Can Today’s Brick Veneer Assembly Have a Lifespan of 100 Years in Our Current Environment?

Most construction professionals are quick to say brick will certainly last 100 years, and it’s completely possible. In the end, though, it’s not the brick that’s the issue; it’s how the bricks are placed and the setting in which they are placed that determines the life of overall façade. Water entry, too, is always an issue for brick veneer and all other facades. We know water gets past the brick/mortar layer. Relieving angles rust. Lintels rust. Ties will also deteriorate. Over time, all these components, typically galvanized steel, will deteriorate, particularly when too much water/moisture is present.  In many cases they can and have rusted away to nothing. Improperly installed flashings can fail. Freeze/thaw cycles, with enough water entry, will take their toll on the supporting elements.