In recent years, homeowners have embraced several popular trends for brick houses, including exterior brick paint, messy mortar, and German smear finishes. Brick is appealing due to its durability, texture, warmth, and unique architectural aesthetic. This article will explore whether painting a brick home is possible, covering the pros and cons, the best paint types for brick, costs involved, the longevity of painted brick, and selecting the right paint color.
Is Painting Brick a Good Plan?
The greatest thing about brick homes is that they don’t need to be painted. If you use bare brick in a color and style that you like, you will have a very low maintenance home with timeless beauty. However, if you do like the look of painted brick, it is possible to paint it so that it looks great. It all boils down to whether painting brick is something you prefer. When it comes to deciding on whether you should paint your brick home, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.
Advantages of Painting a Brick Home
If you are considering painting your brick home, there are several possible advantages. Here are the main reasons to paint your brick home:
- Large visual impact:
- Painting brick can dramatically transform the appearance of your home, enhancing its curb appeal and potentially increasing its value. A freshly painted brick exterior offers a unique, cohesive look compared to unpainted brick. When done properly, painted brick has a sophisticated and modern charm.
- Protection from the weather:
Using the proper paint and techniques will help give painted brick more protection from water damage, fading, and the elements than unpainted brick.
- Quick and easy to clean:
When you have a painted surface, it is much easier to clean it than unpainted brick. This will help you preserve the beauty of your home. If you, for example, end up with some pine pollen coating the painted brick, you can quickly wash it away.
- You don’t have to have only one color:
When it comes to painting brick, you can completely change the way your home looks by repainting it a new color. You can also incorporate multiple colors when painting your brick home.
- You will get opportunities for creativity:
Most people who end up painting their brick home usually just use one color for all the brick areas. However, you do have flexibility to have your own style. For example, you can use two contrasting colors, or you can only highlight certain elements of the architecture if you choose to do so.
Disadvantages of Painting a Brick House
You should also be aware of the possible disadvantages of painting a brick home. Make sure to consider these potential issues before painting brick:
- You may need to do more maintenance:
Over time, you may need to touch up the paint. This is why it is important to use high-quality paint so that you can reduce the number of times you will need to maintain it.
- You may need to power wash more frequently:
If you choose a lighter color, dirt, mildew, and pine pollen may be more noticeable. As a result, you may need to power wash your home more frequently. However, this process will be quicker and easier with painted brick than unpainted brick.
- The paint is permanent:
Once you have painted your brick, it is difficult to go back to unpainted brick. You can always choose a different color and even strip the paint. However, if you do think that you will prefer the unpainted brick look, you should avoid painting it in the first place.
- You may have a moisture issue if you choose incorrect paint:
Natural brick possesses the unique ability to breathe, allowing it to trap moisture if there are underlying issues within your walls. To address this, make sure you use a breathable paint to prevent moisture buildup.
What paint should be used on the exterior of brick homes?
When it comes to choosing a paint for the exterior of your brick home, you will need to choose an outdoor brick paint. Choosing the incorrect type of paint will lead to peeling, moisture buildup, and mold. This is why choosing the right paint for your home is so important. Make sure to consult professionals before you choose one if you are unsure.
How much does it cost to paint brick?
When it comes to the cost of painting brick, you should consider the cost of the paint and the labor for prep work and painting. The cost of paint is usually about $50 per gallon. Professional painters will charge about $2.00 -$3.00 or more per square foot for labor. One gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet for one coat. This means that for a 2,500 square foot home, you are looking at an average cost of about $7000-$10,000. If you are using top-notch products, you may end up paying even more. Therefore, the cost of painting will depend on the type of paint you use, how complicated the job is, the size of the home, and the changes in price in your area.
What is the longevity of painted brick?
If you end up using a good high-quality paint that is meant for the climate you live in, it can last more than a decade. Experts recommend that you repaint your home every three to five years. This is especially true if you are using lower-quality paints.
When painting brick, it is important to properly prepare the brick surface. The brick must be dry, and it should never be painted if it is chipped, cracked, or in poor condition. Any issues with it should be corrected before you begin painting.
Which brick paint color should I choose for my home?
There is an advantage when it comes to painting your home, which is that you can update the color to whatever you wish. Here are some ideas for brick paint colors:
- White:
This is the most popular color for painted brick. White brick looks fresh and clean, and it does not fade with sunlight.
- Dark grey:
Make sure that your builder uses premium paint so that you can have high-quality pigments and UV protectants which will help prevent fading.
- Greige, black, and navy blue:
These are very popular colors on exterior brick. However, if you do choose a dark color on your exterior walls, it may fade over time.
Here are a few more advantages of painting brick homes that you may be unaware of:
- You can choose colors that are not usually found in brick options. You can go with standard white or other neutral colors; however, you can also choose bright colors like red, teal, or even yellow.
- You can choose a unique look from different shades of colors on different bricks.
- You can choose two different complementary colors and use one color for most of the brick surfaces while you use the other color as an accent on gables, dormers, and the trim around the windows.
- You could do a one-of-a-kind mural as well if you choose. Just make sure to discuss this with your builder so that you can be aware of the resale value. If you have an HOA, you may have to stick to certain colors.
Professional House Painting Services
If you have a brick home but have always wanted to change the color of the exterior, it is possible to impress with painted brick. Before painting your brick home, consider the advantages and disadvantages discussed above and choose a paint type that is best suited for brick surfaces. If you do not feel comfortable painting your brick home yourself, you can reach out to our professionals.
NuEra Enterprises Inc provides professional home painting services, including exterior painting. We have the expertise, methods, and equipment to meet all your residential painting needs. Our team works swiftly and efficiently while providing competitive pricing. Rest assured; you will be delighted with the results. For complete residential painting services, make sure to give us a call at (847) 217-1036.
CEO of NuEra Restoration and Remodeling – certified by IICRC and specializes in residential and commercial building restoration, carpet cleaning, painting, and remodeling – 10+ years of experience in business and restoration with strong leadership skills.