Converted to Brick
I have recently refaced the exterior of my home from vinyl siding to brick, my first question is will an apprasier comp my house to a frame vinyl house or a brick house? currently brick homes in my nabe hold more value than vinyl, also do I have to report this change in appearance to…
I have recently refaced the exterior of my home from vinyl siding to brick, my first question is will an apprasier comp my house to a frame vinyl house or a brick house? currently brick homes in my nabe hold more value than vinyl, also do I have to report this change in appearance to the city?
Correct – The structure of the vertical side and end walls determines whether a rowhouse/brownstone is considered a “frame” or a “brick” house. The joists are typically wood in both cases. The side and end walls of a “brick” house are at least 2 courses wide of brick with no wood. Many frame rowhouses have lower stories that are stone or brick. For instance I am working on a job now that has solid stone side and end walls in the cellar, 2 wythe brick side and end walls in the basement and 3 levels of wood frame on top of that.
Many frame houses have brick “nogging” that fills the spaces between the wooden studs. This was done both for fire protection and the nogging has some nominal insulting value also.
That’s correct Bob. The Anonymous poster’s comments are misleading. It is correct that the floors and roof are made of wood, not stone or brick, but brownstones have stone walls, or brick and stone walls (sometimes a brownstone facade over brick).
“Repeat, all brownstones are woodframe. The walls may be made of brick but the the joists, and the framing (beams, posts etc) are all wood.”
Not really. Of course the joists are wood, but they fit into pockets in the brick side walls which support them. In a frame house the joists are supported by a wood framework which is why it’s called a FRAME house.
My house is fully attached and each side is brick, it was only the front of the house that was wood frame – I converted to brick because I think it looks more attractive and is stronger than vinyl siding, additionaly I think it adds more aestetic and market value to the property.
p.s. Most wood frame houses also have brick behind the walls, but the brick is sitting on the framing rather than in front of it.
Repeat, all brownstones are woodframe. The walls may be made of brick but the the joists, and the framing (beams, posts etc) are all wood. In almost all of these houses the front and rear walls (even brick ones) could be knocked down and the rest of the house would remain standing. Those walls aren’t load bearing. Termites will enjoy eating the joists of a “brick house” as much as they’ll enjoy eating those in a “wood frame”. The brick is a better fire barrier though, so brick houses are someaht safer than wood frame. That said, these houses are all very flamable.
It still countas a frame house but a brick fascia ads more value to the propertie.if you ad brick to the side orside of the house then it will count as a brick house.
Believe me
Remove wall – if there are bricks behind it – you have a brick house.
how can you find out if a house is truly a brick or just wood frame?