3 ways to secure a brick veneer wall

Brick or brick veneer? That is the question. And when you’re dealing with drywall, the question becomes even more vexing. Do you remove the drywall? Leave it? If you don’t want to remove the drywall, your answer falls more in line with brick veneer.

The reality is that if you don’t have the proper structure under the area, you should not use full sized, real bricks. Real brick walls require proper concrete footings to support the massive amount of weight they have. Plus, if you cannot add to the footings, real brick won’t work.

Enter brick veneer, which offers a number of different types of offerings for the look you want. The question then comes down to the actual installation. Here’s a look at several ways you can secure a brick veneer wall for the project:

Wire Mesh

One way to install brick veneer is by using a wire mesh backing. Simply attach the wire meshing to the existing wall, apply a scratch coat, and then install the veneer on top. This method to secure a brick veneer wall takes more prep time (it is best to wait for the scratch coat to set), and will require additional time and skill to place the bricks.

Wall Tracks

Another brick veneer wall installation method involves the track system, which includes attaching specially designed channels to the wall, and then attaching the bricks in the channels. To note, this method will take a little extra prep time. But remember – a good track design is more effective with straight and even joints.

Directly on the Wall

Some people prefer the kind of brick veneer that can be applied directly to a wall – similar to how tile is installed. While this installation process involves the least amount of prep, it does require a lot of time and skill to set the bricks. The best way to handle this is to start at the bottom and work your way up 3 ways to secure a brick veneer wall.

Quick tips:

• Make sure that your substrate is clean, workable, solid and even
• Check the brick slips before installing
• Apply a suitable adhesive with spatula (one with teeth is preferred)
• Firmly place the brick slip into the adhesive (using a string line is recommended)
• Mix the brick slips from several boxes
• Use a wet paintbrush to smooth the adhesive in the joints
• Use a metal trowel to apply the mortar into the bricks
• Avoid plastering the joints with a tile grout
• While some brick slip corners may vary, they should have a suitable corner

While this type of installation to secure a brick veneer wall may take some time to get perfect, it is a much more effective option than real brick when dealing with drywall.