Home › Brick Veneer Installation
Our team installs quality brick veneers in Scottsdale, AZ to refresh and protect your home exterior. Thin brick and veneer systems provide the charm of full brick without the weight. We design and install brick cladding for walls, entries, and accents that improve curb appeal and stand up to desert sun and heat.
Superior Masonry Scottsdale provides professional brick veneers throughout Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (623) 288-3988 or request your free quote.
Brick veneers tailored to Scottsdale homes
Brick veneers give Scottsdale homeowners the look and feel of real masonry without the weight and structural changes that full brick requires. At Superior Masonry Scottsdale, we focus on brick veneer installations that respect how homes are actually built here: stuccoed block homes from the 70s and 80s, newer frame builds in North Scottsdale, and remodeled ranch homes closer to Old Town.
We start by looking at your existing walls and how you use the space. For example, a south-facing backyard wall in McCormick Ranch that takes full sun all day needs a different brick selection and installation approach than a shaded front entry in DC Ranch. We consider your roof overhangs, irrigation overspray, and how close the veneer will sit to landscaping, all of which affect long-term performance.
Instead of pushing one look, we help you decide between traditional red modular bricks, longer linear veneers that complement contemporary builds, and tumbled or reclaimed-look veneers that feel right on older Scottsdale properties. We also talk through mortar color and joint style so you understand how these details change the final look before you commit.
How professional brick veneer installation actually works
A proper brick veneer installation is more than gluing thin bricks to a wall. Superior Masonry Scottsdale follows a proven sequence so the veneer stays secure in our hot, dry climate with occasional heavy storms.
1. Substrate inspection and prep: We check whether your wall is painted stucco, bare block, poured concrete, or framed with sheathing. Paint and loose coatings are mechanically removed or roughened so the mortar or adhesive can bite into the surface. Cracks and hollow stucco areas are repaired first so the veneer is not installed over compromised material.
2. Moisture management layer: On framed walls or vulnerable areas we install a code-appropriate weather resistive barrier and flashing at window heads, sills, and transitions. In Scottsdale, wind-driven rain during monsoon season can push moisture behind veneers if these details are skipped.
3. Lath and scratch coat (when needed): On many stucco or framed walls we fasten metal lath, then apply a cement scratch coat. This creates a rough, continuous masonry surface for the brick veneers to bond to, instead of relying on the old stucco texture.
4. Layout and coursing: Before a single brick is set, we establish control lines and dry lay sections to line up joints with doors, windows, and corners. This avoids small sliver cuts at edges and keeps reveals even around garage doors and entryways.
5. Setting the veneers: We install the thin brick using a high quality mortar or manufacturer-approved thinset, depending on the product and substrate. Bricks are pressed in with consistent spacing to allow for the planned joint width. Corners are handled with matching corner units, so the veneer looks like full brick when you view it from the side.
6. Pointing and tooling joints: After the bricks have set, we fill the joints with mortar and tool them to the selected profile. Properly compacted joints reduce water entry, resist cracking, and strongly influence the final appearance.
7. Cleaning and detailing: Mortar smears are cleaned with appropriate solutions that will not bleach or burn the brick surface. Edges are caulked where masonry meets windows, doors, and dissimilar materials, which helps with energy performance and water control.
Brick veneer options that work in Arizona heat
Scottsdale’s climate, with intense UV and rapid temperature swings from day to night, puts extra stress on exterior materials. Superior Masonry Scottsdale selects and installs brick veneers with those conditions in mind, so your investment still looks good years later.
Color and finish: Darker bricks can superheat in the afternoon sun, which may be fine on a shaded north elevation but less ideal on a south or west wall. We review how the sun moves across your property, then recommend colors that will not fade unevenly or create hot surfaces next to seating areas. Matte finishes generally age better than highly glazed faces in our environment.
Brick formats: Standard modular thin brick, long linear shapes, and oversized veneer units each have pros and cons. Larger pieces cover more area quickly but require a flatter substrate and more careful handling to avoid lippage. Slimmer bricks can better follow minor wall irregularities in older block homes common throughout central Scottsdale.
Mortar and joint style: In our dry climate, mortar color can lighten slightly over time. If you want a crisp modern look, a tight joint and color-matched mortar can de-emphasize lines. For a more traditional aesthetic, we might use a slightly contrasting mortar and a raked or recessed joint to accent the pattern. We also recommend mortar mixes that balance strength with flexibility so hairline cracking is minimized as the wall expands and contracts in heat.
