Brick Tinting Before And After? The 84 Detailed Answer

Brick painting, brick coloring… They both sound the same to me!

Updating the color of your brick will do wonders for your home’s appeal. Not to mention it can potentially increase resale value as brick is valued as a durable exterior surface. When it comes time for your brick renovation, you have the option of painting or staining bricks. A paint and a stain are similar in that they both consist of the essential components: a carrier (water in the case of water-based coatings) and solids (binders, pigments and additives). After this point, however, brick color and stain part ways. Many of our customers ask us, “What is the difference between painting bricks and staining bricks” and why we choose to only stain bricks?

To answer these questions, we’ve compiled the top 4 differences between brick painting and brick staining (and why you should stick with staining):

1. Brick painting requires maintenance. The coloring is permanent.

The day you paint your brick is the day that paint degradation and maintenance begins. Not what you expected, right? According to the Brick Industry Association, you should expect to paint your brick every 3-5 years. This is mainly due to common adhesion failures that occur when painting bricks, such as: B. Efflorescence. Efflorescence occurs when soluble salt deposits migrate to the surface as water evaporates. These stubborn white deposits essentially sit under the coat of paint, causing the paint to eventually lift and flake. Rather than covering the surface like a paint, a brick stain is absorbed by the brick and ultimately acts like a dye. Silicate minerals penetrate deep into the masonry and form a chemical bond with the brick (which we will talk about later) and tint the brick for a permanent color transformation that requires no maintenance.

2. Painting bricks traps moisture. Coloring allows the brick to breathe.

As a porous surface, brick must be able to breathe (painting 101 people). Painting bricks saturates the pores of the brick with paint, preventing the brick from effectively releasing water and moisture. Because the moisture cannot evaporate, it remains trapped in the surface, causing blistering and flaking. As more water can potentially enter the brick through these cracks and chips, more water remains trapped in the surface and can lead to water damage over time. Formulated with silicate minerals, our brick stain keeps the physical properties of the brick intact as if it were virtually untreated, allowing water and moisture to shed successfully. When bricks can do their job of shedding moisture properly, you get a superior, long-lasting finish without unsightly blistering, chipping, and flaking.

3. Paint brick creates a film over the brick. The coloring forms a chemical bond with it.

As mentioned earlier, the paint covers and coats the brick with a non-breathable film. On the other hand, our clinker glaze forms a chemical bond with the masonry and actually becomes part of the brick itself through a petrification process. Unlike a surface treatment, the stain penetrates deep into the brick and once dry forms a permanent bond with the masonry to preserve the colour to include permanently. The result is a durable finish that looks like brand new brick.

4. Painting bricks gives a flat finish. The coloring preserves the natural appearance.

Painting completely fills in the nooks and crannies of the brick. Because the paint simply sits on the surface, it creates a distinctly painted, thick, flat surface that causes the brick to lose its natural look and feel. In particular, the opaque, slightly translucent surface of our stain emphasizes and enhances the natural texture of the brick. If you touch the brick after our stain has dried you will find that you feel brick and not paint. Available in a variety of different colors, you can lighten, darken, or completely change the color of your brick to refresh and modernize the look of your home.

It looks like we have a clear winner when it comes to the battle between painting and coloring bricks! Staining brick is a permanent solution that not only looks more natural, but also allows the brick to do what it’s supposed to do: breathe! Not only does tinting your exterior brick give your home an instant facelift, it also requires no maintenance like painting. Brick is one of the most durable siding options, which is why it’s also one of the most expensive to replace. If your brick is in good condition, you can save the cost of replacing your brickwork entirely by staining it! Before staining your brick, a water test must be performed to ensure the brick can absorb the stain.

When it comes to durability, brick homes and buildings are among the most durable of all structures. In fact, the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, South Africa and Bromley Hall in London, England are both brick structures that are over 500 years old. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend centuries looking at the same old color in your home. If you learn to color bricks, you can change its appearance over the course of a weekend.

Related How to paint a brick fireplace

Can you color bricks? Stain vs. Color

Both stain and paint can change the appearance of brick siding, fireplaces, and other brickwork. They each have their pros and cons, but both are good options for a brick makeover. The choice depends on your goals.

When it comes to a simple application, brick painting is usually the way to go. With a thick roller, an old brush, and a little effort, you can achieve a varnished look in just a coat or two. The paint dries on the outside of the brick, completely covering it. The color doesn’t penetrate the brick, however, so it’s not as long-lasting or durable as a stain.

In contrast, applying stain is more difficult and often requires multiple coats to achieve the desired color and effect. This is because bricks are porous and will soak up the stain as it is applied. For this reason, it is best to apply a stain with a paint sprayer, although a roller and brush can also be used. However, brick coloring has several advantages. First of all, the look lasts much longer than color. Staining these surfaces also brings out the brick’s natural beauty and covers more area – meaning this method would likely save you money.

How to color bricks

Brick coloring isn’t complex, but there are certain steps you need to follow to get the best possible result.

Step 1: Clean the stones

In order for a stain to penetrate and adhere well, the bricks should be relatively clean. However, due to its irregularities and porosity, brick can be difficult to clean.

Use a pressure washer to clean the entire area. Don’t be too aggressive with the pressure or nozzle because while bricks are durable, you can easily damage grout with too much pressure.

Reduce the pressure to about 1,000 PSI (maximum 1,500), being careful not to blow off the grout.

Step 2: Make repairs

After the surface is clean, conduct a thorough inspection of the brick and mortar joints. Most likely, the bricks are in suitable condition. But mortar can deteriorate over time, so make repairs where necessary.

