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The 10 Major Items of Brick Veneer on Wood Frame
By: Charles Ostrander, Executive Director
1. You must use continuous flashing under the first course of brick under the
sills and heads of windows and doors in a brick veneer wall. Do not use asphalt impregnated felt. Have the flashing extend to the exterior face of the masonry
wall. A self adhered bitumen type is preferred (IPCO flashing or W.R Grace Perm-a-barrier) / otherwise set flashing in a continuous bead of sealant to
prevent water from finding its way under the flashing.
2) Install weep holes at 24" on center when using open head joint type weep
holes. When using cotton sash cords as a wicking material, space the cords at 16" on center.
3) For one and two family wood frame construction, the corrugated sheet metal anchor spacing must be
one anchor for each 2.67 sq. ft. of wall with a maximum spacing of 32" horizontally and 18" vertically on
center with a minimum embedment depth of 1 1/2" into the bed joints for the veneer (with 5/8" mortar cover to the outside face). Also place anchors within 12" of openings.
4) It is essential to maintain a 1" minimum air space between the back of the brick veneer and the
sheathing to ensure proper drainage.
5) It is recommended to only use Grade SW brick in most climates.
6) For most brick veneer, Type N mortar is suitable; however Type S may be required. Head joints and
bed joints should be full with tooled vee or concave joints.
7) The exterior face of the poured concrete or concrete block foundation, which the brick veneer sits on
, should be in the same plane as the finished brick's wall plane. The reason for this is to prevent water
from traveling horizontally into the building on the projecting concrete ledge. [If the concrete wall is
that far out of line, the flashing should be set in mastic to prevent water from entering under the flashing.
If concrete is out of location, brick can overhang the foun dation by 1/3 bed depth (with 2/3 bearing on foundation) before a shelf angle is needed.
8) The finished grade must be below the weep holes ( preferable 2" to 3" below the flashing line). If brick
goes below the flashing, fill the space between the brick and the foundation with grout or mortar.
9) Make sure the flashing is placed behind the building paper or house wrap. (Not in front of the building
paper, or water will run between and appear at the wooden sill plate).
10) Use flashing end dams at the edges of openings and prefabricated flashing for inside and out side corners.
If you would like a copy of BIA Technical Note #28 Revised ( click here ) - send your business card with a
note to :Masonry Advisory Council - 1480 Renaissance Drive, Suite 302 Park Ridge, IL 60068 or call us at 847-297-6704
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