Tyvek or builders felt:
Tyvek is a durable, synthetic material made of high-density polyethylene fibers.
Tyvek is as a protective barrier against water, dirt, dust, and other debris. It is installed prior to brick, stone or block installation as a house or building wrap. Tyvek is a protective layer applied to the exterior of buildings to protect them from moisture and air infiltration.
Tyvek is completely waterproof and lasts 100+ years.
It is highly recommended that Tyvek be used other than the competitor builders felt due to its increased strength, durability, and life expectancy.
3/8” Rigid Foam Insulation
Installing rigid foam insulation pads to the exterior of your home prior to brick installation is optional and is not necessary. Insulation is always installed between your interior frameworks, prior to vapor barrier and drywall installation. Installing additional insulation is to help improve the home or buildings R value and energy efficiency by lower heating and cooling costs. Homes or buildings that do not have this additional installation will not violate any codes. Again, this is optional and solely the choice of the developer or property owner.
Flashing or Starter Strip (Membrane)
Flashing or more commonly, starter strip (membrane), is installed prior to building your brick, block, or stone wall. It should be installed 4” above the base of the wall and be laid underneath the brick, block, or stone material (the first row of brick, block, or stone material above your foundation). The starter strip membrane is attached to the Tyvek wrapping and all joints are taped and sealed to ensure no moisture entry. The starter strip membrane plays an important role by allowing moisture or condensation build up to be released through the created weeping holes at the bottom course of your brick, block, or stone wall.
Weeping holes are extremely important. Without weeping holes, moisture and condensation cannot be released, causing a vast number of future problems to your homes structure.
Mortar Net
The Mortar net is installed prior to brick installation. The purpose of the mortar net is to catch all mortar that has fell behind your wall during the installation of the brick, block, or stone. The mortar net ensures that all fallen mortar will not clog or cause a drain blockage by filling the hundreds of weeping holes created that allow moisture or condensation build-up to be properly released. The mortar net allows clear pathways for moisture or condensation to flow through the weeping holes.
Brick anchors (brick ties)
Brick anchors are metal fasteners that are attached from the brick, stone, or block to the structural frame of your home or building. Brick anchors ensure a strong and stable connection between the brick, block or stone and the structural frame. Brick anchors increase the durability against winds or forces that could potentially cause your masonry structure or fail or even worse collapse.
Without brick anchors, your masonry structure would be insecure, unstable and unsafe.