Construction glossary · Envelope and finishes

What is veneerin construction?

Veneer is a non-structural exterior cladding skin, typically brick or stone, anchored to a structural backup wall rather than carrying load. In estimating you take it off as square feet of wall face, then add the linear-foot edge work (lintels, sills, flashing) and the accessory counts. It is one of the opaque systems that make up a facade.

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Updated August 2026 · Reviewed by the Ruh construction team

Brick thickness 3-5/8 in nominalAir space 1 in minBrick ties 1 per 2.67 sfLoad Non-structural skin

Brick veneer wall section

The definition

Veneer, explained.

Veneer is a single-wythe cladding of brick, stone, or thin masonry tied back to a backup wall (CMU, stud, or concrete) with no structural role of its own. The veneer carries its own weight to a shelf angle or foundation but transfers lateral load to the backup through wall ties. For takeoff the controlling quantity is square feet of veneer face, but veneer never prices on area alone: it drags along linear-foot scope at every edge and opening (lintels, shelf angles, sills, copings) plus a per-each count of weeps, vents, and control-joint terminations. Behind the veneer sits the air space, drainage plane, through-wall flashing, and air and water barrier, all of which the estimator must keep in the same assembly so they are not double-counted under another trade. Brick is usually priced per square foot of wall installed; stone may price per square foot of cut stone plus setting. Mortar, ties, reinforcing, and cleaning ride with the unit or as separate lines depending on the price book.

How it is measured

Veneer is measured in square feet of net wall face from the exterior elevations, after deducting window and door openings from the schedules. Trace each veneer region on the elevation, multiply by its height from the wall sections, and subtract openings. Then measure the edge conditions in linear feet: lintels and shelf angles over openings, base and coping runs, and control joints. Count accessories per each from the wall section details: weep holes and vents along the base and over flashing, plus reinforcing where called. Confirm the air space, flashing, and barrier are captured in the same wall assembly so adjacent trades do not double-count them.

Worked example

A worked veneer example.

Worked example

Say a single elevation has 2,400 sf of net brick veneer at an installed rate of 6.75 per sf (illustrative, US market). Field cost of the brick face is 2,400 x 6.75 = 16,200. Over the openings and at the shelf angle you measure 180 lf of lintel and edge work at 9.00 per lf, adding 180 x 9 = 1,620. The base and through-wall flashing call for weeps and vents; you count 90 vents at 2.50 each, adding 90 x 2.50 = 225. Veneer subtotal for the elevation is 16,200 + 1,620 + 225 = 18,045. Note the per-sf face price (6.75) covers brick, mortar, and ties per the price book, while the lintels and vents are separate because they vary with opening count, not wall area. The estimator confirms the opening deductions match the window schedule before locking the 2,400 sf.

How Ruh handles it

How Ruh handles veneer.

Ruh reads the elevations and wall sections, traces each veneer region, nets the openings against the window and door schedules, and returns square feet of veneer face plus the linear-foot edge work (lintels, copings, control joints) and per-each accessory counts (weeps, vents). It prices the face and the accessories on the contractor's own brick or stone price book. The estimator checks the opening deductions and accessory counts and signs off.

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Veneer: frequently asked questions

Does veneer price per square foot or per brick?+

Estimate it per square foot of installed wall face. The price book unit already accounts for brick count, mortar, and ties at the assumed coursing, so you take off area, not individual bricks.

What gets added on top of the veneer square footage?+

The linear-foot edge work (lintels, shelf angles, sills, copings, control joints) and per-each accessories (weeps and vents). These scale with openings and edges, not wall area, so they are separate lines.

Is the flashing behind veneer part of the veneer line?+

Through-wall flashing and the air and water barrier live in the same wall assembly. Keep them with the veneer scope so they are counted once and not picked up again by another trade.

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Figures on this page are illustrative. Construction estimates depend on project-specific conditions, source documents, market pricing, and professional judgment. Ruh's AI assists the estimator and does not replace professional review: your team reviews, validates, and approves every estimate, bid, and pricing decision.

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What is veneerin construction?

Veneer, explained.

A worked veneer example.

Worked example

How Ruh handles veneer.

Veneer: frequently asked questions

Related terms

Knowing what veneer means is the easy half.

Try Ruh on a bid you are pricing now.

Put your next takeoff on Ruh.