The arch over the window is a clue that this building may have solid brick walls.
From the Romans until modern times, a brick building meant a structure with massive walls made up of multiple wythes of brick. With the advent of wood and metal structural framing, the brick was reduced to a single wythe, tied back to the structure for vertical support. This is the traditional anchored brick veneer. In recent years the term brick veneer has been loosely applied to a number of thin brick applications, more accurately called adhered systems.
Components
Modern buildings have a structural frame inside the brick veneer.
Brick veneer is not a structural component of the wall---its function is to provide a weather cladding for the building. According to the Masonry Advisory Council, a traditional residential brick veneer wall is constructed of wood (or metal) stud framing with an exterior sheathing material and a single layer of full-dimension brick, separated by an air space and tied together with metal brick ties. Depending on the climate, other components may include cavity insulation, a vapor barrier, interior batt insulation and gypsum board or other interior wall covering.
Full-Dimension Brick
The Brick Industry Association defines brick as a rectangular masonry unit formed from clay or shale and fired in a kiln. Full-dimension brick vary in face (height) and length dimensions, but are generally about 4 inches thick. A typical anchored brick veneer wall has a single layer of brick that rests on its own foundation---sometimes called a brick sill. The brick are stacked one by one in patterned courses and jointed with mortar. Metal wall ties are inserted at specified intervals to provide lateral support. The air space is critical because masonry is not waterproof. Moisture that penetrates the veneer drains down the inside face and out through weep holes at the bottom.
Thin Brick
Once installed, thin brick has the same appearance as traditional full size brick.
McGraw-Hill Construction defines thin brick veneer as a facing material; 3/8 inch to 1 inch thick, weighing less than 15 pounds per square foot, and applied directly to a solid surface. Thin brick is made much the same way as full dimension brick, except it is sliced into thinner segments before firing. Over a masonry or concrete wall, thin brick is applied by pressing into a thick layer of mortar. For stud-framed exterior walls, a layer of metal lathe is anchored to the sheathing and covered with mortar. The Masonry Advisory Council recommends the use of a drainage mat between the lathe and sheathing to serve the same function as the air space in traditional veneer walls.
Advantages
According to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, traditional anchored brick veneer is less expensive than solid masonry construction, partly because it does not require as large and heavy a foundation. Thin brick adhered veneer is even more economical because it is even lighter, providing savings in labor and transportation.
Maintenance
Brick is virtually maintenance-free once properly installed. Do not use wire brushes, harsh chemicals or high-pressure sprays. Use a mild detergent and hose off accumulated dirt, pollen and debris. According to McGraw-Hill, some manufacturers recommend a breathable sealer to prevent staining, but be aware that sealers may darken the color of the masonry.
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