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The Differences Between Brick and Wood

Posted on November 8, 2022 9:26 PM

A Deep Dive into the Differences Between Brick and Wood

It's the age-old question among those building their home: which material is better, brick or wood? Although wood is a slightly cheaper option than brick, there are certain long-term pros and cons to consider with each option.

Today we’re looking at what homeowners can expect over time with both brick and wood building materials.

What to Expect When You Build with Brick

Building with brick means you will experience several benefits to your home, including:

Higher Resale Value

Homes made of brick often sell faster than homes made of other materials like wood. On average, a brick house will resell at a value that is 6% higher than one made of different building materials. This is due to factors like the pleasing aesthetic of brick and its low-maintenance qualities.

Lower Insurance Rates

Because brick is such a durable material that is hard to destroy, insurance companies will insure brick houses for less than they would for wood houses or those made of other materials. The average difference in insurance rates is between 5-8%, meaning a homeowner can receive up to 8% in insurance savings by choosing brick.

More Durability

While materials like wood are susceptible to all sorts of damage, brick is very difficult to damage or destroy. Brick cannot be eaten away by bugs; it cannot rot; it can survive water damage if installed properly, and it can withstand elements like intense weather or fire. Although brick can wear away over time, the weathering timeframe for brick is over 100 years and up to 500 or more.

What to Expect When You Build with Wood

When building with wood, homeowners can anticipate results like:

Frequent Upkeep

Wood requires coats of finishing or paint, which wear away over short periods of time. The recommended time frame for repainting a house is every 3 to 7 years, depending on its condition, and the timeframe for restraining is every four years.

Periodic Replacement

Because wood is easily affected by factors like weather, water, insects, and fire, wooden siding tends to last between 20 and 40 years. If it is well maintained with frequent repainting and patching, it can last up to the 40-year mark before needing to be replaced with brand-new siding. Periodic replacement is a must with wooden houses to protect the other components of the home.

Lots of Possible Damage

Wood houses often suffer damage from weather, water, animals, insects, fire, and more. Heavy rains can lead to water damage, which can result in complications like mold growth or warped panels. Intense weather like tornadoes or hurricanes negatively affects wood houses more commonly than brick. Termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and even woodpeckers target wood homes and create irreversible damage to the wooden components. Fire feeds on wood and can destroy a wooden house quickly.

Are you trying to decide between constructing a wood or brick house? Talk to Cherokee Brick about the additional benefits of choosing brick.

Cherokee Brick features many different brick styles with qualities that bring attraction and longevity to your next project. See our brick at work  and tell us about your construction plans today: 877--277-2745