Thinking about giving your brick house a makeover? Painting your brick exterior can completely transform the look of your home, adding curb appeal and a fresh, modern vibe.
But, where do you start?
Whether you’re tired of the current color or just want to try something new, painting brick requires careful planning and execution.
With the right knowledge, tools, and materials, you can achieve a stunning new look that lasts for decades.
Pros and Cons of Painting Your Brick House
Before you go running to the hardware store, let’s talk about the pros and cons of painting your brick house.
Pros of Painting Your Brick House
The biggest pro, and probably the reason you’re even considering this, is the aesthetic transformation. Brick has its charm, sure, but a fresh coat of paint can make your home stand out in a way that’s nothing short of stunning.
Whether you’re going for a sleek, modern look with a crisp white or something bold like a deep charcoal, paint gives you a level of control over your home’s appearance that bare brick just can’t match.
Another significant advantage is protection. Over time, brick can start to show signs of wear – discoloration, mildew, or even just that tired, faded look.
Paint acts as a sealant, adding a layer of protection against the elements, particularly in areas with harsh winters or sweltering summers. This can extend the lifespan of your brickwork, keeping it in better shape for longer.
It makes cleaning the exterior of the house a lot easier as well. Unpainted brick is porous and can be tough to clean, especially when it starts accumulating dirt or mildew. A painted surface, on the other hand, is smooth and far easier to wash down with a pressure washer or even just a garden hose.
Cons of Painting Your Brick House
Now, before you get too excited, let’s talk about the downsides. The most significant con, in my experience, is that painting brick is a pretty permanent decision.
Unlike painting wood or siding, you can’t just strip it off and go back to the original if you decide you don’t like it. You’re committing to maintaining that painted surface for the long haul.
Maintenance is another consideration. While paint can protect the brick, it also requires upkeep.
Over time, the paint will fade, chip, or peel, and you’ll need to repaint every 10 to 15 years depending on the paint and climate.
If you’re not prepared to stay on top of this, you could end up with a house that looks worse than it did before you painted it.
Lastly, the cost is something to consider. Painting a brick house isn’t cheap, especially if you hire professionals to do it right.
The paint, primer, and tools all add up, and if you’re doing it yourself, be prepared to invest a lot of time.
And trust me, this isn’t a job you want to rush. If the prep work isn’t done properly, or if the wrong type of paint is used, you could end up with bubbling or flaking paint, which will require even more time and money to fix.
Weighing Your Options
Deciding whether to paint your brick house is a big choice, and it’s important to weigh these pros and cons carefully. I’ve seen homes transformed for the better with a well-executed paint job, but I’ve also seen the headaches that come with it.
Staining Brick: An Alternative to Painting
If you’re not ready to commit to the permanence of paint, staining might be the perfect alternative. Unlike paint, which covers the surface, stain soaks into the brick, enhancing its natural texture and color without masking its unique character.
This method allows the brick to breathe and retain its natural feel, giving your home a more subtle transformation that’s still impactful. Staining is particularly appealing if you want to maintain a classic, rustic look while updating the color to something richer or more uniform.
Staining brick also requires less maintenance over time compared to paint. Since it penetrates the surface, it’s less prone to peeling or chipping, and it ages more gracefully, gradually fading rather than deteriorating.
The application process is relatively straightforward, using either a brush, roller, or sprayer, similar to painting, but it often requires fewer coats.
How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Brick Exterior
Choosing the right paint for your brick exterior is a critical decision that can make or break the entire project. The wrong type of paint can lead to a host of issues, from peeling to trapped moisture.
So, if you want your freshly painted brick to look good and last for years, it’s essential to know what to look for in the paint aisle. Let’s dive into how to make the best choice.
Understanding the Nature of Brick
First things first—before you even start comparing paint swatches, it’s important to understand the nature of brick. Brick is a porous material, meaning it absorbs and releases moisture.
