Can you put siding over brick?

Is your home’s exterior (the brick, in particular) getting old? Did your neighbor just get beautiful, new siding, and you’d like to increase the curb appeal for your own home? Whatever the case may be, you’re probably here because you want to install siding over your home’s old brick exterior. At Legacy Service, we’ll do anything we can to help make the exterior of your home more beautiful and durable.

So, the question is: Can you put siding over brick? The answer is: it’s entirely possible, although we don’t recommend it at Legacy Service. If the surface is level and smooth, you can apply siding to almost any type of exterior wall. However, brick walls aren’t exactly smooth and level, so it’s more difficult and requires more work. If you really want to put siding over brick, we recommend hiring a professional to help you get the job done because it can get kind of tricky. In this blog, we’re going to explore the reasons why people choose to install siding over brick, how it’s done, and the potential costs.

Siding Over Brick Exterior: How It’s Done

If you’re not already well-versed in installing siding, we suggest hiring a professional. Here’s how installing siding over brick is done.

You’ll need:

• Tape measure
• Hammer
• Weatherproof nails
• Furring strips
• Power drill with a masonry bit
• Masonry screws or nails
• Plumb bob or carpenters level
• Insulation (optional)

Step 1: Mark the locations for your furring strips.

On the wall, you’ll need to mark the location you need for each furring strip. The furring strips are designed to help create a more level surface on the brick wall. Use a plumb bob or carpenters level to make sure the strips stay plumb when you mark the location of each. Install a strip at every panel joint and make sure you can see the marks above and below the panel when you attach them.

Step 2: Attach the strips to the wall.

Next, you’ll drill holes through the furring strips and into the brick using the drawn vertical lines as a guide. Then, insert fasteners (such as nails or masonry screws) through the strips and into the guide holes.

Step 3: Install insulation or caulking if you planned to.

Before you attach the panels, install any insulation or caulking that you planned on.

Step 4: Install siding panels.

Now, you can attach the siding panels to the furring strips. Use a hammer and weatherproof nails for the best results.

That’s how it’s done. Again, we wouldn’t recommend it, but if you have any questions about any type of siding, please feel free to contact us to schedule a siding replacement consultation.

Is It More Expensive to Install Siding Over Brick?

There are two possibilities here. You may either be wondering whether you should install vinyl siding or brick siding on your home or if you should install vinyl siding over your already installed brick. Let’s look into both of these options:

Should I install vinyl siding or brick?

Brick and vinyl are two popular siding options for any home, so it depends on the house itself as well as the homeowners’ preferences. At Legacy Service, we can install a variety of types, including vinyl, fiber-cement, PVC, and wood. We may recommend vinyl because it’s not only beautiful, working well with the rest of the home exterior, but it’s also highly affordable. In many cases, vinyl can last up to 20-30 years. If you’re not sure which one would look and work best for your home, you’ll want to schedule a consultation with a siding professional.

Should I install vinyl siding over my previously installed brick siding?

If you already have a brick exterior on your house and would like to replace it with vinyl, you’re probably wondering if you should just have the vinyl installed over the brick. While it’s possible, we wouldn’t recommend it. A brick exterior can be removed and replaced with another type of siding, and here at Legacy Service, we can do it for you.

Cost of Replacing Brick With Siding

The cost will depend entirely on the type of siding you’d like to replace with as well as the size and dimensions of your home.

If you’re tired of your house’s brick exterior and would like to replace it with vinyl or fiber-cement, we recommend removing the brick altogether and starting fresh instead of hanging the siding over the brick. As one of the leading roofing and siding contractors in Philadelphia, PA, and the surrounding areas, our team at Legacy Service will remove the brick and put the new siding in its place.

Although the prices will range and may vary from homeowner to homeowner, there are average costs to replace brick with vinyl. They include:

• Removing a brick exterior – The average cost to remove a brick exterior is between $4 and $6 per sq. ft. This will also include the underlayment and drywall if it all needs to go.
• Vinyl siding installation – Vinyl is typically easier to install and maintain than other types of siding. Its average cost is $4 per sq. ft., and you’ll also have to pay for the cost of labor.

