Precast brick siding, whether you call it mortarless brick siding, brick veneer or just brick siding, it is all the same thing. There are different types, but the concept is basically the same. Precast brick siding is just about the same thing as a layer of thin bricks on the outside of your home.

While not quite as long-lasting and durable as regular brick, precast brick siding is a very good alternative to real brick and you cannot really tell the difference to look at it. Like bricks themselves, precise brick siding is fired clay. The brick siding comes in all sorts of earthlike colors that make it a highly desirable siding option for many home owners.

Pros and Cons

There are several advantages of brick siding over other siding options. It provides a better layer of insulation than any other type of siding because it is more dense and thicker. It lasts longer than almost any other siding option. It can last for hundreds of years when applied properly and maintained.

Brick siding will normally go for about 25 years before it even needs any sort of repair. Precast brick siding offers the look and prestige of real brick at a cheaper price and is much easier to install. You do not even have to use mortar when installing the brick siding.

As a type if siding, the only slight disadvantage over other types of siding is perhaps the cost. Precast brick cost a bit more than most other types of home siding. The only other disadvantages it has are when compared to real brick.

When compared to the real thing, brick siding is thinner, so offers less insulation than real brick (but much more than other siding options). Brick siding will not last quite as long as real brick will, but it still lasts longer than most other types of siding.

Types of Precast Brick Siding

As we mentioned earlier, precast brick comes in a wide variety of colors from white, brown to red and everywhere in between. There are a few different types of brick siding to mention. There are interlocking sections such as the Novabrik siding.

There are brick veneers that differ from the interlocking types because they are built from the ground up and make like another wall that is tied to the home with what are called brick ties. The thin brick structure lays on its own foundation and supports its own weight, so it doesn’t put any strain on the house’s structure.

There are also two feet by four feet brick panels such as Genstone makes. They are one inch thick brick replica. Then there are Brick tiles made from quartz sand, cement and dyestuff. These are used indoors and outdoors and also have corner pieces to make the home’s corners look like real brick.

Considerations

So there are three basic types of brick siding options and they all come in a variety of earth tone colors. When deciding which is best for your home, you will no doubt consider cost and installation. For example, types of brick siding similar to the brick veneers are not really recommended for the do it yourself type person and should be installed by a trained contractor.

If you want to install it yourself, you may want to go with an interlocking type or a thin panel instead. Hopefully this article has given you something to think about when deciding to use faux brick on your home. It may not be for everyone and it is more expensive, but good precast brick siding will save the homeowner some money in the long run on utility bills and maintenance.