A brick exterior is practically maintenance-free, pressure wash it and it’s as good as new. But some people get tired of the same look and want to spruce up their brick homes and painting is a great way to do that.
But when choosing the paint for your brick exterior, you want to make sure it’s durable and long-lasting since you can’t scrape the brick as you would a wooden home.
In this article, we’ll explore the best paint for exterior brick and its features to help you make an informed decision for your home makeover. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What is the Best Paint for Brick?
The best paint for exterior brick is a silicate paint. Silicate paint, also known as mineral paint, is also a great option for surfaces such as masonry, concrete, stucco and plaster.
Silicate paint offers several advantages that make it the best paint for exterior brick such as:
Excellent durability: Silicate paints form a strong chemical bond with the substrate making it a part of it compared to other paints that form a film over the surface, and it provides long-lasting protection and color retention.
Breathability: These paints allow water vapor to pass through, which reduces the risk of trapped moisture so the paint won’t blister or peel.
Resistance to mold and algae growth: Due to its high alkalinity, silicate paints are naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and algae, which is essential for exterior surfaces.
Weather-resistant and UV-stable: Silicate paints are highly resistant to weathering and ultraviolet radiation, ensuring that the finish remains intact and colorfast for many years.
Environmentally friendly: Silicate paints are typically made from mineral-based materials, making them a very eco-friendly option.
Silicate paint is an ideal choice for exterior brick surfaces due to its unique properties and benefits. As a mineral paint with a high potassium silicate content, it offers excellent adhesion and high resistance to mold growth, eliminating the need for biocide additives.
It’s a self-priming solution for unpainted porous brick. It is also natural, permeable, and breathable, which helps in absorbing CO2 and preventing bacteria formation that leads to mold.
Overall, silicate paint is an environmentally friendly, long-lasting, and versatile option that provides exceptional performance and protection for exterior brick surfaces.
A silicate paint also gives a very flat finish which makes it easy to touch up when needed.
Types of Paint for Exterior Brick
Choosing the right type of paint for your exterior brick can be difficult. There are various kinds of paint available in the market, and each has its unique features and benefits. In this section, we’ll discuss the three most common types of paint for exterior brick: silicate/mineral-based paint, acrylic latex paint, and elastomeric paint.
Silicate and Mineral-Based Paint
Silicate paint is a low-maintenance and pure potassium silicate paint that delivers extreme durability, color stability, and an attractive mineral flat finish.
It penetrates deeply and adheres to masonry surfaces, becoming an integral part of the material.
Its mineral microporous surface allows the masonry to breathe, eliminating blistering or peeling caused by trapped moisture.
Furthermore, its alkaline nature provides natural resistance to mold and mildew. As an eco-friendly, toxin-free product with no VOCs or added chemicals, silicate paint was first created by Adolf Wilhelm Keim, the pioneer of mineral silicate paints, in 1878.
It’s suitable for absorbent brick, stone, stucco, and fiber cement siding. This self-priming, two-coat system is easy to apply and provides exceptional resistance to freeze-thaw cycles and UV damage.
Silicate paints also offer additional advantages, such as acid rain resistance, reduced carbonation of cement-based materials, and protection against fungi, algae, and mold growth since it’s naturally alkaline. Source: Wikipedia, keim-usa.com
Acrylic Latex Paint
Acrylic latex paint is a popular choice for exterior brick because it’s cheap and easy to apply. This type of paint is also UV and water-resistant and it dries quickly.
Acrylic latex paint is quite durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Elastomeric Paint
Elastomeric paint is a high-solid acrylic coating that forms a weatherproof barrier that expands and contracts with the substrate. This type of paint is ideal for areas with extreme temperature changes, as it can prevent cracking and peeling.
It’s designed for use on properly prepared exterior masonry surfaces, including cement, cinder block, stucco, concrete, and brick.
Unlike typical exterior house paints, this coating fills and bridges hairline cracks, helping to prevent damaging water penetration. It is flexible and elastic, seals out weather and water, and withstands up to 100 mph wind-driven rain.
It’s designed for 2 coats of paint, thicker than that will affect its permeability. Meaning, if you one day desire to change the color and apply another 2 coats it might not be breathable and will trap moisture which might result in blisters over time.
Price Comparison
Here is a table that shows the price differences between the paints (2023).
| Paint Type | Price |
| Silicate Paint | 70-100$ |
| Acrylic Masonry Paint | 20-40$ |
| Elastomeric Paint | 40-50$ |
Please note that prices may vary depending on the brand, location, and other factors, so these prices are just rough estimates. It’s always a good idea to compare prices from different retailers and brands to find the best deal.
Conclusion
Painting your brick exterior will make a big difference to your home’s curb appeal.
There are several types of paint available for exterior brick, but choosing the right one is essential to ensure that you get a result that lasts.
Silicate/mineral-based paints offer excellent protection and a unique mineral flat finish and often offer a 20-year guarantee, while acrylic latex paints are more cost-effective.
Key takeaways:
- Silicate paint, also known as mineral paint, is the top choice for exterior brick surfaces, offering excellent adhesion, mold resistance, and eco-friendliness.
- Acrylic latex paint is a popular, affordable alternative with good UV and water resistance but may not perform as well as silicate paint over time.
- Elastomeric paint is an acrylic coating that provides a weatherproof barrier and flexibility, making it suitable for areas with extreme temperature changes.
Ultimately, selecting the best paint for your exterior brick will depend on your specific requirements, budget, and preferences. However, silicate paint’s numerous advantages make it a standout option for homeowners looking to revamp their brick exteriors while ensuring lasting protection and an attractive finish.