Exterior Brick Painting: Should You Paint Your Brick House?

Have you ever driven past a house, or maybe you’re looking at one to buy, and you instantly think, ¨OMG, that’s beautiful¨ before you’ve seen the inside?

That’s the value of street appeal. How the exterior of your home looks is what attracts people.

If you’re thinking about sprucing up the exterior of your brick home, you should consider painting it.

Like a lick of paint on internal walls, a painted brick house will create an entirely new look.

And done right, it’s something that will increase the value of your home with added street appeal.

Related topic: Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal by Hiring a Painting Company in Virginia

But before you jump in and start painting your exterior brick walls, here’s a few things you should know.

The top 3 pros of Exterior Brick Painting

Just because you chose your favourite brick color when you built your home many years ago, or you’ve bought a home as is, it doesn’t mean you can’t change it.

Here’s why you should paint your bricks:

You’ll get a new home look

If you love where you live and don’t want to move (or have found a dream home to buy, but the exterior color is putting you off), painting the exterior bricks will make you feel like you’re in a brand new home.

You can easily change your entire colour scheme from tired old red or orange bricks to clean and modern slate grey or white.

You’ll protect your bricks from the elements

Most people know about external weatherboard homes needing maintenance, but they’re unaware the same is required for bricks.

Painting your bricks (when done correctly) will act as a sealant to protect your home, covering any cracks in your mortar or bricks.

Exterior brick painting protects against water damage and reduces the fading and deterioration of your brickwork.

You’ll find your exterior walls easy to clean

The bricks of your home take a pounding – from dirt in the garden, dust and pollens blowing in, whipper snipper blow-offs etc.

The porous nature of bricks means the dirt gets stuck and is harder to clean (adding to your home looking old and your bricks deteriorating quicker).

Exterior brick painting provides a smooth surface that you’ll find a breeze to clean with a quick squirt from your power washer.

The top 3 cons of Exterior Brick Painting

As with most things housing, there are some cons that you need to be aware of before you start painting the exterior bricks of your home.

You need to consider it as a permanent feature

Be advised that professional painters in Northern Virginia recommend that once bricks are painted, they need to stay painted.

Although it can be removed, you’ll find it to be a super expensive exercise.

But, once you’ve painted your bricks, you can paint them as often as you like, so changing colours is always an option.

You’ll need to clean it more often

To keep your freshly painted brick exterior looking clean and fresh, you’ll need to maintain regular cleaning.

You’ll find that dirt and mildew are more evident on painted bricks which will detract from your street appeal.

You can either hit the walls with a pressure cleaner or hire professionals to get the job done for you (it’s relatively inexpensive).

You may find moisture is trapped, causing bricks to crack

All external finishes have a degree of trouble when it comes to moisture retention, but it can become an issue with painted brickwork nearer to the ground.

It’s recommended that you repaint your home every 7-10 years to help prevent moisture traps.

And it’s a great excuse to keep your exterior brickwork looking brand new.

Related article: What Is the Difference Between Brick Staining and Brick Painting?

How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Brick House?

A few factors come into play with the cost of exterior brick painting, including whether you’re attempting to DIY or hire a professional painter.

Of course, it also depends on the size of your home and if you’ve chosen to paint your entire home or you’re just sprucing up the façade of your home.

As a guide, external brick painting costs between $1,500 to $30,000, depending on the size of the home.

Professional House Painting Tips For Exterior Bricks

If your bricks are mouldy, chipped or damaged, don’t paint over them without using a sealant.

You’ll end up with moisture damage, and your efforts will be a waste of time.

Don’t skimp on paint quality. Make sure you’re using masonry paint (with primer) to get lasting results that won’t flake off and look dodgy.

If you’re not 100% sure how to do the job and want your brick paint job to look great and last for years, it makes sense to hire a professional painter who’ll do the job correctly.

If you decide to DIY, here’s a quick rundown on the steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Clean the bricks using a high-pressure water cleaner to remove any dirt, mould or contaminants.
2. Allow the bricks to dry for at least 3 days.
3. Prep the bricks, repairing any damaged mortar.
4. Caulk and seal the bricks in areas where water could get in (doors, windows, trims, hairline cracks)
5. Have fun painting, making sure you’ve got the correct paint and apply 2 coats.

Want Your External Brick Painting Job to Look Amazing Without the Hassle of DIY?

If you’ve decided that painting your bricks is the perfect option for you to create a new home look, then you should consider speaking to a professional painter before you start.

When you’re spending money on home improvements, you want to make sure you’re doing it correctly – preparing the bricks, fixing issues first and painting using the highest quality paint.

Professional painters in Northern Virginia will take care of this for you.

For a quote from your local painter, contact us today.