The Advantages of Rendering a Weatherboard Wall Over a Brick Wall

Appearance

• Clapboard, cladding or weatherboarding -- all of these terms refer to wood or man-made siding products that are typically placed horizontally across a building's exterior. Some homeowners prefer the wider range of color options available from siding over the limited choices in brick facade. Weatherboards can transform a brick building's ubiquitous urban appearance into that of a barn or other rustic structure. Weatherboards have the additional advantage of providing protection to the underlying brick and can lengthen its lifespan.

Insulation

• Brick walls are structurally sound and long-lasting but do not provide a great degree of heat retention. When insulation materials, such as drywall and blanket insulation, are placed on the interior portion of a brick wall ,the interior side of the brick stays warm while the exterior maintains its cool temperature. This uneven heat distribution can lead to brick damage. As portions of the wall freeze, other portions thaw. This causes expansion and contraction of building materials and can weaken the structure's integrity. Installing insulation and weatherboarding onto a building's exterior helps eliminate uneven heat distribution.

Materials

• Weatherboarding materials are generally made of wood but can also be made of synthetic materials, such as fiberglass and vinyl. Synthetic materials are water-resistant, available in a wide range of colors, textures and styles and require less maintenance than wood weatherboards. Installing weatherboard flush to the brick wall's surface is not advisable. Instead, frame the area and allow for a wall cavity between the brick and the weatherboard facade. The cavity prevents moisture from accumulating and becoming trapped between the facade and weatherboard. Install insulation within a vapor barrier to further prevent condensation buildup. Improperly installed weatherboard can be more damaging to your brick than doing nothing at all.

Considerations

• Before installing weatherboard, ensure that your wall is truly made of brick. Some buildings are wood structures with a brick veneer facade. Placing layers on top of one another can cause structural damage. The original frame may not be able to support any additional weight. Always consult a building contractor or engineer prior to renovating or retrofitting a structure.