The benefits and drawbacks of painting the brick outside (and inside) of your home is a hot topic these days, especially with all of the fun home improvement makeover shows unveiling “painted” brick in their big reveals. While options for giving your brick a fresh look may seem limited, there are better ones than adding a coat of paint as painting is not necessarily the best choice both aesthetically or for the long term.
There are good reasons why professional masons are not typically big fans of painting your bricks. Bricks need to breathe and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to return painted bricks to their original state.
Here are painting alternatives for you to consider.
Mortar Wash, Also Known As German Schmear
The technique of using mortar wash involves spreading additional mortar on your brick and removing some of it before it hardens. It gives off an aged appearance. Typically, you have the option of a white or grey mortar.
Pros
It is relatively inexpensive.
The lovely old-world charm it brings to a modern home are the benefits of this style.
Unlike paint, you don't need to reapply after a number of years.
Cons
A mortar wash requires more time to apply than painting does. Additionally, once this impact is in place, it is essentially permanent. To get rid of the additional mortar, you would require muriatic acid, and there is no guarantee that your brick will be restored to its original appearance.
Limewash
A brick treatment called "limewash" employs water and specially prepared limestone powder. Whitewash and this effect are comparable. However, it's not paint. It has a very chalky texture and is more like putty that has been thinned with water.
It has been used for centuries to shield structures from elements including rain, wind, and UV rays. It works well on any porous material, including terra cotta, cinder blocks, brick, and adobe.
Pros
Limewash gives brick an older appearance that adds a lot of charm. Projects to renovate historical buildings frequently use this technique. Limewash comes in taupe, brown, grey, white, and black. Your brick will benefit from being weatherproof. Additionally, it is impervious to smell, dampness, fungus, and insects. Given the humid conditions in Florida, this is a huge benefit of Limewash.
Cons
Getting the shade just right is tricky and requires a lot of experimentation.
Whitewash
Whitewash is typically white latex paint that has been thoroughly blended with water and diluted half and half. For a variety of effects, you can change the ratio. Compared to a mortar wash, the effect is more even.
Whitewash gives your brick a vintage appearance that gives your house a lot of depth and charm. The painter will remove some of the paint with a cloth, revealing some of the original brick.
Pros
Whitewash is easier to apply than other techniques.
Whitewash has a 20–30 year lifespan with very little upkeep.
Cons
Whitewash's main drawback is that it is only available in white.
It’s permanent.
Ready to bring new life to your bricks? Contact us for a free quote!
Winter Park / Orlando’s Premier Painting, Flooring, Property Maintenance, and Home Improvement Contractor
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