Prepare the grout mix by following the manufacturer’s instructions on the bag. Then, using the pick trowel, replace any deteriorated mortar with the fresh mix. Be sure to work the grout into the joint as much as possible and shape the repair to blend with the rest of the joint.

Allow the grout to dry for at least a few days before staining.

Step 3: Prepare the area

Stain is thinner than paint and staining bricks can be very messy.

If you’re staining interior brick, use masking tape to protect anything along the brick that you don’t want to stain, such as walls, trim, mantles, etc. Use drop cloths to protect anything you can’t remove from the area.

For coloring exterior bricks, if necessary, glue along all trim, window sills and the foundation. Also place drapes over larger items such as shrubs, bushes, decks, sidewalks and the like.

Step 4: Mix the stain

Like paint, the stain will settle in the can over time, with the pigments sinking to the bottom and the solvents rising to the top. These components must be mixed thoroughly to ensure the finished product is even and consistent.

The best tool for mixing masonry stain is a drill with a paint mixer attached. Place the end of the blender into the stain and blend until all the contents are combined. You can also use a wooden paint stirrer; it will just take longer.

Depending on the manufacturer, you may need to thin the first coat. In this case, use a clean bucket and add the water according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Keep this blended stain separate from the rest.

Step 5: Load the paint sprayer

Using an inexpensive paint sprayer (about $60) is far more efficient than rolling and brushing the stain onto the brick. Load by removing the hopper and filling to the “max” line.

Reattach the funnel to the paint sprayer and prime it by plugging it in, pointing it at a piece of cardboard, and holding the trigger until it sprays.

Rotate the spray nozzle so the spray pattern is vertical.

Step 6: Spray the brick

Finally, start coating the brick with the sprayer. Hold the sprayer about 30 cm from the brick surface and at a slight angle.

While holding the trigger, swing the sprayer left to right, overlapping the last pass by half. Continue sweeping back and forth until you’ve coated the entire brick surface. Use an old brush to clean up puddles or level out mortar joints.

After letting it dry (the time depends on humidity, temperature and the thickness of the applied layer), apply another layer. If possible, rotate the spray nozzle so the spray pattern is horizontal and apply this coat in an up and down motion. Again, overlap the last pass by half.

Continue applying layers in this manner, using alternating spray patterns, until the brick finish looks as planned.

You’ve given your brick surface a makeover that will last for years. Best of all, you don’t even have to seal the brick after staining it. By learning how to color brick, you can enjoy the low maintenance and durability of your brick finish, as well as the fresh new look you’ve given it.

tools and materials

To update or change the look of red brick exterior walls, stain the brick with an iron oxide-based brick tint or penetrating masonry stain. Like ceramic tiles, bricks are clay-based blocks that are shaped, fired, and then cooled. Changing brick color is possible because bricks are porous and easily absorb stains and tints. Because older red brick walls can be discolored from years of weathering or previous coats of masonry sealer, each new stain application may dry with some color variation.

Using a stiff-bristled brush, apply one to two coats of non-glazing masonry sealer to your bricks. Some manufacturers recommend using only one coat, so read the label carefully. The sealer allows you to get even coverage as you paint and makes it easier to remove the paint later if you want to change the color or restore a more natural look. Allow the sealer to dry before proceeding.

BrickImaging is the leading provider of brickwork color transformations. Thanks to Stayntech™ – our exclusive and best brick stain product – we are able to change the color of brickwork while preserving its natural aesthetics.

While brick painting is the latest home improvement sensation, eventually the paint applied to the brick will chip, peel and/or fade. Brick painters will often find that paint doesn’t last very long.

With Stayntech™ we guarantee it won’t chip or peel. You can also rest assured that it will be maintenance free for many years to come.

Stayntech™ is the best brick stain on the market. Preserves the natural appearance of your brickwork

Brushing over brick blocks the natural airflow process that can cause chipping and cracking. The best brick stain absorbs into the brick, forming a protective barrier and allowing it to breathe.

Stayntech™ Brick Stain products are available in four uses to help you get the best results:

Stayntech Renew™: Single color stain that applies evenly to brick and mortar. This application can also be used on blocks, stones or vertical concrete substrates.

: Single color stain applied evenly to brick and mortar. This application can also be used on blocks, stones or vertical concrete substrates. Stayntech Define™: Offers an option for contrasting brick and mortar colors.

: Provides an option for contrasting brick and mortar colors. Stayntech Enhance™: Allows the option to combine multiple colors on individual stones to create a multicolored appearance.

allows the option to combine multiple colors on individual bricks for a multi-colored appearance. Staytech™ Combined: Stayntech Define + Enhance options can be combined to enhance detail or incorporate additional colors.

Choose any brick patch colors or patterns you desire

With Stayntech™, the best brick stain, we offer a wide range of brick stain colors and patterns to choose from such as:

White

Hidden White

moondust

Modern soy

Cozy grey

Armored and more!

This gives us the flexibility to get the colors exactly how you want them.

Increase the retail value of your property with Stayntech™ Brick Stain Exterior

No matter what you do, brick will fade over time. Once this happens, it can change the entire look of your neighborhood, home or property and affect its value. With our best exterior brick glaze technology, you’ll add a fresh layer of protection that will withstand the elements while potentially increasing the value of your property. The exterior of your home will also last much longer.

