Exterior Brick Veneer? Help!

10 years ago

Hi, we are about to bite the bullet and purchase a 1903, 2-family, brick row house (our first house!). We thought the building was gray brick but on closer inspection it looks like brick veneer on the front facade. There is real, red brick on the side of the house. Why would someone cover up the real brick, could it be to remedy structural issues or typically for cosmetic reasons? It looks like it has been patched in many places. Is this a warning sign of major deterioration or typical wear and tear? We would love to restore the original brick, but is it a big job to remove the veneer or should we just paint over it with porous paint? When did this product become popular (we wonder when the veneer could have been added)?

Also, there is an enclosed front porch that was added at some point. Any recommendations? Remove and restore original entry stairs or keep it? If keep, any ideas to improve aesthetically? We don't like it very much, particularly the wall underneath with the diamond tiles, but understand it was probably added for functionality. This is our first house purchase and we are on a pretty tight budget as the interior needs a ton of work too.

Would love to get some feedback on ways we can improve the front facade of the building. Thanks so much!!!

Front of building

Enclosed front entry that was added

Gate to building entry

Wall beneath enclosed front entry

Side of building showing dark red brick beneath gray brick veneer

Grey brick veneer, we assume

Featured Answer

PRO

Ellsworth Design Build

10 years ago

I'm sorry but I don't see evidence that the front isn't real brick, especially since the lintels seem to relate correctly? Anyhow, if this is your first home, and it's really old, multiply the budget in your head by four. Or get quotes for all the repairs and double them. Learn to fix lots of things yourselves. Houses are much more expensive than they seem, old ones more so.

Your instincts are good, that porch is dreadful and needs to be opened back up. Next year!

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Comments (11)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
Have a mason advise you. Lots of buildings used face brick on the front of buildings and then a less expensive brick on the sides and back to simply save money. However that one pic that illustrates the side view does appear to be a thin brick applied to the face of the building. All that discoloration on the veneer might indicate that moisture is getting in behind the veneer. The whole facing could be ready to pop off.

The porch likely encloses a concrete and brick entrance like your neighbor to the left. I hope you understand this is house is going to be a money pit before you buy it. Certainly you need a professional inspection done by a reliable inspector.

Buyer beware!
Sara S. thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
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Sara S.
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for your feedback! Appreciate the advice. I know I've got rose-coloured glasses on, for sure. We see many possibilities and we know it's going to take a lot of hard work, but there are so many unknowns.... Hard for newbies like us to know if/when to cut bait.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
10 years ago
EH Home Professional. Take another look at this photo now that I have enhanced the contrast. I see mortar lines that don't line up at the corner. That face brick is applied.
Sara S. thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
PRO
Ellsworth Design Build
10 years ago
Aha!

You are absolutely correct, I couldn't see that detail!

Doesn't look easy to remove, and brings up so many questions! First off, why? Why put brick on brick? Secondly, are these veneer bricks that have been glued on, or stucco scored to look
Like brick (my vote)?
Sara S. thanked Ellsworth Design Build
PRO
Ellsworth Design Build
10 years ago
I suspect the original brick was spalling and this was the repair. It isn't a terrible looking treatment, could be improved with a better color. At least the stone lintels and the cornice seem to be in good repair.
Sara S. thanked Ellsworth Design Build
lynartist
10 years ago
Or maybe it was just somebody's idea of making it look "pretty" way back when! Have a professional take a look at it; it may be fine.
Sara S. thanked lynartist
Bookwoman
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
White/pale brick was all the rage in the 50s and 60s. You see it on a lot of apartment buildings in NYC from that era.
Sara S. thanked Bookwoman
ecpt
10 years ago
The "fake" brick may have just been a matter of what was popular at the time, not necessarily to hide anything.

When we look at historic types of places and "what was done to them", I often think of my husband's grandmother (may she RIP). She was born and spent her first years in an "historic plantation" home in their county. The house is now used as a tourist site, and the guides always talk about how people in the '30s and '40s had painted over the beautiful mahogony stair rails....*gasp* WHO could EVER do that? LOL.... DH's grandmother would mutter under her breath, "my mother had five children, a few family fosters, and even -- a time or two -- had to take some of the animals into the house..... who is this person criticizing her for trying to PRESERVE the wood railing?!?"
Sara S. thanked ecpt
lynartist
10 years ago
Hee Hee, I suspect that is the case here! Anyone who has been to NY has seen some very unusual renovations! Go to Brooklyn, lots of interesting things there too.
Sara S. thanked lynartist
Sara S.
Original Author
10 years ago
Yep, that might be it. Hopefully just a cosmetic embellishment. This house is in West Hoboken, NJ. Thanks for all input!!