Ok, I’ve removed the chimney and now discovered that a false wall is sitting atop the brick wall that abutted the chimney on each side (the pic where the AC unit was located shows a fairly good view of what I’m talking about). The extra framing apparently serves as the support structure for a facade that provides a flush consistency for the exterior extending up to the gable. I’m not quite sure how to deal with this “additional wall” since I don’t like the brick on this house and plan to deal with it as part of the remodel. I’m determined to either:
– Remove the old bricks and install a different brick
– Brick over the existing bricks with another layer of bricks
– Or just cover the bricks with vinyl siding.
(Paint or stucco have already been suggested, but I don’t care for either of those ideas.)
Anyway, since I’ve got that false wall sitting up there, and on the opposite end of the house as well, I’m just not sure which of the above options I should pursue. I’ve provided some pics for your scrutiny…and viewing entertainment. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
Thanks,
Michael
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
Replies
Well, if you don't like the brick...
Fill up that dumpster.
Then you can determine what you are determined to do.
New brick up to the build out. Or,
Rip out the facade, too, and prep for Hardie lap siding all the way up.
You said:
- Remove the old bricks and install a different brick
- Brick over the existing bricks with another layer of bricks
- Or just cover the bricks with vinyl siding.
Option 1 would work. I think you will find that that is quite a bit of weight if you have to pay by the ton at the landfill. Also, I guess you would have to go all the way down to slightly below grade. Is it a block foundation? Might be a bit hard to peal the brick veneer off the block - there may be ladder wire or similar in there.
option 2 would work only if you want to give up ~4" in width of the roof eve overhang. You would not have to deal with getting rid of the old brick though.
option 3, you should probably leave a foot or so showing of the old brick just above grade.
BTW - sometimes catchy titles for threads can be entertaining, but other times you might as well just leave the title blank or maybe even give it a meaningful title... yea I know, I'm no fun... :-)
Also: my guess is that the false wall is not supporting any weight. It likely may have even been cantilevered out and then the brick veneer added in under it.
Should you decide to re-brick, this will affect your door and window openings, plus you will need to recofigure your existing soffits to tie-in to the new wall. You will also need to dig and pour foundation footers to carry the new brick load. Some people bolt on steel angle iron at the sill plate and use this to carry the load...either way, you got some real work ahead of you.
Unless the existing brick walls are in deteriorated shape ( not counting your chimney area) removing all the brick and installing new just for the sake of a different color is IMHO a big waste of money and effort. Painting the brick can give you any color choice you so desire, and painted brick will last a very long time if properly prepped and done right .
If you remove the existing brick, you undoubtedly will be removing the "false" walls as well, and this again will also affect your existing soffit; which will need re-attached and/or replaced. Now if your intentions are to do away with the gable siding and get away from a 2 toned look, then perhaps a new brick installation is the way to go. The only reason I would choose to tear out and go new is if I had planned to eliminate the siding facades and go with an all brick look. Cost will be expensive.
The cheapest and easiest way out is to install vinyl siding. I don't know why your tore out your existing chimney and/or what you planned to put back in that large opening...but you could easily frame a wall, sheath it and vinyl right overtop and the hole would be gone and no one would ever know ( unless of course you fail to fix the soffit above the opening). The vinyl would give you several color and design options as well. You could use a shaker or a fish scale design up high on the gable ends and a regular lap siding design on the "body" of the house..or you could 2 tone it with lap siding up high, and vertical siding down low, or simply side the whole house in on solid design and color. The siding will need to be furred out onto the brick, and again this furring out will cause you to re-do your exterior window and door jambs so as to hide this excess padding. Again, soffit re-work will also come into play.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with vinyl siding and have installed it many times, but always overtop old, ugly wooden houses...not brick homes. I would much rather not side over an existing brick home. I would definately paint the brick before deciding to put vinyl siding overtop of it.
If money is an issue....painting is the cheapest and best way to go. Tooth in your old chimney hole and the painting will disguise the brick so you never knew a chinmey was torn out. If you want to change the gable sided areas, then I would install new vinyl siding to coincide with the brick paint job.
If money is not an issue, but aestethics is your primary concern, then tear out all the brick, including the gable ends, and brick the entire house. It will cost you a small fortune, but it definately will look good.
What would I do? I'd probably remove the existing siding and soffit and install new , utilizing some color scheme..possibly a clay color. I would leave the existing brick alone, tooth in the existing holes, and simply have the brick painted a nice complimentary color.
Good luck on your project.
Davo
I second everything he said. Painted brick can look perfectly attractive--infinitely superior to vinyl. Is stucco an option?
Thanks for all the helpful feedback. As usual, you guys never fail to offer some great advice and suggestions.
The chimney was constructed poorly and actually caused the house to partially burn several years ago. It would have taken more to fix the chimney and fireplace than it was worth to me. I'd rather have the wall space and an additional window anyway, so I decided to just take it out. The rest of the bricks on the house have a multitude of cracks and their appearance doesn't suit my taste much. That's why I'm determined to either replace them or change the exterior.
I went to a local brickyard this week to view some samples and request some prices. The owner informed me that fireplaces are not being installed nearly as often as they once were. I asked him if it was because of the cost, and he said only partly. He went on to state that the primary reason people don't seem to want them anymore is because they waste energy and because you can add a very similiar ambiance to any room with portable units. An appraiser recently told me that fireplaces, like swimming pools, typically add very little value, if any, to a home. Apparently, most people consider them more trouble than they're worth. I have a beautiful fireplace in my current home, but I only use it 2 or 3 times a year.
MichaelNew knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
What they said, but instead of paint, I would consider:
Rebuilding with the same bricks. Having the mason sew in the lay as closely as possible. Strike the mortar to match.
Then spray and back roll, a colored cementatious coating over the bricks. Choose your color based upon the rest of the place when you get finished. You got too much on your plate now to focus on finish details.
Look over the MPC product described on this site:
http://www.miracote.com
I like cultured stone over the brick. Just a suggestion. And lose the vinyl if at all possible.