What are the pros and cons of painting exterior brick?

Is painting a brick house a good idea?

Paint can also help reduce fading and deterioration of your home exterior. Easy to keep clean. Brick is naturally porous, so when left unpainted, dirt and debris can become trapped and difficult to clear away. Painted brick provides a smooth surface that is much easier to clean with occasional power washing.

Why you should not paint brick?

Brick that's chipping, deteriorating, molding or in overall poor condition is always a bad candidate for paint. Paint blocks the natural pores in the brick's surface, which can cause existing problems to become exaggerated over time.

How well does painted brick hold up?

Maintenance – A painted surface is almost always easier to maintain than an unpainted surface, and brick is no exception. Brick is porous, and the pores can hold dirt, debris, and moisture.

Does painting exterior brick devalue home?

Since today's bricks are machine-made, these handmade varieties are worth preserving. Paint will only destroy their historic value, and if done incorrectly could result in structural damage to your home.

What are pros and cons of painting my brick house?

Is painted brick going out of style?

Is painted brick going out of style? Ask any exterior design expert, painting brick is not going out of style any time soon. Painted brick is here to stay as new homeowners prefer this modern look over traditional unpainted brick exteriors. Likewise, you can always change the color of your brick siding if you'd like.

Is painted brick a fad?

Painted brick homes have been around for a long time. It's not a fad.

Is painted brick difficult to maintain?

Once you paint your house, there's no going back (at least without a major headache). In fact, painted brick requires regular maintenance--touch ups for chipped areas, cleaning on lighter colored brick, and fresh coats every so often. Moreover, painting your brick traps moisture and doesn't let the brick breathe.

Is white painted brick hard to maintain?

Is white painted brick too much maintenance? Truth, painted brick is a tad more maintenance than naked brick. But, if it's done correctly, with the correct paint and pro, the maintenance is minimal.

How do you make painted brick look natural?

Dip a sponge in water and wring it out. Dab the sponge in the marbled paint, then dab it on a paper towel to wipe most of the paint off the sponge. Lightly pat the sponge on some of the bricks in a random way to provide a more natural color variation.

Does painting brick seal it?

Painted brick shouldn't require a sealer—just make sure to choose a wear-resistant exterior paint if the brick will be exposed to the elements.

How much does it cost to paint exterior brick?

The average cost to paint a brick home is about $7,000 but can range from $3,500 to $10,500 for a 2,500-square foot home. The per square foot cost generally falls between $1.40 and $4.20. The cost may vary based on labor and paint prices.

Is staining brick better than painting?

You may ask yourself, “is staining brick better than painting?” The short answer is yes, it is. Staining is more robust and can lead to your brick exterior looking great for many years. Painting may seem like a classic option, but it is outdated for your brick exterior.

Should I paint my old brick house?

Should you paint your brick house? Yes, as long as you realize that this process can't be reversed. You can repaint and change the color down the road, but there's no going back to unpainted brick.

Is it OK to power wash a brick house?

Ultimately, the answer is yes. You can power wash brick homes and buildings. However, according to top construction companies and home inspectors, it is important to note that brick cannot sustain constant high pressure like concrete can. Older homes, 80 years or older, may not be able to handle any high pressure.

How do you freshen exterior brick?

Fill a large bucket with a gallon of warm water, then add 1.5 cups of muriatic acid (you must pour the acid into the water; never pour water into the acid). Dip a brush into the acid, then apply the solution to brick using a bristle brush. Scrub gently, letting the acid remain on the brick for a few minutes.

Why is everyone painting their brick white?

Exterior paint forms a seal over the brick's surface that will prevent any moisture in the bricks from evaporating and drying out. Trapped moisture, which can come from a leaky window or pipe, is a prime source of mold and mildew growth.

Is white painted brick in style?

In 2021 white painted brick houses are trending in a major way, but not just on Pinterest – in real life too. It's “the look” and what a lot of new home builders are focusing on.

What is the most popular brick color?

Red. Red brick is the most traditional color of brick, and is often associated with older or more classic styles of architecture, such as the colonial style in the U.S. It can thus be used to create a vintage or traditional aesthetic, or to adapt a new building to the character of an older neighborhood.

Is whitewashing brick a good idea?

However, once you paint the brick, it's permanent. The paint can chip and it can be harder to clean. Depending on your style, it may be better to whitewash your exterior, so that the originality of the brick can still shine through, it will protect the brick, and it is easy to paint over.

How do you clean painted bricks?

Simply, make a mixture of a mild laundry detergent and water. Or you can even make your own paste mixture of dish water soap and baking soda. You simply put these solutions on the brick, give it a good soak, scrub and rinse! If you're in need of some painting inspiration, head over to our Pinterest page!

Is red brick out of style?

While classic red brick is always in style, in recent years, gray bricks and limewashed bricks that give a house a vintage whitewashed look are popping up in new housing developments. Homeowners can further customize the look by choosing from a handful of mortar colors, ranging from white to deep gray.

How do you choose exterior paint color with brick?

For exterior schemes with three colors, try the 60/30/10 rule: Designate 60% of the facade for the dominant color, use a secondary hue for 30%, and paint the remaining 10% in an accent color. In many cases with brick homes, the color of the brick itself serves as the dominant color.

Can you paint exterior brick on a house?

We own the Graco Magnum and absolutely love it. If you are going to DIY a painting project like this, a good paint sprayer is a must. It's also very important to use the right type of paint on your exterior brick. We recommend using either a mineral-based paint or a latex paint made specifically for masonry.