Brick: to paint or not to paint?
A discussion we’ve had with dozens of Nashville homebuyers and homeowners: Is painting brick in a historic home a good idea?
People have passionate opinions on both sides.
If an old red brick fireplace makes your interior feel dark and dated, painting or whitewashing is a quick and effective way to bring an updated freshness. And if your exterior brick has seen better aesthetic years, painting can be a major boost to the curb appeal.
On the flipside, you could argue that by painting brick, you’re taking away from a home’s original character. And it’s definitely something you need to be certain about, since really, there’s no turning back — getting painted brick back to its original state isn’t impossible, but it’s sure close.
You’re adding some upkeep, too — most pros recommend repainting brick every three to five years, whereas naked brick shouldn’t need nearly as much attention.
There’s no right answer, really, it just depends on your individual tastes, your home and your brick. But if you’re thinking about taking on a painted brick project, here are a few things to think about first. (And, beyond this, talking to masonry professionals: always a good idea.)
Things to consider about painting brick
Don’t neglect prep
If you want your painted brick to look good and last, you can’t skip the prep. The surface needs to be clean and dry before you begin, and free of efflorescence — that grainy, white powdery material that pops up on brick, after moisture makes its way through and dries.
The most common advice: Use soapy water and a wire brush to clean. (Don’t mess with any acidic cleansers — they can damage the brick. And for large exterior projects, probably best to call a professional.) When you’re done cleaning, give at least a full 24 hours’ drying time. Any moisture in the brick will torpedo your paint job.
Here’s a pretty good brick painting how-to from Better Homes & Gardens, with basic advice for DIYers.
The condition of your brick is key
If you’re working with an older home, especially on the exterior, you might want to get a pro to assess the brick before you explore painting. If you have significant damage to the bricks or mortar, and you paint it anyway, best-case scenario it looks bad, worst-case, your paint job makes the damage get worse over time.
On the flip side, if you have new brick that you’re thinking about painting, give it some time. Prevailing wisdom is to take at least a year to let things settle and dry before picking up a brush or roller.
Use the right materials
A lot can go wrong with painted brick, especially if you use the wrong paint.
Brick is porous, and it’s supposed to “breathe” and let moisture escape. If you use exterior paint that prevents that, you can end up with more moisture damage, and bigger problems than aesthetics. For exterior projects especially, look for masonry paints formulated to let the brick breathe.
Another thing to consider: Stain can be a better choice. Same as with wood, stain gets absorbed, instead of sitting on the surface. So you can get better, more thorough coverage. It can be easier, too — some stain can be applied/blotted with a rag, for a really DIY-friendly application.
Love the look of painted brick? Here are a few examples in practice, in homes on the market now in Nashville:
3622 Central Ave
Nashville, TN 37205
$1,650,000
They went with a white and bright aesthetic throughout this renovated 1920 home in Richland, including the exterior brick.
316 Fairfax Ave
Nashville, TN 37212
$1,074,000
With this 1910 Crafstman just off West End, there’s a mix of paint and restraint — porch columns painted to match the siding, and a red brick walkway bringing contrast.
1513 Dallas Ave
Nashville, TN 37212
$649,000
There’s some untouched exposed brick in this 1925 12 South/Belmont area home too, but this white fireplace lets the clean design aesthetic in the living room shine.
1913 Ashwood Ave
Nashville, TN 37212
$1,080,000
The pale green painted brick on this 1930 Craftsman in Belmont-Hillsboro was a nice choice — it picks up the green in the lush lot, and still feels really classic.
Are you looking for a new brick home in Nashville, painted or otherwise? Let us know if we can help you find it. Contact Radius Residential Partners here.
Included listings via MLS, not under agreement with Radius Residental Partners and/or Village Real Estate, unless noted.
Published on 2017-05-08 16:54:43
