Brick Veneer vs. Solid Masonry

Brick Veneer Construction

• Layers that compose exterior walls are called "wythes." In brick veneer construction, the second wythe behind the brick exterior is a wooden- or steel-frame wall covered with wood sheathing or insulation. This is the wall that bears the weight of the roof. The single brick wythe is built in front of this frame and is attached via metal ties. Veneer brick is essentially siding, as it does not support the building’s structural load.

Solid Masonry Construction

• In solid masonry, layers or brick make up both the inner and outer layers. Concrete or cinder block is sometimes substituted for brick in the inner layer. Header bricks, placed approximately every six rows, hold the two wythes together. These look like normal bricks, but appear shorter as they are installed sideways, spanning the two layers. Header bricks act as a bridge to prevent the two wythes from separating. Solid masonry walls may also be tied together via metal ties, eliminating the need for header bricks. Because these walls are load bearing, they are installed on concrete foundation, structural steel or on a concrete beam system for additional support.

Veneer Advantages

• Functional and stylistic qualities give brick veneer several advantages. With only one layer of masonry, brick veneer is easier to install and more affordable than solid brick. Foundations and support systems are also simpler. The air cavity between the brick and home interior helps keep out moisture and acts as an effective insulator, which is difficult to impossible with solid brick. Brick veneer construction is also easier to repair than solid masonry. Weep holes allow water to drain out of the walls while allowing extra air to get in between the wythes to reduce the amount of rain that penetrates.

Solid Masonry Strength

• Solid masonry walls are, by far, much stronger than brick veneer, making them more stable during earthquakes and heavy windstorms. They are reinforced vertically and horizontally for flexural resistance. With proper care, they can last centuries. Solid masonry is used to construct firewalls, with fire resistance characteristics increasing with wall thickness. Because of their mass, solid masonry walls provide better sound insulation than brick veneer systems.