Brick Siding Ideas

About Brick Siding

In addition to its attractive appeal, durability makes brick siding a popular choice. Under normal conditions, brick siding will last the life of the building with little more than an occasional wash with the hose.

Brick siding is generally not a structural part of a house but rather a veneer constructed on the outside. The bricks are held together with a mixture of Portland cement or lime, sand, and water that is referred to as mortar. Water does penetrate brick veneers so it is important that a membrane is installed between the structure and brick veneer.

Although brick siding is considered permanent, masonry does deteriorate, generally at the mortar joints, which are the gaps between bricks that are filled with mortar. Repointing, or pointing--removing and replacing deteriorated mortar from the joints--may be necessary but generally not for many years if installed properly.