Brickwork is everywhere across the New York area. Around since the early 1600s, the popular building material is commonly used not only because of its aesthetic appeal but also because of its practicality.

“Brick is the most beautiful surface, you should always try to maintain the integrity of natural bricks,” says Michael Hollander, a president at Montvale-based Rainbow Contractors, a firm that does work in New York and New Jersey.

Naturally weatherproof, bricks protect well against wind, fire, and a large amount of water damage. Sounds like a magical building material, right?

Well, not quite. What many co-op and condo associations don’t understand is that there is a fair share of maintenance that goes into brickwork. Brick walls are an investment and if taken care of appropriately can last beautifully for generations.

The Brick Basics

Not all bricks are created equal. Bricks come in a myriad of different shapes, styles and textures. “Everything building is different,” says Larry Attla of Urban D.C. Inc. in Brooklyn. “In the 1960s, you had the white glazed brick whereas a building built in the 1800s would have a hand-made common brick.”