Masonry Veneer Siding & Cladding
Masonry Veneers are usually brick, block or stone.
Veneers are applied one ply thick either as a whole house veneer
or as an accent veneer. Veneers are applied from the ground up and
are attached to the wall sheathing with brick ties.
Veneers allow moisture to escape through weep holes underneath
the bottom course of the siding.
Masonry veneers may be mortarless brick veneers. These are made
of high strength tongue and groove concrete.
Most Suited To: |
Popular in the South and Midwest and wherever
tornadoes or hurricanes occur. Good supplementary architectural
element to accent primary siding material. |
Cost: |
Mortarless brick can be installed about 35% faster than conventional
masonry. |
Benefits: |
Masonry is especially pest, fire and impact-resistant.
Maintains a quality appearance.
An excellent rain screening siding; water cannot penetrate
the veneer. |
Considerations: |
As with fiber cement, masonry is subject to freeze-thaw damage.
Brick and stone veneers may develop spalling; the brick or stone
or mortar may fall out or crumble. This mostly occurs where
wall meets wall or at the bottom of the wall. |
Finishing: |
Use a high-quality acrylic or silicone sealer to prevent freeze-thaw
damage in cold climates. |
Maintenance: |
Generally requires the least maintenance. Mortar used
at joints might need to be restored over time; especially
in a salty ocean environment.
Spalling can be slowed by ensuring debris remains clear from
underneath the lowest course of the veneer.
Maintain weep holes under the bottom course to allow moisture
to escape from behind the veneer.
Keep vines off siding. Vines weaked mortar and trap moisture
next to the house.
If cracks or spalling occurs it should be patched or replaced
as soon as possible. |
Options: |
Mortar or mortarless. Mortarless brick will not have the problems
that a brick and mortar siding does. |
Installation: |
Tied to framework using brick ties that allow or expansion
and contraction. This prevents the veneer from cracking.
L-shaped metal flashings are also used underneath the brick
and up the wall to keep water from the foundation. |
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