All Stayntech™ projects include:

covering windows and doors

Top coat sealer with a matte finish for environmental protection

Standard 15 year limited warranty

Eliminate replacement costs

With brick painting, you need to maintain the look over time. The larger the area, the more it costs you to keep up with it. While a fresh coat of paint can change the aura of a commercial building or home, that aura quickly dissipates when the paint begins to chip and fade.

Improve the neighborhood around you

This is an often underestimated effect of using Stayntech™. We’ve seen entire neighborhoods transform overnight after completing our brick coloring process. A freshly painted building that looks like new evokes positive feelings. Consider the broken window theory, where a broken window opens the door to more vandalism. An improved appearance can often inspire a renewed sense of pride in you and others in your neighborhood.

Attract more customers and tenants with a renewed look

When you see an old, dilapidated brick building, make a quick judgment about quality. A new looking building can evoke positive feelings among your employees and customers.

Stayntech™ The Best Brick Stain – Customer Testimonials

Dianne Travis Technical Director, Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute

“We at the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute are happy to recommend your coloring services to customers with color matching problems in brick, block, mortar or concrete. Masonry walls are meant to last and we believe your stain will too. We have recommended your work several times in the past with excellent results. We will continue to educate people with brickwork color matching issues about your service.”

Jim Anderson. Q & M Masonry, Ft. Collins CO

“Brick Imaging has saved us a lot of money. They have carried out several projects for us in a very professional manner. All have developed very well and the owners were very satisfied. I would give BrickImaging the highest compliments for their expertise.”

Deborah Catellier, GSG Architecture

“It was amazing to see the building transform in such a surprisingly quick process. The owner worried for months about what to do with the back of the building now that it had a nice annexe next door and painting was not an option. When they saw the stained brick they were a “satisfied customer”. They were even more excited that it didn’t cost a lot of money and that there will be little to no maintenance. We had a comment from a citizen asking when we replaced all of those individual bricks. When we told them it was a stain they couldn’t believe it.

Thank you for beautifying the Historic Townsend Hotel and helping become Natrona County’s Townsend Justice Center.”

Terry Bond, Beck Construction Company

“We worked together on the Art Gallery in downtown Denver, Colorado last year and wanted to say thank you to our company. As you may recall, we were in the process of renovating a 100 year old brick building into a modern art gallery. The building fabric had to be extensively renovated, which in turn had an impact on the overall budget. Because of this unexpected expense, our exterior facade budget was cut. We have contacted your company in hopes of finding an alternative method of exterior cladding. To our surprise, the end product was better than we had imagined even before our budget was cut. We requested a custom color that required many samples. Your crew happily adjusted the colors until our customer was satisfied. BrickImaging completed the job on time and within budget. The building continues to look great and we achieved exactly what the client wanted, a great looking building with an all new exterior color scheme. Thank you to you and your crew for everything you have done. We really appreciate your professionalism.”

What are the advantages of coloring bricks?

Bricks have excellent durability and can last for centuries with proper care, which doesn’t mean they always have to wear the same color. Staining your brick surfaces is the best idea to keep them looking fresh and new over time.

Is brick coloring better than painting?

Coloring brick not only improves its appearance, but also gives it better durability, among other benefits:

Durability. Stained brick lasts a very long time. By coloring the brick, that color becomes part of the brick and prevents it from peeling like paint.

color palette. In addition to the variety of colors Stayntech™ offers, tinting your stones gives you the ability to control the intensity applied to the stone by tinting it semi-transparent.

Seal the stones. Allows them to breathe, avoiding the formation of bubbles, which often happens with paint.

Which Brick Stain Colors Should You Choose?

One of the most common questions when researching brick users – Stayntech™. Still, it’s very subjective, and your answer depends on your tastes and where it’s applied. In addition, you need to consider certain factors such as: B. the style of your home and the style of the neighborhood you live in.

BrickImaging has been the nation’s premier brick coloring company since our inception in 1976.

Our exclusive Stayntech™ brick stains provide a consistent finish that lasts, looks completely natural and requires no maintenance. Our stains are specially formulated for brick, block, stone and mortar and are guaranteed never to blister, chip or peel like paint.

To learn more about the best brick stain, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss the details of your latest home improvement project.

Diane Dawson, a top real estate agent in Champaign, Illinois, jokes that owning a brick home is like having a bunch of $100 bills stuck to the outside. Brick is in demand and sells well. In fact, 34% of buyers said brick is their preferred choice for a home’s facade. It is low-maintenance, weather-resistant and environmentally friendly.

Still, increasing the appeal of your brick home can take your home’s appearance off the street to the next level and contribute to your bottom line at resale. HomeLight research shows that 76% of realtors believe improving curb appeal is the best thing you can do to make your home more attractive. To help you get there, we’ve rounded up 8 curb ideas that will give your brick home that extra pop.

1. Revise your existing building block

Dawson emphasizes the importance of getting your brick in tip-top shape before focusing on other curb features. If you don’t start from a strong baseline, any extra effort will go to waste. Here are some ideas on how to give your worn brick a makeover.

Repair or replace any damaged bricks

Remove and replace (or repair) any damaged bricks with the help of a masonry specialist.

When one of the foundation bricks cracks, there can be a variety of problems: Moisture is a common culprit and can be caused by a frequently watered lawn or a leaking roof — like a sponge, a brick expands as it absorbs water, and with it the time one wall expands, the others will break from the pressure.

There could also be a foundation problem. If concrete was used for the foundation, cracking could occur as concrete is extremely porous.

The best way to determine the problem is to contact a structural engineer or repair mason to check it out.

