Painting brick exteriors white or shades of white have been on trend for a few years now. In this blog, we will unpack this, and examine some pros and cons.
What should you consider?
If you live in a brick home, or a home with just a little decorative brick or masonry on the exterior, there aren’t many ways to change up that look and feel. Except grabbing some paint, and a brush. That’s because brick is frequently structural, as well as cosmetic, and not easily “swapped out.” You’ll want to check out the type of brick, and the condition of your brick prior to painting. If you have solid brick that still looks great, be aware of the low-maintenance nature of that. Upkeep on that brick is minimal, whereas brick that’s been painted sets up a maintenance cycle where none existed before. On the other hand, if your brick remains structurally sound, but is showing some age, a fresh painting might be just the facelift it needs, however, and well worth your while.
If you are in a HOA neighborhood, check with that body before moving forward. Also, paint will ultimately fail, so realize going in that you’ll be setting yourself up for periodical re-paint jobs moving forward.
How to paint correctly.
If you decide to paint, do it right for a long lasting, professional look. First, choose the correct paint, and primer. Brick is porous, and needs to breathe, so do not grab a wall paint, and put it on your brick because you’ll seal it, and ultimately damage it. Doing so will seal the brick off and won’t allow moisture in or out.
Go with masonry paints that are more breathable and adhere better. They cost a bit more but are worth it. Make sure your brick is clean, and use the best primer, and highest quality paint you can afford. Also, use a roller with a thick nap to get into nooks and crannies.
Will this be a dated trend in a few years?
Painting brick has been around for a long time, thanks in part to the popularity of the ‘modern farmhouse’ look, and painted exterior brick is currently very popular now. Like all trends, however, it could go out of style for a season, or three in the future, so be mindful of that if you intend to sell soon. When approached with commitment and care, painted brick can be just the thing to refresh your home’s exterior—just be sure it’s really what YOU want before committing.
Will freshly painted brick hurt or help resale?
That will depend on what your brick looked like prior to the “freshen-up: and how “on-trend” the look is when you decide to sell.
For more detailed real estate advice, please contact Karen today. With over twenty years of experience and a leading real estate agent in Georgia, she is a wealth of information for her clients!
