Brick exterior walls and foundation problems (Dallas, Mason: house, upkeep, fences)

[Zhang Fei]

I noted this from another thread on foundation problems. Anyone care to comment on whether this is an issue? Would non-brick walls be better?

[momof2dfw]

No. In most areas, newer areas w/ HOA's and the cities usually require at least 80% of the exterior of the home to be masonry (usually brick or stone). Then there is the issue of hail damage to wood siding (even vinyl siding can substain hail damage), upkeep w/ painting, etc.

Brick (or stone) is much more preferred in the Dallas area. Some tend to look down on homes that are not. Though there are some BEAUTIFUL frame homes in older areas and I do know of some that were built recently using hardiboard and/or hardiplank.

[GoPadge]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

No. In most areas, newer areas w/ HOA's and the cities usually require at least 80% of the exterior of the home to be masonry (usually brick or stone). Then there is the issue of hail damage to wood siding (even vinyl siding can substain hail damage), upkeep w/ painting, etc.

Brick (or stone) is much more preferred in the Dallas area. Some tend to look down on homes that are not. Though there are some BEAUTIFUL frame homes in older areas and I do know of some that were built recently using hardiboard and/or hardiplank.

From what I can see, there is little issue with woodsided homes. My house is 106 years old and there are only a very few boards that show any signs of not being original. Additionally my home has 44 windows and other than the five in the master bedroom and the two in the kitchen, which are aluminum, the other 37 appear to be original. (Or at least very old as the glass has imperfections consistant with age.)

I would say that any hail of significant enough size to damage a wood board is probably also big enough to chip masonry brick and/or damage motar joints on brick or stone. Brick does have the advantage of lower upkeep costs as a wooden home needs to be painted on a regular basis.

[momof2dfw]

Hail does not do any damage to brick or the mortar. We had some REALLY BAD hail a few years ago. It was not the smooth balls that you normally see. It was rough, jagged, sharp points, etc. It cut up EVERYTHING! I mean it cut not pock marks. Destroyed patio furniture, broke lots of windows in homes around here (none ours thankfully), put huge dents in the gutters, tore up wood fences and any wood siding on the homes and facia, around windows, etc. The cover to the kids wooden fort looked like swiss cheese. It was BAD! My husbands poor truck got it on both sides as we had two waves of the stuff each from a different direction . Totally uncommon. Brick and the mortar can survive this. If it doesn't, I'd move, FAST! I've been here 40+ years and have yet to see of any hail damage to brick.

[sanz7887]

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[escanlan]

Originally Posted by Zhang Fei

I noted this from another thread on foundation problems. Anyone care to comment on whether this is an issue? Would non-brick walls be better?

If the siding has been properly applied aesthetic issues are usually small until you have significant movements. Also siding damage on homes is typically much easier and less expensive to correct than brick for any significant foundation movement signs in the siding. Siding repairs also can be more closely if not completely matched to undamaged siding leaving little or no signs of damage. A very good Brick Mason can perform mortar matches very close to existing colors but is limited when original bricks from the lot used on the house are not available for repairs when needed. This can leave noticeable repairs from different shades or consistencies of bricks.



When fiber cement sidings are used and properly applied they are also resistant to damage from many sources including hail, UV, termites, water damage/rot, and others.



IMO, as a pragmatist, I certainly prefer a sided home over a brick veneer home. Siding, event fiber cement siding, is typically less expensive than brick as well. Of course many others prefer the look of brick over siding.