Can You Install Siding Over Brick?

Yes, you can install siding over brick, but it’s not always the right solution. Learn more about the challenges and feasibility factors for this type of project.

Wood furring strips are placed over brick. Vinyl siding is being installed over the furring strips.

Homeowners often wonder whether they can install siding over brick and block. While the short answer is “yes,” this type of upgrade is not a DIY project. Unless you have a blueprint or moved into a new construction house, just knowing the type of brick requires an expert.

This blog explores some of the limitations and challenges of an over-brick or block installation, factors experts consider before undertaking this type of project, and a comparison of different siding options homeowners could choose from.

Limitations & Challenges

Wall facade of new house is covered with vinyl plastic siding panels installed by construction worker

Moisture Management

When materials are improperly attached to the exterior of a home, even the slightest gap allows moisture to accumulate between the siding and the original façade.

Water penetrations pose the greatest threat to a building’s infrastructure. Trapped rainwater can soak into beams, wooden sills, and exterior walls, leading to rot. The same moisture can spur hazardous mold growths, negatively impacting the health of occupants. Ultimately, either situation results in property owners spending thousands of dollars for remediation and repairs. These are critical challenges that must be addressed to install siding over a brick exterior successfully.

Preparation

Brick surfaces are not perfectly smooth. The challenge is that traditional siding needs a smooth surface to ensure proper adherence. Contractors will use either OSB sheathing or furring strips, which are thin strips of lumber, to create a flat surface. L&S Home Improvements uses furring strips because they are far superior to OSB. Furring strips offer improved moisture drainage and enhanced thermal performance. They’re also more efficient because fewer fasteners and materials are needed.

Regardless of which option (OSB or furring strips) is chosen, the point is that an additional preparation step is still required, adding to the overall project cost. If the preparation work is skipped, homeowners risk moisture intrusion (leading to potential rot and structural issues), poor energy efficiency, and aesthetic issues. In many cases, the fasteners will also fail over time due to masonry movement.

Brick Types

Most homeowners don’t know if they have actual brick or thin brick. Standard bricks run between 2.5 and 3 inches. As long as they can hold fasteners, sheathing or furring strips and siding can be attached. However, thin bricks are usually only about half an inch thick, so they must be removed before installing sheathing/furring strips and siding.

Irreversibility

Power-actuated fasteners are commonly used in most high-volume installations. These fasteners use explosive charges to drive hardened pins into the brick. Needless to say, the holes created from this process will stay there forever. If you were to detach the existing siding, you would be left with hole-abundant bricks, which is both an aesthetic and functional issue. When you install siding over brick, it’s a permanent decision, so really consider if it’s something that you actually want to do.

Feasibility Factors

Cracked brick wall of private house. Crack under the window on white brick wall, problems with foundation

Certain challenges can be overcome, but in some situations, over-brick or over-block installations are simply not feasible. To determine the feasibility of a project, contractors will consider:

  • Age/Condition of the Brick: Most contractors will not install siding over brick that’s cracked or has experienced significant wear and tear. Installing siding over deteriorating or damaged brick won’t stop the deterioration process. Water will still penetrate through the damaged areas, and freeze-thaw cycles will continue to expand cracks and break down the structure. Fasteners also won’t hold properly in deteriorated masonry, so the entire siding system could pull away from the wall.
  • Historic Buildings: Although siding can help improve a home’s energy efficiency, installing siding over brick exteriors of historic homes isn’t an option. Historic neighborhoods emphasize preservation, and as mentioned earlier, installing siding means punching a lot of holes into the brick.
  • HOA Restrictions: Check your homeowner’s association agreement before installing siding. Many HOAs prohibit exterior décor changes without prior approval.
  • Utilities: Power lines and cable boxes may need to be removed and replaced in order to add a layer to the outside of a building. This may require contacting providers and scheduling work in conjunction with the siding installation.
  • Foundation & Roof: Your roof and gutter system are designed to move water away from the exterior walls and foundation. It’s crucial to calculate how adding a layer of insulation and siding affects water defenses. Contractors like L&S will carefully inspect the transition zones to determine if, and how, moisture intrusion can be prevented.
  • Window & Trim: Assessing the window and trim is one of the most critical aspects of the job because most homeowners are unaware that the windows and trim will have an impact on the project. The new siding could make the window appear sunken and create water collection points, flashing systems may need to be redesigned, and the changed wall thickness could impact interior finishing.

Recommended Siding for Over-Brick Installation

There are pros and cons to the type of siding you could select. While the majority can be used on brick structures, it’s important to consider the differences:

  • Vinyl Siding: Vinyl siding is the most common choice for homeowners. It’s budget-friendly, can last for over 50 years, is designed to withstand severe weather, and comes with extensive warranties. And compared to other siding options, vinyl requires minimal maintenance (just a yearly cleaning) and comes in hundreds of colors and styles.
  • Aluminum Siding:  Aluminum siding was once a popular siding option among homeowners before vinyl products became available. Aluminum resists pests, rust, and rot, but it can dent easily, which isn’t good news because Michigan property owners will experience hail storms.
  • Wood Siding: Wood siding, commonly known as T1-11, is not a good option for homeowners in Michigan. While they can resist impact, they attract pests, leading to scratch marks and burrow holes. They also require painting, which is an additional cost and a recurring maintenance task over time, as the paint will chip and fade.
  • Hardie Board: Although Hardie Board can be installed over brick and block, it lacks the benefits of other materials. While it’s a durable material that won’t attract pests and is resistant to moisture, it can crack over time due to repeated impacts. It’s also extremely heavy, which adds weight to exterior walls and potentially leads to structural issues.

Schedule an Assessment Today

Adding siding over brick or block is a major home improvement that requires a substantial initial investment. There are benefits, though. Siding, especially vinyl, will reduce utility bills, improve curbside appeal, and deliver a strong return on investment.

What’s important to remember is that this isn’t a project you can undertake on your own. If you’re seriously considering installing siding over your brick home, get help from L&S Home Improvements.

Our team has over 75 years of combined industry experience installing siding, including over-brick and over-block installations, on homes throughout Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. We exclusively use CertainTeed vinyl products to give homeowners peace of mind. CertainTeed products are guaranteed to maintain their beauty, are available in numerous styles, textures, and colors—including products that mimic the natural look of wood or Hardie board, and are designed to provide the best weather protection.

If you’re ready to start this project, contact us today to schedule your free assessment!

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