Clean and brighten your brick

It sounds like a simple thing, but many owners forget to simply tidy up their bricks because they think they have to spend all their time staging or landscaping.

However, remember that not all bricks are made of the same materials. While baked clay is the most common, concrete is becoming increasingly popular. So be sure to speak to a professional and choose the right cleaning solution if you decide to use chemicals.

If you want a quick clean that’s safe for all types of brick, a water-based pressure washer is a smart option. Just make sure you pick one with less than 3,000 pounds per inch pressure or you could damage the brick. Be sure to cover all lights and outlets, place a tarp over any adjacent flowers and shrubs, and protect the trim around your windows and doors with painter’s tape.

Close and bolt all windows, then flush away! (Note that a pressure washer is powerful enough to remove some paint, so if your brick is painted you may want to clean it manually or hire professionals to do the job). After you have used the pressure washer, you can take a small brush to spot remove any visible dirt residue.

Change the color of your brick

According to Dawson, there are three main ways to change the look of your existing brick:

colour

Painting your brick gives it a solid, opaque color of your choosing. However, you need to repaint it every 3-5 years to keep the color. Furthermore, it’s an irreversible process: you can repaint it if you want to change the color, but you can’t get it back on the original brick.

To paint your brick home, you must:

Look for needed repairs – if there are gaps in the joints, you need to fill them in. Clean it thoroughly and let it dry for 24 hours. To clean the exterior you will need a pressure washer. Apply latex primer and let dry for 24 hours. Choose your colour. As the name suggests, elastodynamic paint is highly elastic and fills cracks well. It also withstands any weather. Colour! Make sure you cover any parts of the house that you don’t want to paint with tarp or painter’s tape, and cover nearby shrubs as well.

Materials needed: a pressure washer, cleaning solution specific to your brick, latex primer, elastodynamic paint, painter’s tape, and a tarp to cover any areas you don’t want to paint.

whitewash

When a painted brick home screams color, whitewash is more like a whisper — it will tone down the color of the brick and add a layer of translucent paint over it.

To whitewash your home you must:

Clean it. Just like painting, the surface of the brick should be free of dirt. Look for any broken bricks or loose connections and repair them. Remove old paint from the brick. Your whitewash will crackle if there are any stains left from previous coats of paint. If you’re not sure when the brick was previously painted and you suspect it might have been a long time ago, you may be dealing with lead paint – which is toxic. In this case, consult a specialist. If you are certain that the old paint does not contain lead, after covering yourself with a mask and goggles, you can use a spatula or paint scraper to remove the past from your brick. Mask off any areas that you don’t want whitewashed, like plants or window shutters. Prepare your whitewash – you should start with a mixture of 50% white latex paint and 50% water. Paint a small area of ​​the brick to see if the color is what you want. If not, mix in a little more water (for a lighter effect) or a little more paint (for a more opaque effect). Now for the fun part: applying whitewash! You can use either a brush or a spray bottle. If you’re using a brush, work in small sections and keep some paper towels nearby to blot the areas so you’re actually whitewashing instead of painting. If you prefer to use a spray bottle, spray water on the area of ​​the stone you wish to whitewash, then wipe the same area with a cotton cloth dipped in the water/paint mixture.

Remember: bricks are very porous! Even if the whitewash looks dark after application, it will lighten after the walls have had time to dry.

Materials needed: a cleaning solution specific to your stone, a mask, safety goggles, spatula, wire brush, paint scraper, drop cloth, painter’s tape, water, latex paint, bucket, brush or spray bottle, and cotton cloth or paper towels

spot

Staining is more permanent than painting as it acts like a dye. When you paint your brick you apply color over it, but when you stain it you let the color bond with the brick, allowing the brick to breathe as you create a new color.

To color your home you must:

Make sure your brick absorbs water. It’s very simple: just splash some water on your stone. If it beads and rolls off, your brick is probably covered in sealant and can’t get dirty. Alternatively, it could be a non-absorbent brick type; If you suspect this is the case, consult a masonry professional to confirm. If the brick has a seal and you want to remove it, you can do this with paint thinner. Be warned that this may discolour your brick. Clean the stone with a gentle pressure washer (less than 3,000 pounds per inch) and mild detergent. Your brick should be completely dry before proceeding with staining – so check the weather forecast as well and make sure there’s no rain in sight! Choose your stain. Your hardware store will likely have several options and will let you test with samples before committing. Look for water-based stains – they allow the brick to breathe better and prevent moisture damage. This is another good time to check the weather. Patches should indicate the optimum temperature for application; You may have to wait for this heat wave to pass. When you’re ready to stain, put on gloves and safety goggles, and make sure to use painter’s tape and tarp to cover any areas of the house that you don’t want to stain. Have a bucket of water ready to wipe up spills. Mix the stain in a bucket (one you will no longer need after the project) according to the stain’s specific instructions. It’s difficult to lighten a stain afterwards, so it’s always better to mix the paint into a lighter shade – darkening shouldn’t be a problem. Test a small patch of brick by applying the stain with a brush. Wait to see how it dries to confirm you wish to proceed with the paint as is. If you like the color, keep coloring the brick. Color each stone from left to right or right to left with the brush in a smooth, horizontal motion. Paint in a scattered pattern. If you color the stones in the same row at the same time, you may experience color variations as you move through the stain and the color settles in the bucket. Be sure to wave the brush in the stain each time to keep the color mixed. As you work, you should immediately wipe up any drips with a damp cloth. Allow your stain to dry for 24-48 hours.

