Why You Should Paint Bricks - And Why Not

An advantage to painting your brick home is increasing both your curb appeal and easier cleaning of the exterior of your home. Also, when done correctly painting a brick house can help protect your home from exposure to the sun, environmental and weather conditions, and lastly water. 

However, if not done by a professional, painting your brick home can seal in moisture and create a couple of different problems such as mold, bacterial build-up and crumbling of the foundation. This is why it is important to select a professional, even though it might seem expensive, it is better than having to re-do the work and have other problems occur due to lack of experience.

When it comes to painting bricks, we always consider the following factors before moving forward:

• The type of bricks

• How old the bricks are

• Whether it's interior or exterior

• It's current conditions

• The main purpose of painting

Painting old bricks will require a different process than painting new bricks. Old brick usually requires a pressure wash, a coat of primer, and patching and sealing of cracks before painting. New bricks can usually be painted without a pressure wash, adding primer or patching/sealing. Old bricks could also absorb more paint than new bricks.

Painting exterior bricks will require a different approach than interior bricks. Since bricks are porous, they need to breathe, so using the right paint is vital. While you can use almost any type of paint for the interior, exterior bricks need a special type of paint and preparation.

Painting exterior bricks will transform the appearance of your home and can add a touch of uniqueness with a modern look, but it will need more maintenance than non-painted bricks. While non-painted bricks could last centuries without requiring major maintenance, you will usually need to repaint your painted bricks every decade and pressure wash them every few years.

To prevent paint from peeling and the build-up of natural substances, it is important to choose the right products and to prepare the bricks correctly before painting.

If you need help painting your brick home, feel free to Contact Us.