Looking to boost the curb appeal of your steel structure without breaking the bank? Brick veneer is a smart, stylish, and cost-effective way to upgrade your building's exterior. It offers the timeless look of traditional brick at a fraction of the cost and structural load. For commercial developers, architects, and property owners, this solution delivers long-term value with minimal maintenance.
Here's everything you need to know about adding brick veneer to your steel building in 2025.
What is the difference between brick and brick veneer?
Brick veneer is not a load-bearing wall, it's a non-structural layer attached to the outside of another wall system, such as steel, wood, or concrete. In contrast, a traditional brick wall bears the weight of the structure and is built as part of the main wall thickness.
Key distinctions:
- Brick veneer is much lighter, requiring less reinforcement and reducing foundation costs.
- Weep holes are essential in veneer walls to allow moisture to escape, preventing internal damage.
- Veneer does not carry structural loads, unlike full masonry systems, allowing greater design flexibility.
On which kinds of buildings can brick veneer be applied?
Using brick veneer in home building and various kinds of commercial construction has long been a very common design approach. And, over the past 50 years, adding brick veneer has become a very popular method of upgrading the exterior appearance of steel buildings. Brick veneer can be installed over:
- Steel framing
- Concrete masonry units (CMUs)
- Wood frame construction
- Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs)
How is brick veneer installed on a metal building?
The process for brick veneer application on metal framing is very straightforward and easy to follow.
- Space the steel frame members 16 or 24 inches apart (measuring from the centers of the members).
- Install gypsum wallboard or other waterproof sheathing material as a sublayer.
- Install the brick veneer, leaving a minimum of 2 inches separation between the veneer and the inner wall. (This will inhibit moisture from migrating across the wall structure.)
- Include weep holes (to channel water to the exterior of the wall cavity).
- Use adjustable metal ties to attach the brick veneer to the building frame. NOTE: Do not use the corrugated metal ties that are common in other types of construction. And, use the most corrosion-resistant screws available to fasten the ties to the building frame.
- Fill the space between the frame members with insulation material (fiberglass batting or other).
- Install flashing (at a 45 degree angle) to route water away from the wall.
Benefits of brick veneer on a steel frame?
There are multiple significant benefits for building owners who choose brick veneer exteriors, including:
Low maintenance — Brick veneer is resistant to weather, pests, and fading, with virtually no upkeep required.
Energy efficiency — The cavity wall design enhances insulation and improves energy performance year-round. Brick's thermal mass helps retain heat in winter and keep interiors cool in summer.
Moisture resistance — Resists moisture and helps guard against water damage to the frame. NOTE: Weep holes drain any water that enters the space between the steel inner wall and the veneer exterior.
Fire resistance — High fire resistance rating (just as steel has), which helps prevent fire from spreading. And, it reduces property insurance premiums.
Noise insulation — In very high-noise areas, sound insulation material can be installed in the space between the inner wall and the exterior veneer, to help further reduce vibrations in the building.
Character and warmth — In addition to increasing the structural strength and acoustics of your building, adding brick veneer can transform a steel or concrete building into an exceptionally inviting environment.
Ease of Construction — Brick veneer is lighter in weight than brick. The reduced weight design permits easier, shorter (and therefore less expensive) construction processes.
Keep in Mind
Adding brick veneer hard wall to a steel building affords the property owner an array of benefits, including increased durability, aesthetic appeal, fire resistance, noise reduction, greater energy efficiency, and lower design weight.
If you're looking for structural steel contractors for your commercial building project or if you need assistance with construction design, contact the team at Midwest Steel today.