Home › Brick Veneer Installation
Our team installs brick veneers in Aurora, CO to give homes the look of full brick with less weight and cost. We handle moisture barriers, flashing, and weep systems correctly so your brick cladding performs for decades. Choose from a variety of colors and patterns to complement your siding and trim.
Superior Masonry Aurora provides professional brick veneers throughout Aurora, CO, Colorado and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (720) 927-8800 or request your free quote.
Brick veneer installation in Aurora that performs like real brick
Brick veneers give you the look of a full brick wall without the weight or major structural changes. At Superior Masonry Aurora, we focus on building veneer systems that hold up to Colorado’s freeze-thaw cycles, afternoon sun, and sudden temperature swings, not just veneers that look good for the first year.
We start every brick veneer project with a site visit. We check the existing structure, siding or sheathing, look for moisture issues, and confirm that your walls can support the added veneer system. In Aurora, many homes have framed walls with OSB or plywood sheathing, so we pay close attention to how the veneer will tie into that sheathing and how we will shed water away from it.
Our goal is to give you the look and texture of real masonry with a careful eye on drainage, insulation, and long-term maintenance, not a quick cosmetic layer that causes problems later.
How brick veneers are built, step by careful step
A well installed brick veneer is a complete wall system. Here is how Superior Masonry Aurora typically builds it on an exterior wall:
1. Surface prep and removal: We remove existing siding or finishes that are not compatible with masonry. We repair damaged sheathing, re-fasten loose panels, and verify that framing is sound. If we are working over concrete or CMU, we grind and clean the surface so mortar bonds properly.
2. Weather barrier and flashing: We install building wrap or a fluid-applied membrane, then integrate metal flashings at the base of the wall, above windows, and at roof intersections. In Aurora’s snow and spring rain, this layer and the flashings are what keep your sheathing dry behind the brick.
3. Drainage plane and anchors: We create a small air gap between the sheathing and the veneer using furring, drainage mats, or corrugated rainscreen products. Brick ties or masonry anchors are then fastened into studs or structural members, not just sheathing. This prevents bulging and keeps the veneer mechanically tied back to the house.
4. Brick layout and coursing: Before the first brick is laid, we dry lay several courses to check height alignments with windows, doors, and existing masonry. We determine where to hide cuts, where to place soldier or rowlock courses, and how to transition at corners.
5. Setting the veneer: We start on a level mortar bed on the foundation or support angle, then lay bricks in courses. Joints are kept consistent, usually 3/8 inch, and we continually check level, plumb, and bond pattern. We integrate weep vents at the base and above flashings so that any water in the cavity can drain.
6. Joint tooling and cleaning: When mortar reaches the right set, we tool the joints to a profile that suits the brick and climate, often a concave joint for better water shedding in Aurora’s snow. We then clean the face with masonry-safe cleaners, avoiding harsh acids on sensitive brick.
The same disciplined approach applies indoors, with modifications for interior substrates and without the exterior drainage components, but still with attention to bonding, support, and movement joints.
Material and design options for brick veneers in Aurora homes
Brick veneers are not one-type-fits-all. Superior Masonry Aurora helps you choose materials and layouts that work with your architecture and the Front Range environment.
Brick types: You can choose from clay brick, thin brick units, or manufactured brick veneer. Clay brick generally offers the best long-term color and durability outdoors. Thin brick works well where weight or wall thickness is limited, such as interior feature walls or tight property lines.
Textures and colors: Smooth face brick gives a clean, modern look, while tumbled or wire-cut textures pair well with older Aurora bungalows and mid-century homes. Color ranges from light buffs and grays to dark reds and browns. We bring sample boards to your property so you can see colors in your natural light rather than relying on showroom lighting.
Patterns and details: Running bond is most common, but we frequently use stacked bond, Flemish-style blends, or accent bands. Details like soldier courses above windows, rowlock sills, and quoined corners can break up large wall areas. On interiors, we often use intentional irregularities or mixed-color blends to create a reclaimed or loft-style appearance.
Integration with existing finishes: Many Aurora homes combine stucco, siding, and masonry. We plan clear termination lines, control joints, and flashing where the brick veneer meets those materials, so you do not end up with hairline cracks or visible water staining at the transitions.
What affects the cost of brick veneer installation
Brick veneer pricing depends on more than square footage. When Superior Masonry Aurora builds an estimate, we walk you through the main cost drivers so there are no surprises.
