Let’s make sure everyone understands the structure of a brick veneer/wood stud wall structure. Brick veneer cladding systems demonstrate superior performance in many of the specific areas of concern for property owners. Brick veneer is attractive with high resistance to water penetration and low maintenance. Brick veneer provides a fire rating, reduces exterior noise transmission and resists damage from abrasion and flying debris.
1. No particular type of cladding, including brick, is water resistant. Cladding protects the water resistive barrier as noted above. The quality of the WRP determines whether the wall will shed water reliably.
2. Notice the critical air gap and the weeps at just above the wall flashing. Water that penetrates the brick, runs down the back side of the brick, until the penetrating water is diverted to the weeps by the flashing material.
3. The brick is connected to studs with veneer anchors which are often attached with corrosion resistant screws.
4. There is a sheathing material over the studs which provides a backing for the water resistive layer. This diagram does not mention or specify the type of sheathing. We are left to assume the the sheathing provides proper later support for the wall so as to support the brick masonry as needed.
Anchored brick veneer with wood stud backing typically consists of 3 or 4 in. thick exterior bricks attached to a wood frame and sheathing system with corrosion-resistant metal anchors with a prescribed air space between the veneer and the backing system.
The image of left shows a brick wall tie as an illustration to give you a sense in how they work.
It is considered an anchored masonry veneer wall system by construction codes. An anchored masonry veneer is attached to and laterally supported by its backing through anchors and supported vertically by the foundation.
Brick veneer is not considered a structural element. The design of veneer ignores the brickwork’s resistance to lateral loads and assumes the transfer of natural loading is directly supported by the stud wall and sheathing. Brick veneer with wood stud backing is used in residential as well as commercial applications.
Long lasting Brick Veneer depends on the quality of the original installation. Kiln fired brick and quality mortar can last a hundred years or more. Unfortunately not all installations are as high quality as we as home and business owners would like. Consequently, Brick Doctor stays quite busy in the brick masonry repair business.
And It Should Go without Saying
The proper design, detailing and construction of anchored brick veneer walls ensure that they function as complete systems that perform reliably. Everyone needs to understand that the failure of any part of the system, whether in design or construction, can result in improper performance of the entire system.
Yet, Brick Doctor finds as much work as we can handle repairing brick and stone masonry.
Satisfactory performance of brick veneer/wood stud walls is achieved with the following:
(1) an adequate foundation;
(2) a sufficiently strong, rigid, well-braced backing system;
(3) proper attachment of the veneer to the backing system;
(4) proper detailing;
(5) the use of proper materials;
(6) good workmanship in construction; and
(7) proper maintenance, as required.
