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Reliable, professional brick veneers in Minneapolis, MN from Legendary Masonry Minneapolis. Contact us today for a free on-site estimate.
Legendary Masonry Minneapolis provides professional brick veneers throughout Minneapolis, MN, Minnesota and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call 612-502-3219 or request your free quote.
Brick veneer that fits Minneapolis homes and winters
Brick veneers give you the look and durability of brick without rebuilding your walls. In Minneapolis, that only works if the installation is planned around our freeze–thaw cycles, heavy snow, and big temperature swings. Legendary Masonry Minneapolis focuses on brick veneer systems that hold up on 1920s bungalows in Nokomis, post-war Ramblers in Robbinsdale, and newer infill builds in Northeast.
We start by looking at your existing structure: framing type, sheathing condition, insulation, and any existing siding. Many older Minneapolis homes have mixed upgrades over time, so we expect to uncover things like patched sheathing, missing housewrap, or poorly flashed windows. Your quote is built around what we actually find, not an assumption that everything is perfect behind the siding.
We use brick veneers in three main ways: full-height veneers over framed walls, accent sections like front gables or garage fronts, and interior feature walls on brick or framed substrates. Each one has different structural and moisture requirements. During the site visit, we clarify which areas are realistic for brick veneers and which might be better served with another material so you do not pay for something that will cause problems later.
How our brick veneer installation process works
Real brick veneers are not just glued to the wall. A proper installation in Minneapolis starts with a weather-resistive barrier, drainage space, and a stable base.
1) Site prep and removal: We remove existing siding or finishes where the veneer will go, then inspect the sheathing and framing. Any rot, mold, or soft OSB is cut out and replaced. We verify that the wall can support the added weight and that there is a clear path for water to drain at the bottom.
2) Weather barrier and flashing: We install or repair housewrap or other code-approved weather barrier, then add metal flashing at the base of the wall, above openings, and at roof-to-wall intersections. In Minneapolis, ice dams can back water into the veneer, so we run flashing and self-adhered membrane higher than the bare minimum around eaves and low-slope roofs.
3) Drainage gap and lath (if needed): For framed walls we create a 1 inch air gap using furring or a rainscreen mat, so any water behind the veneer can drop to the weep holes. For adhered thin brick applications we fasten metal lath and scratch coat where the structure allows, and we explain when each system is appropriate.
4) Brick veneer layout: We dry lay sample courses to set bond pattern, joint width, and alignment with window heads, sills, and existing masonry. On many Minneapolis houses window heights are uneven from previous remodels, so we adjust brick courses to avoid awkward small cuts above openings.
5) Setting the brick veneers: For anchored veneers we build from a brick ledge or steel angle. For adhered thin brick we use polymer-modified mortar designed for freeze–thaw durability. We set each piece with consistent joints, checking level and plumb as we go, and we tie anchored veneers back to the structure with corrosion-resistant wall ties at proper spacing.
6) Tooling joints and cleanup: After the mortar sets to the right stiffness, we tool joints for the profile you choose and brush the face to remove smears. We then wash the veneer carefully without saturating the wall, to avoid driving water behind fresh mortar.
7) Final details: We install weep vents, sealant at sensitive transitions, and custom metal caps or sills where needed. Before we leave, we walk you through joint curing time, when to power wash (if at all), and how to avoid salt damage in winter.
Brick veneer styles, patterns, and materials that work here
Minneapolis has a lot of existing brick, from early 1900s cream and red brick to darker 1960s modular units. Legendary Masonry Minneapolis helps you pick brick veneers that do not clash with the neighborhood or your existing masonry.
Color and finish: We source clay brick veneers in classic reds, warm earth tones, charcoal mixes, and modern whites. For older South Minneapolis homes, clients often choose tumbled or reclaimed-look bricks that blend with original chimneys and foundations. For contemporary builds in areas like North Loop or Uptown, smoother, linear veneers or darker ironspot finishes are common.
Size and pattern: Standard modular sizes work for most projects, but we also install thin brick slips, utility sizes, and Norman sizes. Patterns include running bond, stacked bond for modern interiors, and occasional soldier courses above openings or at the base for visual breaks. On narrow front facades, we lay out patterns to minimize awkward cuts at corners or around porch columns.
Mortar joints: Joint color and shape change the whole look. We discuss buff, gray, and tinted mortars, along with joint profiles like concave, flush, or raked. In our climate, we usually recommend tooled concave or V joints for exterior brick veneers because they shed water better and are less prone to freeze damage than deeply raked joints.
