Seamless Steel Siding vs. Brick Siding

Appearance

• Seamless steel siding is available in a variety of colors and wood-like textures, and it lacks the unsightly surface seams or gaps of other types of siding. Solid brick walls can be 12 inches thick, but brick veneer siding is usually only 1/2 inch to 4 inches thick. The veneer, which is manufactured from molded concrete and pigments, is available in a wide range of sizes, shape and colors. Home Tips states that veneer siding has a realistic appearance because the molds are made from real stones or bricks.

Installation

• Home Improvement Helper recommends hiring a professional contractor to install seamless steel siding instead of attempting to do it yourself. At your house, a machine will custom cut the siding from a roll of steel, and a vinyl coat can add protection in your choice of color. Solid brick walls have a structural function and support weight from walls and roofs. Brick veneer siding does not support weight, but it needs a strong concrete foundation to prevent cracks in the siding. A professional mason uses metal ties to install brick veneer over a wooden house frame.

Maintenance

• Brick and seamless steel sidings never need painting or staining, do not fade or warp, and require only an occasional rinse with a hose or power washer. Rust can develop in scratched steel siding, but you can avoid costly replacement if you repair small areas of rust with an anti-rust primer before they spread. According to Home Improvement Helper, a vinyl coating helps prevent scratches and fading in steel siding.

Weather Resistance

• Seamless steel siding withstands harsh weather, including heat, cold, wind and even salt spray. Both brick and steel sidings resist dents from hail stones, but brick siding may leak water during a wind-driven rainstorm. To prevent mold or wood rot, a mason will install a water barrier behind brick siding and flashings on the foundation to channel water away from interior walls. Service Magic notes that an insulating air space exists between brick veneer and the house frame and that you can install insulation in the wall space.