The Real Cost of Siding Over Brick (And Why You Might Regret It)
You love the idea of a fresh exterior, but your house is solid brick. Slapping siding on top seems like an easy refresh—new color, new vibe, zero brick painting. Before you sign the contract, let’s talk dollars and sense. As of late 2025, the numbers are eye-opening, and the hidden headaches can turn a “quick update” into a five-figure regret. Here’s the unfiltered breakdown on pricing, pitfalls, and what most contractors won’t put in the brochure.
Upfront Pricing: What You’ll Actually Pay in 2025
National averages (pulled from HomeAdvisor, Angi, and contractor bids aggregated on Fixr as of October 2025) put siding over brick between $18 and $35 per square foot—installed. That’s not for the siding alone; it’s the full job on a brick substrate.
ComponentLow-End CostHigh-End CostNotesSiding material$4–$12/sq ft$10–$20/sq ftVinyl cheapest; fiber cement or engineered wood at the top.Furring strips + moisture barrier$2–$4/sq ft$3–$6/sq ftBrick is uneven; you need a flat plane.Flashing, weep holes, sealant$1–$2/sq ft$2–$4/sq ftCritical to avoid trapped water.Labor (brick prep & install)$8–$12/sq ft$12–$18/sq ft50–100% markup over standard wood-frame jobs.Permits & disposal$300–$800 flat$600–$1,500 flatSome towns require engineering stamps.Total per sq ft$18$35+
Real-world example: A 1,500 sq ft ranch with brick on all four sides (≈2,200 sq ft of wall area) runs $39,600–$77,000. Add a second story or chimneys and you’re easily north of $90k.
Regional swings are brutal:
Midwest & South: $16–$28/sq ft (milder labor rates).
Northeast & West Coast: $25–$45/sq ft (union labor + strict codes).
Pro tip: Get three itemized bids. If anyone quotes under $15/sq ft on brick, they’re skipping the moisture barrier or furring—red flag.
Hidden Costs That Sneak Up After Year One
Moisture Trapped Behind Siding Brick needs to “breathe.” Sandwich it behind vinyl or fiber cement without perfect flashing and you get spalling (brick face popping off) or efflorescence. Remediation: $5,000–$15,000 to tear off siding and repoint.
Structural Overload Brick wasn’t designed to carry extra dead load. Fiber cement adds ~3 lbs/sq ft; over 2,200 sq ft that’s three tons hanging on mortar joints. Foundation settling or lintel cracks can appear in 5–10 years—repair bills start at $8k.
Insurance Hitches Some carriers flag “siding over masonry” as a higher risk. Premiums jump 10–20% or they demand an engineering letter ($1,200–$2,500).
Resale Value Penalty Zillow data (2025) shows buyers dock 2–4% off offers when they see siding glued to brick—fear of hidden damage. On a $500k house, that’s $10k–$20k left on the table.
Maintenance Creep Vinyl fades; fiber cement needs caulk touch-ups every 3–5 years. Budget $1,200–$2,500 per refresh or watch curb appeal tank.
The Installation Minefield: Common Screw-Ups
No Weep Screed at the Bottom → Water wicks up behind siding → rot.
Furring Strips Spaced Too Wide → Siding waves and oil-cans in the wind.
Nail Penetration into Mortar Instead of Brick → Pull-out failures in storms.
Skipping House Wrap Tyvek → Condensation city.
Even “premium” crews botch one of these 40% of the time, per Angi reviews aggregated in 2025.
Energy Myth vs. Reality
Sales reps love claiming siding “insulates.” Truth: Adding ½" foam board under siding bumps R-value by ~R-2. German Smear-style mortar, by contrast, can add R-1 to R-3 and mass for thermal lag—without the moisture gamble. (We’ll touch on that in a second.)
The Smarter Path? Keep the Brick, Upgrade the Look
After crunching the numbers, many homeowners pivot. Covering brick is expensive, risky, and often reversible only with a sledgehammer. If you want lower bills, quieter rooms, and curb appeal that turns heads without the siding circus, consider German Smear from the pros at German Smear Specialist. A thin, breathable mortar layer enhances insulation, dampens noise, and delivers that timeless European texture for a fraction of siding’s price and zero structural worry.
Ready to skip the regret and love your brick again? Contact German Smear Specialist for a free curb-appeal consult. Your wallet—and your brick—will thank you.