Materials Needed: Water, safety goggles, gloves, a mild detergent, a pressure washer, a bucket, a brush, brick, a rag, painter’s tape, and a tarp. You may also need paint thinner if you are interested in removing sealant from your brick.

Wash your driveway and sidewalk with Powerwash

We have already mentioned how effective a (gentle) pressure washer can be when cleaning bricks. By using one to remove dirt and grime from your driveway and sidewalk, you create a clean, bright canvas for your brick home to shine on.

2. Paint your door for some pizzazz

Because brick provides a neutral “base,” you can add a lot of personality to your home with a bold color on the front door.

When choosing the color of the door, also pay attention to other colors that appear in the architecture of your house: What color is the roof? What about the shutters? Your door should complement these qualities as well.

Here are a few color combination ideas to get you started:

Black door with red brick

This combination is sure to catch the eye, and research shows that homes with black doors often sell above their list price!

Try Sherwin-Williams caviar

A rich primary red door with red brick

Red is a bold door color, and some cultures believe that red brings good luck.

Try Sherwin-Williams Real Red

A white, oceanic, or cool-toned door against whitewashed bricks.

A turquoise door in front of whitewashed brick is bright and modern, giving off a calming beach house look.

Try Bubble by Sherwin-Williams

A yellow door paired with tan or tan brick.

Yellow is so cheerful and bright – potential buyers will immediately feel welcome.

Try Daffodil by Sherwin-Williams

Because your home will have its own style, architecture, and characteristics, it’s important to look for color combinations that are tailored to your home’s unique look. Houzz and Pinterest offer huge databases of images that you can browse through and look for inspiration. You can also pick up some color cards at your local hardware store.

3. Also paint the shutters

The color you choose for your door and shutters is considered the accent color of your home and this is where your home’s personality shines.

You can either match your shutter color to your door color or choose a lighter color for your shutters if you chose a more neutral shade for the door. Timberlane, a Pennsylvania-based company that specializes in exterior blinds, recommends these color combinations:

Combine dark red shutters with a white door.

Try Sherwin-Williams Radish paired with Ibis White

Combine red shutters with a door of the same color.

Try Sherwin-Williams Positive Red

For a more colonial look, combine hunter green shutters with a white door.

Try Evergreens paired with Sherwin-Williams Whitetail

Go all white – if both the window trim and shutters are white, the window will appear larger.

Try Sherwin-Williams Pure White

Stick to classic black – black doors on brick homes remain a popular choice, and so do the shutters.

Try Sherwin-Williams Inkwell (the window trim is often painted white to balance the intensity of the dark tint)

4. Add a walkway

Given the overall warmth and appeal of brick, why not expand the amount of brick you have and build a gorgeous walkway?

Clinker pavers are classic, elegant and can accentuate your landscaping as well as the entrance of your home. Consider these design ideas when planning your new walkway:

5. Go green

Did you know that a well-executed landscaping can increase the value of your home by up to 15%? In our research, we also found that in a head-to-head comparison of homes with landscaping and those without, those with landscaping were worth 1% to 10% more.

A quick way to upgrade your landscaping is to add eye-catching flowers that complement, not overshadow, your freshly painted doors and shutters; This draws the eyes of potential buyers right to the entrance of your home, making them feel invited and excited to view it.

Exterra Designs’ Pete Stinchcomb says when he takes his first tour with clients, he’ll see if there are any overgrown plants hiding important elements of the home — like the door — and make a plan to tame or remove them. Another way to “open up” your planting space is to declump small planting beds (typical of most older homes, as many brick homes are) and instead opt for a roomier and wider planting scheme.

Another way to draw visitors’ eyes up and towards your home is to play with height. Plant lower shrubs near the front of the lawn, place medium-sized plants in the center, and keep a few select accent trees like dogwood or Japanese maple to place in select areas to make your doorway or large windows stand out.

6. Be careful with ivy and other climbing plants

As romantic as an ivy-covered brick home may look, these plant species can cause harm to your home, as they can trap moisture on the building’s facade and destroy the mortar between the bricks. Consider how much sunlight your home gets; If there’s enough, the vines won’t retain as much moisture and your brick might be fine – but it’s best to speak to a local landscaper to confirm.

Stinchcomb offered a nice alternative for ivy: climbing hydrangea. “This variety provides a nice flat version of the hydrangea flower that isn’t detrimental to the brick surface,” he says.

7. Play with the lighting, the decoration of the house

According to Dawson, lighting is super important, inside and out – she even calls it the “jewelry of the house”. She said that sometimes in the evening she takes a picture of the house she is selling to show that it is well lit; this communicates safety and security. When a desirable brick home is for sale, the lighting can show its particular style and design. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

If your entryway is symmetrical, frame the doorway with sconces.

Add a hanging fixture in front of the door for an elegant combination if your entryway/porch has high ceilings (but avoid hanging lights if you’re in a windy area).

Use LED bulbs. Dawson said LED lights are bright and clear with no yellow – this keeps the lighting neutral.

Consider the style of your home. For example, you can try carriage lights for a charming colonial look when the rest of the landscaping and architecture lends itself to it.

8. Replace your old hardware

Replacing old hardware and accessories—the doorknob, all hinges, the mailbox, and door numbers for starters—with new ones can make a world of difference. Dawson really likes bronze hardware for brick, but look at different colors to make sure you choose ones that complement both your brick color and your accent color on your doors and shutters.

Ask your real estate agent for more ideas

Don’t forget to talk to your agent! If brick houses predominate where you live, a top realtor has seen a lot of them and has a feel for what looks good and better, what sells.

