About Painting Exterior Brick

Tired of the look of your exterior brick? Searching for a quick way to make a change to brighten the look of your home or modernize its appearance? Painted brick is a timeless design choice which may provide exactly what you’re looking for.

Learn more about the process of painting exterior brick below. When you’re ready, give the exterior painting team at Mt Hood Pro Painting a call to schedule a free quote.

Before you Paint Your Brick, Consider…

You can’t go back. If you can achieve a desired look without painting your brick, you should seriously consider that option. There are some other consequences to painted brick:

• Painted brick will show dirt and mildew more clearly than unpainted brick, therefore you will need to wash down your house every now and then in order to keep your brick looking clean.
• Do a good job when painting your brick (or make sure that you trust your painting team). Chips or cracks in the paint can trap moisture which can promote the development of mold or the breakdown of the brick material.
• You will need to repaint your brick regularly (between 3-5 years), just as you would the rest of your siding.

Prep for Painting Exterior Brick

It is essential to thoroughly clean your brick surface prior to applying paint. Over time, a lot can be built up on the brick surface which will prevent paint from properly bonding. Thorough pressure washing or cleaning with soapy water and a wire brush is recommended to remove dust, dirt, mildew, and moss.

If you feel you need something more powerful, try a solution of trisodium phosphate instead of soap and water. For mildew, use a bleach solution. Let it sit for 30 minutes and scrub. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and let the wall dry for at least a day before applying paint.

Finally, use caulking to seal small cracks in bricks or grout. If the grout has larger cracks or there is significant deterioration, repointing may be necessary – contact a mason for an evaluation of your brickwork.

Use the Right Materials

First, consider paint. While there are several paints out there specifically for brick, they are not necessarily required. Regular acrylic latex paint backed up by a good primer is sufficient. As your brick will likely require some cleaning, opting for semi-gloss or a gloss sheen is recommended. This will also accentuate details like grout lines, so be aware of that.

Be Thorough in Your Work

Moisture can become trapped between the paint and the brick of your house if there are any cracks or gaps in the paint layer. This tends to happen around windows and doors. Make sure that everything is properly sealed and that a minimum of two good coats of paint are applied.

Brick Staining

Another option for revamping your brick is stain. Use stain specifically designed for brick to maintain the natural look and feel of the material while adjusting the color. Many clients don’t even know this option exists, so do some research before you make a decision to paint your exterior brick. Note that, like paint, brick staining cannot be undone.

If you’re looking for someone to paint your home’s exterior (or interior) brick, give the team at Mt Hood Pro Painting a call!