Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 9/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Again Bruce:

I would like to wrap my home in a combination of brick and stone cladding. Currently my home is covered with vinyl strips. How would i proceed to build a support base for the brick and stone cladding. Total height of the cladding and brick facing would be 32 feet. I should be most grateful for your kind counsel.

With kind regards
Winston

ANSWER: Hi Winston, to support a wall of stone and brick that height will require a fairly substantial concrete footing probably two feet wide and two feet thick with reinforcing steel.  The top of footing should be 8-16" below grade.  The size of the footing should probably be determined by an engineer based on soil conditions and frost line requirements in your area.  Anyhow, once the footing is in place then I usually use concrete masonry units, cinderblocks, to bring the foundation up to grade before beginning by stone or brick veneer. I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this ot other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

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QUESTION: Hello Bruce ... many thanks for you rapid response ....i believe you are suggesting the construction of a solid concrete moat around the perimeter of the house. If this is correct, are YOU ALSO SUGGESTING THAT THE foundation base for supporting the brick or stone veneer should be at least two feet wide throughout the perimeter of the house ....and yes its veneer stone ...so are we still thinking two feet thickness to support the 30 feet of material ....Many many thanks ....can you provide a simple diagram to describe your technique .... Deeply grateful ..... Winston

Answer
Hi again Winston, if it is a veneer then you might not need any footing.  If your exsiting foundation has a four to six inch lip on it then you can use that.  A lot of the cultured veneers can be attached directly to the wall with mastic thus the wall structure bears the weight.  Then all is needed is to use wall ties to keep the veneer from falling away from the wall. Most cultured veneers come with recommended installation procedures that can be downloaded from the manufacturers website. I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this ot other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com