This is a key characteristic that must be taken into account when choosing paint. If you choose a paint that doesn’t allow the brick to breathe, you could trap moisture inside the brick, leading to blistering, peeling, or even structural damage over time. So, whatever paint you choose needs to be breathable.
Types of Paint Suitable for Brick
There are two main types of paint that are generally recommended for brick exteriors: latex-based masonry paint and mineral-based silicate paint. Both have their pros and cons, so let’s break them down.
Latex-Based Masonry Paint
Latex-based masonry paint is probably the most popular choice for painting brick exteriors, and for good reason. This type of paint is cheap and designed to be flexible and somewhat breathable, which makes it a good choice for brick surfaces. Latex-based paint provides a durable, weather-resistant coating. I’ve used it on several projects, and it holds up well under a variety of weather conditions.
One of the big advantages of latex paint is its availability and color options. You can find it in virtually any shade you can imagine, which makes it easy to match or complement your home’s other elements.
It’s also easy to apply, whether you’re using a brush, roller, or sprayer. Just be sure to choose a high-quality product that’s specifically labeled for masonry to ensure the best results.
Mineral-Based Silicate Paint
On the other hand, mineral-based silicate paint is a more specialized option, but it’s one that offers some impressive benefits, especially for older or historic brickwork.
Silicate paint bonds chemically with the brick itself, forming a permanent, breathable layer that doesn’t peel or blister over time. This type of paint is also highly resistant to UV rays, meaning it won’t fade as quickly as other paints might.
The downside to silicate paint is that it’s more expensive and typically available in a more limited color palette.
Due to its high-quality, natural ingredients and the specialized manufacturing process involved this increased cost is often justified by its longevity and durability, which will lead to lower maintenance costs over time.
Choosing the Right Sheen
Once you’ve decided on the type of paint, the next decision is the sheen. This might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in the final appearance of your brick exterior.
For most brick surfaces, I recommend sticking with a matte or low-sheen finish. Matte finishes are great for brick because they hide imperfections and give your home a more natural, understated look.
A high-gloss finish on brick can look too shiny and artificial, which often doesn’t suit the character of the material.
That said, if you’re aiming for a more modern, polished look, a satin finish might be the way to go. It offers a bit more durability and is easier to clean than a matte finish, which could be a consideration if your home is in an area prone to dirt or mildew buildup.
Silicate paint is only available as a matte finish.
Before you start painting, don’t forget to do a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area of your brick. This will give you a chance to see how the paint adheres and looks once it’s dry, and it can save you from any unpleasant surprises down the road.
How to Paint Your Brick House: Step-by-Step
Painting your brick house is a big project, but with the right approach, it’s definitely something you can do yourself.
Over the years, I’ve honed my process down to a reliable, step-by-step method that ensures a beautiful, long-lasting finish. If you follow these steps, you’ll end up with a brick house that not only looks stunning but also stands up to the elements for years to come.
Let’s get started!
Gather Your Materials
Before you dive in, make sure you have everything you’ll need. Nothing’s worse than getting halfway through and realizing you’re missing a crucial tool. Here’s a list of essentials:
- Pressure washer
- Drop cloths and plastic sheeting
- Painter’s tape
- Masonry primer (make sure it’s specifically for brick)
- Exterior masonry paint (latex or silicate, depending on your choice)
- High-quality brushes, rollers, and a paint sprayer (optional but recommended)
- Extension pole
- Caulk and mortar mix (for any repairs)
- Ladder or scaffolding (depending on the height of your house)
- Protective gear (gloves, eye protection)
Use plastic bags to keep your roller and paintbrush in to keep them fresh between coats. You might also need to rent a boom lift if you have surfaces that you can’t reach with a ladder or scaffolding.
Once you’ve gathered your materials, you’re ready to move on to the prep work.
Repair and Clean the Brick
If there are any cracks, crumbling mortar, or areas where the brick is damaged, those need to be addressed first. Painting over damaged brick is like putting a band-aid on a broken bone—it’s not going to fix the underlying issues, and it could even make things worse.
