Posted: 7/10/2004 4:14:07 PM EDT
I am getting ready to replace the siding on the house. It has the famous Louisiana Pacific masonite junk that they got sued for a few years back. Oh yeah, I received a settlement from them as part of the class action lawsuit, but the $350 bucks they sent didn't go far.  Anyway, I am considering replacing the masonite with brick. Is this plausible or should I just go with vinyl siding? It is a modest 18 year-old wood-frame house measuring about 1,500 square feet. Thanks in advance! 
|
|
My knowledge is somewhat limited. My dad has been a bricklayer for 50+ years and I labored with various Masons for many years. Unless I'm mistaken, you will have to dig down and pour an additional foundation, lay block (4 inch) up to the top of the basement and then lay your brick on the new block. There is a real possibility that the new footer will settle and cause serious cracks. I'd abandon the idea of bricking an existing home. The trouble is, as things are now, there is nowhere to lay your brick. Basements of brick houses are made with 12 inch block. The freeze plates are 2x8's. That leaves 4 inches of block exposed to lay the brick on. |
Thanks, Sukebe. That is the kind of input I was looking for. Is there any kind of brick "veneer" that I could apply to my house so that it looks like a brick house without actually being a brick house? Not a lot of brick homes in my subdivision and I just want to be different. 
|
I have seen a type of veneer that goes over a screen foundation. The same type of foundation used for stucco. I don't know how durable it is. I've only seen it used on interiors Frankly, it's been nearly 20 years since I was involved in that kind of work. Before you give up, consult a pro. Perhaps new techniques have been perfected to do the work you want done. |