Thinking About Painting your Brick? Here Are Some Things to Consider
For the past 5+ years, this has been my most frequently asked question or dilemma for a homeowner. So I thought I would provide some insight as a Color Consultant and a former Paint store owner. I always give my clients recommendations on not only Color but the right product to use.
So, you see all the new higher-end homes being built with painted brick exteriors as well as so many beautiful transformations on Pinterest and you love the look. You have a nice traditional home or considering buying one that has a not so desirable color of brick. It’s either orange, pinkish, brown or my personal pet peeve the dreaded RED MORTAR!! So it’s red brick with red mortar, red on red, just NO.
The more homes you search on Houzz, the more determined you are to get that look and put your own Before/After on Instagram. Or your spouse is putting the kibosh because he (sorry guys it’s usually you) is resisting painting the brick because they think it will cause a “maintenance issue”.
Below is some information to help you with your decision:
First, you need to decide do you want to do a Limewash or Masonry Paint. These are two very different looks and processes. Let’s first talk about the process of Limewash for brick. People have also referred to it as a German Smear, Mortar Washing, or White Washing. What I am referring to in this article is using a Slaked Lime product which will provide an Old World mottled look on the brick which will result in a partial covering of the brick. Finding a good applicator to do this process is key. They have to know how much product to remove and provide that perfect balance. I will leave the product and contractor search for you and your local market.
The Masonry paint will provide full coverage to achieve that popular painted brick look. This process is definitely easier for the contractor and it is a clean, simple look that is widely popular for the past few years. Most contractors are using a Masonry Primer, then regular exterior paint. This can work well, if the proper prep is done, mainly making sure the brick is at the proper Ph level and has had ample time to dry out.
Many of my clients feel the limewash is a great option because it is not a full commitment and the brick would still show keeping some of the style of the home intact. By using a real limewash (slaked lime), you can have the option to remove the product within 5 days of the application. Or if you like the look but want more coverage, you can go “all in” by applying another coat of limewash to give the look of full coverage or use the masonry paint to achieve the completely opaque painted brick exterior. However, limewash will not work on every house. There are many color options, but for my clients, I have narrowed it down starting from an almost white, slightly creamy, gray-white, or venturing into the light grays and taupes. Again the key is to apply the coating and then have it removed so as not to look have a distinct pattern, it must look random and authentic.
What to do if you are the first home in the neighborhood that does the limewash or brick paint, and how difficult is the HOA going to be to allow you to change the exterior to an Old-World finish, or might it be easier to get the brick painted entirely?
I have consulted on many painted brick exteriors in the Atlanta area and more recently across the United States virtually. If done correctly they provide an updated look. The transformations can make your home look like new, which keeps the neighborhood current and the values up. This can be a win-win for all. However, there are still some subdivision BOD’s that are not on board, one that comes to mind decided to not allow anymore painted brick exteriors because so many residents had theirs done that they felt the neighborhood was looking too similar. Another one refuses to allow any painted brick exteriors even though it could go a long way in updating the neighborhood.
Does my contractor have experience with the limewash look or even painting brick? Get references and ask to see pictures of their work. It’s important to realize the complexity of this project. Be mindful of who you choose, you are transforming your home’s exterior, going with the lowest bidder may not be the best option. These are questions that you will want to have answered before getting the project complete as every project is different.
And Above All Get the Color Right.
I see too many projects that took the term “White Painted Brick” literally and the result is too stark, and blinding white. And they coupled it with black painted windows or gutters/downspouts. NO, NO and NO!! Colors lighten outside, so if you choose a White, it will almost always be too white. When I see these done, I know they missed it, and I feel bad for them. The result is too much of a contrast and which will not stand the test of time. Painted brick is not a trend, I have been specifying these projects for years. Reach out if I can help!
Rebecca Dumas, Color Consultant
https://www.houzz.com/pro/colorrevivalconsulting/color-revival-by-rebecca-dumas
