Alternatives to Painting Brick

Looking to change the appearance of your existing brick home? You should consider staining the brick instead of painting it.

The most important reason being that brick is a porous material that absorbs moisture when wet. Over time, that moisture evaporates naturally from the surface of the brick and its mortar joints. Paint interferes with this process, coating the masonry and trapping water in the wall. If the paint you use is not breathable there’s no way for the moisture to exit, which eventually causes your brick to deteriorate and flake apart (“spalling”). This issue is exacerbated by freeze-thaw cycles, so paint is definitely not advisable for properties located in Chicago and the greater Midwest! 

If you’re determined to change the color of your brick, look into these two options before committing to paint.

Going Darker? Try Masonry Staining

Masonry stain works similarly to wood stain in that it penetrates the surface of stucco, concrete, or brick and deposits pigment. For masonry staining, we recommend Masonry Cosmetics. Their powdered pigments are mixed with water and a special bonding chemical that permanently infuses the pore structure of the masonry with color — essentially making the end result it maintenance-free.

Going Lighter? Try Limewash

The best option for lightening your brick would be limewash. Limewashing dates back to ancient Rome and essentially is a damage-free, breathable application of powdered quicklime mixed with water (and sometimes pigments). Similar to a coating rather than a stain, limewash does require touch-ups maintenance over time.

How to tell if your home is a good candidate for limewash or staining?

Brick is a diverse and durable material. The best candidate for a limewash or stain is a brick that is still porous. Glazed or vitrified brick cannot absorb water well, meaning it’s not going to absorb a stain well either. An easy way to check how porous your brick may be is to simply wet the brick and see if the water soaks in. If the water is absorbed and darkens the brick color, it’s a good candidate for staining. If the water runs off the wall or barely soaks in, your brick is not very porous.

Options if you must paint your brick

While painting brick isn’t ever recommended by masonry professionals, it does still happen from time to time. Maybe you want to create a beautiful mural on the side of a brick building! If this is the case, seek out mineral paints that are permeable and breathable, with low steam diffusion values and high moisture vapor transmission rates. Acrylic and latex paints should be avoided, as they will always trap water. It’s also important to make sure the wall is thoroughly clean and dry before you bust out the paint brush. For exterior walls, it’s definitely worth consulting with a professional to ensure your building is fully weathertight prior to painting. Interior-only walls, and walls in warm and dry climates, will experience less issues over time; but all painted brick will require frequent maintenance to maintain the look (so be sure to keep cans of touch-up paint on hand). And don’t forget – removing paint is a difficult process, so tread carefully! 

Final Thoughts

If you’re in a position where your brick has already been painted, you can visibly check for trapped moisture and damage. Some tell- tale signs of trapped moisture include blistering, or flaking paint, the appearance of salty white deposits called efflorescence, and eroding or crumbling brick and mortar joints. It’s important to consult a professional to assess the conditions and best course of action, whether or not you decide to remove the paint. If paint is removed incorrectly, it may even cause more damage than leaving it as is.

Need some advice on changing the color of your brick, or achieving the aesthetic of painted brick without causing problems down the line? Contact Bricks Incorporated! Known for their knowledge of masonry products and reclaimed materials, their expertise in brick matching and best practices will help guide you in the best direction for your home.

Contact them today at BRICKSINC.NET | 773-523-5718 | INFO@BRICKSINC.NET