Interior vs exterior applications: Indoors, such as accent walls in condos near Old Town or wine rooms in custom homes, we prioritize low-dust cutting methods and precise joint work because you see the veneer up close. Outside, around pool decks or entry columns, slip resistance and UV resistance of any sealer are part of the recommendation.
What affects the cost of brick veneers in Scottsdale
Homeowners often want to understand why two veneer bids can differ. Superior Masonry Scottsdale is transparent about what drives cost, so you can compare proposals fairly and decide what matters most for your project.
Wall condition and prep: A clean, unpainted block wall in good shape is the most straightforward and cost-effective base for brick veneers. Painted stucco with multiple old coatings, or walls with existing cracks and delamination, require more prep time and materials, which increases the price but avoids failures later.
Height and access: Veneer work at ground level along a single-story front elevation is simpler than wrapping two-story chimney chases or courtyard walls behind a pool. More scaffolding, safety measures, and material handling time are built into projects with limited access.
Brick product selection: Factory-made thin brick veneers, reclaimed-look products, and custom blends have different price points. Some specialty veneers are produced in smaller runs and cost more per square foot, but we can sometimes balance budgets by mixing premium brick on focal areas (like the entry) with more economical options on side or rear elevations.
Detailing and extras: Elements such as soldier courses above windows, brick arches, integrated address blocks, and coordinated caps on garden walls all add labor and material but also add character. We itemize these features so you can choose where to invest for maximum curb appeal.
Scope and phasing: Doing your full front elevation and entry at once is usually more cost-effective per square foot than breaking it into small sections over years. However, we can phase work thoughtfully, for example starting with the front porch and columns, then tying in adjacent walls later without obvious seams.
Common brick veneer issues and how we prevent them
In the Phoenix metro area, most brick veneer problems we see are not due to the brick itself, but to shortcuts in installation. Superior Masonry Scottsdale focuses on preventing these issues rather than just fixing them after the fact.
Bond failure and loose veneers: When veneers are applied over glossy paint or dusty stucco without proper prep, they can loosen within a few summers. We mechanically prepare the surface and, when needed, use lath and a scratch coat so the brick adheres to solid masonry, not failing paint or old texture.
Water staining and efflorescence: White powdery deposits and streaks often show up where irrigation hits the wall or where flashing is missing. We design veneers so sprinkler overspray is minimized, recommend adjustments to irrigation heads, and install proper flashings and weep paths so moisture can exit without staining the face.
Cracked joints and corners: Thermal expansion in our climate is real. Poorly detailed corners or rigid connections at dissimilar materials can lead to cracks. We use appropriate control and expansion joints and flexible sealants at transitions to accommodate seasonal movement.
Uneven appearance and lippage: On older masonry homes around central Scottsdale, walls are rarely perfectly plumb. We anticipate these irregularities when we bid the job and make realistic recommendations about whether the wall should be trued up or if a slightly more forgiving brick format is better. During installation our masons constantly check lines and planes so the finished surface reads flat to the eye.
Maintenance guidance: When we complete a project, we walk you through how to care for your new veneers. That includes what cleaners are safe, how to spot early signs of issues, and when a breathable sealer is appropriate. A few simple habits, like keeping irrigation tuned and avoiding harsh pressure washing, go a long way in our desert environment.
Planning your brick veneer project with Superior Masonry Scottsdale
A smooth brick veneer project starts with clear planning. Superior Masonry Scottsdale takes the time up front to make sure the finished work matches your expectations, your budget, and your home’s style.
Initial visit: We meet on site to look at your existing construction, measure areas, and discuss how you use the space. For example, a shaded courtyard near McDowell Mountain Ranch might call for a lighter brick to brighten the space, while a contemporary home in North Scottsdale may benefit from linear bricks in a running bond pattern.
Design and samples: We provide actual brick and mortar samples, not just photos, so you can see how they look in your light at different times of day. If you are coordinating with existing stone, pavers, or roofing, we bring those elements into the conversation so the veneer feels integrated with the rest of the property.
Scheduling and execution: Scottsdale HOA rules, noise windows, and access restrictions are factored into our schedule. We stage materials thoughtfully to avoid damaging landscaping or blocking garages. During work we keep the site as tidy as possible, especially when cutting brick, and we communicate daily about progress and any discoveries inside the walls.
Final walkthrough: When the brick veneers are complete, we inspect the work with you in daylight, review all details, and note any touch-ups. You receive information about your specific brick product, including any manufacturer recommendations, so you are not guessing about maintenance.
With careful planning, honest guidance on options and costs, and craftsmanship suited to Arizona’s climate, Superior Masonry Scottsdale helps you add brick warmth and character to your home with confidence.