I’ve found that using a stiff brush to clean out any loose material from cracks is a good start.
Then, you’ll want to repair any damaged mortar with a quality mortar mix. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hiring a mason to make the repairs is money well spent and you’ll get a professional looking finish.
You want a solid, stable surface before you start applying any paint.
Clean the Brick
Once your brick and mortar are in good shape, it’s time to get cleaning. This step is absolutely crucial because paint won’t adhere properly to a dirty surface and a thorough pressure wash is the best way to go.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can rent one from most hardware stores, or you can use a stiff-bristled brush and a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP).
TSP is great for cutting through grime, mildew, and any other gunk that’s built up on your brick. Just make sure you wear gloves and eye protection, as it’s pretty strong stuff.
After cleaning, give your brick a few days to dry out completely. Any lingering moisture can lead to peeling or bubbling paint.
Protect Surrounding Areas
Don’t forget to protect the areas around your brick. Cover windows, doors, and any landscaping with plastic sheeting or drop cloths to keep them safe from stray paint splatters.
It’s also a good idea to tape off edges with painter’s tape to ensure clean lines where your brick meets trim or other surfaces.
Remove items like house numbers and mailboxes before you start. While it might seem quicker to mask and paint around them, taking the extra few minutes to remove these items will save you time in the long run.
Apply a Masonry Primer
With your brick clean and dry, the next step is to apply a masonry primer. Primer is essential because it creates a smooth, sealed surface that helps the paint adhere better and last longer.
Choose a primer that’s specifically designed for brick and masonry, as it will be formulated to penetrate the porous surface and provide a solid base for your topcoat.
Apply the primer using a thick nap roller or a paint sprayer for even coverage. For rough or textured bricks, I recommend back-rolling after spraying to ensure the primer gets into all the nooks and crannies.
Use a paintbrush for cutting in around edges and tight spaces.
Allow the primer to dry completely before moving on to painting—this usually takes about 24 hours, but check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.
When it comes to choosing a paint sprayer, an airless paint sprayer is your best friend. Unlike traditional sprayers, an airless sprayer operates by pumping paint at high pressure through a tiny nozzle, creating a smooth, even coat that adheres beautifully to rough and porous surfaces like brick.
This tool is essential for a job of this scale because it allows you to cover large areas quickly and efficiently. And it saves your body, painting brick with a paintbrush and roller is hard work, I can guarantee you that.
Paint the Brick
Now for the fun part—painting!
Start by choosing a day with mild, dry weather. Extreme temperatures or high humidity can affect how the paint adheres and dries, so aim for a day when the weather is on your side.
Use the same painting technique as when priming.
Begin by cutting in around edges, windows, and doors with a brush. Then, use a roller or paint sprayer to apply the paint to the larger areas, when using a paint sprayer you usually don’t need to cut in.
If you’re using a roller, choose one with a thick nap to reach into the texture of the brick.
Apply the paint in thin, even coats. It’s better to do multiple thin coats than one thick one, which can lead to drips and uneven coverage. You will get the hang of it after a while.
Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next—this can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the paint and weather conditions.
For the best results, you’ll probably need two coats of paint.
Inspect and Touch Up
Once the final coat is dry, step back and take a good look at your work. Check for any missed spots or areas where the coverage might be uneven. Touch up these spots with a brush or roller to ensure everything looks consistent and polished.
Clean Up and Enjoy
After the paint is fully dry, carefully remove the painter’s tape. Be gentle when pulling the tape to avoid pulling up any paint along with it.
Clean your brushes, rollers, and any other tools you used, and then stand back and admire your work.
You’ve just transformed your brick house into something that feels fresh, modern, and uniquely yours.
Conclusion
You did it!
Transforming your brick house with a fresh coat of paint isn’t just about adding curb appeal—it’s about making your home feel like your own.
Sure, it takes some time, effort, and a bit of elbow grease, but the end result is well worth it.
Leave a Reply