January 16, 2012 2:55 PM CST

New brick comparisons bust common myths on home exteriors

BIA compares pros and cons of top competitors

By Brick Industry Association

A new video and fact sheets comparing brick with other home exteriors debunks the common myths about genuine clay brick versus its competitors. With frank pros and cons on the latest in sustainability features, maintenance needs, costs, fire safety and more, the package stacks brick against the top alternatives -- vinyl siding, concrete masonry, manufactured stone, fiber cement siding and Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), otherwise known as synthetic stucco.

"Especially in this economy and housing market, it's necessary to offer a competitive picture of how clay brick stacks up to other exteriors in terms of its growing role in green building design, cost, durability, longevity, maintenance, lasting colors, enduring beauty and curb appeal," said Gregg Borchelt, P.E., FASTM, FCSI, BIA's president and CEO. "Glossy brochures with gorgeous photography and few facts aren't enough to offer a real narrative on brick," he said.

BIA's new booklets include:

• The Facts: Brick vs. Vinyl Siding
• The Facts: Brick vs. Fiber Cement Siding
• The Facts: Brick vs. Manufactured Stone
• The Facts: Brick vs. EIFS
• The Facts: Brick vs. Concrete Masonry Veneer

Eliminating technical jargon, content areas for each product include major myths, strengths and weaknesses in all areas (aesthetics, initial cost, design flexibility, installation, maintenance and repairs, water management, color fading, fire resistance, wind damage, moisture resistance, insect infestation, damage resistance, environmental concerns, insurance issues); physical properties and construction basics; cross-section diagrams; the differences between brick and each product; sustainability comparisons and product performance.

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About the Author

The Brick Industry Association (BIA) is the national trade association representing distributors and manufacturers of clay brick and suppliers of related products and services. Go to www.gobrick.com for more information.