If you are thinking about installing beautiful brick veneer panels or other features in your home’s interior or exterior, you are not alone. This type of veneer takes thin slices of actual bricks and gives them to you in a lightweight, usable and stylish format. Because they are thinner and lighter, they are also more affordable than working with actual bricks. However, they have the same rustic look as bricks. They can be used for everything from siding and faux walls to decorating the fireplace and more. If you are preparing to get started with the installation of a new veneer feature, you may be wondering if you can install this material on any underlying surface. Essentially, you can, but you do need to prepare the surface to accept the material.

Applying a Traditional Layer of Mortar

The most important step to preparing your surface to accept the material is to ensure that the material is smooth, flat and clean. There are a wide range of mortar products to choose from, but do-it-yourself homeowners who want to enjoy a fast and easy installation process may consider looking for a fast-drying mortar that is easy to mix and work with. There are many mortar products available on the market today, and each has its own mixing and usage instructions. By taking time to learn more about the best type of mortar to use with the installation process, you can enjoy faster, easier results.

Using a Cement Backer Board

Another common step that many homeowners take is to use a cement backer board. This is also a step that many professionals use as well, as it gives the mortar a better surface to bond to. You simply tack on the cement backer board as a first step, and you apply the mortar directly to it. Just as the type of mortar that you selected with the traditional installation process matters, it also is important when working with a cement backer board. You should still take time to find a fast-drying mortar to work with as this will yield the best overall results and will require less time and effort to complete the project.

Brick veneer and its associated mortar can be applied to drywall, exterior grade plywood, concrete and many other common surfaces found in residential areas. However, the technique that you use to install it as well as the type of mortar used will make a big different in the overall process, installation time, end result and longevity of your feature. With this in mind, take time to thoroughly research and compare all of the mortar options carefully so that you can better plan for the installation of your veneer.