Commercial Brick Veneer Systems in Allentown, PA

We install commercial brick veneer systems in Allentown, PA that combine performance, aesthetics, and constructability for modern buildings. Our team works with engineered wall assemblies, insulation, and anchoring systems to create durable, attractive brick facades that meet code and design requirements.

Legendary Masonry Allentown provides professional commercial brick veneer throughout Allentown, PA, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call 484-284-5120 or request your free quote.

Commercial Brick Veneer Systems for Allentown Businesses

Legendary Masonry Allentown designs and installs commercial brick veneer systems that give your building the look and durability of full brick without the structural weight or extended construction time. We focus specifically on the needs of commercial properties in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley, including retail centers, office buildings, medical facilities, schools, multi family buildings, and light industrial structures.

A commercial brick veneer is a non load bearing brick facing that ties back to a structural backup wall of concrete, block, or framed construction. Done correctly, it provides a long lasting exterior skin that handles Pennsylvania freeze thaw cycles, wind, and heavy rain while protecting the structure behind it. Our job is to engineer that skin so it is attractive, drains water properly, resists cracking, and stands up to daily use in a commercial setting.

We do not treat veneer as simple “brick on a wall.” Every project begins with understanding your building type, traffic patterns, exposure to road salts and snow plows, and how the facade will meet sidewalks, storefront glass, and loading docks. That upfront planning is what keeps commercial veneers from failing prematurely.

How We Design a Commercial Brick Veneer System

A successful commercial brick veneer project in Allentown starts on paper, not on the scaffold. Legendary Masonry Allentown works from your architectural drawings when available, or we create a veneer plan that fits your existing building. We assess your structural backup wall, whether it is steel stud with sheathing, concrete block, tilt up concrete, or existing masonry.

We then select the appropriate veneer system type and anchoring method. For framed walls, we typically use engineered adjustable anchors that allow for minor movement and alignment adjustments, which is critical with Allentown’s temperature swings between January and July. For block or concrete backup, we often install embedded anchors or drilled in anchors with stainless or hot dipped galvanized hardware depending on exposure.

Our team plans movement joints and shelf angles around floor lines, window heads, and long wall runs, so the veneer can move slightly without cracking. We coordinate with your structural engineer to position shelf angles at appropriate elevations and to provide adequate support for the veneer’s dead load. Every design decision, down to joint spacing and anchor layout, is documented so installation in the field is predictable and inspectable.

Installation Process Step by Step

On site work begins with substrate preparation. We verify that the backup wall is plumb, structurally sound, and properly sheathed or parged where required. Any air and moisture barrier components installed by others are inspected at penetrations, corners, and transitions. If we are responsible for that layer, we apply compatible fluid applied or sheet membranes that match the veneer system design.

Next, Legendary Masonry Allentown installs brick ties or anchors at the engineered spacing, paying special attention to corners, around openings, and at shelf angle transitions. We coordinate anchor placement with insulation and furring systems so that the thermal performance of the wall is preserved.

Brick laying starts at control points and corners using layout lines and story poles to maintain consistent coursing across long elevations. We keep a strict 1 inch nominal air space behind the brick (or the specified cavity width) and use proper weep systems and cavity drainage mats at the base of the wall and above window and door openings. Mortar joints are tooled at the correct time for a tight bond that sheds water instead of absorbing it.

Throughout installation, we monitor alignment, plumb, and coursing with laser levels and frequent quality checks. We clean the brickwork progressively with manufacturer approved methods so there is no heavy acid wash that might damage or etch the veneer later.

Material and Design Options for Commercial Brick Veneers

Commercial properties in Allentown often need more than a single color flat wall. Legendary Masonry Allentown helps owners and designers choose brick and detailing that fit the brand and budget while staying practical for local conditions.

Brick units can be modular, utility, or engineer size, and we help you understand how those choices affect cost and layout. Larger units reduce labor but may change the look. We source from regional brick manufacturers to control lead times and to ensure color consistency across large runs.

