Stick with Brick

Most of us would consider ourselves lucky to live to be 100 years old. For one time-tested building product that is a modest goal. With some of the brick on the Great Wall of China dating clear back to 300 BC, today’s homeowners can feel confident that their brick home will outlive them.

Every few years, a new “revolutionary” home siding product hits the market. In the 1950s, it was vinyl and aluminum siding. More recently, we’ve seen synthetic stucco products (also known as EIFS or outsulation systems) and fiber cement board siding. These products have one thing in common – they are made to emulate established siding material. Vinyl, aluminum and fiber cement board are wood “impostors”, while EIFS is a stucco look-alike.

Brick homes have many inherent advantages over homes sided with other materials – increased value, added energy efficiency and superior curb appeal, to name a few. Despite these benefits, many builders of median-priced homes shy away from brick, viewing it as a high-end amenity. Unfortunately, this misconception keeps some builders from considering brick for starter or tract homes when using it actually costs no more than other materials. One of the most dramatic statements you make with a home is through its exterior siding material. When you choose to side or re-side with brick, you provide an instant upgrade in appearance, value and energy efficiency – all factors that increase the worth of your home.

. 35% energy savings when brick veneer is added to a wall (Construction Technology Laboratories, Skokie, Illinois). With ever-rising utility costs, families cannot afford to lose heat through the walls of their home. Brick siding insulates, as well as beautifies the exterior of any home.

. Considerable decrease in fire insurance rates ( Brick Home Building, Vol. 1, No. 2, Reston, Virginia), up to a 32% savings in an all brick home.

. 5% to 10% increase in resale value — based on a study that showed brick homes commanded an average 6% higher resale price than non-brick homes in the same neighborhood (independent appraisers, Marshall & Swift, Tidewater, Virginia).

Benefits of Brick

With brick, what you see is what you get. There is no substitute. New siding products are always being created to meet consumer demands – for lower maintenance, longer life, increased energy efficiency or more design flexibility. Brick’s popularity has endured for centuries because it already meets, and often exceeds, these demands.

One independent home information website describes brick’s strength, saying, “Brick is one of the most durable siding materials: it doesn’t need to be painted, doesn’t rot, doesn’t fade, and weathers handsomely.” Beyond these tangible attributes, brick possesses a unique charm that starts with the clay from which it is formed and ends when a mason places the brick in the wall. The individual nature of brick makes each one as unique as a snowflake or a work of art.

So, why doesn’t everyone build with brick? Many mistakenly think that brick is out of their price range or that brick is incompatible with their design ideas . In fact, building a 50% brick home actually costs only 4-6% more than a 100% fiber cement home and only 2-4% more than a vinyl home. The premium for brick is easily recouped when you consider the fact that resale value of brick homes is 5 to 10% more than their non-brick neighbors.

As for design possibilities, the nature of bricks’ installation – done one brick at a time – lends itself to unique elements including quoins, arches and unique bonding patterns such as herringbone or basketweave. Even the mortar, which makes up 20% of a wall, can dramatically change the look of a home though color variation and application techniques including concave, flush or extruded.

Homeowners are not the only ones who recognize the benefits of building with brick. Communities and municipalities across the country have passed masonry ordinances to protect property values and ensure that future growth reflects a commitment to quality, not just quantity. This legislation has been used by new communities to establish their image and by older communities to protect themselves from the negative effects of urban sprawl. By encouraging the use of brick, these communities are positively shaping their future – attracting quality with quality.

When deciding how you want YOUR home to look, remember there is nothing like a first impression. If you are looking for something time-tested, strong, durable and, of course, beautiful, STICK WITH BRICK. To take a look at the many options available with brick and various other masonry sidings, visit the Brickyard in Grand Junction (970-242-5575) or in Montrose (970-252-7425). Our showroom has many different styles for you to choose from. We hope to see you at Brickyard!