When fastening a heavy item to a brick façade wall, what should be prioritized?

When fastening a heavy item to a brick façade wall, prioritizing anchoring the item to the main structure rather than just the brick itself is crucial for ensuring safety and stability. The main structure typically refers to the underlying framing or support system behind the façade, which is designed to bear significant loads.

When heavy items are only attached to the brick, they can create shear forces that exceed the brick's capacity to hold, especially if the weight is not evenly distributed. Brick, while strong in compression, is not as reliable under tension or shear forces when compared to solid framing materials. By anchoring into the main structure, you are ensuring that the fasteners have a secure hold that can support the weight without risk of failure, providing greater safety and durability.

The other options, while they might seem relevant, do not prioritize the structural integrity needed for securing heavy loads effectively. Decorative fasteners, lightweight fasteners, and matching the wall color may improve appearance or ease of installation but do not contribute meaningfully to the load-bearing capacity or safety, which is the primary concern when dealing with heavy items on any wall system.