Brick Veneer: How Does the Cost Compare to Other Cladding Options?

Interested in exterior brick/stone veneer (glued or mechanically fastened) and want to know the cost? Brick/stone veneer is attractive for many reasons: it offers extensive possibilities for enhancing a building’s exterior appearance. From a financial perspective, brick/stone veneer also presents compelling advantages. Discover how this solution compares to other cladding types.

Materials Cost?

Multiple options exist for cladding a house exterior. Brick/stone veneer is one solution among many. Traditional brick masonry, fiber cement, and vinyl siding are among the most common alternatives. To make an informed decision, consider these material costs for different cladding types:

• Traditional Brick Masonry: Materials (bricks, mortar, and accessories) for clay brick range from $6.00 to $12.00 per square foot. Property owners often select this option for its authentic traditional appearance;
• Lath & Scratch Coat Brick/Stone Veneer: This involves installing bricks or stones on a backing structure. Traditional installation requires metal lath, mortar for bonding bricks together and securing them to the wall. Material costs (brick/stone, metal lath, mortar) range from $8.00 to $18.00 per square foot;
• Mortarless Mechanically Fastened Brick/Stone Veneer: Simpler mortarless brick/stone veneer solutions, such as those developed by NovaBRIK, are available. Material costs for this veneer system range from $8.00 to $10.00 per square foot. This option provides the appearance of full brick while reducing expenses. It’s an attractive solution for both new construction and renovation projects;
• Alternative Cladding Types like vinyl and fiber cement siding present varying costs. Vinyl is the most economical option, estimated between $3.00 to $7.00 per square foot, while fiber cement is slightly more expensive, ranging from $4.50 to $8.50.

Installation and Labor: costs to expect?

Installation costs are a crucial factor in cladding selection. Due to its weight and format, traditional brick installation requires specific expertise and specialized tools. A professional mason is required, resulting in higher labor costs estimated between $90 and $110 per hour.

Installing Lath-Scratch Coat or mechanically fastened brick/stone veneer, a lighter and more manageable technique that can be done with or without mortar, can be executed by experienced handymen or carpenters.

Note: Keep in mind that a glued brick/stone veneer will generally take 50% more time to install than a screwed brick/stone veneer.

In this case, labor costs can be significantly reduced, ranging from $25.00 to $110.00 per hour. Other claddings, like vinyl or fiber cement siding, offer simple and quick installation methods. Installation costs for these claddings can range from $65.00 to $110.00 per hour.

Cladding Type Durability

The lifespan of each solution is another essential criterion to consider. This factor helps assess the total project cost over time:

• Traditional brick masonry stands out for its exceptional longevity. With proper maintenance, many professionals estimate that this cladding can last up to a century. While its initial cost is high, minimal replacement needs offset this investment over time. Traditional brick is an attractive solution for projects where longevity is a priority. However, periodic maintenance is required every 2 or 3 decades. Mortar joint lifespan extends to a maximum of forty years;
• Brick/stone veneer remains an attractive option with a lifespan of up to 50 years, like mortarless, self-supporting NovaBRIK systems. With more affordable material and installation costs than traditional brick, this solution offers the best compromise between aesthetic quality, durability, and budget. Brick/stone veneer is ideal for those seeking a traditional brick appearance with a lower financial investment;
• Other claddings like vinyl and fiber cement have shorter lifespans. Vinyl durability can extend from 20 to 40 years, similar to fiber cement, provided frequent maintenance (painting for fiber cement) is performed, increasing their total long-term cost.

To choose your façade cladding, if your main criteria are quality, aesthetic appearance, cost, and lifespan, brick/stone veneer offers the most compelling combination of benefits:

With NovaBRIK, you have access to an innovative solution. Novabrik units require no mortar and are self-supporting. Their advantage lies in minimal maintenance requirements and quick installation capability in any season. Contact the NovaBRIK team to learn more about their solution.