Brick vs. Natural Stone on the Walls of Homes

Stone Variety

• Natural stone comes in more colors, sizes and textures than brick. Bricks are generally 8 inches long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick. Natural stone can be all the same size and laid like brick, or it can be in varying sizes and applied in a pattern. Stone colors range from white and yellow to brown and various shades of gray. Stone walls can be all the same color or mixed, as in a sandstone wall.

Brick Varieties

• Bricks also come in various colors, from white to multiple hues of tan, red and brown. Bricks are made of clay, formed in molds and baked at a high temperature in kilns. They can be laid in a variety of patterns, usually with the 2-by-8 sides out. Some bricks also add texture, such as scratching, called a struck face. Special brick sizes longer than 8 inches are available.

Base Material

• Both standard brick and natural stone must be laid on a firm concrete base, typically a 4-inch-wide strip poured as part of the foundation. The individual components are secured with mortar. Wood-sheathed walls are covered with a wire mesh called metal lath so that the mortar and bricks can adhere. Metal tabs called ties are nailed to the wood and positioned in the mortar joints between the bricks. Bricks can be mortared directly to concrete or concrete-block walls.

Veneers

• Bricks and natural stones are also available in veneers. These are fired clay or natural rock but thinner, typically a half inch to an inch thick. They are lighter and easier to work with. Brick and stone veneers do not require concrete bases and are secured more like wall tiles than conventional bricks and stones. Both brick and stone veneers are available in various styles, as are regular brick and stone.

Interior Walls

• Brick and natural stone can be installed on interior walls, either in conventional form or in veneers. Both are commonly used for fireplaces. Some bricks are made specifically for indoor use. They are typically lighter, less dense and less weather-resistant than exterior brick.