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Legendary Masonry Spokane installs high quality brick veneers in Spokane, WA for siding, facades, and decorative accents. Our thin brick systems give you the classic brick look without full thickness walls, improving curb appeal while keeping weight and cost under control.
Legendary Masonry Spokane provides professional brick veneers throughout Spokane, WA, Washington and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call 509-250-8836 or request your free quote.
Brick veneers that fit Spokane homes and weather
Brick veneers give you the look and durability of brick without rebuilding your walls. Around Spokane, a lot of homes are 1950s to 1980s construction with wood framing, lap siding, or stucco. Brick veneer works especially well on these buildings because it is a facing system that ties into the existing structure instead of bearing the load itself.
At Legendary Masonry Spokane, we start every brick veneer project with a walkaround and a look at how your home is built. We check what the existing siding is, where the framing lines up, and how much foundation is exposed, because that controls how the veneer can be supported. Spokane winters bring freeze-thaw cycles and wind-driven rain, so we look closely at moisture issues, ice dam history on roofs, and any signs of water staining under windows. This tells us where we need extra flashing, weep details, or drainage.
Brick veneers are not just glued-on bricks. A proper system has a footing or support angle, an air space, anchors into the studs or concrete, a weather barrier behind, and weep paths to let trapped moisture out. When this is done right, you get a long lasting finish that handles Spokane’s cold snaps and dry summers without cracking or bowing. When it is done wrong, you see white efflorescence, bulging sections, and interior moisture problems. Our goal with each project is to build the veneer as if it were sitting in the hardest corner of town, facing north wind and packed snow, then it will have no trouble with typical conditions.
How brick veneer installation actually works
Most Spokane brick veneer projects follow a clear set of steps, with small adjustments depending on whether we are working over framed walls, concrete, or an existing brick face.
1) Existing exterior prep. We remove old siding or loose material, pull protruding nails, and correct any soft or rotten sheathing. In older South Hill and Garland District homes, we often find mixed boards and early plywood that need tightening or partial replacement. If the sheathing or framing has moisture damage, we repair it before any veneer work. Brick should never cover up a known leak.
2) Substrate and moisture barrier. We install a code compliant weather-resistant barrier (WRB) over the sheathing, usually a modern housewrap or two layers of building paper, carefully lapped and taped at seams. Around windows, doors, and deck ledgers we integrate flashing tape or metal flashing. Spokane’s snow melt tends to run right into these transitions, so we pay close attention to slopes and overlaps.
3) Support system. A brick veneer needs either a thickened concrete edge, a poured ledge, or a steel angle fastened into the structure to carry its weight. For many Spokane homes, we add a steel angle anchored into the foundation or rim joist and flash over it. On new additions or major remodels, the footing can be poured wider to hold the veneer.
4) Brick ties and air space. We mark stud locations, then fasten corrosion resistant brick ties into the studs, not just the sheathing. We maintain an air gap between the back of the brick and the WRB, typically about 1 inch, which lets water drain and the wall dry. At the bottom, we install weep devices or clean pea gravel at designated weep joints so collected moisture can escape.
5) Laying brick veneers. We blend bricks from multiple pallets so color stays even, then lay them in your chosen pattern with Type N or S mortar, depending on exposure and structural needs. We tool joints to shed water, usually with a concave joint for Spokane weather, since it resists moisture better than raked or flush joints. As we go, we keep the cavity clean so mortar droppings do not block drainage.
6) Detailing and cleanup. Around windows and doors, we cut brick neatly and set proper through-wall flashing and drip edges. At hose bibs, lights, vents, and electrical boxes, we fit brick close but leave the correct clearances. When the wall is complete and the mortar is cured enough, we clean with job-specific solutions so we do not etch the brick or drive efflorescence to the surface.
Design choices for brick veneers in Spokane
Spokane properties range from Craftsman homes near Manito Park to newer builds in North Spokane and the Valley, so brick veneer design needs to match the style of the house and the neighborhood. Legendary Masonry Spokane helps you select brick size, color, texture, and bond patterns that fit the setting instead of looking stuck on.
Brick types. Common choices include modular brick for a classic look, utility brick for fewer horizontal joints on larger walls, and thin brick for areas where ledge depth is tight. For older neighborhoods we often use tumbled or wire-cut textures in warm reds and browns that echo early 1900s facades. For more modern homes we may use smoother bricks or slim-profile veneers in grays and charcoal.
