Home › Brick Veneer Installation
Our team installs high quality brick veneers in Pittsburgh, PA to give homes the look of full brick without the added structural load. We handle siding, accent walls, and façade upgrades using thin brick systems that are properly flashed and anchored. Refresh your exterior with durable, low maintenance brick cladding.
Superior Masonry Pittsburgh provides professional brick veneers throughout Pittsburgh, PA, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (412) 896-7138 or request your free quote.
Brick veneers that fit Pittsburgh homes and weather
Brick veneers give you the look and durability of brick without the cost or structural weight of full brick, which makes them ideal for many Pittsburgh homes and light commercial buildings. At Superior Masonry Pittsburgh, we install brick veneers that stand up to freeze-thaw cycles, hillside drainage issues, and the mix of historic and newer construction you find throughout Allegheny County.
We start by looking at your existing structure. In Pittsburgh, many homes are wood-framed with siding, older brick that is starting to fail, or a mix of additions and original sections. We evaluate framing, sheathing, and existing masonry so we know whether we are anchoring to wood, concrete block, poured concrete, or older brick. This matters for choosing the right fasteners, anchors, and moisture control system, which is the difference between a veneer that lasts decades and one that starts to bulge or leak.
Our goal is to give you a finished brick look that feels like it always belonged on your property, whether it is a Lawrenceville row house, a Mt. Lebanon colonial, or a newer build on the outskirts of the city. That means paying attention to scale, color, and joint style, not just getting the veneer attached to the wall.
How our brick veneer installation process works
Our brick veneer projects follow a clear, step-by-step method so you know what is happening each day and why it matters. First, we prep the surface. This can include removing old siding, scraping away loose material, cleaning existing masonry, and repairing any damaged sheathing or block. If we find rot, spalling block, or loose brick, we repair that before we add any veneer. Brick veneer is only as strong as what is behind it.
Next, we install a weather-resistive barrier and flashing system designed for Pittsburgh’s wet winters and heavy spring rains. This usually includes house wrap or building paper, flashing at window heads and sills, weep screeds at the bottom, and properly spaced weep holes so water that gets behind the veneer can drain out. Many failures we repair around the city come from skipping or misplacing these details.
We then install a metal lath or anchor system, depending on whether we are doing thin brick veneer over lath and mortar or a full brick veneer tied back to the structure. We fasten anchors into framing members or masonry, not just sheathing, so the veneer can handle decades of freeze-thaw and wind.
After that, we lay the brick veneer itself. We use mortar mixes suited to veneer work and local conditions, then tool the joints to your chosen style. For thin brick, we apply a scratch coat of mortar over the lath, let it cure, then butter each brick and press it into the bed to the correct depth. For thicker veneers, we lay them like traditional brick, with consistent bed and head joints. At the end, we clean the surface carefully so you see crisp brick, not smeared mortar.
Design and material options for your brick veneer project
Superior Masonry Pittsburgh offers a wide range of brick veneer products so your home does not end up looking like every other remodel on the block. You can choose from thin brick veneer (real clay brick cut thinner) or full-depth veneer brick, depending on structural limits and budget. Thin brick is lighter and works well over wood framing where adding a full brick wythe is not practical.
Color and texture choices are especially important in Pittsburgh because many neighborhoods have strong architectural character. We can help you match an existing older brick in Regent Square or Squirrel Hill using blends that combine several colors in specific ratios. For new builds or modern designs in areas like the Strip District, you might prefer smooth-face or wire-cut bricks in charcoal, white, or blended tones.
Joint style changes the look as much as the brick itself. Raked joints emphasize the individual units, whereas flush or slightly overfilled joints create a more monolithic, weather-tight look. In areas that get heavy wind-driven rain, we often recommend tighter joint profiles to reduce water entry. We also discuss bond patterns such as running bond, stacked bond, or soldier courses at window heads and along the top of wainscoting to create a finished edge.
