint after the installation. Whitewashing brick happens after the crew completes the brick siding installation and adds approximately $3 more per sq.ft. to the overall project cost. The end result is a thin layer of white color on the surface of the bricks.
A second option is painting brick siding, which adds approximately $4 per sq.ft. to the overall project cost. Painting bricks means that some of the detail of the bricks is lost due to the thick layer of paint. However, it is an excellent way to paint a home in another color while retaining the classic brick facade. At the cost of $12 to $28 per sq.ft. installed, the third style option is patterned bricks, which feature sunbursts or herringbone patterns. The pattern usually does not cover the entire wall but is more of an accent that covers just a portion. Although patterned blocks have a higher cost per square foot, they usually only cover a small portion of the overall facade at just a few square feet. They are an excellent way to enhance the appearance of inexpensive brick siding. The expected costs for these brick siding styles are shown in the table below.
| Style | Cost per Sq.Ft. (Installed) |
|---|
| Whitewashed | $12 - $20 |
| Patterned | $12 - $28 |
| Painted | $13 - $21 |
Average Cost of Brick Siding by Brand
There are many places to get brick and brick veneer. Your contractor may have a favorite brand, or you may want to find your own. The different brands range from $5 to $15 per sq.ft. for just the materials. You may base your choice on cost. Or, the inherent style of the brick siding may influence your decision. Companies that manufacture brick siding include Novabrik, Brick It, Black Bear, Old Mill, and Z-Brick. Homeowners who want a brick veneer that does not require mortar may want to choose Novabrik Siding. Homeowners considering traditional or thin bricks may want to look at Brick It siding, which manufactures a wide range of visual styles.
Homeowners who select Black Bear siding will notice that most of the company’s products feature a stone appearance. However, they have a small selection of brick siding in traditional colors. Meanwhile, homeowners who want a quick installation with brick panels will choose Old Mill. The panels cost a little more per square foot, but they are so easy to install that labor costs are usually less for the project. Z-Brick is another fast option, with their bricks pre-mounted on a piece of mesh, which makes the installation process much faster. Below are these popular brick siding brands and their average costs.
| Brand | Cost per Sq.Ft. (Materials Only) |
|---|
| Novabrik | $5 - $10 |
| Brick It | $6 - $12 |
| Black Bear | $8 - $9 |
| Old Mill | $9 - $12 |
| Z-Brick | $10 - $15 |
Cost to Install Brick Siding
Like all siding, brick siding needs to be installed over a clean, dry, and wrapped exterior. It can also be installed over IPS or XPS foam board insulation if desired. Whether you choose traditional bricks, brick veneer, or another brick siding, hire a siding contractor who works with brick or a professional bricklayer. Installing traditional bricks requires mixing and spreading mortar at the correct consistency and thickness before the bricks can be tapped into place. This takes time and can lead to higher installation costs.
The costs to install brick siding start at around $2 to $4 a square foot for thin stone veneer accents. Prices for most brick veneer over the entire home ranges from $3 to $6 a square foot in labor. Installing traditional brick and complex patterns costs as much as $20 per sq.ft., with most falling from $7 to $10 per sq.ft. Labor costs are usually calculated by the square foot rather than the hour. For the average brick veneer installation over 1,500 sq.ft. of surface area, expect to pay $4,000 to $7,800 in labor out of the $19,500 total. Labor costs may increase to the higher side when bricklayers or siding installers must use scaffolding 3 to access the installation area.
Brick Siding Replacement Cost
Traditional brick siding lasts up to 100 years and requires very little maintenance. Meanwhile, brick veneer lasts for several decades with very little maintenance required. However, at a certain point, brick siding replacement may become necessary due to age or recent damage to the exterior of the home. Brick siding replacement cost is the same as getting new siding installed, so homeowners should expect to pay between $9 and $17 per sq.ft. for replacement.
Homeowners may also pay $1 per sq.ft. to remove old material from the wall. The cost to replace brick veneer may also increase to the higher end of the scale when the crew must use ladders or scaffolding to access the area designated for replacement. Disposal fees for the old siding material range from $50 to $250, depending on the amount of material removed from the home. Contractors usually include that cost in their itemized list of charges when they submit a bid or estimate for the job. Homeowners can offer to dispose of the brick on their own to reduce the overall cost of the project.
Cost to Replace Siding With Brick Siding
If you want to replace your current siding with brick, you need to remove the old siding. Homeowners sometimes switch to a brick exterior because they like the look of brick more than vinyl siding or other siding types. Removal costs for old siding are around $1 a square foot on average. After that, your home’s sheathing is examined to make sure it can hold the brick, which is heavier than most other types of siding. If your sheathing requires repair due to something like water damage, it costs $4 to $7 per sq.ft. for each area repaired.