Complementary materials: We coordinate with existing vinyl, fiber cement, or stucco so your brick veneer looks intentional, not tacked on. That might mean running veneer only on the lower third of the wall, wrapping porch piers, or tying into a masonry entry. We show you photos from actual Minneapolis projects with similar rooflines and lot sizes so you can see how proportions will feel on your house.
What affects the cost of brick veneers in Minneapolis
Brick veneer installation costs are driven by more than square footage. For a realistic budget, Legendary Masonry Minneapolis walks through these key factors with you before any contract is signed.
Wall condition and prep: If your sheathing is solid and flat, labor is lower. If we find rot behind old wood or hardboard siding, especially on the north and east sides where snow lingers, we have to repair that first. Uneven foundations or bowed walls add time because we must true the surface so the veneer does not show waves.
Type of veneer system: Anchored full brick veneers (with a brick ledge or angle iron) cost more in labor and materials than adhered thin brick systems. However, thin brick cannot always be used at grade or on certain substrates. We compare both, explain the tradeoffs in longevity and structural requirements, and do not sell you the pricier option just by default.
Height, access, and complexity: Two-story fronts in neighborhoods with tight lot lines, like parts of Longfellow or Powderhorn, require more staging and protection for neighboring properties. Gables, bump-outs, deep porches, and numerous window openings increase cutting and layout time. A simple flat wall on a Rambler is cheaper per square foot than a detailed front elevation with multiple returns.
Brick and mortar selection: Specialty brick veneers, reclaimed-look units, or custom-blended colors cost more per unit and may have longer lead times. Colored mortars and special joint treatments also affect the total. We always present at least one option that fits a modest budget without sacrificing basic quality.
Weather timing: In Minnesota, winter work often requires heated enclosures and cold-weather admixtures so mortar cures correctly. That additional setup and fuel raises cost compared with a summer installation. We are upfront about whether it is better to wait for a warmer window or proceed with cold-weather methods and the budget impact of each choice.
Local moisture, freeze, and structural issues we design around
Brick veneers in Minneapolis fail most often because of water and movement, not because the brick itself is weak. Legendary Masonry Minneapolis designs every veneer to handle our specific conditions from Lake Harriet winds to alley snow piles.
Freeze–thaw cycles: Water that gets behind a veneer and freezes will push mortar and brick faces off over time. We deal with this by ensuring a real drainage plane, not just plastic wrap behind the bricks. That includes correctly lapped flashing, open weep paths, and avoiding joint profiles that trap water. For areas exposed to splash from low roofs or driveways, we may recommend more durable brick units and slightly wider drip edges.
Snow and ice at grade: In Minneapolis, snow often piles against lower walls for months. Brick veneers that run too low, or that are installed without proper flashing at the base, can soak up that moisture. We set finish grades, base flashing, and the first course of veneer with this in mind, and we discuss using stone or concrete at the very bottom when needed.
Structural movement: Many older Minneapolis homes have settled a bit over the decades. If we see stair-step cracks in existing masonry or uneven floors, we consider how a stiff veneer will react to that. We may include control joints, flexible sealant transitions, or additional ties so movement in the framing is less likely to crack the new veneer.
Integration with existing brick: If you already have a brick foundation or chimney, tying new brick veneers into them cleanly is critical. We match bond patterns where possible, adjust coursing to align, and use appropriate sealants or toothed transitions so water does not follow a crack line at the joint between old and new work.
Working with Legendary Masonry Minneapolis on your project
Our approach to brick veneer installation is straightforward. We inspect, we explain, then we install. During your initial appointment, we measure all proposed veneer areas, look for hidden issues, and listen to how you want the house to look. You receive a written proposal that breaks out materials, prep work, and labor so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
Scheduling in Minneapolis has to account for weather. We plan brick veneer work around realistic temperature windows for mortar curing. If your project falls in shoulder seasons, we talk about how short cold snaps will be handled, whether we will tarp and heat, and how that affects timing. You know before we start how many days the crew will be on site and what hours to expect noise.
During installation, we keep the site as tidy as the work allows. Brick cutting creates dust, so we set up cutting stations to reduce spread and protect nearby vehicles and neighboring homes, which is especially important on narrower city lots. We protect landscaping, decks, and walks with coverings, and we do not leave piles of broken brick or mortar bags scattered around.
When the brick veneers are complete, we walk the job with you, noting any touch-ups before we consider it finished. You get basic care instructions specific to our climate, including what products to avoid when cleaning and when to call us if you notice certain changes in the veneer or joints. Legendary Masonry Minneapolis stands behind its brick veneer installations, and we are available for future maintenance, tuckpointing, or additions if you decide to extend the veneer to other parts of your property later.
