When it comes to selecting the exterior material for your home, one of the pivotal decisions you'll face is choosing your exterior façade, the “face” of your home. Year after year, building with brick remains a classic choice for many reasons. Let’s explore why building with brick is most ideal through 7 key factors to consider.

1. Durability and Longevity: Brick is renowned for its unparalleled durability. Unlike vinyl siding, which can be prone to damage from harsh weather conditions, impact, and even pests, brick can withstand the test of time. A well-constructed brick home can last for generations, requiring minimal maintenance over the years. This longevity not only saves you money on repairs and replacements but also adds significant value to your property.

2. Aesthetic Appeal: One of the most compelling reasons to choose brick is its timeless beauty. A brick home never goes out of style. The warm, natural earthy tones of brick complement a wide range of architectural styles, from rustic or traditional to modern. Glen-Gery brick is also available in sleek, modern styles with glazed and Klaycoat finishes, which allow the homeowner to choose a custom color. Unlike vinyl siding, which can fade, warp, or discolor over time, brick maintains its original appearance for decades, ensuring your home always looks stunning.

3. Energy Efficiency: Clay brick is an excellent insulator, helping to regulate indoor temperatures more effectively than vinyl siding. The thermal mass property of brick allows it to absorb and store heat during the day and release it slowly at night, reducing your reliance on heating and cooling systems. This translates to lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment year-round.

4. Low Maintenance: While vinyl siding is often marketed as low maintenance, it is not maintenance-free. Over time, it can accumulate dirt, algae, and mold, requiring regular cleaning and sometimes even replacement due to damage. Brick, on the other hand, requires minimal maintenance as there's no need to worry about fading or warping.

5. Fire Resistance: Brick is a non-combustible material, offering superior fire resistance compared to vinyl siding, which can melt and ignite in the presence of extreme heat. Building your home with brick provides an added layer of safety and peace of mind.

6. Eco-Friendly Choice: Brick is an environmentally friendly choice for your home's exterior. It is made from natural clay and requires minimal processing compared to the energy-intensive manufacturing of vinyl siding. Brick also has a long-life cycle, reducing the need for replacements, which can contribute to landfill waste.

7. Increased Property Value: Brick homes often have a higher resale value compared to vinyl-sided homes. The timeless appeal, durability, and energy efficiency of brick make it an attractive option for homebuyers, which can translate into a better return on your investment when it's time to sell.

In conclusion, while vinyl siding has its merits, building your home with brick offers a myriad of benefits that make it the more ideal choice for many homeowners. Its energy efficiency, low maintenance requirements, fire resistance, eco-friendliness, and potential for increased property value make it a wise investment that will stand the test of time. So, if you're looking to build a home that combines elegance, longevity, and functionality, brick is the way to go.

The Timeless Appeal of Brick, Reinvented
Brick has long been cherished for its durability, warmth, and classic charm. From historic structures to contemporary designs, brick's aesthetic remains a favorite for homeowners and architects alike. Thanks to advancements in building materials such as thin brick veneer wall systems, achieving this timeless look has become easier, faster, and more versatile than ever. Thin Brick panel systems combine the beauty of traditional brick with the ease of modern installation, making them an attractive option for a variety of applications, from residential projects to large-scale architectural endeavors.

What Are Thin Brick Veneer Panels?
Thin brick veneer panels are lightweight systems designed to provide solutions and options to architects and builders. These panels allow thin brick to be mounted on specialized backing systems, offering a cost-effective and flexible alternative to conventional masonry.

Advantages of Thin Brick Veneer Panels
1. Versatile Applications
Thin brick veneer panels are suitable for both interior and exterior use. They can transform walls, fireplaces, and even commercial facades.
2. Lightweight and Easy to Install
Thanks to their reduced weight, thin brick veneer panels eliminate the need for heavy masonry support, making them a popular option for retrofits and a variety of installation techniques.
3. Durability and Authenticity
Modern thin brick systems are crafted to maintain the durability and appearance of traditional brick. With advanced systems like Glen-Gery’s Thin Tech® Wall System or Tru-Brix, users can enjoy long-lasting, visually stunning results.
4. Cost-Effective Solution
Thin brick veneer panels reduce material and labor costs while offering the premium appearance of real thin brick. They are an excellent choice for budget-conscious homeowners and large-scale projects alike.

Installation Made Simple
The installation process for thin brick veneer panel systems is designed to be efficient and user-friendly. For builders, it translates to faster completion times and reduced labor costs.
 
