Houses built with brick have been a staple of residential architecture for centuries, but as time has passed, they have become less and less prevalent. The shift away from brick homes began following World War II, as the mid-century consumer began to demand homes that were different from their urban counterparts. Additionally, new modern building codes no longer required homes to be built with brick, further driving down demand for both the material itself and the skilled masons needed to lay it. Here are some additional reasons why houses are not built with brick as much anymore:
Cost: Brick construction is generally more expensive than other types of building materials, such as wood or vinyl siding.
Maintenance: Brick requires regular maintenance to prevent cracking, discoloration, and other issues.
Energy efficiency: Brick homes can be less energy efficient than other types of homes due to their thermal mass, which can lead to higher heating and cooling costs.
Flexible designs: Newer building materials offer more design flexibility, allowing architects and builders to create a wider range of home styles and designs that may not be possible with brick.
Environmental concerns: The production of brick requires large amounts of energy and natural resources, leading to potential environmental issues.
While brick homes may still be desirable to some homeowners, the shift away from brick as a building material is likely to continue as newer, more cost-effective and energy-efficient materials continue to emerge.