Substrate condition: If your sheathing is in good shape and accessible, costs are lower. Rot, previous water damage, or poorly installed house wrap add repair work up front but prevent bigger problems later.
Brick and mortar selection: Premium clay bricks, custom colors, or specialty shapes cost more than standard units. Colored mortar or lime-rich mixes also increase material cost but can dramatically change the finished look.
Wall complexity: Simple, straight runs of wall are faster. Gables, bump-outs, multiple corners, chimney chases, and lots of windows and doors require more layout time, more cuts, and more custom flashing details.
Access and height: One-story ranch homes in Aurora are often straightforward. Two-story elevations, work around decks or steep grades, and tight side yards may require extra scaffolding, safety measures, or lift equipment.
Interior vs exterior: Interior veneers usually avoid weather barriers and complex flashings, which can lower cost, but may involve more detailed cutting around cabinets, outlets, or fireplaces. Gas fireplace surrounds or code-related clearances can also affect price.
We give line-item pricing where practical, so you can see the impact of material upgrades or design changes and choose the combination that fits your budget and goals.
Handling common brick veneer issues in Aurora’s climate
Aurora’s combination of strong sun, high UV exposure, and freeze-thaw cycles can expose weaknesses in poorly installed veneers. Superior Masonry Aurora designs and installs with these local issues in mind.
Freeze-thaw and spalling: When water gets behind or into the brick and freezes, it can cause spalling (surface flaking) and mortar damage. We minimize this risk by using proper weeps, a dedicated drainage cavity, well integrated flashings, and compatible, breathable mortars.
Efflorescence: White salt deposits on brick faces are common when moisture moves through masonry and then evaporates. We reduce efflorescence by controlling water entry, using quality materials, and planning for vapor movement. If it occurs, we clean it with appropriate masonry cleaners rather than abrasive methods that damage the surface.
Movement and cracking: Temperature swings on south and west facing walls in Aurora can be intense. To handle expansion and contraction, we place control joints in long runs, respect structural movement joints, and use proper sealants at penetrations. Hairline cracks that do appear are evaluated to determine if they are cosmetic or indicate movement behind the veneer.
Snow and splash zones: At ground level, we design veneers with adequate clearance from grade, proper base flashing, and durable units in areas exposed to de-icing salts or frequent splash-back from sidewalks and driveways.
Best timing and planning for brick veneer work in Aurora
Brick veneer installation is sensitive to temperature and moisture, so planning around Aurora’s seasons matters.
Spring and fall: These are usually ideal, with moderate temperatures and fewer afternoon thunderstorms than midsummer. Mortar cures more evenly, and we can work longer daily windows without dealing with extreme heat or hard freezes.
Summer: Work is very possible, but we protect fresh mortar from rapid drying by damping masonry and shading critical areas where feasible. We also coordinate start times earlier in the day on west and south exposures that get intense afternoon sun.
Winter: Cold weather work is possible with temporary enclosures and heating, but that adds cost. Mortar must be protected from freezing until it reaches adequate strength. For non-urgent projects, we typically recommend scheduling the bulk of veneer installation outside the coldest stretches.
Lead times and permits: Exterior brick veneer may require permit review, particularly if we are altering structural openings or adding significant weight. Most Aurora projects also require HOA review in planned communities. We help you plan timelines that account for material lead times, design approvals, and municipal or HOA processes.
Why Aurora homeowners choose Superior Masonry Aurora for brick veneers
Brick veneer only performs as well as the installer who plans and builds it. Superior Masonry Aurora focuses on detailed prep, climate-specific methods, and solid communication so you know what is happening at every stage.
We start with a detailed assessment and written scope, not a vague square-foot quote. During the job, you will see us checking alignment, cleaning joints as we go, and protecting adjacent landscaping and finishes. We photograph the layers that will be hidden behind the brick, such as flashing and weather barriers, so you have documentation of how your veneer was built.
Our crews live and work along the Front Range, so we know what local building inspectors look for and what has actually stood the test of time in Aurora neighborhoods. Whether you are adding a brick veneer accent to the front of a 1970s ranch, wrapping a new garage, or building an interior feature wall, we bring the same level of technical focus and craftsmanship.
If you are considering brick veneers for your home or business in Aurora, CO, we can review your existing walls, discuss design options, and outline a clear installation plan that fits your schedule and budget.
