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Brick veneer may be defined as a non-structural layer of brick utilized in the construction of buildings, kept as the outer layer, commonly backed by an air space.
The materials utilized in brick masonry work and that in brick veneer are identical, however, they vary in the construction method utilized while setting bricks.
In the case of brick veneer, the inner layer may be that of wood, metal, or concrete. Before we move into the topic, it is important to know the slight distinction between Brick veneer and brick masonry work.
1. Stone Brick vs Brick Veneer
The fundamental distinction is that in a house built of a stone brick wall, brick or stone wall holds the structural loading. While in the case of brick veneer, it doesn’t hold loading of house.
It is usually used for the use as decorative. If you pull the brick veneer from the wall in the building, the house will still stand without dropping down. In the case of a stone brick house, the structure will collapse if you pull out the bricks or masonry from the wall.
In the case of stone/masonry, two layers of brick or stone are used for preparing the wall. In the case of brick veneer, the single layer of a wall (external) is made utilizing brick. While inner layer is made utilizing wood, metal, stone or concrete blocks. Absolutely, stone walls are very much stronger; however, brick veneer walls are strong sufficiently and better insulated.
2. How to Install Brick Veneer
The process of establishing a wall is as follows:
Step 1: Preparing the wall for tile
First of all, ensure that the wall where the brick veneer is to be used, is clean and smooth. Dust & debris causes it hard for the glue to bond correctly. Keep level & ledger for setting the bricks.
Step 2: Cutting the bricks
After you finish grooming, you can begin trimming the bricks with the use of a diamond blade grinder or saw.
Step 3: Installing corner bricks
Start establishing from the bottom corner of the wall by pushing a full brick to the outermost edge of the bottom corner of the wall. Go on upward with a half-cut thin brick in a way of full-half-full-half alternately.
Step 4: Installing full rows
The same way needs to be obeyed halfway up from the beginning. Now, you can go back down to the bottom of the wall and begin executing the full bricks to complete the first row, or “course.”
Step 5: Checking the rows are level
Every time, you have to ensure that rows are kept on a straight level.
Step 6: Leaving space for Grouting
You need to exit grout joints between upper & lower rows or between the adjacent bricks. The width of grout joints should be 3/8” to 1/2”.
Step 7: Installing remaining bricks
After finishing halfway, the brick can be set on the ceiling in the same way as described above.
Step 8: Grouting
After you have completed setting the bricks, permit the bricks to dry for at least 24 hours. Then you can seal the grout joints utilizing Portland cement.
Advantages of Brick Veneer
Following are the advantages:
a. Easy to install and can be achieved in a quicker span of time.
b. Less worker is needed.
c. The brick veneer walls own less weight in comparison to other masonries. This decrease structural loading due to which economies expended on structural & foundation support are preserved.
d. Holes on brick veneer walls can serve as an insulating agent.
e. Needs little maintenance. It does not require painting either.
f. They are durable and fireproof.
Disadvantages of Brick Veneer
The disadvantages of brick Veneer are as follows:
a. Costs more than wood or fiber cement siding and significantly more than vinyl.
b. Mortar can form a crack where vibrations caused by tremors or by heavy-vehicle traffic are expected.
c. Moisture retention at the time of heavy rainfall may cause moisture problems in the home’s framing.
| Read Also: Efflorescence Test on Bricks |
