Brickface

The charming brick houses and buildings that dot the landscape throughout the region help to define New England. These beautiful structures paint a portrait of the region’s rich history and New Englanders strive to maintain the aesthetic of classic brick homes. However, due to its high maintenance cost, traditional brick continues to decrease in popularity.

The modern masonry technique referred to as brickface, keeps homes and offices up to 21st century standards while maintaining their brick and mortar roots. Brickface replicates real brick in a variety of shapes and colors, offering a durable exterior as beautiful as the real brick structures it imitates.

But what exactly makes brickface more beneficial than traditional brick?

Traditional brick houses have two layers of brick and on some occasions a layer of concrete block with a layer of brick exterior, making the brick the structural support of the building. Removing even one brick could lead to structural failures. Brickface does not support the structural load of the building, so removing a brick will not ruin the foundation. You can install brickface anytime, even after a building’s completed construction.

In the cold winter of New England your home needs to stay warm. With a poor insulator, cold air seeps right through brick. Brickface however covers the walls with sheathing and insulation before putting the brick in place. The brickface builds the outer edge of the foundation wall, creating a whole inch of air space between the brickface and the sheathing. Air makes for one of the best insulators, so this airspace protects you from the harsh chill of winter.

On top of this, the affordability of brickface trumps traditional brick. Brickface only requires one layer of masonry, keeping costs down and installation easy. Brickface also requires little maintenance, and like traditional brick, maintains a visually appealing and fireproof exterior.

For more information on the benefits of brickface over brick from the experts at New England Brickface, please contact us here or call us directly at 508.544.0408.

For most homeowners, life rarely stands still.

Whether starting a new job, having more children or dealing with major repairs — your needs change as your life shifts and evolves over time. As your life changes, so do the needs of your home.

When your family needs more space, or you just want to upgrade, you need to ask yourself the dreaded question all homeowners eventually face: Should I remodel or relocate?

Definitely not an easy question to answer — as both options have pros and cons — since making the wrong choice often results in costly regret. There are several things to take into account before picking the best option.

Location, location, location. If you choose to relocate, the area you choose remains crucial. You and your family will live there for years to come. If your family loves the neighborhood you live in, relocating may not be the most desirable option. Moving to a new location potentially brings an unneeded strain to your family, especially if you have young children in school.

However, if you or a loved one start a new job that requires a long commute, you may want to relocate to an area that’s closer to the new job. If your job and a loved one’s job are far away from each other, try to find a good location in between.

The Costs of Upgrading Your Home

Unless you plan to downsize when searching for a new home, relocating often costs more than remodeling. Selling your home and buying another results in numerous fees and commissions, for appraisals, agent commissions, title insurance, title search fees and legal fees. Your dream of a lavish brick home can come true at a more affordable price with remodeling, such as installing brickface on the exterior. Proper remodeling also increases your home’s market value — while more attractive place for you to live.

Both options remain risky. Remodeling takes a good chunk time, and so does finding good contractors. Prices for each contractor vary, making it difficult to budget the remodeling process.

When relocating, you have to deal with the pains of moving. Organizing, boxing, transporting, and unboxing can take days, and valuable possessions potentially get damaged in the process.

After taking all of these things into consideration, have a long conversation with your loved ones about the right decision for all of you. Be wise with your decision and contact remodeling and real estate professionals for prices and advice.

For more information on remodeling or relocating from the experts at New England Brickface, please contact us here or call us directly at 508.544.0408.

Every winter, New Englanders endure harsh snowstorms and freezing temperatures. Built for maintaining warmth, the homes and offices of the region utilize strong exterior siding to block out the cold. New Englanders deserve the best exterior sidings for cold climates.

Thanks to its affordability, vinyl siding has become one of the most popular options for exterior siding around the country. More suitable for humid climates, the cheaper material can not fully withstand the long New England winters. Its vulnerability to the elements may cause the need for repairs after years of wear and tear.

Wood siding insulates well against the cold, but can be susceptible to mold or the salty air if near the ocean. To prevent mold and cracking in cold weather, wood must be power washed, stained and sealed.

Stucco has made a home for itself on the west coast and southern states. Its prominence in warmer regions creates the perception that it can’t withstand extremely cold climates. However, stucco holds up against cold climate buildings and homes. The durability of stucco protects it from strong winds and storms, and the applied barrier underneath it prevents moisture from damaging the exterior. Stucco is also easy to repair and maintain.

Brickface or Brick?

New England loves its traditional brick and stone homes, but they are poorly insulated. Cold air seeps right through brick, making it a terrible insulator. A better alternative to traditional brick is brickface and stoneface. Brickface and stoneface allow for the homely appearance of brick and stone with much more efficient insulation.

Brickface and stoneface fend off cold weather, making it an increasingly popular option in northern regions. An inch of airspace in between the veneer and the inner layer insulate the house, keeping it warm. The tough exteriors stand up to unforgiving climate and deals with minimal maintenance issues. Its resilience to the cold makes it a strong contender for the best exterior siding in cold climates.

For more information on the best exterior sidings for cold climates from the experts at New England Brickface, please contact us here or call us directly at 508.544.0408.