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The two most common types of siding materials used with brick veneer are stucco and Hardie Boards. Stucco has the look of natural stone, but it is far more durable than even brick itself, which means you’ll rarely need to pay for stucco repair.
Stucco can be customized in thickness, texture, color, and finish to hold almost any design that you can imagine. Stucco can be applied in different ways, but with an experienced contractor, you should have no trouble getting the look you want with this timeless material.
Stucco & Hardie Board
Stucco is a natural product that provides the best insulation, meaning it keeps heat out in the winter and traps it inside during the summer. It has an earthy look to it, with imperfections that only add to its charm.
Hardie Board is a material that looks like cedar but is a lot more durable. It absorbs water, unlike cedar, and it doesn’t rot, warp or peel away. Hardie Board is made of fiber cement, making it an ideal exterior siding for homes with pools because it won’t rust the pool’s ladder or the pump.
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What is Stucco?
Stucco has been used for both the exterior and interior of buildings since ancient times. The word stucco is Spanish in origin and means ‘pasted over’. This makes sense because of the way stucco is applied; it is put on in layers, and all of the decoration comes from plaster relief.
Stucco’s flexibility makes it a timeless material for siding materials. It can be customized to look like any natural stone. One such customization, known as ‘knife-dash’ (or sometimes ‘waffle’ or ‘rough-cast), looks like natural stones that are often only found in deserts.
Another customization (considered much more modern by some) is smooth stucco, commonly seen in Spanish Revival design. Stucco’s flexibility also means it can be applied to both the interior and exterior of a building, making it ideal for use with brick veneer.
Stucco can also be painted, and stucco repair is fairly easy. You can do stucco repair yourself or hire a reputable stucco repair contactor like Golden Trowel Stucco if you want optimal results.
One advantage to using stucco if you plan to paint your exterior walls later is that the paint will adhere better to stucco than it would to brick.
In addition, stucco does tend to crack after being applied, especially when the wrong materials are used for installation. To avoid this, you should use only experienced contractors and ensure that you hire someone who knows exactly what they are doing.
If you want to cut costs on installing your stucco, making sure the base is level, straight, and even will help ensure that your siding material stays in place for years to come.
What is Hardie Board?
Another option is using Hardie Board with brick veneer. As its name implies, Hardie Board was created by James Hardie as a more cost-effective alternative to fiber cement.
It is made from a blend of Cement and wood fibers, making it extremely strong and fairly water-resistant, but also fairly flexible. Because of its flexibility, it tends to warp a little bit if no expansion joints are put in place, so you must hire a professional to install it.
It also comes in three different colors, allowing you to choose the perfect look for your home’s exterior. The most common color is ‘Plain-Sawn’, which looks like natural wood, making it very popular with those who want the happy medium between stucco and brick.
But Hardie Board can be had in any color, including earth tones like ‘Weathered Grey’ and vibrant colors such as ‘Redwood’.
Most people find it is easier to paint Hardie Board than brick, making it a good choice for those who want the best of both worlds.
Additionally, Hardie Board can also be applied over many different siding materials (including stucco) simply by taking the time to ensure the base material is even and level.
This means that if you want your exterior brick veneer to match your Hardie Board, you need only bring in a professional to give it a fresh coat of paint.
Which is Best?
Deciding which is best is up to you and your preferences. Whatever siding you choose, you’re not going to be disappointed.
Using an experienced contractor can help you give your house a great look while keeping within your budget. And whether you choose to use stucco or Hardie Board, the choice is yours.
