Should I Paint My Brick House?
LearnThe Pros & Cons of Painting Exterior Brick
We have all seen the show “Fixer Upper” with Joanna Gaines. Well, it was Season 3: Episode 8 that was the inspiration to research what painting the exterior brick would really take. Here is the “Before & After” if you didn’t catch that episode.
Painting exterior brick might be a perfect solution for some, there are pros and cons to painting the exterior brick that you should keep in mind before moving forward with your home project.
Some of the Benefits of Painting the Exterior Brick
If the brick seems to be outdated in the old red, orange, terracotta color, and a fresh coat of paint can provide some advantages.
- Boosting curb appeal. Painting brick is a great way to update your curb appeal and increase your home’s value. Using a dark color like slate grey or even a classic white can create a major visual impact when painted correctly.
- Provides protection from the elements. When your brick house is properly updated with new paint, the paint will act a sealant to protect your home from seasonal weather damages. Paint can also help reduce fading and help to catch any rot repairs that might be needed.
- Easy to keep clean. Brick siding is naturally porous, dirt and debris can become trapped and be difficult to clear away. Painted brick provides a smooth surface that is much easier to clean with occasional power washing.
Painting Exterior Brick: Potential Cons to Consider
- Painted brick is permanent. After you paint your brick house, you can’t go back to its original brick exterior. The process of even trying to remove paint from brick can be very costly. The good news, you can change the paint color as often as you’d like.
- Moisture can cause paint to chip. This is true for many home exteriors, but excess moisture can be a valid concern with painted brick especially near the ground. Simple repaints every 7-10 years can help prevent this.
- You may need to clean your house exterior more often. Painted brick is easier to clean than a natural brick exterior, but dirt and mildew are much more visible on painted exteriors. Opting for an occasional professional power washing can keep your brick exterior crisp and clean.
Kenneth Combs, owner of CQC Home, hired Zarazua painting to white-wash his personal home. Using the Joanna Gaines inspiration, we think it turned out great!
Another whole house remodel that we completed in Chapel Hill, using a painted brick exterior to help bring some that of that curb appeal we talked about.
