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Superior Masonry Cleveland specializes in brick veneers in Cleveland, OH to refresh and protect home exteriors. We install thin brick veneer over existing walls or new framing with proper moisture barriers and flashing. Our crews focus on even coursing, color matching, and clean transitions around windows and doors for a sharp, upgraded facade.
Superior Masonry Cleveland provides professional brick veneers throughout Cleveland, OH, Ohio and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (216) 999-6662 or request your free quote.
Brick Veneers for Cleveland Homes and Buildings
Brick veneers give Cleveland homes the traditional brick look without the weight and cost of full-thickness masonry. Instead of building a structural brick wall, we install a non-structural brick layer that ties back to your existing framing or masonry. You still get the color variation, mortar joints, and character of real brick, but with more flexibility in design and budget.
Superior Masonry Cleveland focuses on brick veneer systems that handle our freeze-thaw cycles, lake effect moisture, and big temperature swings. We evaluate your existing wall, moisture exposure, and insulation to design a veneer system that looks right and stays secure for decades.
Whether you are updating a 1950s bungalow in Old Brooklyn, dressing up a front elevation in Parma, or adding brick accents to a shop in Lakewood, we tailor the veneer thickness, attachment method, and drainage details to the specific building.
How Brick Veneer Installation Actually Works
Proper brick veneer installation is a step-by-step process that has to be done in the right order. We typically begin by stripping siding or finishes down to the sheathing or block. We inspect for rot, loose block, or framing issues, since veneers need a solid base. Any damaged sheathing or deteriorated block is repaired before the veneer work starts.
Next we install or upgrade the weather-resistive barrier (WRB). In Cleveland’s climate we usually recommend a high quality housewrap or fluid-applied membrane, carefully lapped and taped to keep wind-driven rain out. Over that, we install corrosion-resistant metal flashing at the base of the wall, over window and door heads, and at transitions like roofs that die into walls.
We then set brick anchors or adjustable ties into the studs or masonry backup. These ties are spaced and staggered according to code so that the brick veneer is securely held to the building but can still move slightly as temperatures change. We maintain a drainage cavity between the back of the bricks and the WRB, usually about 1 inch, so that any moisture that gets behind the veneer can drain out through weep holes at the base.
Finally, we lay the brick units in mortar courses, checking line, level, and plumb as we go. Joints are tooled at the right time for a dense, water-shedding profile, then we clean the face of the bricks without etching or streaking. At the end we verify weep holes, sealant joints, and flashing terminations so the system can breathe and drain correctly.
Brick Veneer Options to Match Cleveland Architecture
Cleveland neighborhoods have a mix of architectural styles, and your brick veneer should respect that. Superior Masonry Cleveland offers full bed brick veneer, thin brick veneer, and panelized veneer systems depending on the structure and budget.
Full bed brick veneer uses standard-sized bricks set on a concrete footing. It gives the deepest shadow lines and the most authentic traditional look. This option works well for new construction or for homes where we can extend the foundation and add a shelf angle. Thin brick veneer uses slices of real brick that can be installed over properly prepared sheathing, existing masonry, or sometimes over framed interior walls. It is great when you want to add brick to a second story or you do not have the space for full brick thickness.
We help you choose brick color, texture, and bond pattern that fit the house and street. For example, a Tudor style home in Shaker Heights might call for tumbled, slightly irregular brick with a darker mortar, while a mid-century ranch in Parma often looks best with more uniform brick and raked joints. We also discuss soldier courses over windows, rowlock sills, and accent bands so your veneer looks deliberately designed, not just applied.
What Affects the Cost of Brick Veneers in Northeast Ohio
Brick veneer pricing in Cleveland is driven by several practical factors. The first is access and staging. A simple one-story front elevation with clear yard access is more economical than a three-story gable end hemmed in by tight side yards or power lines that require specialized scaffolding.
Existing wall conditions also matter. If your current siding or masonry is in poor shape, we may need more prep work, such as replacing rotten sheathing, installing new sheathing over uneven block, or cutting in additional flashing. The type of brick and mortar you select affects material costs too. Locally stocked, standard bricks cost less than special order handmade units or custom blends. Light colored mortars or colored mortar pigments can add cost but also change the finished look dramatically.
Structural details can influence price. If we need to add a concrete veneer footing, shelf angles, or masonry lintels over large window openings, there will be additional materials and labor. Chimney and gable peaks require more setup time than straight walls. During our estimate, Superior Masonry Cleveland walks you through each of these items line by line so you understand what you are paying for and where we might adjust the design to stay within budget.
Handling Moisture, Freeze-Thaw, and Other Local Challenges
Brick veneers must be detailed correctly to survive Cleveland winters. Our biggest concern is controlling water that inevitably gets behind the brick. Without a proper drainage cavity, weep holes, and flashing, moisture can get trapped against sheathing and cause rot or peeling interior finishes.
Superior Masonry Cleveland pays special attention to the base of the wall where snow piles up, and to windward walls that get hit hard by lake effect rain. We choose mortars that balance strength with flexibility so they can handle freeze-thaw without cracking excessively. For darker bricks in sunny exposures, we consider possible thermal movement and place expansion or control joints at logical locations like inside corners.
We also address common veneer issues we see in older Cleveland homes, such as spalling brick near grade due to road salt splash, failing caulk joints around windows, or rusting brick ties. When adding new veneer, we incorporate modern materials like stainless steel ties and advanced WRBs so the system outperforms what was typical 30 or 40 years ago.
What to Know Before You Hire a Brick Veneer Contractor
Before hiring anyone to install brick veneers, homeowners in Cleveland should ask specific, technical questions. Ask how they will handle flashing at the base of the wall and over openings, how they create a drainage cavity, and what type of brick ties they use. A qualified contractor should explain their approach clearly, not just say they do it the standard way.
Request recent local references and, if possible, addresses where you can see their veneer work in person after at least one winter. Look for consistent mortar joints, no sagging lines, and properly formed weep holes at the bottom courses. Confirm that they are familiar with Cuyahoga County and Cleveland building requirements, including support for veneers over 30 feet and wind load considerations near the lake.
At Superior Masonry Cleveland, we provide a written scope of work that lists substrate preparation, WRB type, tie spacing, brick brand and color, mortar type, joint profile, and cleanup method. We also outline how we protect landscaping, manage dust and debris, and keep your property accessible during the project. This clarity helps prevent surprises and makes it easier to compare our proposal with others on a true apples-to-apples basis.
Our Process, From Estimate to Finished Brick Veneer
When you contact Superior Masonry Cleveland for brick veneer installation, we start with an on-site visit. We measure wall areas, note window and door layouts, look at foundation and siding conditions, and discuss how you use the space. For example, if you get heavy snow drift on one side of the house, we might recommend extra attention to base flashing and durable brick at that exposure.
After our visit, we prepare a detailed estimate with material options. We bring brick samples or direct you to local suppliers in the Cleveland area so you can see actual units in natural light. Once you choose your brick and design details, we schedule the job, secure any necessary permits, and coordinate with other trades if needed.
During installation, we keep the site organized, protect driveways and walks, and clean up daily. We communicate progress so you know when noisy or dustier tasks will occur. At the end, we do a walkthrough with you to review the veneer, verify that flashings and weep holes are visible where they should be, and discuss basic maintenance like gentle cleaning methods and inspection points after winter. Our goal is that your new brick veneer not only looks right on day one but also holds up to many Cleveland seasons.