Bond patterns and accents. A running bond is the most common, but simple changes like a soldier course above windows, a rowlock sill, or a contrasting band at mid-wall can make the veneer feel custom without driving costs up too much. On infill projects in historic streets, we can mimic existing patterns like Flemish or English bond where the structure and budget allow.
Mixing with other materials. In Spokane, many homes mix brick veneers with fiber cement, stucco, or wood. We plan transitions so they land on natural breaks, like inside corners, porch returns, or under existing trim lines. When we combine materials, we coordinate flashing details and expansion joints so you do not get hairline cracks right at the changeover.
Color and mortar. Mortar color has a big effect on the finished look. Light mortar can soften darker brick, while a darker mortar tightens the appearance and hides some winter staining from snow splash. We show you real samples and, on larger jobs, can lay a small sample panel on your property so you see how the brick looks in actual Spokane daylight, not just in a showroom.
What affects the cost of brick veneers in Spokane
Homeowners often want to know why two projects that look similar on paper land at different price points. Brick veneer cost is driven by the structure we are tying into, the details required, and the condition of what is already there.
Existing wall and foundation. If your foundation already has a ledge or you are building new, veneer support is simpler and costs less. Older homes with narrow foundations may need a steel angle, footing extension, or selective concrete work to hold the brick safely. Any framing repair, sheathing replacement, or insulation upgrades uncovered during demo will add to the budget, but it is better to correct those issues before the veneer goes on.
Wall complexity. Straight, long walls are quicker and more economical. Gables, lots of window and door openings, bump-outs, bay windows, and curved sections all require more layout, cutting, and detailing. Many South Hill and Browne’s Mountain homes include these features, so we measure carefully and price for the actual labor involved instead of using a one-size-fits-all square foot number.
Brick and mortar choices. Standard modular brick in common colors is more affordable than special shapes, imported brick, or custom blends. Specialty mortars, colored joints, or intricate patterns will also change the price. We lay out clear options so you know what each upgrade actually costs.
Access and season. Tight side yards, steep lots, and multi-story sections can slow work and require more scaffolding or lift equipment. Spokane winters are cold and can extend curing times. In freezing conditions, we may need heated enclosures or to stage work around the weather, which can affect cost and schedule. We are upfront about how the season will impact your specific project.
Legendary Masonry Spokane always provides a written scope that spells out demo, prep, moisture control details, brick type, and cleanup, so you can compare our bid to others line by line instead of guessing what is included.
Common problems we prevent and how to hire the right installer
Most brick veneer problems in Spokane come from shortcuts you cannot see when the wall is new. Understanding them helps you hire the right installer and ask smarter questions.
Typical issues we see when we repair older or DIY veneers include: missing or clogged weep holes at the bottom of walls, mortar packed tight with no air cavity, brick ties only nailed into sheathing instead of studs, no head flashing above windows and doors, and caulk used where real flashing was needed. These mistakes can trap water, push brick outward in freeze-thaw cycles, and lead to peeling paint or musty smells inside.
At Legendary Masonry Spokane, we focus on drainage and movement as much as appearance. We make sure there is a consistent cavity behind the veneer, correctly spaced weep joints, proper tie spacing and embedment, and expansion or control joints in long runs. Around decks and steps, we coordinate with your carpenter so ledger boards, posts, and brick do not fight each other or create water traps.
When you interview installers, ask them to explain exactly how they handle moisture behind the brick, how big an air gap they leave, and what type of flashing they use. Ask whether they will be on site daily or if the work is fully handed off to subs. Request local addresses of veneer jobs that are at least 5 years old, not just recent ones, and drive by after a rainy spell. Look for straight lines, clean joints, and no obvious bulging or heavy white staining.
Permits and inspections may be required for larger exterior work inside Spokane city limits or in certain neighborhoods. We help you figure out what is needed for your project, coordinate any inspection points, and keep documentation on materials used and wall details. That way, if you sell your home later, you can show buyers that the brick veneer was installed as a complete system, not just as a cosmetic layer.
If you are considering brick veneers on a Spokane home or commercial building, we can meet you on site, walk through the structure, talk through design and budget, and give you a proposal that spells out exactly what you are getting, so there are no surprises once the work begins.