Header Image Source: (NicholasLaDuePhoto / ShutterStock)

Bricks are often used to clad the walls of chimneys, houses and shops. They are also a popular material for constructing stairs, steps, patios, and walkways. Most brick masonry is held together with cement mortar between the bricks. This mortar is the “glue” that holds the entire structure together. Unfortunately, mortar is also very porous and quickly absorbs water and moisture. In fact, it is very common for significant amounts of water to flow all the way through a brick wall or chimney, causing extensive damage to the walls, casing and insulation below.

Efflorescence is also a big problem on brick. It is caused by moisture getting into the bricks and dissolving the natural salts and minerals they contain. As the moisture evaporates from the surface, it leaves behind the white powdery minerals. A brick sealer greatly reduces water infiltration and can often stop the effects of efflorescence entirely.

Sealing your brick is simple, easy and will also protect the color of your brick while preventing water from penetrating the brick and mortar. Most brick sealing is done with a powerful, penetrating sealer that seals and waterproofs while leaving a completely natural shine and appearance. These products work 100% below the surface to protect from within. They leave no film or coating on the surface and will never chip or peel off.

When looking to update the look of their home, homeowners often think about cleaning up their bricks and changing the color. You will quickly learn that there are two ways to do this:

Color the bricks

Paint the bricks

It may not seem like a huge difference, but as you learn more about these methods, you quickly realize that painting bricks takes more work and can actually damage the bricks and house.

Brick tinting is an increasingly popular solution for homeowners looking to update the look of their homes without sacrificing durability. Not only can it improve the appearance of the bricks, but it can also protect and care for them – allowing them to better protect the rest of the home.

Masonry stains, unlike paint, do not block the evaporation process and offer a longevity that paint simply cannot match.

What Is The Lifespan Of Brick Patch? How long does brick stain last? Let’s dive into the differences between painted masonry and stained brick to learn more about why masonry stain is vastly superior to paint.

How long does brick painting last?

When deciding between brick or paint, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. Color is enticing because it gives the impression of an easier application process. However, paint coats brick surfaces and eventually requires regular maintenance. This ongoing maintenance of painted brickwork is an ongoing concern for many homeowners, making it a far more resource-efficient method overall.

Once the brick is painted, most bricklayers agree that it will most likely need to be repainted in just a few years. The Brick Industry Association, a trade body dedicated specifically to the brick industry, reports that painted brickwork can last only three to five years.

To make matters worse, it changes the surface of the brick. When the paint is applied to brick, the paint saturates the pores of the masonry and prevents moisture from escaping. Water is trapped behind an impermeable film that lies on the brick surface – resulting in unsightly blistering and delamination. Some masons believe that paint applied to masonry will slowly deteriorate once it has adhered to the brick.

How long does external brick stain last?

So paint can chip, peel and blister very quickly, but how long does brick stain last? Stain penetrates brick surfaces and is permanent and maintenance-free. Our exclusive brick stains absorb into the brickwork, allowing the surface to continue to breathe naturally as if unstained. Because brick is a highly porous material, our masonry stains are formulated to chemically bond with brick and will never chip or flake due to moisture trapped in the masonry.

While paint can enhance the appearance of your home, consider the ongoing and tedious maintenance that comes with it. Our proprietary brick stains integrate with the brickwork surface, resulting in a consistent finish that is permanent, completely natural looking and requires no maintenance.

BrickImaging is proud to have received a coveted endorsement from the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute.

The association stated

“We at the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute are happy to recommend your coloring services to customers with color matching problems in brick, block, mortar or concrete. Masonry walls are meant to last and we believe your stain will too. We have recommended your work several times in the past with excellent results. We will continue to educate people with brickwork color matching issues about your service

Is brick stain permanent?

The next frequently asked question about brick stain is: is brick stain permanent? Let’s clarify. in the sense of “does clinker glaze fade?” – no! We have a 15 year guarantee on our Stayntech process, but there are buildings we built 30 years ago that still look great!

On the other hand, you may fear that once the stone is stained, you will never be able to change the color. Well we have good news. The color of bricks can be changed several times by staining – even from darker to lighter.

Brick stain vs color

So how long does brick stain last? Much longer than paint and it has many other benefits! Stain is clearly a better choice if you want to breathe new life into your home or building by changing the appearance of brick.

While you’re considering paint vs brick stain, don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about our masonry stains and discuss details of your latest home improvement project.

Perhaps the color is fading or you are trying to add more curb appeal and you want to enhance your brick property. Whatever the case, it’s good to compare brick stain and paint to the extent that it’s better for your home or business. Brick staining is, in our opinion, the better option for the long-term appearance and preservation of the property, and here’s why:

Why brick staining lasts longer than paint

Brick is the most popular choice for exterior walls in residential and commercial spaces, with 34% choosing it over vinyl, stone and stucco siding. The natural chemical composition of the brick stain makes the difference to the actual color.

Advantages of Brick Stain vs Paint

Building a brick house comes with a huge number of advantages, and coloring the brick only increases its durability.

Coloring your brick maintains the brick’s natural integrity and allows it to retain its texture and appearance. It also does not “cake” the brick, which means it penetrates the brick and allows the porous material to breathe. It basically acts like a colorant, complementing the natural properties of brick rather than covering it up.

Painting, on the other hand, isn’t a bad option either, but it does require a bit more care and maintenance. This is because you are basically just putting a thick, flat latex surface/layer over the brick and covering it completely. It loses its natural look and feel, and while it may be more noticeable, it traps moisture in the brick, damaging not only the brick but the paint as well.

