While weatherboard houses can certainly have a lot of character for some of us, it’s also natural to wonder if a veneer could be applied. Brick veneer is one of the most commonly used and popular, so can you brick a weatherboard house?
It’s possible to brick a weatherboard house, but it can be a costly renovation. Brick does have many advantages as a cladding material for a weatherboard home. To convert a weatherboard home, a contractor will develop a plan that might involve redoing plumbing and windows to properly brick the house.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of bricking a weatherboard house, and how the process might look from start to finish.
Is bricking a weatherboard house a good idea?
Bricking a weatherboard house can be a good idea to protect your home from the weather. Brick veneer is a popular choice for covering houses made of other materials like weatherboard. It can increase the value of your property because of the desire for a brick veneer finished house. It is also lightweight which means it will be easier to attach and stay against the weatherboards.
There are some downsides to bricking a weatherboard house though. It can cost quite a bit of money to do the job and make sure it is maintained well. Also, termites can be a big problem if they manage to get between the brick and the original weatherboard. If any other animals get in there, it will be a bit of a task trying to get them out.
There are other options, instead of bricking your weatherboard house, that can protect it against the weather. It will also decrease the chance of animals infiltrating the space between the brick and weatherboard. Have you ever considered rendering a weatherboard house? Maybe it isn’t the look you’re going for, but it is an easier alternative to bricking a weatherboard house.
How do you brick a weatherboard house?
Bricking a weatherboard house can include a huge range of steps depending on what needs to be done internally and externally to support the changeover. The first step is to hire a contractor.
You’ll need to discuss the bonding patterns, the mortar colours and details of the joints with the contractor. Then, they will lay foundations for the brickwork, and, hopefully, they can begin cladding your weatherboard house at that point.
How it is done will also depend on whether it is solid brick or brick veneer, too. If it is solid brick, then a bricklayer or team of bricklayers will come in. If you choose to use brick veneer, you can potentially lay it yourself. You would need to read up on installing brick tiles to your home.
You will have to lay foundations. You may have to redo your plumbing and windows and attach eaves to the roof. The steps to bricking your weatherboard house will change with your plans. The best thing you can do is speak to a professional and develop the best method for your home and desired outcome.
How much does it cost to brick a weatherboard house?
For an average-sized home, it could cost between $12,000 and $15,000 to brick a weatherboard house. This might not always include extra costs on top of the actual conversion itself. For example, you might have to reorient your plumbing which could cost a fair bit more.
On average for the installation of the brick itself, you are probably looking at paying around $55 per hour for the installation service. The price of cladding per square metre is usually around $80. The brick itself costs anywhere from $4 to $10 per square foot, depending on whether it’s just veneer or solid brick.
The price can vary greatly depending on the size of your home. Also, the extent of the work that will need to be done to accommodate the brick siding or masonry. The thing to remember is that you may well have to redo a lot of the existing work on your property, like plumbing, to install the brick.
Is converting a weatherboard house to brick hard?
Converting a weatherboard house to brick can be difficult and require a professional. Without bricklaying experience or quality bricklaying tools, you will find it extremely hard to convert your house to brick. This is why you would typically hire a contractor to do it.
Even then, the job can still be a huge one. In many cases, you will have to replace the windows or make the reveals bigger. Separate foundations will have to be dug and laid, and in most cases, this will mean the plumbing needs to be redone or relocated.
If your house isn’t level, you will want to level it as much as possible or the job will be much harder. If you don’t already have eaves on the roof, they will need to be attached.
Converting from weatherboard to brick isn’t an impossible task, but it also isn’t a small job. This is why it can cost so much and would require lots of planning. You could almost end up with an entire remodelling of your house! Regardless, you want the job done right and hiring a contractor is the way to go about it.
Is a weatherboard house better than brick?
While we might tend to think of brick as the hardier and more overall advantageous material, there are advantages to both. For one thing, weatherboard is much cheaper and that is why it’s so common.
Weatherboard can actually insulate quite well in certain weather conditions, trapping heat between the boards. Brick is generally considered to be a poor insulator, and brick houses require more layers of insulation.
Weatherboard is also easier to install and repair, costing much less—brick houses for installation and any maintenance generally require a specialist.
Weatherboards are much more tolerant to the movement of the earth as well, whereas bricks are sturdy in place.
There are quite a few benefits to weatherboard houses that many people never consider. There are also many benefits of rendering a house to protect it! There are plenty more renovation tips in our Paragon Tools resources that you should check out! For quality cutting, grinding and bricklaying tools, make Paragon Tools Australia your favourite stop!