We can pair brick veneers with stone accents, keystones, or contrasting rowlock courses at window sills to give your exterior a custom look without major structural changes. Every design recommendation ties back to what will perform well in our climate and with your specific house structure.
What affects brick veneer cost in Pittsburgh
Brick veneer pricing is driven by more than just the cost of the brick. When Superior Masonry Pittsburgh prepares a quote, we look at access to the work area, height of the walls, preparation required, and the complexity of detailing around openings and corners. A single-story front facade with easy ground-level access costs less per square foot than a three-story gable end along a tight city alley that requires scaffold and careful staging.
Preparation often makes the biggest difference. If your existing siding is sound and flat, and framing is in good condition, we can move quickly after basic removal and surface prep. If we find rotted sheathing, deteriorated masonry, or structural movement, we will propose repairs before installing the veneer. This adds cost upfront but prevents failures like cracking or bulging later.
Material selection also affects cost. Thin brick veneer typically has lower labor cost than full-depth veneer because it is lighter and can be installed more quickly, though some specialty bricks and imported colors can raise material prices. Mortar color upgrades, custom blends, or decorative banding will add some labor time but can still be very cost-effective compared with changing the entire brick.
Timing can influence price as well. In Pittsburgh, the best months for brick veneer installation are typically April through early November, when temperatures let mortar cure properly without extreme protection. Winter work is possible, but requires tenting, heating, and more careful scheduling around freeze risks, which can increase labor and setup costs.
Common brick veneer problems and how we prevent them
We are often called out to Pittsburgh homes where a previous veneer job is failing. The most common issues are moisture problems, mortar deterioration, and separation from the wall. These usually trace back to missing flashing, poor drainage, or insufficient anchors.
Moisture control is critical in our climate. Without proper weep holes and flashing above windows, doors, and foundation transitions, water can get trapped behind the veneer, leading to mold, rotten sheathing, and efflorescence on the brick surface. Superior Masonry Pittsburgh designs every brick veneer installation with a drainage plane, including correctly spaced weep vents and kick-out flashings where roofs meet walls, so water can exit instead of being trapped.
Freeze-thaw damage is another Pittsburgh-specific concern. If saturated brick or mortar freezes repeatedly, it can spall or crack. We use bricks and mortar mixes rated for exterior use in our region, and we pay attention to overhangs, grade level, and splash zones. At the base of walls, we may recommend a slightly higher veneer line or protective detail if the area gets heavy splash from driveways or downspouts.
Bond failure, where the veneer pulls away from the wall, almost always means the anchors were incorrectly placed or too few. We follow manufacturer and code requirements for anchor spacing and embedment so the veneer is tied securely back to the structure. For projects where we are repairing or re-anchoring an older veneer, we can install retrofit anchors and rebuild affected sections so the wall regains its strength and appearance.
What Pittsburgh homeowners should know before hiring for brick veneers
Before you hire anyone to install brick veneers, ask specific questions about how they handle moisture management, anchoring, and cold weather work. A contractor who only talks about color and price but cannot explain their approach to flashing, weeps, and drainage on your particular house in Pittsburgh is taking chances with your home.
Superior Masonry Pittsburgh is fully insured and familiar with local building codes and inspection requirements. We pull permits when needed, coordinate with inspectors for structural or exterior changes, and provide clear drawings or product data if required. For older historic homes, we can help you navigate neighborhood guidelines and select veneer products that respect the original character while improving performance.
You should also expect a detailed written proposal. Ours lists the specific brick veneer product, mortar type, flashing materials, and scope of any substrate repair. We spell out how we will protect landscaping and hardscaping, where scaffolding or lifts will sit, and how debris will be removed. During the job, our crew keeps the site organized and minimizes dust and noise as much as possible.
If you are considering brick veneers for a full exterior, a front entry refresh, or a wainscot around a new addition, we are happy to meet on site, review options, and share examples of similar projects around Pittsburgh. That way, you can see how the choices you make on materials and details will look and perform in real local conditions.