Some of the advantages of a (stained) brick property include the following:

Low environmental impact

Think of many ancient structures like the Great Wall of China or the Roman Colosseum (or any Roman structure for that matter) – brick has played the starring role in structures that are largely still standing, even after hundreds of years.

Bricks are made from slate and clay. These are among the two most readily available materials on earth. It can be reused for all sorts of DIY projects, e.g. B. to create a backyard path, build a bird bath, a retaining wall or a fire pit. Bricks are durable, require less maintenance and significantly reduce the building’s overall energy use, making it more energy efficient.

Vinyl, on the other hand, is made from a toxic plastic called “polyvinyl chloride” (PVC) that isn’t as safe to recycle or dispose of. Just manufacturing vinyl as a trim option creates unnecessary greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxides as well as dioxin and sulfur dioxide.

The option of tinting your brick instead of painting it means it contains fewer volatile organic compounds (VOC). Our clinker glaze options consist of environmentally friendly products that do not harm people or nature. The stain is just as durable as the brick it is applied to.

Painting brick has a greater environmental impact as more chemicals and toxins are introduced into the structure and environment. Because painted bricks require more maintenance, more paint needs to be applied to the bricks every three to five years. Over time, the color of the brick deteriorates and is absorbed by the environment. The brick will last longer than the paint applied to it.

Fire and weatherproof

Bricks are non-combustible and can potentially help contain a fire and confine it to one part of your home. They can also withstand the impact of debris if your home is in the middle of extreme weather of any kind. You can even get lower homeowners insurance if you have a brick facade.

Staining your brick actually allows the stain to bond chemically to the brick since it’s mineral. The stain will not discolor or melt when heated, so it can withstand the heat just like the brick itself.

Paint is a coating on the brick. It has a lower heating point, so if the brick should reach extreme heat in a fire or extreme weather, the paint on the brick can be damaged – it can melt or discolour.

Low maintenance

Brick is low maintenance and lasts a long time, but eventually the paint wears off and the exterior can fade. This is where coloring your brick comes in! Bricks can discolor over time and change the entire appearance of your home.

Most do-it-yourselfers resort to painting their bricks, which is a temporary fix that requires a lot of care and maintenance. Brick painting works well for small projects at home, such as B. a fireplace. You’ll most likely need to do it every few years, and it can be a creative way to change the look of your living room.

Imagine having to paint the bricks of a massive commercial building containing hundreds of thousands of bricks every few years.

The best solution for brick

When done properly, brick coloring can not only keep the exterior of your home looking brand new, it can also preserve the integrity of the brick and protect it from the elements. Painting your brick removes the brick’s natural porous surface. This prevents it from breathing and traps moisture. The moisture builds up, causing cracking and eventually chipping.

When you color bricks with Stayntech® technology, it penetrates and bonds to the brick. This is done while retaining its natural surface, which allows the brick to breathe and prevents cracking. When you paint the brick it forms a film over the brick while the coloring forms a chemical bond with it.

The stain becomes part of the brick but retains its porous structure to allow it to breathe and lock in the color, keeping it looking brand new.

Our customers often wonder why they didn’t do this sooner. Coloring your brick changes the feel of your entire home. Businesses located next to older buildings in the city will be pleasantly surprised at how drastically it changes the look of an entire block.

An old, run-down city block can look brand new by coloring your brick.

This article was co-authored by Gerber Ortiz-Vega. Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a masonry specialist and founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in brick and stone laying, concrete installations and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years experience managing GO Masonry and over ten years general masonry experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017. This article has been viewed 68,465 times.

Article overview

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If your brick walls get dirty, you can restore their color with a homemade cleaning product. First, wet the masonry with a hose or spray bottle. This way the bricks won’t absorb your cleaner and fade over time. Mix together 1 cup each of table salt and dish soap to form a paste. Then apply to the masonry in an even layer. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, scrub the wall with a brush and then wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. For stubborn stains, get an acidic cleaner that you mix with water and spray onto the wall. Just make sure you have gloves and goggles with you so the acid doesn’t irritate your skin or eyes. To keep your bricks in good condition longer, apply a siloxane or silane based sealer to the entire surface of the wall. For more tips, including how to replace a loose brick, read on!

Brick is an incredibly durable building product for both indoor and outdoor use and requires minimal maintenance. But at some point the building block can get tired and need an update.

As long as the brick is structurally sound and the finish is unpainted, one of the best ways to give it a design refresh is to stain it. Learn how to breathe new life into your fireplace, exterior wall or other brick surface with brick stain.

What brick coloring is

Brick stain is a permanent surface treatment that changes the appearance of the brick. Unlike paint, which remains on the surface, brick stain is a mineral product that penetrates the brick and becomes part of the brick. It can never chip, blister or detach from the brick.

Brick stain works best when applied to unsealed, clean, fully porous brick. It cannot be used on painted bricks.

Brick stain itself does not protect the brick, although it is possible to buy brick stain with protective additives.

Painting bricks vs. tinting bricks

Brick tinting and brick painting are related as both are ways to freshen up brick and give it a new look. Additionally, the two methods work differently and have results that may address different goals.

brick painting

When painting bricks, the entire surface of the brick, including the mortar, is covered with a relatively thick layer of paint. This method gives the brick a uniform, opaque appearance. Although there are no color gradations in painted brick, painted brick can accentuate the texture of the brick surface. It can also give the brick a clean, modern feel.