After the removal process is complete, your costs are similar to installing brick siding on a new home, ranging from $9 to $17 per sq.ft. for the installation. Common siding materials replaced with brick include vinyl and stucco. The cost to change vinyl siding to brick and replace stucco with brick often depends on the foundation of the home and whether the contractor must add material to the foundation to ensure the home can support the brick. A weak foundation means a more expensive project cost.
Brick Accents With Other Siding
Houses with full brick exteriors are common, but homeowners may choose a facade where brick is just an accent alongside another type of exterior material. Brick is frequently paired with vinyl siding. In this case, the contractor covers the base of the home in brick and applies vinyl siding to the upper portions of the home.
In addition to pairing well with vinyl siding, homeowners may choose to install brick siding with wood, steel, or fiber cement 4 exteriors. Since brick costs more than other types of siding, using a second material along with brick on the exterior of the home is an excellent way to keep costs affordable while still enjoying the classic look of a brick facade.
Maintenance
Brick siding is easy to maintain and does not require constant or special attention. However, homeowners should conduct a casual visual inspection of their home’s exterior at least once a year to ensure the facade remains in good condition. If the siding starts to look dingy, cleaning it with a mild detergent can help. If the siding starts to grow mildew or mold, a stronger cleaning agent like bleach should help. Try to keep weeds and bushes from growing too close to the siding. A gap of about a foot reduces the likelihood of a branch or plant growing into the siding and damaging it.
If the brick siding has any weep holes, it is helpful to make sure those are cleaned out each season to prevent the buildup of water within the walls. If the brick siding starts to crack or requires repair, hire a professional to repair the siding or have it repointed, which is a process that removes the existing mortar and replaces it with new mortar. This process generally costs about $3 to $4 per sq.ft. Your repair professional can apply a sealant after fixing the brick siding to extend its lifespan.
Pros and Cons
Brick siding is very versatile. It comes in a wide range of styles, textures, and colors, can be used as a complement to other siding materials, and is suitable for interior and exterior applications. Brick siding is also highly durable and lasts for the house’s lifetime under normal conditions. It is resistant to fire, termites, and rot. Compared to traditional brick masonry, brick siding is lighter, easier to handle, and less expensive.
However, brick siding has drawbacks. In addition to being more expensive than other siding materials, such as vinyl and fiber cement, the installation costs for brick veneer are also higher because it must be installed by a skilled mason. Brick siding installed in earthquake-prone areas and close to highways with heavy traffic may eventually crack due to the vibrations. Moist environments also challenge brick siding because the moisture may cause problems with the home’s framing underneath the brick siding.
Brick vs Vinyl Siding Cost
There are many types of siding available. If you want an alternative to wood, one of the most frequently used is vinyl. Vinyl siding is low-cost, with installation costs starting at approximately $4 per sq.ft. versus a $9 starting cost for brick siding. However, the increased cost of brick siding may be worth it since vinyl does not last nearly as long as brick, about 20 years on average. It also melts in the heat and becomes brittle and cracks in cold weather. Vinyl is also flammable, while brick can last the house’s lifetime and resist these issues. If you plan to stay in your home for many years, the investment in brick siding is worth it. However, if you want a nice, affordable exterior and plan to sell your home in a few years, vinyl is an affordable alternative.
| Type of Siding | Cost per Sq.Ft. (Installed) |
|---|
| Vinyl | $4.15 - $15.25 |
| Brick | $9 - $17 |
Fiber Cement Siding vs Brick Price
Brick siding and fiber cement siding are both long-lasting options for home exteriors. Fiber cement is a cheaper option than brick, at $6 to $13 per sq.ft. compared to the $9 to $17 per sq.ft. for brick. Like brick, fiber cement is durable and offers a surface resistant to flame, cracking, and insects. Fiber cement siding is made of cellulose fibers, silica, sand, and Portland cement. You can expect fiber cement siding to last about 50 years before it requires replacement. Brick siding may last twice as long under favorable circumstances. Brick siding may cost more, too, because your contractor may need a bricklayer or mason for the job, while fiber cement does not require highly skilled labor. It is possible to install fiber cement siding that mimics the appearance of wood, stucco, stone, or planks. Brick siding, on the other hand, always looks like brick but is available in different sizes, textures, and colors.