Installation will vary slightly based on the system you employ. That said, we’ve provided a brief overview of the installation process below to give you an idea of what’s involved:
1. Surface Preparation: Ensure the wall or surface is clean, stable, and capable of supporting the panel system.
2. Mounting the Panel System: Attach the mechanical support system (like Thin Tech® or Tru-Brix) to the surface. These systems are pre-engineered for easy alignment and secure installation.
3. Setting the Thin Bricks: Thin bricks are snapped or mechanically locked into the system. 
4. Finishing Touches: Add mortar between bricks, ensuring a seamless, traditional look.
Many systems come with detailed guides. For a more comprehensive understanding of installation, check out Glen-Gery’s Thin Tech Installation Manual or watch the Thin Tech Installation video.

Applications for Thin Brick Veneer Panels
For Homeowners
Thin brick veneer panels are perfect for DIY’ers looking to refresh their homes. Some common home projects include creating stylish brick accent walls and adding charm to kitchen backsplashes or fireplaces.
For Architects and Builders
These panels expand the design palette for architects, offering a lightweight alternative to traditional brick laying without compromising on style or performance. From commercial facades to multi-family housing, thin brick veneer panels are redefining modern masonry.

Conclusion: Why Choose Thin Brick Veneer Panels?
Thin brick veneer panels provide the perfect balance of aesthetics, durability, and practicality. Whether you’re embarking on a home improvement project or an architect seeking innovative design solutions, these panels offer endless possibilities. Glen-Gery’s Thin Tech® and Tru-Brix systems represent the pinnacle of thin brick technology, blending style with functionality to meet diverse needs. Explore the full range of Glen-Gery’s Advance Cladding Systems to bring your vision to life and experience the timeless beauty of brick, reimagined for modern applications.

Designing in Brick: Finishes & Textures

Of all the building products commonly used today, brick holds a special place in the lexicon of home design. Like stone, brick’s lifespan is measured in centuries. Its wide variety of colors, finishes, and masonry techniques are what continue to make it an indispensable tool for creating texture.

Specifically, brick is perfect for adding variety and dimension to a home. While traditionally it has adorned exteriors, in the last century, masons, interior designers and homeowners have found new ways to bring brick indoors through accent walls, fireplaces, and other features.

Because brick is available in many different finishes, it allows architects, designers, and homeowners to create a wide range of textural effects inside a home.

Four Ways to Mix Finishes and Textures

Layered Texture 
Layered texture involves creating intentional depth within a room, which adds interest and richness. 

One of the most popular ways to accomplish this is with a background brick accent wall. A critical piece of maximizing the impact of such a background, however, is keeping in mind what's happening in the foreground. Choose furniture, fabrics, wall colors, and other materials that create layering in front of the wall 

PRO TIP: For interior brick walls, choose a brick with a smooth finish to make dusting easier. 

Contrasting Texture
Contrasting texture is an eternal mainstay of home design trends - it's what draws eyes around a house's interior or exterior and encourages curiosity and delight. 

Use contrasting textures to add visual interest and break up a monochromatic color palette. Look beyond the obvious elements like walls and furnishings. How can you use fabrics, artwork, and object placement to create contrast in a room or on a house's exterior?

PRO TIP: Contrasting textures are by no means limited to textures in the same color family. Be bold - for example, contrast burgundy brick exterior walls with brightly colored fixtures and paint choices. 

Tactile Texture
Tactile texture to a texture you can physically touch - and though you may not always interact with materials by touching them, the visual effect of such textures make an impression. 

Use varied finishes, ranging from smooth to rough, to create dimension in a room. For example, you can use two types of brick finishes to add multiple layers of tactile texture to an interior accent wall. You can also use different brick finishes to create the same effect on a house's exterior. 

PRO TIP: Brick is particularly good at creating tactile texture because of its wide range of finishes: smooth, wirecut, glazed, etc. 

Visual Texture
Different brick textures and finishes

Brick's wide range of textures and finishes keeps its at the forefront of design trends. Here are some categories from which to choose:

1. Glazed bricks: These feature a smooth, glossy finish in a wide range of colors, making them perfect for contrasting textures. As an added bonus, the glaze makes these bricks impervious to the elements.
2. Molded bricks: Molded bricks have softened edges, giving them a subtle contour that adds texture. Combined with the variety of colors available, they are excellent for layered texture profiles. 
3. Klaycoat^®  bricks: These are stately and modern and are an excellent option for visual texture. These are available in a smooth and wirecut texture. 

Best practices for adding texture and finishes to design
Keep the following tips in mind:

Don’t overdo it.
Too much texture can cause confusion and make a home look busy and unfocused. Determine your style ahead of time and curate your pieces to fit this goal.