We can incorporate accent bands, soldier courses, projected brick, and contrasting colors around entries to add depth without overly complicated detailing that tends to trap water. For retail and office projects, we often blend brick veneer at upper stories with cast stone or burnished block at ground level where impact resistance and easy cleaning are more important.

Mortar color and joint profile are discussed early, since they significantly change the appearance of the wall. In high traffic or snow exposed areas, we frequently recommend slightly recessed or concave joints that shed water more effectively than flush joints and reduce staining from deicing salts used on Allentown sidewalks and parking lots.

Cost Drivers and How to Control Your Budget

Commercial brick veneer pricing in Allentown is shaped by several predictable factors. Wall height and accessibility are major cost drivers. A three story office elevation with straightforward scaffold access will price differently than a tight downtown infill site that requires swing stages or lifts.

Brick selection is another key variable. Imported or highly customized brick blends cost more per unit and may require overage for color sorting. Using a standard regional brick specified in modular sizes typically keeps both material and labor costs more manageable. Legendary Masonry Allentown can suggest alternates that preserve the design intent while reducing cost.

Complex detailing, such as deep recesses, multiple shelf angles, heavy relief patterns, and numerous window penetrations, also adds time and coordination. We often help redesign details to achieve the same visual result with fewer transitions and simpler flashing geometry, which lowers both initial cost and long term risk.

Timing affects cost too. Spring through late fall is the prime season in Allentown for brick veneer work because mortar and grout can be mixed and cured without extensive cold weather protection. Winter work remains possible but may require heated enclosures, special admixtures, and additional inspections that increase the budget. Planning early and reserving schedule in the warmer months is one of the easiest ways to control cost.

Moisture Management, Freeze Thaw, and Common Problems

Commercial brick veneer systems fail when water is not controlled. Our climate in the Lehigh Valley brings frequent freeze thaw cycles, wind driven rain, and snow that sits against lower walls and columns. Legendary Masonry Allentown focuses heavily on drainage and movement to prevent issues that we frequently see on older buildings.

Common problems include efflorescence from trapped moisture, cracking around windows and control joints, displaced brick from corrosion of poor quality anchors, and water infiltration at shelf angles or parapets. We address these by using proper stainless or hot dipped galvanized anchorage, well designed flashing at all horizontal transitions, and breathable yet robust air and moisture barriers.

Weep systems, cavity drainage, and open head joints at relieving angles are installed where specified so water has an exit path. We also coordinate sealant joints at window perimeters and control joints so that different materials can expand and contract independently without tearing the veneer or caulking.

For clients renovating or adding onto existing structures, we inspect the current veneer or facade, identify weak points, and either design a compatible new veneer or recommend repairs. This prevents the new work from simply inheriting the same problems.

Why Allentown Businesses Choose Legendary Masonry Allentown

Commercial property owners and general contractors in Allentown select Legendary Masonry Allentown because we combine masonry craftsmanship with an understanding of commercial scheduling, safety, and inspection requirements. We are familiar with local code officials and typical review processes, which helps your project avoid delays caused by incomplete documentation or field changes.

Our crews are used to working around active businesses, occupied offices, and public sidewalks. We plan staging, debris management, and noise around your operations so tenants can remain open while work progresses. For projects at schools or healthcare facilities, we adjust work hours and access routes to meet security and cleanliness expectations.

From early budgeting and value engineering to punch list and final cleaning, your project manager has one point of contact with our team for all veneer related items. We provide submittals for brick, anchors, flashing, and mortars, along with mockups when required, so owners and designers can approve the exact look before we build at full scale.

If you are planning a new commercial building or recladding an existing property in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, or the broader Lehigh Valley, Legendary Masonry Allentown can help you develop a commercial brick veneer system that fits your architecture, your site, and your long term maintenance goals.