Plastered Brickwall

1. We use plastered walls in Florida, a lot! Call some contractors down here and ask them. Also, why not call some of the plaster manufactures for directions. After all, they would know.

2. Easy. Make all the walls vertical. The rain runs right off them that way.

Where are you?

EIFS (pronounced ee-fus in the trades), sometimes called Dryvit.

This is the solution you seek... I think.

You can use stucco....There are any number of ways to finish stucco, you can make it look like brick or river stones, or even wall freeze art....

http://michaelgravesstudio.com/portfolio.htm

http://www.chesapeakewallcoatings.com/brick-stenciling

http://www.artcrete.com/products/specialty/eifs/

http://www.merlex.com/

http://www.nielsencustomfinishes.com/portfolio/exterior-stucco-faux-restoration/

I always wondered how the Sphinx was built.

I am wondering why the Sphinx looks like SolarEagle's cat...

Am I in trouble?

Are you in trouble? For what?

If you don't mind, I'd like to guess at your avatar: Your avatar looks like Menkaure, from the Fourth Dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs.

If I am incorrect, let's see if anyone else wants to take a try before revealing.

Thanks. The links have great info

Pebble dash?

Thompson's water seal is a water repellent for masonry. It does not change the color. Consult a professional painter or plasterer for a second opinion.

You have a few options since this is going to be a new house.

'Dryvit' is a very good product if you like the look of office building appeal. Easy for a General Contractor to install. Not-so-easy to install for home owners and carpenters ("Happy Wood Chucks" as we call 'em around here).

Stucco, backed-up with concrete masonry walls is a good alternative if you live in a hot and/or humid climate....it'll help keep the house cool during the summer months. Look into "adobe" construction also.

Standard brick facade walls backed up with either conventional concrete masonry walls or metal stud walls (for structural reasons + adding insulation).

Textured "Tilt-up concrete" wall panels, secured to and supported by a structural steel frame. Again, you'll end up having a house look like a factory, warehouse or office building.....not so appealing IMO.

Where you are located will drive what types of materials you can use in your house construction.....a lot depends on the types of and abundance of materials in your locale. For instance, in the desert or semi-arid regions you will not see wood frame construction much but rather masonry construction.

Where are you located? It'll help us determine what materials best suit your future house construction, otherwise we're just grasping at straws here trying to help you.

Remember, whatever material(s) you utilize for building your house it must have curb appeal in the event you opt to sell the house in the future. An ugly house will not sell.