Is It Bad to Paint Brick? To Paint or Not to Paint
Written By Nathan Sullivan
There is a wide range of exterior painting services but one that always brings a tough decision is whether to paint or not to paint brick. While painting will change the outlook of your home to give it a modern view, it adds maintenance challenges and can even cause long-term damage. This blog explains some pros, cons, options, and when to leave your brick as it is.
Brick is a porous material, which means it allows moisture to pass through it. In fact, it's this breathability that is responsible for a lot of its appeal over the years as a building material. When painting brick, this natural process can be interfered with, thereby leading to trapped moisture causing efflorescence and spalling: circumstances under which the surface of the brick crumbles.
Being cheap and easily available, wood is the major raw material for houses being built in the United States. That makes a brick house a real rarity. Painted brick may give a home a nice look, but there are serious issues as far as the long-term consequences of such a renovation.
Many homeowners like the idea of painting their brick homes to give them a modern, clean look. The popular color options range from white and gray to even black, thus breathing a sleek and contemporary feel into what is otherwise an outdated brick home. An update like this is common in neighborhoods with many brick homes looking for different ways to stand out.
However, one of the most important aesthetic disadvantages involves understanding that brick, once painted, cannot be returned to its unpainted state. Brick absorbs paint deeply, and the paint cannot be removed entirely once applied. Homeowners should be quite sure about painting a brick house; once done, it will be permanent. Additionally, the texture and color of the original brick may have been chosen for a reason-so for durability, style, or historical significance. Changing that by painting may undermine the architectural integrity of the home.
Bricks in older, historic neighborhoods carry a lot of architectural merit and thus are highly valued. As such, homeowners of houses residing in one of those historic areas often will not have the option to paint brick due to preservation laws. The brick homes from before the 1940s were built with softer materials-lime mortar and handmade bricks-designed to breathe. Painting the brick traps moisture, leads to spalling, and causes irreversible damage.
In the U.S., where homes are predominantly made of wood, brick homes are already a rare sight and often carry historical significance. Altering the exterior of a historic home can reduce its value and may even violate local preservation laws. If you own a home with historical significance, it’s essential to consider whether painting the brick will harm its original character.
Every city can vary a little bit but here is a link for Salt Lake City’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines.
Painting brick can be a huge improvement in curb appeal for a home, where it will often appear clean and uniform, whereas unpainted brick might not. Whether modernizing an older home or wanting to be the cool kid on the block, painting can help achieve just the look you're after.
Additionally, painting can also provide a form of protection against certain elements, particularly when the brick is old or in disrepair. A good-quality, breathable masonry paint can seal the cracks and protect the brick from further deterioration. Improvement in that sense, however, relies on choosing the right paint to avoid a buildup of moisture and other moisture-related issues.
While dirt, mold, and mildew eventually saturate into the brick, painted brick tends to be cleaner due to the elimination of the porous nature of the brick. Painted brick can remain fresh-looking with a gentle wash for many years. Remember, continuous maintenance is required with painted brick, including repainting in intervals as short as every 10-15 years.
The single most significant negative associated with painting brick rests in the fact that the decision is nearly irreversible. Once brick is painted, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to remove the paint without damaging the underlying material. If you ever decide you want to return to the natural look of brick, the process of stripping the paint will be costly and time-consuming, and the results may well not be perfect.
A great risk associated with painting brick involves moisture. Using the incorrect type of paint can seal up the brick and not allow it to breathe-trapping moisture. With time, this may degrade the brick with problems ranging from salt deposits on the surface of the brick, called efflorescence, to spalling.
As said before, painted brick is easier to clean, however, maintenance is another story altogether. The paint does tend to fade, peel, or chip after some time, especially depending on the type of weather this brick has been through. Homeowners must be prepared to repaint their brick every decade or so, which is expensive and laborious.
If you are a bit apprehensive about painting your brick and you still want a complete overhaul of the look of your home, then there are several alternatives worth considering.
Limewash is a breathable coating applied to brick to achieve a soft, weathered look. Unlike painting, limewash can allow the moisture to escape and greatly reduce the risks of any moisture damage. Also, limewashing is relatively easy for those looking to change without the permanence of painting.
German Smear applies a thin layer of mortar directly over the brick, usually giving it that rustic look and feel. It lets the brick still be seen but can give it a bit of a different look and modernize it. Like limewashing, this process is breathable, allowing moisture to evaporate instead of staying in the walls and causing an issue.
So, is it a bad idea to paint a brick house? For the most part, it depends on your situation. Painting brick can help with curb appeal, give it some protection from the elements, while at the same time, there are some possible risks that are involved: damage from moisture and irreversible damage. If your home is of historical significance, painting the brick may decrease its value and violate preservation laws.
Carefully weigh the cons against the pros before you make your decision. Get professional advice to see if painting applies best for your home. If you would like something a little less permanent, limewashing, or the German Smear technique may refresh what you need without the commitment that paint may offer.
If you're looking for a painter in Utah for your brick or other alternatives like a brick sealer, it's best to go with professionals as we will walk you through the process and maintain the integrity of your brick in the long run. Whether choosing the right paint, exploring limewashing, or learning about proper brick maintenance-leave it to The Hive Painting for expert services and personalized advice. Contact us today for a free consultation!
Our team is ready to serve, provide information, and solutions that suit your needs for those who want renovation work in homes without compromising strength. Our work speaks for itself.
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2024-10-15
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