Before attaching brick veneer to wood framing, what must be constructed first?

• A. Veneer
• B. Roofing
• C. Supporting structure
• D. Vapor barrier

Answer: (C)

Brick veneer relies on a solid backing to stay in place. Before you can attach the veneer, you must have the supporting structure built—typically a wood-framed wall with studs and sheathing that can carry the loads and provide solid anchor points for the veneer. The veneer itself isn’t load-bearing; it’s secured to this backing with ties and sits in a designed cavity for moisture control. Roofing isn’t involved in this step, and while a vapor barrier is important in wall assemblies, it doesn’t replace the need for a proper structural backing. So the first thing to construct is the supporting structure.