Brick Siding for Chicago Area Homes.
Brick gives a home a permanence and character that no other siding material matches. It doesn't need painting, it doesn't rot, and it handles the Midwest climate well for decades. We install brick siding on homes throughout the Chicago area.
01 / What Brick Siding Is
A Long-Term Investment Worth Understanding.
Brick gives a home a permanence and character that no other siding material replicates. It doesn’t require painting, it doesn’t rot, it handles the Midwest climate well, and it adds curb appeal and value to a property that holds up over decades. For homes where the architecture calls for it, brick siding is a long-term investment worth understanding before you commit.
Brick siding, often called brick veneer, is a single layer of brick installed against the exterior wall of a home. It’s attached to the structural wall through metal ties and sits on a ledge or foundation support at the base. From the outside, the result looks identical to traditional full-brick construction, with the same texture, color variation, and solid appearance.
Brick veneer is different from solid masonry construction, where the brick is structural. In a veneer application, the brick is a cladding layer and the wall structure behind it carries the load. This distinction matters for installation requirements and repair, but it doesn’t affect the look or the exterior performance of the brick itself.
Full brick replacement on an existing home is also possible. When an older property has original brick that has deteriorated, we can assess whether repair and repointing is the right call, or whether sections need to be removed and rebuilt. We install brick siding on residential properties throughout the Chicago area, on homes where the architecture and the homeowner’s vision call for the look and durability that brick delivers.
02 / Why Homeowners Choose Brick
Built to Outlast Almost Everything Else.
Brick earns its reputation for a handful of plain reasons. Here is what it does well.
Longevity
Well-installed brick siding on a home can last for generations. The material doesn’t break down the way wood or vinyl does. With periodic mortar joint inspection and repointing as needed, brick walls outlast virtually every other siding material.
Minimal Maintenance
Brick itself needs almost no upkeep. It doesn’t need painting or sealing. The main task is watching the mortar joints, which can degrade over time and need repointing to keep moisture out. Compared to cleaning vinyl or repainting fiber cement, brick asks very little of you.
Midwest Climate
Brick handles the freeze-thaw cycling, humidity swings, and temperature extremes of the Chicago climate. Quality brick installed with proper drainage behind the veneer and the right mortar doesn’t soak up and hold water the way that leads to damage.
Fire Resistance
Brick is naturally fire-resistant. It doesn’t feed a fire the way wood or vinyl can, and in areas with fire risk it offers real protection to the wall structure behind it.
Curb Appeal & Value
Brick carries a premium look that holds up over time and supports a home’s value perception. It’s one of the few exterior materials that actually improves in appearance as it ages, developing a character manufactured products can’t copy.
Ages Gracefully
Unlike materials that fade or wear, brick weathers into something that often looks better than the day it went up. That staying power is a big part of why homeowners pick it for a property they plan to keep.
Brick Is the Most Expensive of the Three. We'll Say So Up Front.
Brick siding costs more than vinyl or fiber cement. The material runs higher, the installation is more labor-intensive, and the work takes masonry skills that not every contractor has. On a per-square-foot installed basis, brick is the most expensive of the three siding options we offer. Brick also adds significant weight to the wall, so it needs a proper support ledge, either at the foundation or on steel angles at floor levels, and the wall structure has to be adequate for the load. That matters most on renovation projects where brick veneer is added to a home that wasn't designed for it.
Color and texture matching on repairs can be a challenge too. Brick is a natural material with built-in variation, and matching existing brick precisely when replacing sections isn't always possible. Manufacturers discontinue specific runs, and even similar products from the same region age differently. We tell you that honestly before we start a repair project.
- Highest Installed Cost of the Three
- Needs Proper Structural Support
- Color Matching on Repairs Is Tricky
04 / Brick Repair & Repointing
Often We Can Restore Brick Instead of Replacing It.
Existing brick siding that is structurally sound but has deteriorating mortar joints or a few damaged bricks can often be restored rather than replaced. Repointing, the process of removing degraded mortar and replacing it with fresh material, extends the life of the veneer and keeps moisture from getting in at the joints.
Individual brick replacement is also an option when specific bricks have cracked, spalled, or taken impact damage. The goal is always to match the original material as closely as we can, and we’ll be straight with you about what can and can’t be matched before any work starts.
- Repoint degraded mortar joints
- Replace cracked, spalled, or impacted brick
- Match the original material as closely as possible
- Honest assessment before work begins
05 / Is Brick Right for Your Home?
Where Brick Makes the Most Sense.
Brick isn’t the right pick for every project, and we’ll tell you when it is and when it isn’t. Brick tends to be the right choice for:
Durability First
Homeowners where the long-term durability and permanence of the material outweigh the higher upfront cost.
Architecturally Right
Larger or custom homes where brick is architecturally appropriate and fits the look of the property.
Renovations
Properties being renovated where brick veneer is added to match an existing partial brick exterior.
Lowest Upkeep
Homeowners who want the lowest possible long-term maintenance commitment on their exterior siding.
For homes where budget is the main consideration, vinyl or fiber cement delivers strong results at a lower cost. Take a look at our vinyl siding page and our fiber cement siding page for a side-by-side comparison. For all of your options, visit our siding page.
06 / Common Questions
Brick Siding Questions, Answered Straight.
Brick veneer is a single layer of brick installed against the exterior wall and attached with metal ties. The wall structure behind it carries the load. Full masonry uses brick that is structural. From the outside they look identical, with the same texture, color variation, and solid appearance. The difference shows up in the installation requirements and how repairs are handled, not in how the brick performs against the weather.
Very little. Brick itself doesn’t need painting or sealing. The main job is keeping an eye on the mortar joints, which can degrade over the years and need repointing to keep moisture out. Compared to cleaning vinyl or repainting fiber cement, brick’s maintenance demands are minimal.
Often, yes. Brick that is structurally sound but has failing mortar joints or a few damaged bricks can usually be restored. Repointing replaces degraded mortar with fresh material and extends the life of the veneer. We can also swap out individual bricks that have cracked, spalled, or taken impact damage. We always try to match the original material and we’re honest about what can and can’t be matched before we start.
That depends on your priorities. Brick is the most expensive of the three siding options we offer, both in material and labor. In return you get the longest life, the lowest ongoing maintenance, strong fire resistance, and a look that ages well. If long-term durability and permanence matter more to you than the upfront cost, brick is worth a close look. If budget comes first, vinyl or fiber cement is a smart alternative.
07 / Get Started
Get a Brick Siding Estimate.
Contact us to schedule a consultation and assessment, or call or text us at (224) 518-0278. We come out, look at your home, and give you a straight answer on whether brick is the right fit. We’re available Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm and Saturday 7am to 5pm. Sunday we’re closed.