Masonry: Encyclopedia II - Masonry - Veneer masonry

Masonry - Veneer masonry

Brick veneer construction has strength imparted by a framework of wood or a rough masonry wall of other material over which is placed a layer of bricks for weatherproofing and providing a finished appearance. The brick veneer wall is connected to the structural walls by "brick ties", metal strips that are attached to the structural wall as well as the mortar joints of the brick veneer wall. There is typically an air gap between the brick veneer wall and the structural wall. As clay-based brick is not completely waterproof, the structural wall has a waterproof surface (usually tar paper) and weep holes are left at the base of the brick veneer wall to ventilate the air gap. Veneered walls are often structurally superior to solid un-reinforced brick walls because the core can be constructed of steel reinforced block or poured reinforced concrete. Block may also offer opportunities to run utilities within the wall if some block cores can be left unfilled for this purpose.

Most insulated buildings that make use of concrete blocks, bricks, brick veneers, or some combination thereof feature interior insulation in the form of fiberglass batts between wooden wall studs, or rigid insulation boards covered with plaster or drywall. In most climates this insulation is much more effective on the exterior of the wall, allowing the building interior to take advantage of the aforementioned thermal mass of the masonry. This technique does however require some sort of weatherproof exterior surface over the insulation and is consequently generally more expensive.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Veneer masonry", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki