Masonry Construction vs. Wood Construction FAQs

Masonry provides multiple benefits.

Selecting the exterior material for a home or commercial building can be a tough decision to make, especially if money is an object. All-wood construction is certainly quicker to complete and less expensive than all-masonry. However, you also have to consider the additional costs of maintaining an all-wood structure in comparison to brick. In most cases, the extra upfront investment in brick pays off over time and increases the resale value of the home or building.

Which Costs More to Build?

A masonry home will cost more in terms of the brick or stone used for the exterior materials in comparison to the cost of wood siding. The cost for framing and studs can be relatively equal, whether the home is built with wood or masonry. However, the costs for insulation materials may be a bit more for a wood structure, based on the type and variety of insulation materials chosen and the desired insulation properties and thickness.

Which Costs Less to Insure?

In general, a full four-sided masonry structure costs less to insure. This is because brick holds up better in the event of a fire and after weather-related damage from winds and storms, and provides better protection from termite damage. However, if the building has only a brick facing and the other three sides are made of wood, the insurance cost will be about the same as that for an all-wood structure.

What Are Typical Maintenance Requirements?

A wood structure will have to be painted every 10 years or so, and perhaps more frequently if the home is located in an area that gets a lot of sunshine. Wood will also have to be inspected for termite damage and treated every two or three years. A brick building requires painting only wooden exterior features, such as window trimmings and doors. However, if the building is made of stucco or stone masonry, or nonbrick materials, you will need to perform termite inspections and treatments similar to that for an all-wood structure. Wood must also be monitored for warped and rotting siding panels, rodent infestation, mold and fungus.

Which Is More Energy-Efficient?

As a stand-alone material, wood has a slightly higher R-value, which is the standard measurement used to rate a material’s ability to hold heat. The R-value for wood can range from 0.77 to 0.93, and the R-value for 4-inch common brick is 0.80, according to Colorado Energy.org. However, the final actual R-value for the homes and buildings increases when you add the values for the insulation materials used inside attics, ceilings, crawl space and the cavity area between the exterior walls and the interior walls. This can level the playing field for brick and wood, because you can select materials to maximize the energy efficiency of either type of structure. This is easier to do during new construction, because you can access the cavity areas. Retrofitting a home or building with insulation later on to increase energy efficiency is somewhat easier to do with wood, because you can remove wood siding panels.

Which Has Greater Resale Value?

An all-brick structure will generally have a greater resale value. However, there are many variables that factor into what a home will sell for, including its location, interior floor plan, square footage, condition and updates.

References

• Brick Industry Association: Why Choose Brick
• Masonry for Life: Benefits of Masonry
• Create Green Home: Wood Framing
• Colorado Energy: R-Value Table
• Ask the Builder: R Value Guidelines; Tim Carter
• Building Your Green Home: House Framing Options
• Mangum Design Build: Top 10 Reasons You Want a Masonry Framed Home