Brick and Stone Veneer

A: The main difference in cost for a brick or veneer is type of material used. For example, you may want to use a concrete man-made product or a natural stone veneer. Typically, a concrete veneer or brick is more cost effective. Also, you want to consider that there are many manufacturers of stones, natural stone products and brick that will reflect different price points. As said before we are a leader in the area of selling paver type products so we discounted material due to the quantity we purchase and we pass the savings directly to the consumer.

Also, the type of application reflects on cost as well. Where it will be installed: front of the house, steps, or masonry wall. All of these applications have different requirements for preparation so depending on what suits you specifically will determine price points. Average range for veneer can range from $8-$30 per square foot for materials and depending of the application an additional $10-$20 per square foot for installation. Again, these ranges are large because there are many different products and factors to consider when installing brick or veneer.

We have an expert team to advise you in the right direction on material. We take in consideration budget, environmental, functionality, and aesthetics when advising clients to make an appropriate choice. Installing veneer or brick incorrectly can have profound consequences so it wise choose an experienced contractor for your project.

As said before there are many ways to install brick and or veneer. Here is a basic overview on how to install brick or veneer on steps.

How To Install Brick and Veneer Steps

Brick veneer is a very attractive, affordable, and durable cover for any unsightly or deteriorating wall. Not only will this brick wall covering last for decades, it will save you loads of money as opposed to other materials. It can also be a “do-it-yourself” project once you figure out your specific measurements for the wall you are covering.

Measure the wall that you wish to build a brick veneer around and calculate the amount of materials necessary.

• Height: each brick is approximately 2 inches (5.08 cm) in height and you will want to leave about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) joint in between each layer of brick laid. Each layer is called a course and a joint is the space between each brick on either side as well as the space between each course. When added together, this will result in a height of about 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) per course.
• Length: each brick is approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm) in length and, again, you will want to leave about a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) joint between each brick in the course.
• The following steps will be an example of how to build a 4 foot (1.21 m) tall by 10 foot (3.03 m) wide brick veneer; 4 feet (1.21 m) equals 48 inches (121.92 cm) and 10 feet (3.03 m) equals 120 inches (304.8 cm).
• When you divide the height of the wall, 48 inches (121.92 cm), by the height of the brick and the course’s joint, 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm), you will get an approximation of how many courses you will need. In this example, the result is about 20 to 21 courses, depending on which measuring system you are using.
• When you divide the length of the wall, 120 inches (304.8 cm), by the length of each brick and the joints in between, 8 inches (20.32 cm) per brick plus the 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) joints, you will get approximately 15 bricks per course.
• Multiply how many courses necessary for the brick wall cover by how many bricks you will need per course; this will result in how many total bricks you will need to purchase for the entire brick veneer. For this example, round up to 21 courses and multiply by 15 bricks per course; this comes out to 315 bricks.
• On average, it takes about 60 pounds (27 kg) of mortar per 120 bricks. Mortar is a thick cement-like paste used to bind the bricks to each other. To calculate the amount of mortar you need, divide the number of bricks you will need times the 120 brick average, then multiply by the 60 pounds (27 kg) of mortar average. For this example, you will divide 315 bricks by 120 bricks and multiply by 60 pounds (27 kg) of mortar; this results in 157.5 pounds (70.88 kg) of mortar.
• If veneering more than 1 side of a wall, calculate your total amount of materials by multiplying your total number of bricks and mortar per wall by how many walls you are covering.

Wet the brick a couple hours before you begin the building process. This will prevent the bricks from soaking up too much mortar during the construction process.

Outline the first course of the brick veneer. If you are veneering more than 1 wall, it is imperative to extend the veneer further than the wall itself. This will establish corners, connect each side of the brick wall to itself, and ensure the wall covering comes out straight.

Screed a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) layer of mortar as a foundation for the first course. A screed is an aluminum tool used to flatten and smooth out pasty, cement-like materials such as mortar.

Lay the first course of brick being certain to retain a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) joint between each brick.

Screed a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) top joint over the first course and lay the second brick course on top of the first.

Create a small corner lead on top of the first 2 courses. This ensures your brick courses will all have equal heights throughout construction as well as keeping the wall veneer straight. Do this by starting the next 3 brick courses along the end or corner of the veneer. These courses should only be portions of the next 3 courses, so only build 1/3 (or 5 bricks) into each of these lead courses.

Pull a string line taut from the base of the veneer to the top, along the corner lead of the wall covering. This will help you make sure your joints and courses are straight by lining up the corner of each course to the string line.

Tool the joints between the bricks and courses after every 2 to 3 courses using a concave jointer. This tool creates a round indent in the mortar making it more stable as well as stylish.

Continue spreading mortar and building each course until you have reached the goal height of your brick veneer.

A: Here is a list of services offered but not limited to:

Patios
Walkways
Walls
Outdoor kitchens
Custom Masonry
Pools
Outdoor lighting
Drainage
Site work
Tree Work
Plating
Landscape design
Stairs and Steps
Sod and seeding
Driveways and walkways
Excavation
Outdoor living areas
Firepits and fireplaces
Total Property Renovations