Start big and work downward.
Begin by choosing the largest source of texture, and add elements based on that. On a home’s exterior, this would be the exterior walls; on an interior, this could be an accent wall, fireplace, or another focal point.

Lean on your designer.
When in doubt, consult a designer — particularly if you are a homeowner taking on a large DIY project. A skilled interior designer can help you plan out your project and make tasteful choices.

Conclusion

Brick is one of the best home-building products for design choices. Not only is it unmatched in durability, but it also added incredible texture to a home's exterior and interior. 

Some of the best ways to create visual appeal are through layered, contrasting, tactile, and visual textures.

Brick is available in a range of finishes and colors, and homeowners and designers can even mix different types to add texture to a room. Glen-Gery produces glazed, molded, and klaycoat^® bricks, among other popular types.

Working with a designer can help you avoid texture overload and can open your eyes to new ways of achieving your goals. Visit a Brickworks Design Studio to receive a one-on-one consultation with a product expert. 

When it comes to choosing the exterior cladding for your home, two popular options often come to mind: brick and wood siding. While both materials have been used for centuries, but brick stands out as the superior choice for homeowners and builders alike. From durability and maintenance to environmental benefits and aesthetic appeal, brick offers unparalleled advantages over wood siding. Let’s explore why brick is the best investment for your residential or commercial property.

1. Durability and Longevity
Brick is a time-tested material known for its resilience and long lifespan. A brick home can last for centuries with minimal maintenance. Unlike wood siding, which is vulnerable to rot, pests, and weathering, brick is naturally resistant to these issues. It does not warp, crack, or degrade over time, making it a reliable choice for homeowners looking to avoid costly repairs. In contrast, wood siding requires constant upkeep. Exposure to rain, snow, and UV rays can cause wood to deteriorate quickly if not regularly sealed or painted. This makes wood siding a high-maintenance option that doesn’t offer the same peace of mind as brick.

2. Fire Resistance
Safety is a top priority for any homeowner, and brick offers an unparalleled level of fire resistance. As a non-combustible material, brick can withstand extreme temperatures without catching fire, providing an added layer of protection for your family and property. Wood siding, on the other hand, is highly flammable and can contribute to the spread of a fire, posing a significant risk.

3. Energy Efficiency
Brick’s natural thermal mass helps regulate indoor temperatures, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This energy-efficient property can reduce your heating and cooling costs, making brick an environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice. Wood siding, while providing some insulation, does not offer the same level of energy efficiency and may lead to higher utility bills over time.

4. Maintenance and Upkeep
One of the biggest drawbacks of wood siding is the amount of maintenance it requires. Homeowners need to invest time and money in regular painting, sealing, and repairs to prevent damage from moisture, insects, and the elements. Brick, on the other hand, is virtually maintenance-free. Its durability and resistance to weathering mean you can enjoy a beautiful home exterior without the hassle of constant upkeep.

5. Aesthetic Versatility
Brick offers a timeless and versatile aesthetic that complements a wide range of architectural styles, from traditional to contemporary. Available in various colors, textures, and finishes, brick allows homeowners to customize their home’s exterior to match their vision. While wood siding can also be aesthetically pleasing, it lacks the longevity and richness that brick provides. Over time, wood can fade and lose its charm, whereas brick retains its beauty for decades.

6. Environmental Benefits
Brick is a sustainable building material made from natural resources like clay and shale. It is recyclable, and its long lifespan reduces the need for replacement, minimizing waste. Wood siding often requires chemical treatments and finishes that can harm the environment. Additionally, the frequent replacement and maintenance associated with wood siding can contribute to a larger environmental footprint.

7. Resale Value
Homes with brick exteriors often have higher resale values than those with wood siding. Brick’s reputation for durability, energy efficiency, and low maintenance appeals to potential buyers, making it a sound investment. On the other hand, homes with wood siding may face depreciation due to concerns about maintenance and longevity.

Conclusion: Build for the Future with Brick
When comparing brick to wood siding, the benefits of choosing brick are clear. Its unmatched durability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, and low maintenance make it a superior choice for homeowners seeking long-term value and peace of mind. Beyond its practical advantages, brick’s timeless aesthetic and environmental benefits make it a material that not only enhances your home but also supports sustainable building practices. Whether you’re constructing a new home or renovating an existing one, choosing brick is a decision that will stand the test of time. Explore Glen-Gery’s wide range of high-quality brick products to find the perfect fit for your project. Contact us today to learn more about why brick is the ultimate choice for your home or building.