Fake brick siding gives Montgomery homes the look of traditional masonry without the weight or foundation demands that older brick structures in the area often require. Many houses built from the 1960s onward in Montgomery neighborhoods use wood or vinyl substrates that can shift with Alabama's humidity cycles, so proper underlayment and ventilation become critical during installation. Homeowners frequently overlook how summer heat expansion affects panel seams, leading to gaps that allow moisture behind the facade over time.
Installation crews must account for the red clay soils common around Montgomery that expand and contract with rainfall, which can stress lower courses of siding if weep holes and drainage planes are not correctly placed. Fiber cement and insulated vinyl options both perform well here when fasteners are chosen to resist corrosion from the region's occasional high dew points. Skipping these details often results in callbacks within two seasons.
Code compliance in Montgomery County requires proper fire-rated sheathing behind certain fake brick products on commercial-adjacent residential properties. Experienced crews verify existing wall flatness before starting because many 1970s and 1980s homes in the area have settled unevenly, creating alignment challenges that generic instructions do not cover.
Technician insight
In Montgomery, the thing that catches most people out with fake brick siding is the red clay soil pushing against the foundation during heavy rains. Homeowners often skip adding extra drainage at the base course, and then panels start bowing within a couple of seasons because the ground never stays dry for long here.
Bowing Panels on North Side
A 1980s Montgomery home showed bowing fake brick panels along the north wall after several wet winters. We found the original install lacked a proper drainage plane and the clay soil had pushed moisture against the sheathing. We removed the lower three courses, added furring and weep holes, then reinstalled with corrected gaps. The siding now sheds water properly and the wall has stayed flat through the following summer.
How it works
- 1
Site Assessment
Measure walls, check substrate condition, and note drainage patterns around the Montgomery property.
- 2
Material Selection
Review product options suited to local heat, humidity, and soil movement with the homeowner.
- 3
Preparation and Underlayment
Install moisture barriers and furring strips to create proper airflow and drainage planes.
- 4
Panel Installation
Hang and fasten panels with expansion gaps, then seal transitions at windows and corners.
- 5
Final Inspection
Walk the completed work to confirm alignment, drainage function, and clean edges.
Pricing
Pricing varies by square footage, product type, and existing wall condition; upfront quotes provided after site visit.