How much does brick veneer cost?

Thin brick veneer: $8-$18/sq ft installed. Full brick veneer (new construction): $10-$25/sq ft installed. Manufactured stone veneer: $10-$25/sq ft installed. Faux brick panels: $5-$12/sq ft installed. An interior accent wall (100 sq ft): $800-$1,800 (thin brick) or $500-$1,200 (faux panels). A full exterior (1,500 sq ft): $12,000-$27,000 (thin brick).

Can you add brick veneer to an existing house?

Yes. Thin brick veneer is specifically designed for retrofit. It is lightweight enough (5-10 lbs/sq ft) to apply over existing siding (after removing the siding and installing proper substrate and weather barrier). No foundation modification needed (unlike full brick, which requires a brick ledge). Thin brick is real clay brick — it looks, feels, and weathers like traditional brick.

Is brick veneer real brick?

Full brick veneer and thin brick veneer are made from real clay, fired at the same temperatures as structural brick. They are real brick — just thinner. Manufactured stone veneer is concrete molded to look like brick or stone (not real brick or stone). Faux brick panels are plastic or composite (not real brick). For authenticity and longevity: choose thin brick veneer (real clay).

How long does brick veneer last?

Real brick veneer (full or thin): 50-100+ years with minimal maintenance. Manufactured stone veneer: 25-50+ years. Faux panels: 10-20 years (UV degradation, less durable). Brick is one of the most durable exterior cladding materials. Maintenance: repoint mortar joints as needed (every 20-30 years), clean with low-pressure wash, apply breathable sealer every 5-10 years.

Article

Siding & Exterior

Brick Veneer Guide: Types, Installation & Costs

Lumberama Editorial Team, Masonry & Exterior Cladding Specialists Jun 10, 2026 12 min read

What Is Brick Veneer

Brick veneer is a thin layer of brick applied to the exterior (or interior) of a wall as a decorative finish. Unlike structural brick (which is load-bearing and 2+ wythes thick), brick veneer is a non-structural cladding applied over a wood-framed or steel-framed wall. Most "brick homes" built since the 1960s are actually brick veneer over wood framing.

Types

Full Brick Veneer

Standard-size bricks (3.5 inches deep) attached to the framing with metal ties. A 1-inch air gap between the brick and the sheathing allows drainage and ventilation. Requires a brick ledge on the foundation (added during construction). Weight: 35-45 lbs/sq ft. Not practical for retrofit on most existing homes. Cost: $10-$25/sq ft installed.

Thin Brick Veneer

Real clay bricks cut to 0.5-1 inch thick (or manufactured at that thickness). Applied with mortar or adhesive directly to the wall (no brick ledge needed). Weight: 5-10 lbs/sq ft (much lighter than full brick). Can be retrofitted to existing homes. Interior and exterior use. Cost: $8-$18/sq ft installed. The most versatile option for renovations.

Manufactured Stone Veneer (MSV)

Concrete-based product molded and colored to resemble natural stone or brick. Very lightweight: 5-8 lbs/sq ft. Wide variety of styles (ledgestone, fieldstone, river rock, brick). Applied with mortar over metal lath and scratch coat (exterior) or directly on concrete/masonry. Cost: $10-$25/sq ft installed. Popular for: accent walls, fireplaces, foundations, entryways.

Faux Brick Panels

Polyurethane or fiberglass panels molded from real brick. Lightest option: 1-2 lbs/sq ft. Quickest installation (glue and/or screw to wall). Least realistic appearance (visible at close range). $5-$12/sq ft. Best for: interior accent walls, budget projects, quick transformations.

Exterior Installation (Thin Brick)

Prepare the substrate (plywood or OSB sheathing in good condition).
Install weather-resistant barrier (house wrap).
Install metal lath (galvanized, self-furring) with corrosion-resistant fasteners.
Apply scratch coat (3/8 inch of Type S mortar). Let cure 24-48 hours.
Apply thin brick with mortar (butter the back of each brick and press onto the scratch coat).
Tool the mortar joints after initial set (30-60 minutes).
Seal the finished surface (breathable masonry sealer).

Interior Installation

Simpler than exterior. For thin brick on drywall: apply directly with construction adhesive (for lightweight thin brick only). For heavier products: install cement board backer over drywall, then apply with mortar. For faux panels: glue and/or screw directly to drywall. Popular applications: accent walls (living room, bedroom), fireplace surrounds, kitchen backsplash, entryways.