Brick vs Stacked Stone

[Junkman]

The second one pictured is what my friends have. The first one I have not seen before. What I have seen is flat fieldstone that has been shaped into the size of a brick and then set into concrete in the horizontal plane. Two or three stacked with mortar between them would be approximately the hight of a brick. They go in long horizontal rows till they get to the roof eaves. I have seen them on many homes in Southern MA and they are impressive, but also very expensive. The lip on your foundation will support almost any choice that you make.....

 

[boustany]

Heres a sort of third option.
When I wanted to start the brickwork on my house when I discovered that bricks are 6 months+ backlog around Toronto. My bricklayer suggested a product call Soltice Stone (spelling?) which is a brick material made of concrete. The 'bricks' are split so they look like stone blocks (really they do!). Because they are made of concrete they don't fall apart like bricks do.

However, they cost about 50% more /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif , even though delivery was 2 days after order.

However, because the average stone/brick is much bigger than a real brick, the labor cost was much lower. So the net cost to me for a premium product and a premium look was more or less the same as 'plain old brick'. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

You might ask some brick layers about the total costs ...

 

[Junkman]

Where is the picture???????? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[boustany]

Its a bit of a mess - its still a work in process.

I paid for the excavation, concrete work, and brickwork.

Everything else I did myself (usually alone)

From the front

 

[boustany]

From the back
Scaffolds are there in prep for the deck I'm gonna start later this summer. (an excuse to get a drill ..)

 

[boustany]

Finally a closeup of the 'brickwork'

I've been taking it easy lately - the 'boss' ordered me to build a barn but I cheated and subbed out the construction. I did all the wiring, insulation, and walls myself, though.

Before I get to the deck I'm gonna try finish the master bathroom (talk about money ... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).

I'm amazed my wife put up with this. I still have about 1,500 sq feet unfinished flooring and most of the paint is still just primer.

Well it keeps me off the street.

Hey - made 'Platinum!' /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dmccarty]

bmac,

In the areas I have lived and the books I have read brick veneer is made from real, fullsized brick. Now brick comes in different sizes so that is a consideration as well. There is a brick product that is a half inch to an inch thick that maybe is causing confusion?

Modern construction has bricks that are not a structural part of the house. The bricks should be connected to the the house with metal ties that are fastened to the house and to the brick in the mortor joint. There should be an air cap between the house and the backside of the brick.

Brick is not waterproof. Brick will wick water like a sponge. That water has to go somewhere. Thus the air gap between the house and the brick. There should be holes at the bottom of the brick shelf to allow that water to drain away. If brick is touching the structure of the house I don't see how there will not be rot and mildew problems.....

I THINK code in NC is for the drain holes to be every six or eight feet I can't remember which. I specified drain holes every three to four feet.

I would be very concerned with real rock or a man made rock that was directly attached to the house such that there was no way for the water to drain away. This may not be a big concern if the "rock" is attached to a poured or CBU foundation. BUT, I would still ask questions. The latest Journal of Light Construction just had an article about water infiltration through CBU/stucco wall in Florida during last years storms. The idea of having a stone veneer physically connected to walls that where part of living space would make me nervous.

later,
Dan

 

[8NTX]

Here's a link to some good looking manufactured stone:

http://www.culturedstone.com/products/blends.asp


Steve

 

[bmac]

Dan,

Thats good information. Thanks.

8NTX - appreciate the link.