If you are considering painting brick (be it a brick wall, a brick fireplace, or an exterior brick) and want to know the process before you start, this post is for you. I will share photos of the brick patio we painted ourselves, as well as the things we considered before painting the brick.
Is painted brick a fad?
There are strong opinions for and against painting brick exteriors. Those who support painting brick exteriors list curb appeal as one of the reasons and that is definitely a valid point. Painting a brick exterior freshens up the look of a house and gives it a more contemporary look, while proponents of unpainted brick say that it requires less maintenance while having the classic look that is going anywhere.
Painted brick is not a fad, it is here to stay, however, is considered a more modern style and will not be popular with older, classic communities.
Will painting brick devalue your house?
No, painting a brick exterior will not devalue your house, as long as is it a quality paint job and the color is chosen well.
How to paint brick?
The process to paint exterior and interior brick is very similar, however, if you are painting a fireplace you will need heat-proof paint, so remember to ask for it when shopping for paint.
To prepare the brick before painting you will need to make sure that the brick is clean and dry. For exterior brick, it may mean pressure washing the house, while for interior brick remove all dust, and use soapy water if necessary.
To paint an interior brick we used a paintbrush and a paint roller. Because the brick is very porous, it required 2 to 3 coats of paint.
The process is very similar to painting a wall. First, you need to mask everything that won’t be painted, then apply a coat of paint and let it dry. Continue painting until you achieve good coverage.
Which paint is best for a brick?
Consult at the paint store. I go to Sherwin-Williams for my paint needs and they recommend the best paint for the job. This is the paint I used:
Why paint a brick fireplace?
Painting a brick fireplace is an easy way to update a dated fireplace and/or cover old brick and imperfections.
What is the best color for painting brick?
The brick exterior is usually painted white (mostly) or black. However, because white has so many shades, it is very important to choose the right paint color. For a modern look, for a house with black windows for example, an SW Pure White would be a good color, however, for tan windows (like we had) or a less modern look, you want to go with warm white. We used SW Restful White and we loved the result.
If you need help choosing your paint color I offer custom paint consultations.
Will painted brick peel?
If the paint job was done properly (if the brick wasn’t wet and the proper paint for bricks was used) the painted brick won’t peel.
When do you paint a brick house exterior?
It’s better to do it during the dry season, so the brick is dry. Painting wet brick will lock in the moisture and could cause the brick to peel or mold.
How much masonry paint do I need?
If you know the square footage of your project, the store employees will be able to help you calculate how much masonry paint you will need.
How often does painted brick need to be repainted?
If a proper paint color was used and the paint job was done properly you won’t have to repaint your brick house for 10 to 15 years.
How much does it cost to paint a brick exterior?
The cost of the paint job really depends on the size of your project and the area you live in, so it’s better to contact local painters and ask for a quote.
Conclusion
Painting your brick surface is a big job and a serious commitment, I hope this post answered some of your questions and helped you in making your decision.