Since every home and contractor is different, these may not be the costs you’ll end up paying, but they are the average of what homeowners will pay.

Reasons to Replace a Brick Exterior With Vinyl Siding

If your brick exterior is getting old and rundown, and you’re tired of looking at it, it’s time to think about replacing it. This time you might want to replace it with vinyl siding. It’s best to remove the brick if you’re going to do so. Here’s why more and more people are choosing vinyl these days:

It’s lightweight and easy to move – It’s more common than you think for homeowners to want to move their siding, whether it’s to use for another building or to move it for conservation reasons. Unlike brick, vinyl is lightweight, which makes it much easier to reuse and recycle.

It’s better for the environment – If you’re concerned about the environment, vinyl is the way to go, the main reason being its smaller size. On average, vinyl may only take up 2% of a construction site while brick can take up more than 12%.

It’s less expensive – Last but not least, vinyl is a less expensive material than brick, so it’s a very popular option for homeowners who are on a budget. The cost of labor will also be cheaper for vinyl because it’s easier to move and install.

FAQ

Can you put siding over brick?

It’s possible to put siding over brick, but it’s not usually recommended. Since brick doesn’t have a smooth surface, installing siding would be difficult. Most contractors recommend removing the brick first, then installing the siding after starting with a clean slate. If you’re looking to install or replace your siding, please feel free to contact our team at Legacy Service.

How much does it cost to put siding over brick?

The cost to put siding over brick depends on several factors. They include the size of your home, the type of siding you select, and the work that’s needed to remove or prepare the brick. On average, you can expect the installation over brick to cost anywhere between $6 and $30 per square foot. Removal of the brick can cost between $4 and $6 per square foot.

Can you cover old brick with siding?

While you can cover old brick with siding, most siding professionals will not recommend it. Since brick doesn’t have a smooth surface, installing siding will be difficult and it may result in rippling or bowing. In most cases, it’s better to remove the brick before installing the new siding.

What kind of siding can you put over brick?

Vinyl and fiber cement are two of the most common siding materials that can be placed over brick. While it’s entirely possible to install siding over top of brick, many experts do not recommend it. It’s challenging to install siding over brick, and it may even lead to different types of damage, including bowing or rippling, down the line. It’s usually recommended to remove the brick before installing the siding.

Can you put fiber cement siding over brick?

It’s typically recommended to remove brick before installing new siding, but fiber cement siding can be installed over brick with some preparation. First, you’ll need to attach furring strips (one every 24 inches) to the wall. Then, use a vapor barrier to cover the furring strips. After that, you’ll place the siding along the furring strips and nail them into place.

Why would you put siding over brick?

Homeowners decide to put siding over brick if they don’t want to spend the time or money on brick removal. However, that’s not always the best idea. In most cases, it’s better to remove the brick before installing new siding since it should be installed on a smooth surface. If you’re looking for siding installation or replacement services, you can turn to our team here at Legacy Service.

Let Us Help Make Your Decision

What are you thinking you’d like to do with your exterior? If you’re still not sure, our team of experts at Legacy Service can help you make your decision. We have years of experience in completing siding projects for residential and commercial buildings. From the initial consultation to the final clean-up, we’ll make sure you’re taken care of and communicated with every step of the way.

Here’s what else we can do for you at Legacy Service! We can take care of any roofing, windows, doors, or gutters project you need. People choose us over other contractors because of our team’s workmanship, communication, and certifications. As a fully-certified, licensed company, we’ll be sure to provide you with unmatched quality and extraordinary service.

Legacy Service is dedicated to improving your life through the vessel of a new home exterior. Whether you’re in need of a residential siding replacement or a windows installation, please feel free to call us at 215-798-9790 or fill out a contact form here.