Brick Veneer vs Fiber-Cement: Which Adds More Value?

TL;DR: Fiber-cement siding (like James Hardie board) typically returns 80-88% of its installed cost at resale, while brick veneer returns closer to 50-55%, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value data. Brick veneer costs $9-$16 per square foot installed versus $6-$12 for fiber-cement, but brick lasts 100+ years with almost no maintenance while fiber-cement needs repainting every 10-15 years. If you're staying put for decades, brick wins on longevity; if you're optimizing resale in the next 5-10 years, fiber-cement wins on ROI.

_Last reviewed: July 2026 · 8 min read_

You're staring at two exterior options and a contractor quote that swings by thousands of dollars, and nobody's telling you which one actually pays you back. Both brick veneer and fiber-cement siding look good on a spec sheet, but they behave very differently once you factor in cost, upkeep, and what a buyer will pay for them ten years from now.

Okoniq Property Hub helps owners log exterior project costs and maintenance dates so you have real numbers, not guesses, when it's time to compare options like this one.

Which one costs less to install?

Fiber-cement costs less upfront, running $6 to $12 per square foot installed compared to $9 to $16 for brick veneer. On an average 2,000 square foot exterior, that's roughly $12,000-$24,000 for fiber-cement versus $18,000-$32,000 for brick veneer, a gap of $6,000 or more depending on your region and labor rates.

The price difference comes down to materials and labor time. Fiber-cement boards install faster because they're pre-cut and nailed directly to sheathing. Brick veneer requires a mason, a moisture barrier, weep holes, and metal ties fastened into the studs, which adds days to the job and drives up labor cost even though the brick itself isn't dramatically more expensive than the boards.

If your siding project is tied to storm or wind damage, the repair scope matters just as much as material choice. Homeowners dealing with related exterior damage often check 5 signs your roof is aging faster than it should since roof and siding failures frequently show up together after the same weather event.

Which one holds up longer without maintenance?

Brick veneer wins here by a wide margin. A properly installed brick veneer wall can last 100 years or more with essentially no maintenance beyond occasional mortar repointing every 25-30 years. Fiber-cement is durable too, rated for 30-50 years, but it needs repainting every 10-15 years at a cost of $3,000-$7,000 for an average home, and the caulking at joints needs periodic resealing to keep water out.

Water intrusion is the real risk with both if installation is sloppy. Fiber-cement that isn't properly flashed at windows and butt joints lets moisture behind the board, which rots sheathing before you ever see a stain on the surface. The same logic applies to brick veneer: missing or clogged weep holes trap moisture against the wall. If you're already watching for water problems elsewhere in the house, the checklist in 6 downspout mistakes that send water into your basement is worth a look, since bad grading and gutter runoff stress both siding types the same way.

| Factor | Brick Veneer | Fiber-Cement | |---|---|---| | Installed cost per sq ft | $9-$16 | $6-$12 | | Lifespan | 100+ years | 30-50 years | | Maintenance cycle | Repoint every 25-30 yrs | Repaint every 10-15 yrs | | Resale value recouped | ~50-55% | ~80-88% |

Which one adds more resale value?

Fiber-cement adds more resale value per dollar spent, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, which tracks siding replacement ROI at 80-88% nationally. Brick veneer's ROI runs lower, typically 50-55%, because buyers don't always distinguish between full brick construction and a brick veneer skin, and appraisers weight it closer to a standard siding upgrade rather than a premium masonry feature.

This gap surprises a lot of owners who assume brick automatically signals higher quality. It does read as more upscale to some buyers, especially in markets where brick homes are the local norm, but the national resale data consistently favors fiber-cement because it's cheaper to install and buyers associate it with low upkeep, which is what most people are actually shopping for. If your goal is maximizing sale price in the next 5-10 years, fiber-cement is the financially stronger move even though it feels like the "lesser" material.

Which one fits your specific situation?

The right choice depends on how long you plan to own the home and what your local buyers expect. If you're in a market where brick exteriors are standard, like parts of the Mid-Atlantic or the South, skipping brick can actually hurt your resale comps even if the national ROI numbers favor fiber-cement. Conversely, if you're planning to sell within 5 years and your neighborhood is a mix of siding types, fiber-cement's lower cost and strong ROI make it the safer bet.

Climate matters too. In freeze-thaw climates, brick veneer needs proper flashing and weep hole maintenance or it traps water that expands and cracks mortar joints over winter. Fiber-cement handles freeze-thaw cycles well since it's engineered to resist moisture absorption, but it's more vulnerable to impact damage from hail or debris, which can crack the board and require patch replacement.

FAQ

Is brick veneer real brick or something cheaper?

Brick veneer is a single layer of real brick, roughly 3-4 inches thick, attached to a wood-framed wall rather than being load-bearing. It looks identical to full masonry from the outside but costs less and installs faster since it's not structural.

Does fiber-cement siding need to be repainted?

Yes, most fiber-cement siding needs repainting every 10-15 years, costing $3,000-$7,000 for an average home. Pre-finished or color-through products can extend that to 15-20 years before a repaint is needed.

Can you mix brick veneer and fiber-cement on the same house?

Yes, this is common on gable ends, accent walls, or lower facades where brick adds curb appeal at entry points while fiber-cement covers the rest of the exterior at lower cost. It's a popular way to get brick's visual impact without the full-house price tag.

Which option is better for hail-prone areas?

Brick veneer holds up better against hail impact since fired clay resists denting and cracking far better than fiber-cement boards. Fiber-cement can crack or chip under large hailstones, requiring section replacement, while brick typically only needs occasional mortar repair.

How much does it cost to switch from vinyl to fiber-cement or brick veneer?

Removing old vinyl siding and installing fiber-cement runs $12,000-$24,000 for a typical 2,000 square foot home, while switching to brick veneer runs $18,000-$32,000, including demolition and disposal of the old material. Get quotes that separate removal cost from installation cost, since tear-off pricing varies a lot by region.

This is educational information, not financial or construction advice. Get quotes from licensed siding contractors and check with a local real estate agent about what buyers in your specific market actually pay more for.