What is brick veneer?

What this means for your home project

1. Look at the brick veneer’s sealant joints, wall alignment and cracking; record visible concerns for a repair discussion. Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.
2. For a thin brick veneer inspection, include loose units in the list of conditions to discuss before severe issues develop. Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.
3. Request a written veneer scope listing weight support, attachment, drainage, movement provisions and details around openings; use the reply to see which items the bid addresses. Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.
4. For a cleaning proposal, request the method described in BIA Technical Note 20 so the written scope identifies the cleaning approach. Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.

Is "thin brick" the same as "brick veneer"?

Thin brick is one form of brick veneer. BIA distinguishes foundation-supported anchored veneer from adhered thin brick, which bonds to its backing. Thin brick uses the same materials as other brick but weighs less. Its four installation methods include thick set, thin set, modular panels and prefabricated panels. Ask which system the proposed work uses. “Anchored brick veneer is a non-loadbearing component, supported by the foundation and attached to the structure by anchors (ties) fastened to studs or embedded within masonry.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “Thin brick are made from the same materials and similar processes as other brick but are thinner and weigh less.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “Thin brick veneer, also referred to as adhered veneer, is available in many varieties but can be classified by four basic installation methods: thick set, thin set, modular panel systems and prefabricated panels.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “Adhered veneer is bonded to and dependent upon its backing for stability and strength.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.

How do I clean my brick?

For a brick veneer cleaning job, use BIA Technical Note 20 to discuss the proposed method before work starts. BIA warns that pressurized water can cause irreparable damage when used incorrectly and is appropriate only for certain brick types. A pressure-washing proposal needs to address that limitation. “Refer to BIA Technical Note 20 for detailed information about cleaning brickwork.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “While pressurized water has been used successfully to clean brick, it can result in irreparable damage to any brick type if not done correctly and is only appropriate for certain brick types.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.

Is it safe to paint the brickwork on the exterior of my house?

BIA generally advises against traditional paint because it can trap moisture within the brick layer. Its FAQ gives an approximately 3–5-year recoating interval for traditional paint and recommends mineral-based paint when an opaque finish is desired. The mineral coating lets water vapor pass through, reducing the risk of trapped moisture. “In general, BIA does not recommend applying traditional paint to brick masonry because of the risk of trapping moisture within the brick layer.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “Applying traditional paint on brick masonry requires maintenance and recoating approximately every 3-5 years , like paint applied to the surface of most other materials.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “When the opaque, smoother-textured appearance of painted brickwork is desired, BIA recommends applying a mineral-based paint.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “The mineral base of the paint allows for vapor permeability which minimizes the risk of trapping moisture within the brick layer.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.

Are movement joints in brick called control joints or expansion joints?

For clay brick veneer, use the term expansion joint in your written scope. Clay masonry expands overall; concrete masonry shrinks overall, so BIA calls its movement joints control joints. BIA also distinguishes veneer expansion joints from building expansion joints. These names describe different movement behavior, rather than interchangeable finish details. “Movement joints in brick are called expansion joints.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “This is because clay masonry experiences a net overall expansion.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “BIA refers to these as veneer expansion joints to prevent confusion with building expansion joints.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “Movement joints in concrete masonry are referred to as control joints because the masonry experiences a net overall shrinkage and the joint “controls” where cracking will occur.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.

How far apart should I space my veneer expansion joints?

BIA’s brickwork FAQ recommends joints no more than 20 feet apart where windows or doors interrupt the wall; without openings it gives 25 feet. Its April 2014 thin-brick note gives different guidance: follow proprietary modular-panel instructions; for other methods, joints are at most 18 feet apart in either direction, enclosing at most 144 square feet. Ask for the layout for your specific assembly. “BIA recommends that joints be spaced no more than 20 feet apart when brickwork includes openings, such as windows and doors.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “When the brickwork does not include openings, joint spacing can be increased to 25 feet.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “However, there are a variety of other brick masonry features where BIA recommends placing joints.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “See BIA Technical Note 18A for more information about these additional locations and a recommended procedure for joint layout.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “For movement joints of proprietary modular panel systems, follow manufacturer’s instructions.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “For other thin brick installation methods, incorporate movement joints at regular spacings.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “The distance between movement joints should not be more than 18 ft (5.5 m) either vertically or horizontally.” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02. “Areas between movement joints should not exceed 144 sq ft (13.4 m²).” Source: Brick Industry Association, read 2026-11-02.

Sources

• Technical Note 28A: Adding Brick Veneer to Existing Construction — Brick Industry Association; published 2020-03; read 2026-11-02.
• Technical Note 28C: Thin Brick Veneer — Brick Industry Association; published 2014-04; read 2026-11-02.
• Frequently asked questions about brick — Brick Industry Association; read 2026-11-02.