paint brick house are all the rage — sometimes . larn about the polarizing vogue to make up one’s mind if paint your exterior brick helps or hurts its note value .
If you ’ve ever looked at the outside of your brick home base and hanker to give it a major refresh , you ’ve likely excogitate painting the brick . The choice to paint , however , is a big conclusion that goes beyond the look and curb prayer of your home . For one , unlikevinyl or aluminum turnout , brick is n’t easily painted and the choice to paint is n’t easily reversed . For another , there are some inviolable disagree opinions both for and against a paint brick house .
Those who advocate for paint brick list enhanced curb solicitation , versatility , and easy criminal maintenance among the pros . opposer debate that paint brick hides its natural beauty and can damage its structural integrity . So , to aid you settle if a paint brick house is the right choice for you , we ’ve consulted some experts on the matter .
Credit: Jason Donnelly
To Paint or Not to Paint
" We ’re a fickle society , " says Scott Sidler , a licensed Florida declarer and editor - in - chief of The Craftsman Blog . " paint brick might be cool today , but in 20 years , it ’s like you ’re disrobe carpet off hardwood and go ' Who did this ? ' "
Drive down any suburban stop , though , and you ’ll likely note that plenty of masses have already bought into the painted brick look . Which side is right , and how can you adjudicate whether you should paint your brick exterior or leave it as - is ? Here ’s what you need to deliberate as you contemplate this makeover selection .
What to Consider Before Committing to a Painted Brick Home
If you live in a brick house — or even a nursing home with a section of decorative brick or masonry on the exterior — you’ve probably realized that there are n’t many way to vary up the flavor . That ’s because , for many of these homes , the brickwork is structural and not easily swapped out the way vinyl or atomic number 13 railroad siding might be .
Sidler restores historic construction and homes , so he comes across tons ofbrickwork in motivation of repairin Orlando , Florida , where his company is based . When confront with the decision to paint ( or not paint ) brick , he typically base his opinion on the type of brick and its current condition .
If you have square brick on your home that still calculate big , Sidler cautions against paint it . That ’s because brick is one of the lowest - maintenance features on your home ’s exterior , but painted brick will call for sustainment .
Credit: Robert Brinson
" Brick requires very little maintenance , but now you ’ve created a sustainment cycle , " he suppose . " The paint will fail , and the great unwashed do n’t take in they ’re going to have to do a $ 15,000 pigment job every decade . "
Of of course , if the brick on your home is establish its age but still maintains its structural integrity , a blusher job might be just the face lift it needs .
Painting Interior Brick
When it comes to paint interior brick , the stakes are a bit broken and the reward can be gamey , Sidler says . Laura Bierman , an upcountry design advisor at YouthfulHome.com , jibe .
" Because it ’s easy and cheap , painting interior brick is a common means to make a bounteous change in older , date houses , " Bierman says .
Plus , if you ’re looking to try the paint brick house trend before you intrust to paint the outside , you may test the look and method on a small scale indoors .
" For inner aerofoil , whitewashing may be a good look for you than paint , " Bierman says . " Acid washing interior brick can give it a sweet looking at that changes the elbow room as well . "
What ’s more , Sidler order painting indoor brickwork is typically a safe bet , because there are fewer moisture and structural issues to debate . Plus , you ’re usually cover a smaller amount of outer space than you would with exterior brick .
" Go for it , " he says .
Painting Brick Correctly
If you decide to paint your brick , the key to a long - lasting , professional look is right prep . And , of course , Sidler says , you need to peck the right paint and undercoat .
" You ca n’t just grab a wall paint and put it on brick because it will fail and it will damage the brick , " he says . " Brick is porous and it needs to take a breather . "
When this project is done wrong , you accidentally varnish the brick off with key , which wo n’t allow wet in or out . Sidler says this can lead to efflorescence or a build - up of minerals on the brick . It can also chair to spalling over time , which is when the front of the brick crumbles to powder .
or else , look for a key designed specifically for the job .
" Masonry paints are imply to stick by better to brick and be more breathable , " Sidler say . You ’ll likely have to pay a bit more , but it ’s worth it .
With the right material , painting your brick is definitely a project you may tackle as the homeowner , though it wo n’t be a done - in - a - weekend chore . If you ’re diffident of your power to complete the rouge business properly , consider hiring a professional .
" Before painting , make certain thatbrick is very unobjectionable , " Sidler says . " Use a estimable primer and the highest quality paint you’re able to afford . Then make certain you ’re using the correct tools : a tumbler pigeon with a thick snooze that can get into the corner and crannies . "
Down the line , if you need to remove the key , Sidler suggests opt for a chemical stripper .
" One of the biggest mistakes I see withstripping blusher from brickis the sandblasting process , " Sidler says . " Sandblasting is like blast the crust of the bread off , leaving blanched , delicate Interior Department of the bread disclose . It take out the protective cover and the brick has a far lesser life-time . "
Even with the right products , Sidler caution that paint brick will never probably reelect to its original state , so make the determination to paint with caution .
Are Painted Brick Homes a Passing Trend or a Lasting Look?
Painted brick is not a new concept , but like woodwind instrument paneling and shag carpeting , it has a ledge biography .
" Although painting brick has been around for a long time , thanks in part to the popularity of the ' modern farmhouse ' flavour , paint exterior brick is very pop now , " Bierman articulate .
Like all trends , painted brick can go in and out of manner . study this if you ’re wait to alter a fundamental part of your home , peculiarly if you ’re looking to trade in the futurity . Plus , as the trend fades , you , the homeowner , could rise tired of the look .
" place with a very specific smell wo n’t invoke to everyone . In some neighborhood , white - painted brick may provide the curb appeal that seal the great deal . In others , not so much , " Bierman say .
Some buyers might have intercourse the look of a home with paint brick , while others might consider it as akin to painting wooden furniture or putting carpet down over hardwood floors .
" I urge it if it equip the place and intention for existing homes . It ’s a cost - effective way to reach a major transformation of the home , " Bierman says .
Bierman points out that a prospective buyer might distinguish the difficulty and value of interchange a home ’s paint colour . So , the best way to prep a paint brick home for cut-rate sale is to make certain the blusher is in good shape .
" To prepare for sale , existing painted brick should be cleaned or repainted , " she says .
paint brick can be just the thing to refresh your home ’s outside when approached with loyalty and attention . Before you commit , count the pro and cons , chequer the condition of your brick , and decide for certain if a paint brick house is really what you want .
Frequently Asked Questions
When fill out properly , a painted brick exterior can last anywhere from 15 to 20 twelvemonth , though that timeframe can differ depending on what eccentric of weather element your habitation is display to . When it comes to paint brick inside your place , that life is often much longsighted .
To start , expect a few spot - ups — paint brick will age unequally , so you may need to scrape and repaint certain spots that have faded or break off over the years . Lighter colors of paint will show dirt and need houseclean from time to time . Pressure - washing on a low mount is the best way to keep paint brick clean . In addition , painting your brick seal in moisture and prevents the brick from " breathing . " While this wo n’t always stimulate issues , it can pass to entrap wet in your brick , which can freeze and expand , causing damage to the mortar .
Yes . When paint your brick exterior , your prep piece of work is just as significant as your house painting technique . Before getting started with primer and paint , you should clean the brick soundly in ordination to guarantee the unspoilt software . To do this , start by using a wire brush and soapy piss ( mild dish soap is o.k. ) to clean house off any grime , mold , or debris . If you have in particular dirty brick , you’re able to cancel the Earth’s surface with trisodium phosphate ( TSP ) and water rather . permit the brick to dry out completely before go to paint .
