Brick and Stone Veneers

Brick and stone veneers are a great alternative to building full structures with brick or stone as the primary building material. Contrary to some opinions, using brick and stone veneer is not using a “fake” material to create a beautiful surface. In fact, veneer made from actual brick or stone offers many of the same benefits as using those materials for building. They create more insulation for walls and fireplaces, as well as adding stability to the structure.

As opposed to other veneer material choices, using brick and stone as a surface veneer is the most environmentally safe choice a property owner can make during construction or remodeling. Veneers can also add to your property value while costing far less, making them a great option for residential and commercial property owners.

Key Differences Between Brick and Stone

There are some differences between brick and stone veneers to be aware of:

• Brick Veneer – Although brick can come in a variety of colors and textures, bricks, by definition —being man-made—have more uniform shapes that fit together geometrically. Veneers are shallower but are manufactured in such a way that, when placed together, creates a specific pattern that must be matched when being replaced.
• Stone Veneer – Found in nature, stone for veneers is typically broken from the ground or larger chunks of stone, resulting in organic shapes that fit together for creative effects. Surfaces are less uniform and often work more like puzzle pieces. Matching colors and sizes exactly are less important than matching the type of stone. Replacement pieces may have to be cut to fit areas to be replaced.

Maintenance and Repair of Veneers

If your veneers are made from genuine brick or stone, they will need the same kind of cleaning, maintenance, and repair that your other brick or stone structures require. Brick and stone are more resilient to the elements than other surface materials, but extreme temperatures, high winds, or storms can still wear them over time. It’s wise to have a yearly inspection of your veneer surfaces in order to stay ahead of repairs before they become more costly.

If you’re thinking of adding brick or stone veneers to your home or need yours inspected or repaired, call the office of East Central Masonry for a free consultation or estimate. Our services extend to East Central Minnesota, the Twin Cities, and Western Wisconsin.

Service areas:
Minnesota:
Aitkin, Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley, Askov, Barnum, Bayport, Bethel, Blaine, Bloomington, Braham, Burnsville, Cambridge, Center City, Chisago City, Coon Rapids, Eagan, East Bethel, Eden Prairie, Edina, Elk River, Finlayson, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Harris, Hinckley, Hugo, Inver Grove Heights, Isanti, Isle, Lake Elmo, Lakeville, Lindstrom, Lino Lakes, Linwood, Maple Grove, Maplewood, McGrath, Mendota Heights, Milaca, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Moose Lake, Mora, Moundsview, Newport, North Oaks, Nowthen, Oakdale, Ogilvie, Onamia, Pine City, Plymouth, Princeton, Ramsey, Richfield, Rock Creek, Roseville, Rush City, Saint Francis, Sandstone, Scandia, Shoreview, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Stacy, Stillwater, Sturgeon Lake, Taylors Falls, Wayzata, White Bear Lake, Willow River, Woodbury, Wyoming, Zimmerman

Wisconsin:
Balsam Lake, Dresser, Frederic, Grantsburg, Hudson, Luck, New Richmond, Osceola, Siren, Somerset, St. Croix Falls, Turtle Lake, Webster