Steel Siding vs. Brick: A Guide to Long-Lasting Exteriors

Choosing the right siding material is more than an aesthetic preference. You need an exterior that aligns with your priorities, climate, and the realities of long-term homeownership. With so many siding options available, homeowners are increasingly weighing traditional materials against modern alternatives that promise better efficiency, easier installation, and fewer long-term concerns.

Steel siding vs. brick siding represents two very different approaches to exterior design and performance. Learn how these materials stack up to help you determine which option offers the best balance of performance, practicality, and value for your home.

The Characteristics and Benefits of Steel Siding

Steel siding is made from galvanized or coated steel panels designed to protect a home while enhancing its appearance. Unlike materials such as wood or vinyl siding, steel is a metal siding engineered for durability, unmatched longevity, and low maintenance. 

Steel siding is manufactured from high-strength steel that’s treated with protective coatings to prevent rust, corrosion, and fading. These coatings help steel siding withstand moisture, UV exposure, pests, and temperature fluctuations far better than many other types of siding options. As a result, it maintains its appearance and structural integrity for decades with minimal upkeep, often lasting 40–70 years or more.

One of the biggest advantages of steel siding is its durability. It’s resistant to fire, insects, rot, and impact damage, making it a strong choice for homeowners who want long-term protection. Steel siding also holds up well against high winds, heavy rain, snow, and hail, which can be a major benefit in harsh climates. Because it doesn’t absorb moisture, it won’t warp, crack, or swell.

Steel siding is also known for its low maintenance requirements. Unlike wood, it doesn’t need to be repainted, sealed, or treated regularly. Occasional cleaning with water is enough to keep it looking fresh.

Modern steel siding offers a wide range of architectural styles, textures, and finishes, going far beyond industrial-looking panels and boasting more versatility than other siding materials. Steel siding can mimic the appearance of lap siding, board and batten, or log style exteriors without the ongoing maintenance of natural wood siding.

The Characteristics and Benefits of Brick

Long associated with classic architecture and historic homes, brick is valued for its timeless appearance, aesthetic appeal, solid construction, and long-standing reputation for durability. The material itself is made by shaping natural clay and shale, then firing it in a kiln at high temperatures. This process creates dense, rigid units that are stacked and bonded together with mortar to form a continuous exterior surface. 

This material can be used to build a solid brick home or for brick siding (often referred to as brick veneer). Solid brick masonry is made up of two or more brick layers, or wythes, and provides structural support for a home. It needs to be professionally installed during the home’s construction process.

Brick veneer, however, is only made up of one wythe and is not meant as structural support. It sits in front of a home’s framing and is connected to it using meta ties. Brick veneer can be added to a home during any renovation project, just like other siding materials. It comes in a variety of thicknesses and material mixes. While solid brick homes are made of full-sized bricks, a brick veneer cladding can be made with thin brick or even synthetic brick.

Depending on the type of brick exterior,  the material’s weight and rigidity can require a strong foundation and skilled installation, which can add to overall construction time and cost.

When properly installed and maintained, brick siding can last up to 100 years, depending on the material used. Brick veneer may not last as long as solid brick masonry. It’s also non-combustible with fire-resistant properties and offers some sound-dampening benefits due to its density. Brick is also resistant to insects and won’t rot like wood.

While a brick exterior is highly durable, it is not maintenance-free. Mortar joints can crack or deteriorate, requiring repointing. Brick is a porous material that absorbs moisture, which may lead to efflorescence, staining, or freeze-thaw damage in colder climates.

Brick siding is available in a range of colors, textures, and patterns, such as running bond or herringbone layouts. These design options are relatively fixed once installed, whereas steel siding offers greater flexibility, with styles that can replicate wood or other materials, at a lower weight and with faster installation.

Steel Siding vs. Brick Siding: Comparing the Pros and Cons 

When choosing between steel siding and brick siding, the differences go far beyond appearance. While brick has long been considered a traditional, premium option, modern steel siding offers performance advantages that are hard to ignore. (Note: When we refer to brick siding in this section, we’re referring to brick veneer.)

Cost

On average, the cost of brick siding is $6–$15 per square foot. Labor costs have a big impact on the overall project because brick installation requires skilled masons and may need additional structural support or more time on-site. Long-term expenses such as mortar repairs, tuckpointing, and potential moisture-related issues are additional cost factors to consider.

Steel siding has better affordability than brick, with an average installation cost per square foot of $4.25–$8.50. Steel also has fewer future expenses — no repointing, sealing, or repainting. This siding option is more predictable and cost-effective.

Insulation

Brick has an R-value of 0.44-0.80, which offers some thermal mass, meaning it can absorb and slowly release heat, but brick itself is not a strong insulator. The material relies on additional insulation behind the wall system to improve energy efficiency. When using brick veneer, insulation can be added in the space between the framing and the siding.

While steel siding doesn’t provide insulation on its own, it pairs exceptionally well with modern insulated wall assemblies, with an R-value of 4. Steel siding systems are installed over continuous insulation, helping reduce thermal bridging and providing more consistent insulation performance than masonry walls with mortar gaps.

Maintenance

Brick siding is considered low-maintenance because it doesn’t require repainting like other siding materials, such as wood siding. But it’s not a completely maintenance-free siding option. Mortar joints can crack, erode, or absorb moisture, requiring repairs. Brick can also stain, develop efflorescence, or suffer freeze-thaw damage in colder climates.

Steel siding requires minimal upkeep. The material doesn’t crack, rot, or absorb moisture, and it’s resistant to insects and mold. Steel is an ideal option for homeowners who want long-term performance without ongoing maintenance because the material only requires occasional cleaning.

Installation Time

Brick siding is one of the most time-intensive exterior materials to install. Each brick must be individually laid and mortared, and weather conditions can significantly slow progress. Brick siding installation can take 2–3 weeks, on average, but could be up to a month depending on the size of the home.

The installation process for steel siding is much faster, usually within 2–4 days, depending on the size of the home. Lightweight panels are designed for efficient installation and don’t require specialized masonry labor. TruLog steel siding, in particular, is engineered to be easier to handle and quicker to install.

Durability

Brick siding can last 70-100 years, but its durability largely depends on the condition of the mortar joints. Mortar is prone to cracking, erosion, and moisture absorption. Once water penetrates the system, it can lead to staining and costly repairs, even if the bricks remain intact. Brick’s rigidity can cause natural settling or foundation movement, leading to visible cracks that compromise appearance and weather resistance.

Steel siding is engineered to avoid many of the issues of brick siding. It doesn’t absorb moisture, so it’s not susceptible to freeze-thaw damage, efflorescence, or mold growth. High-quality steel siding is coated to resist rust, fading, and UV damage, allowing it to maintain its appearance and performance in harsh climates. Steel panels can also flex slightly with temperature changes, reducing the risk of cracking.

The lifespan of steel siding is 40–70 years or more with minimal maintenance. It resists fire, pests, high winds, and impact damage, offering consistent protection without the weak points found in masonry systems. 

Steel Siding Wins Out As a Durable Home Siding Option

Steel siding is a standout siding product, balancing long-term performance with easier installation. Whether for a new build or home renovation, steel delivers the strength homeowners want without the weight or complexity of traditional siding materials. 

Download our steel siding catalog to explore available profiles, finishes, and design options, and see how durable steel siding can elevate your home’s curb appeal.