Keep the Brick or Paint It? A Salt Lake Homeowner’s Guide to Updating Older Brick Homes

Older brick homes are part of Salt Lake City’s character, but a dated exterior can leave homeowners wondering whether to preserve the original masonry or change its color. There is no universal answer. The right choice depends on the condition of the brick and mortar, the home’s architectural character, moisture history, the finish you want, and whether the property has historic protections. If you are considering painting a brick house in Salt Lake City, start with the material—not the color chart.

First, Know What Kind of Older Home You Have

An older home is not automatically a historic property. A house may simply be older, may be listed in a National Register district, or may be inside a locally designated historic district or be a local landmark. Salt Lake City explains that local historic districts are subject to design review for exterior changes, while National Register listing by itself does not restrict what a private owner may do. Before altering character-defining masonry, check the City’s property-specific historic information and, when applicable, confirm requirements with Planning staff.

Option 1: Keep the Original Brick

Keeping exposed masonry is often the lowest-change approach when the brick is attractive and in sound condition. Cleaning, selective mortar repair, and updating adjacent elements—trim, doors, gutters, lighting, landscaping, or porch details—can modernize the facade without coating the wall. This is especially worth considering on historic masonry. The National Park Service warns that inappropriate cleaning and impermeable coatings can damage older masonry, and notes that moisture problems often come from maintenance issues such as failed joints, roofs, gutters, or openings rather than from the masonry simply being “too porous.”

Option 2: Paint the Brick

A painted finish can create the most dramatic visual change and can unify brick that has mismatched repairs or a color the homeowner no longer wants. Popular directions for older Utah homes include warm whites, soft greiges, muted taupes, and deeper charcoal accents on trim or doors. The tradeoff is commitment: once masonry is coated, returning it to its original appearance can be difficult and potentially damaging if removal is aggressive.

Preparation matters. Manufacturer guidance from Sherwin-Williams calls for cleaning, allowing the surface to dry, repairing damage, and using masonry-compatible primers and coatings. Its Loxon masonry line is one manufacturer-specific option for appropriate substrates. Benjamin Moore also makes masonry primers and coatings, including breathable masonry products; product selection still has to match the actual wall, previous coatings, and moisture conditions.

Option 3: Stain, Limewash, or Update Around the Brick

If full coverage feels too permanent, consider a middle path. Masonry stain can shift the color while retaining more surface variation; limewash can create a softer, mineral look; and partial updates can leave the main brick untouched. A new front-door color, painted trim, darker fascia, refreshed metalwork, or a coordinated garage door can move a red or brown brick home toward a more current palette without covering every masonry surface. Always verify that a stain or mineral finish is compatible with the existing brick and any previous sealer or coating.

What Does It Cost?

The Hive Painting should inspect a specific home before giving a project price. For planning only, 2026 national consumer cost guides place professional exterior brick painting around $1.50–$4.50 per square foot, while brick staining is commonly reported around $1–$4 per square foot. These are not Salt Lake City quotes. Actual cost changes with wall area, stories and access, repairs, cleaning, masking, existing coatings, product system, and number of colors. Updating only trim or doors may cost less because the scope is smaller, but repair needs can change that comparison.

A Simple Decision Framework

Keep the brick when its natural color supports the architecture, the masonry is in good condition, or preservation is a priority. Consider a coating or stain when you want a major color change and the masonry is a suitable candidate after inspection. If you are unsure, test the least permanent visual changes first and review large color samples in Salt Lake’s changing daylight before committing to the entire facade.

For homeowners comparing exterior options, The Hive Painting’s Salt Lake City hub explains local service coverage, and the exterior painting service page provides the next step when a professional surface evaluation or estimate would be useful.

FAQ

Should I paint my brick house just because it looks old?

No. Age alone is not a reason to coat masonry. Condition, moisture sources, architectural character, previous treatments, and your design goals matter more.

Can painted brick trap moisture?

Some inappropriate or non-permeable coatings can contribute to moisture being retained in masonry. The National Park Service specifically cautions against impermeable coatings on historic brick. Product choice and wall conditions should be evaluated before coating.

Do I need historic approval in Salt Lake City?

Not every older home does. Local historic districts and locally designated landmark sites have City review requirements for exterior changes; National Register status alone is different. Verify the property’s status before planning alterations.

Ready to Compare Options for Your Exterior?

If you are deciding between preserving, staining, or painting exterior brick, start with an evaluation of the existing surface. Contact The Hive Painting for an exterior painting estimate in the Salt Lake City area. Salt Lake City painting services | Exterior painting | Request an estimate