Brick and stone have long been seen as the high end of home siding, presenting an image of permanence and luxury. There are two main varieties, full brick and stone and veneers. The appearance of the finished siding is the same, but the cost and installation are quite different. Another option on the market is the use of fabricated brick and stone which are created mostly from concrete that is treated to take on the appearance of brick and natural stone without the energy investment in quarrying stone or manufacturing bricks.

 

The Options:
 

Material   Cost Installation/Maintenance Negatives Environment Brick   High cost of product and installation. Labor intensive installation by trained masons. Additional structure required for taller installations. Moisture permeable, but can be handled with moisture barriers. Very durable product that will last the lifetime of the home. Bricks are energy intensive to create. The raw materials are readily available but require substantial energy to acquire and fire into modular bricks. Stone Highest cost for exterior cladding. Expensive material and installation. Labor intensive installation by trained masons. Not modular like brick. Very low maintenance for most installations. Upfront cost can put it out of the range of many home owners. Extremely durable and low maintenance. Natural stone ages over time adding character without impact to the environment. Mining and transportation of stone can have negative impacts on the environment, but as a natural material, there is little/no added embodied energy beyond mining and initial cutting. Thin Veneers High cost compared to lap siding but lower than full bricks and stones. Labor intensive but much less so than full bricks and stones. Low maintenance. Can be installed by almost anyone. Less durable then full brick and stone. Less material than full stone or brick, but with the same appearance. Less structural support necessary. Same raw materials and resources are saved by using less than would be used with full materials. Fabricated Bricks and Stone Lower cost than authentic materials. Labor intensive but much less so than full bricks and stones. Low maintenance. Can be installed by almost anyone. Less durable than natural materials. Some products look fake compared to natural products. Less expensive option. Those materials made from polyurethane are typically produced from petroleum which in itself brings up environmental questions. Less structural support necessary compared to brick or stone.

 

Recommendations:
Brick and stone are the high end of exterior siding and can add value to any home. Whether you use brick and stone on the front of your home or on all exterior surfaces, you can look forward to a low maintenance exterior that will stand the test of time. Thin veneers can give you the look and feel of a full brick or stone veneer at a fraction of the cost to your pocket book and the environment. With easier installation and less structural preparation, thin veneers are the ideal choice for the do-it-yourselfer or small construction outfit. Fabricated brick and stone veneers have become more and more popular in recent years as they present a less expensive option than any other brick or stone cladding option. Many of these finishes claim a natural appearance but often fall short of the appearance and feel of real brick or stone. Make sure you see an actual installation of the product before you sign off.

Related Articles:
Product Review - Siding Part 1

Product Review - Siding Part 3