Painting the brick is the most extreme solution for a dark brick exterior, but it brightens the look. It's a good option when you don't like the brick color at all. Neutral paint colors ranging from white to taupe tend to look best.
Paint The Bricks
Another method of restoring the faded color of bricks is through painting them. Before painting, you need to rinse the bricks off first with water. Make sure that the bricks absorb the water. After that, scrub the bricks with a pre-paint cleaner before they entirely dry up.
If you're looking for a subtle color change, colored mortar may be a good option. Colored mortar is made by adding pigments to the mortar mixture before it is applied to the brick. This can result in a slightly darker or lighter shade that complements the existing color of the brick.
Paint the brick a lighter color using an exterior paint specifically made for cement and brick surfaces. Specialized brick surface paints are created to allow absorbency of the liquid to occur while providing even and consistent coverage. Use a nappy roller to apply the paint.
If done correctly, brick staining can protect your property from the weather and retain the integrity of the brick while also making the exterior look brand new. I love it and recommend this option if you are looking to give the exterior of your home a refresh. It can really transform your home.
“Red brick works well with white,” says Wegner. “If your red-brick house has large '60s-style windows, I would keep them and paint them white. If the windows are not that appealing, consider enlarging or replacing them with beautiful white, black or natural timber framed ones to enhance the brickwork.”
Apply a Stain
If you simply cannot work with the existing color of your brick, staining can be a good alternative to painting. A stain is applied to the surface of your brick and is absorbed to alter the color like a dye. Staining has less upkeep than painting and keeps the brick's natural variation.
Warm water alone is typically sufficient in cleaning exposed brick but if the wall is particularly dirty, then the dish detergent and table salt mixture can cut through grease and stains. Apply it to the brick and let it sit for about 10 minutes before using the brush to scrub away the dirt.
This is usually when the bricks arrive wet. The bricks do dry considerably lighter. We suggest you lay the bricks out at room temperature for at least one week. You will then see that the bricks will match the sample when dry.
Unlike paint which coats the surface, brick tints are absorbed and chemically bonded to the masonry. This preserves the original texture and character of the brick, resulting in a natural-looking change of colour that's permanent and doesn't require any ongoing maintenance.
Water-based stain is the best choice for brickwork
Water-based stains are the best option when it comes to maintaining your brick wall. This kind of stain infuses the material with critical moisture that will continue to allow it to shine in your interior space.
Limewash brick is an alternative for when you don't want to paint your exterior brick surfaces. The result is a white washed look made for brick.
It's a technique of applying watered-down paint. Whitewashing covers the brick with a translucent white coat. Whitewash allows the texture of the brick to show through, while covering most of its red color. You can adjust the thickness of the whitewash to control how much of the original brick color remains visible.
A professional sealer application can help rejuvenate old brickwork and restore its bright red color. Professional-grade pneumatic spray equipment can ensure efficient and expedient sealing work. Some brick sealants will require multiple coats, while others will protect brickwork with only one layer.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on the bricks and let is sit for a few minutes. Use a sponge mop to clean the bricks. If the bricks are very dirty, use a nylon-bristled scrub brush and put some elbow grease into the scrubbing.
Gray is a versatile color that has a way of making red brick pop. This neutral color comes in many shades, giving you several options that work well with the unique shades of your red brick. There are several types of paint for gray, making the possibilities seem endless.
Apply a bleach mixture to eliminate moss and mold.
Make a cleaning solution using 4 parts water to 1 part bleach. Combine it all in a bucket. Scrape off any moss or mold with a spatula or a stiff-bristled brush. Apply a generous covering of the bleach mixture directly to the red brick and let it sit overnight.
Simple things like changing up the trim and paint colors will make a noticeable impact — try to pick a neutral primary color, like beige, brown or gray. If you want to stray from the norm with bright accents, try painting your front door or garage door something bright, such as red, green, blue or yellow.
The stain is just as long-lasting as the brick it is applied to. Painting brick makes a larger environmental impact as more chemicals and toxins are introduced to the structure and surroundings. As painted brick needs more maintenance, every three to five years, more paint is needed to be applied to the brick.
staining brick, cost-effectiveness is a big plus for staining, right from the start. While painting requires one primer coat and two finish coats, staining brick only requires two coats total. That means the cost to paint the exterior of your home is often 50% more than staining.
Cost-effective
Exterior brick staining is initially 10-20% higher than exterior brick painting in terms of material and prep costs. But in the long run, it far outweighs the initial cost. Because once you've stained your bricks, you won't have to repaint them for decades!