| Type of Siding | Cost per Sq.Ft. (Installed) |
|---|
| Fiber Cement | $6 - $13 |
| Brick | $9 - $17 |
Aluminum Siding vs Brick Price
Aluminum siding is one of the most affordable options, at $4 and $7 per sq.ft., which is one of the reasons homeowners choose it over the $9 to $17 cost per sq.ft. of brick siding. However, some downsides come with a lower price. Although aluminum siding is a low-maintenance option that resists weather problems, moisture, and insects, it has issues with denting and fading. Therefore, it requires some upkeep, whereas brick siding is very low maintenance and rarely requires any fixes beyond the infrequent repair of some cracked masonry. As long as you repaint aluminum siding regularly, the low price is an excellent reason to choose it over brick siding. However, if you want the look of brick siding instead, you must deal with the higher upfront cost of installing it.
| Type of Siding | Cost per Sq.Ft. (Installed) |
|---|
| Aluminum | $4 - $7 |
| Brick | $9 - $17 |
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
Reinforced Foundation
If your home cannot currently hold the brick’s weight, you may need a reinforced foundation. Failure to do so may result in tipping, bowing, or cracking of the current foundation and the eventual and potential collapse of the wall. This costs around $3 to $7 per linear foot and transfers the weight to the footers. This allows you to add the brick to your home, regardless of its current structure.
Asbestos Brick Siding Removal
At one time, asbestos was part of the manufacturing of bricks. It was used during the bricklaying process because it strengthened the bricks without adding significant weight to the finished wall. Traditional brick walls built before 1980 may have asbestos 5, but brick siding and more recently built walls do not pose an asbestos danger. Asbestos is deadly. When it is found, a trained crew is required to remove it at the cost of $5 to $20 per sq.ft.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- DIY. It is not recommended to install brick siding on your own because it is a job for skilled and experienced professionals. However, if you want to install brick siding on your own, make sure the water-resistant barrier is installed properly and in good condition. Always start at the bottom and work up. Use caulk 6 to cover up gaps around doors and window frames and minimize seams and holes.
- Sealing. Many manufacturers recommend sealing your veneer after installation to protect the surface. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you need to seal your veneer. One gallon of sealant costs $35 to $75 and covers 150 - 225 sq.ft.
- Warranty. Most brick siding manufacturers include warranties with their products, but they vary from a few years to a few decades. Your contractor or installer may offer a limited warranty on their work, guaranteeing repairs under certain circumstances.
- Permits. Some municipalities require permits for brick siding installation, but the conditions vary. It is essential to make sure your contractor secures permits for installing the brick siding before work begins, or the city might halt work on your project.
- Insulation. Brick is one of the most durable options for exterior walls. Expertly installed brick siding lasts as long as the house stands or until it undergoes a significant remodel. It is not, however, an exceptional insulator on its own.
- ROI. The return on investment (ROI) for brick siding is an impressive 85%. It is an excellent investment for curb appeal and lasts a long time. Installing it today may help you sell your home 10 or 15 years later.
- Faux brick siding. For an ultra DIY approach, faux brick siding is an option for small spaces like a backslash or the area around a fireplace. Faux brick siding generally features a “peel and stick” approach to the decorative option.
- Repairs. The cost to repair siding made of brick is between $3 and $15 per sq.ft. The cost to repair brick veneer is also $3 to $15 per sq.ft. When available, repairing is a less expensive option than replacement.
FAQs
- Is a brick home better than siding?
Solid brick homes are structurally stronger than homes with brick siding. However, brick siding provides better insulation and is easy to install. Solid brick usually lasts much longer than brick siding. However, it is often more expensive, so there is a tradeoff. Each option has its benefits.
Brick siding or brick veneer is a freestanding brick wall installed outside the wood frame of the building. It gives the appearance of solid brick construction but has no structural properties. However, some brick siding requires modest reinforcement of exterior walls.
- Is brick a good insulator?
Brick has some insulating properties, and its thermal mass helps keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, like most exterior wall materials, it works best when paired with a layer of insulation.
- Is brick siding expensive?
Brick siding is more expensive than other siding materials, such as vinyl and aluminum, and costs $2 to $25 per sq.ft. for materials alone. However, it is more affordable than traditional brick walls, which means it is an option for homeowners who want the classic look of brick.
- What are the disadvantages of brick siding?
Brick siding’s largest drawback is that it cannot withstand earthquakes and may begin to crack when installed on a home near a highway or where heavy trucks regularly pass and shake the ground. Brick siding is vulnerable in environments with constant high humidity that may cause moisture rot within the home’s framing.
- Can you brick a previously sided house?
With enough effort, removing any wall from any home and replacing it with absolutely any other siding material is possible. In the case of a home with another type of siding, like aluminum siding or vinyl siding, installation of bricks is possible. In some cases, the process may require reinforcing the walls to support the weight of the bricks.
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