From Brick to Austin Stone: A Texas Home’s Exterior Transformation You’ll Love!

Replacing Our Old Brick with Austin Stone: The Next Step in Our Remodel

You know those moments in remodeling when one project leads to another? That’s exactly what happened with our home. When we added our master bedroom wing, we finished it with Austin Stone, something I’d dreamed of for years.
Once the stone was up, we stood back, took a good look at the rest of the house, and said… “Well, we can’t stop now!”

That’s how this next phase began: removing the old brick from the original house and giving it the same beautiful Austin Stone exterior as the new addition. We already knew a full remodel of the original part of the house was in our future, so we decided to start from the outside and work our way in.

Saying Goodbye to the Old Brick

The original brick on our house wasn’t terrible; it was actually a good, hard-fired brick. But the problem was what we found behind it: hardly any brick ties. Those metal ties are what secure your brick to the framing of your home, and ours were almost nonexistent.

When we started removing the brick, we could literally pull off one section and watch it come tumbling down.  It’s a good reminder that even sturdy-looking materials can hide some surprises behind the surface.

Updating the Windows

We also replaced all the original single-pane windows with bronze aluminum thermo-pane windows that have an air gap. The old ones did little more than slow down the outdoor air from coming inside, and in Texas heat, that’s saying something!
The new windows not only look great, they make a big difference in comfort and energy efficiency.

Peeling Back to the Bones

Once the brick came off, we were looking at what builders in the past used for an exterior wall, gyprock with diagonal 1×6 bracing.

We removed that old exterior gyprock but left the original insulation in place for now. When we remodel the interior walls, we’ll replace that insulation with all new, more efficient materials.

Rebuilding the Exterior Layers

With the old materials gone, we started layering the new exterior from the inside out:

1. OSB Sheathing: This gives the wall structural strength and a solid surface to build on.
2. Tyvek Stucco Wrap: We applied this over the OSB to create a water-resistant barrier.
3. USG Durock: This cement board provides a stable, moisture-resistant surface for our stone installation.
4. Mortar, Stone, and Grout: Finally, the Austin Stone was applied, piece by piece, with careful attention to color mix, texture, and pattern.

We started at the back of the house, worked our way around the sides, and finally tied everything into the new master bedroom wing. 

It was exciting to see the old and new parts of the house blend seamlessly.

Custom Touch on the Front Porch

Our stone mason had a great idea; he suggested saving some of the old brick and using it as an accent. Around the front door and windows on either side of the porch, he framed the Austin Stone with a border of the original brick.

This thoughtful detail gave our home a one-of-a-kind look, a blend of where the house started and where it’s going. Now, every time we walk up to the front porch, we’re reminded of the home’s history while enjoying its fresh new face.

Wrapping It Up

Standing back at the end of this phase, I couldn’t help but smile. The Austin Stone gives the whole house a fresh, timeless look that feels both classic Texas and uniquely us. It ties the new master bedroom addition perfectly into the rest of the home and sets the stage for everything else we plan to remodel inside.

If you’re thinking about updating your home’s exterior, whether you’re replacing siding, brick, or starting a new addition, take it from me: start with a plan, look behind the walls, and invest in the right materials. The beauty you see on the outside is only as strong as what’s behind it.

You can do this, one wall, one project, one dream at a time.

 

Want to Learn More?

If you love following real-life remodels like this one, join my email list for behind-the-scenes updates, remodeling tips, and the lessons I’ve learned from both sides of the construction process, as the client and as the wife of a general contractor.
👉 Now available, my free Holiday Home Remodel Prep List!