<Li> Because they are a lighter - weight, more economical option, brick and stone masonry veneers can be used in place of natural stone or full brick to provide added aesthetic appeal to a structure . </Li> <P> Because the masonry veneer is non-structural, it must be tied back to the building structure to prevent movement under wind and earthquake loads . Brick ties are used for this purpose, and may take the form of corrugated metal straps nailed or screwed to the structural framing, or as wire extensions to horizontal joint reinforcement in a fully masonry veneer or cavity wall . Although the veneer is vertically self - supporting, shelf angles are often used in multi-story buildings, typically at floor edges, to provide a horizontal expansion joint that allows expansion of the brick and potential shrinkage of the frame . In multi-story buildings, such a system may be called a curtain wall . Adhered masonry veneer is bonded to the backing so it does not typically need a shelf angle . </P> <P> Masonry veneers can be made of brick, concrete, natural stone or manufactured stone product . Typically, masonry refers to individual units that are placed in a mortar bed, making a distinction with panelized products . </P> <P> A variant on masonry veneer is the rain screen veneer . Rain screens are ventilated at the top and bottom of the cavity to prevent wind - driven rain from being driven into the building by unbalanced pressure . Such systems are typically encountered in areas where blowing rain is a significant concern . </P>

What is the difference between masonry and masonry veneer