An advantage of painting bricks is that the paint covers any surface imperfections. Patched areas are also covered. A disadvantage is that the paint seals the porous brick and does not allow the brick to breathe.

brick coloring

Brick stain coats the surface of the brick with a thin paint. This color can be either solid and opaque, similar to paint, or light and thin to match the basic color scheme of the brick.

Brick stain penetrates the pores of the brick and allows it to breathe. Unlike painted brick, stained brick cannot trap water below the surface. A disadvantage of brick stains is that badly damaged bricks cannot be repaired and masonry stains can show through the brick stain glaringly.

Brick tint and brick weathering

When building an extension or adding new bricks to an existing masonry structure, unsurpassed masonry is a common problem.

Even if you can find bricks that are the same size, texture, or color, obtaining bricks with all three characteristics can prove more difficult. Most houses in Britain are built from bricks that are no longer made and even those that are still made might be rare. This can make bricks look out of place, reducing visual appeal and ultimately the value of your property. However, brick tint and brick weathering may be the answer.

What is brick tint?

Brick tinting involves changing the color of a brick to match the existing brickwork and improve visual appeal. It is primarily used in building extensions or in situations where new bricks have been added (e.g. filling a doorway, replacing damaged masonry, etc.) resulting in a color variation from the existing structure. Brick tinting is the solution when the original brick has been discontinued or simply cannot be found in the required timeframes for a project.

What is brick weathering?

Sometimes people need their bricks to have an aged or weathered appearance. Brick weathering can help tone down the color of new bricks, matching them to century-old bricks. For example, if you are doing renovation or refurbishment work on an older or historic building, you may want to darken the bricks and make them appear as if they have been exposed to the elements over many years (e.g. soot appearance). This can even be the case with bricks that have only been in situ for 10 years; the newer ones can look significantly different.

Why you need brick tinting and brick weathering

There is an increasing need for brick tinting and brick weathering in the UK. Most of the time it comes down to the fact that you just can’t find the perfect match.

The brick and tile industry has undergone rapid change, primarily as a result of the global financial crisis in 2008. Small brick makers that once served local areas have either closed or mothballed, leaving the larger brick makers to make up most of the industry. This means that for the majority of UK households, bricks that were previously made at smaller brickworks are no longer being made and are simply no longer available. Also, owners of masonry buildings built before 1970 are overwhelmingly likely to be built from bricks with no specific name.

But even if you do manage to find the same brick that was used in your original brickwork, you still have to contend with manufacturing defects, color variation, and even weathering (since your bricks have been outside and exposed to the elements).

The bottom line is that your new bricks will likely look different than any existing brickwork, making brick tinting and weathering essential parts of the process to achieve the perfect match for many properties.

This is how brick tinting works

Every brick is different, and the same goes for brick tinting projects. The mixture is carefully put together on site and consists of water, various iron oxide dyes and a fixing agent (e.g. potassium silicate).

However, before a permanent tint occurs, the solution is always pre-tested on a small sample area to match the color and obtain prior approval. No fixative is applied to the sample, so the tint can be easily washed off and the color corrected if necessary.

Once a perfect color match is achieved, a fixative is added to the mixture and the tinting solution is applied stone by stone. The process is carried out by qualified technicians who can generally finish around 15-20 square meters per day (although this can vary depending on the project). There are also other factors that can affect the duration, such as: B. the number of layers needed, the texture of the brick, the level of access and even the weather conditions (brickwork must be dry to accommodate the tint).

Almost any type of brick can be tinted, although more absorbent bricks perform better. Hard bricks (such as smooth facing or artificial bricks) are very dense and have low water absorption, so they require a different type of tinting solution (acrylic based). In addition, bricks that have been sealed, painted or treated with a waterproofing agent cannot be tinted. However, this will be identified and assessed prior to the start of your project.

Will brick tint damage my brickwork?

The brick tint will not damage your masonry in any way. The tinting solution is absorbed directly into the brick and stains the surface rather than coating the surface of the brick like paint. Therefore, your bricks will continue to retain their physical properties and technical characteristics as specified by the manufacturer.

Brick tint is also a permanent solution and comes with a 40 year guarantee. It is recognized by the BDA (Brick Development Association) as a remedy in the industry.

What can you expect to pay?

Brick tinting prices vary by project. As a rough estimate prices can start at around £500 for small projects and £1500 for two storey extensions. However, many different factors need to be considered, such as: B. the volume of the stones, the difficulty of access (e.g. scaffolding, ladder, aerial work platform, etc.), the degree of color change and even the type of stone.

However, we do offer a 20% discount off these prices through our tinting and weathering partners if you purchase the bricks through Brickhunter.

Final brick tinting and brick weathering tips

To get the best results when tinting or weathering, we recommend the following tips:

The grout can also be tinted to ensure that even slightly different tones do not make the brickwork look different.

We will help you find the right size bricks that have a very similar texture to your existing brickwork.

We can find bricks that are similar but slightly lighter than your originals. It is much easier to tint stones with a darker color.

We order new, clean clay bricks as they have much better porosity than used or reclaimed bricks.

We ensure that your bricks can be effectively tinted (e.g. not sealed, painted or impregnated).

Find the perfect match with Brickhunter

If you need to match existing brickwork, simply follow our process to take advantage of our fast and convenient brick matching service. We guarantee results within 24 hours, samples and guidance afterwards to get it right.

If the services are required, we offer a nationwide 20% discount on brick tinting or brick weathering (through our nationwide dealer) when you buy your bricks through Brickhunter. Don’t get stuck, match the stones correctly today.