Should I Paint My Brick House? Understand This One Thing First

Should I paint my brick house? It’s a question we get all the time, and my answer is yes, as long as you use a paint that lets the brick breathe. Most of the problems people blame on painted brick come from using the wrong paint, not from painting it at all. Here’s the one thing to understand before anyone touches your brick.

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Why brick needs to breathe

Brick is porous. It soaks up moisture from rain and humidity and lets it back out as it dries. That’s normal, and it’s part of why brick lasts so long. Regular latex paint forms a film over the surface, and that film can trap moisture inside the brick. Over time, trapped water can lead to:

• Spalling: the face of the brick flakes or pops off.
• Efflorescence: a chalky white residue from minerals pushed to the surface.
• Peeling and bubbling: the paint lets go because moisture is pushing it off from behind.

So when someone tells you painting brick ruins it, this is usually what they’ve seen.

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What we use on exterior brick

On exterior brick we use Romabio mineral paint. Mineral paint soaks into the brick and bonds with it, instead of sitting on top like a plastic film, so moisture can still get out. It also has a soft, flat finish that looks like it belongs on masonry. You can still see the texture of the brick, just in a new color. For a deeper dive, read our post on breathable brick paint.

One thing we don’t do is limewash exterior brick. We use limewash on interior walls only. Outside, mineral paint is our pick.

When painting brick makes sense

Painting your brick house is usually a good idea when:

• The brick color is dated, like orange, pink or a mix of mismatched patches from old repairs.
• You want a cleaner, more modern or more classic look without re-siding the house.
• The brick is sound, without major cracks, crumbling mortar or ongoing water problems.

If there’s active water damage, fix that first. Painting won’t solve a leak, and no paint should be used to cover one up.

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Questions to ask your painter

Before you hire anyone to paint your brick, ask:

1. What paint will you use, and does it let the brick breathe?
2. How will you clean and prep the brick before painting?
3. Will you repair cracked mortar or damaged brick first?
4. Can I see a sample on my house before we commit?

If the answer to the first one is “regular exterior latex,” keep looking.

Painting brick in Memphis and Nashville

Our summers are hot and humid and we get plenty of rain, so moisture is always moving in and out of brick here. That’s why a breathable paint matters so much on homes around Memphis and Nashville. We’ve painted plenty of brick across both areas, and the prep and the paint are what decide how it looks years later.

Conclusion

So, should you paint your brick house? If the brick is sound and you use a mineral paint that lets it breathe, it’s one of the best ways to change the look of a home. The wrong paint is what causes problems, not the painting itself. If you’re on the fence, we’re happy to come look at your brick and give you an honest answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I paint my brick house white?

Yes. White and soft off-whites are some of the most popular colors for painted brick. Use a breathable mineral paint, and test samples on the house first, because white reads brighter outside in full sun than it does on a chip.

Should I paint old brick?

Often, yes, as long as it’s in good shape. Older brick can be softer, so it needs gentle cleaning and a breathable paint. Repair loose mortar or damaged bricks first. If the brick is crumbling, fix that before painting.

Can I paint my brick house myself?

You can, but it’s a big job. Brick needs a thorough cleaning, mortar repairs and careful application to get even coverage in all the texture, and on a two-story house you’re on ladders the whole time. Most homeowners hire this one out.

Is painting brick a bad idea?

Not with the right paint. Most of the horror stories come from regular latex paint that trapped moisture and peeled. A mineral paint that lets the brick breathe avoids most of those problems.

Can you limewash exterior brick?

We don’t. We use limewash on interior walls only. For exterior brick we use Romabio mineral paint, which lets the brick breathe and gives you a durable, flat finish.

Keep reading

• Breathable Brick Paint: A Smart Choice for Memphis Homes
• The Secret Germantown Homeowners know about Painted Brick
• Transform Your Arlington, TN Home with Expert Exterior Painting: Colors, Breathable Brick Paint