Painting Brick Exteriors: Can You and Should You?

Your brick exterior looked classic when your home was built, but now it feels dated. You've seen gorgeous painted brick homes on design blogs and around the Bay Area. The transformation looks stunning, but you've also heard that painting brick is permanent and potentially problematic.

Can you paint brick? Yes. Should you? That depends on your brick's condition, your home's style, and your long-term plans.

We're Lamorinda Painting, a fully licensed and insured painting company based in Lafayette, CA. We've painted brick exteriors throughout the Bay Area since 2003. We've seen painted brick that looks amazing fifteen years later and painted brick that failed within three years. The difference comes down to brick condition, proper preparation, and realistic expectations.

This guide explains everything you need to know before painting your brick exterior, from technical requirements to design considerations to long-term maintenance.

Can You Paint Brick? The Technical Answer

Yes, brick can absolutely be painted. Brick is a porous masonry material that accepts paint well when properly prepared. Major paint manufacturers including Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Dunn-Edwards all make products specifically formulated for brick and masonry surfaces.

The real question isn't whether brick can be painted, but whether your specific brick should be painted. That requires evaluating brick condition, understanding the commitment you're making, and weighing the alternatives.

The Permanence Factor

Here's what many homeowners don't realize: painting brick is essentially permanent. Unlike painting wood siding, which can be stripped or scraped back to bare wood, removing paint from brick is extremely difficult and expensive.

Paint soaks into brick's porous surface. Even if you scrape off the surface layer, paint remains embedded in the brick. Professional paint removal from brick requires chemical stripping, sandblasting, or soda blasting. All of these methods are expensive, time-consuming, and can damage historic or soft brick.

We've been asked to bid on paint removal from brick exactly three times in 20 years. Each time, the cost estimate was 3 to 4 times higher than the original painting cost, and we had to warn that the brick might not return to its original appearance.

Before you commit to painted brick, make sure you're ready for a permanent change.

When Brick is Not a Good Candidate

Some brick should never be painted. Historic brick made before the 1900s is often softer and more porous than modern brick. Painting it can trap moisture and accelerate deterioration.

Damaged brick with spalling (surface flaking), crumbling mortar, or active moisture issues needs repair before painting. Paint won't fix underlying structural problems. It will just hide them temporarily and often make them worse by trapping moisture.

Brick that's less than a year old needs time to cure before painting. New brick continues releasing moisture and alkaline salts for 6 to 12 months. Painting too early causes paint failure as these salts push through.

If your brick has efflorescence (white powdery deposits), that indicates moisture is migrating through the brick. Painting over efflorescence traps this moisture and causes the paint to peel.

Why Homeowners Paint Brick

Understanding your motivation helps determine whether painting brick makes sense for your situation.

Aesthetic Transformation

This is the most common reason. Painted brick dramatically changes a home's appearance. Red or orange brick that feels dated can become a fresh white, sophisticated gray, or modern charcoal.

We've painted brick homes throughout Lamorinda and the East Bay where the transformation completely updated the home's curb appeal. This is especially effective on ranch-style homes from the 1960s and 1970s or homes with small brick facades that clash with the rest of the exterior.

Painted brick works particularly well when you're also updating other exterior elements like shutters, doors, and landscaping as part of a comprehensive refresh.

Covering Damage or Mismatched Repairs

Sometimes brick gets damaged and the replacement bricks don't match. Paint provides a unified appearance when brick color varies due to repairs or additions.

We've painted brick exteriors where previous owners added rooms or made repairs using different brick. The color difference was jarring and painted brick solved the problem cleanly.

Moisture Staining or Discoloration

Brick near roof lines or around windows sometimes develops persistent staining from water runoff. If the underlying moisture issue has been fixed but the staining remains, paint can cover it.

However, painting to cover staining only works if you've actually solved the water problem. Paint over ongoing moisture issues will fail quickly.

Modernizing Home Style

Painted brick has become trendy in modern farmhouse and contemporary design. If you're updating your home's style, painted brick can be part of that transformation.

Many Bay Area homeowners are moving away from the heavy traditional look of natural brick toward lighter, more contemporary aesthetics. Painted brick fits this shift.

Preparation Requirements for Brick

Proper brick preparation determines whether your paint job lasts 15 years or fails in 3 years. This is where many DIY projects and budget contractors go wrong.

Cleaning the Brick

Brick must be thoroughly cleaned before painting. Twenty to forty years of dirt, pollution, biological growth, and efflorescence all prevent proper paint adhesion.

We pressure wash brick at 1500 to 2500 PSI depending on brick hardness. This is higher pressure than we'd use on wood or stucco, but brick can handle it. The goal is to remove all loose material, dirt, and chalky deposits.

For brick with mildew or biological growth (common on north-facing walls in the Bay Area), we use a cleaning solution designed for masonry. TSP (trisodium phosphate) or specialized masonry cleaners remove organic material that would grow under the paint.

After washing, brick must dry completely. Brick retains moisture longer than other surfaces. In coastal areas like Richmond or El Cerrito, allow 72 to 96 hours of dry weather for complete drying. In inland areas like Walnut Creek during summer, 48 hours is usually sufficient.

We sometimes use a moisture meter to verify the brick is dry before proceeding. Painting damp brick traps moisture and causes peeling within months.

Repairing Mortar Joints

Damaged or deteriorating mortar must be repaired before painting. This process is called repointing or tuckpointing.

We chip out loose or crumbling mortar to a depth of half an inch to three-quarters inch, then refill with fresh mortar that matches the original in composition and color (though color won't matter once painted).

Mortar repairs must cure for at least 30 days before painting. Fresh mortar releases moisture and alkalinity that will cause paint to fail if applied too soon.

Skipping mortar repair is a common mistake. Painting over failing mortar just hides the problem temporarily. The mortar continues deteriorating under the paint, eventually causing structural issues and paint failure.

Addressing Efflorescence

White powdery deposits on brick indicate water-soluble salts migrating to the surface. This efflorescence must be removed and the source addressed.

We clean efflorescence with water and scrubbing, sometimes with diluted muriatic acid for stubborn deposits (following all safety protocols). But cleaning is only half the solution.

Efflorescence indicates a moisture problem. Common sources include poor drainage, missing or damaged gutters, or water infiltration from above. Fix the moisture source or the efflorescence returns under your new paint.

If efflorescence returns after cleaning and drying, the brick isn't ready for painting. More investigation is needed to find and fix the water intrusion.

Priming Brick

Primer is absolutely essential for brick. Unlike priming wood where you might get away with skipping it, brick without primer will cause paint failure.

Brick is alkaline and porous. A proper masonry primer seals the surface, blocks alkalinity, and creates a uniform base for topcoats. We use acrylic latex masonry primers or block fillers depending on brick texture and porosity.

For very porous brick, a block filler primer works best. These high-build primers fill some of the brick's surface texture while sealing porosity. They're thicker than standard primers and cover in one coat.

For smoother, less porous brick, a masonry primer designed for cement and brick provides excellent adhesion without excessive build.

Premium primers from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, or Dunn-Edwards specifically formulated for masonry cost more than general-purpose primers but are worth every penny. They contain alkali-resistant additives and better adhesion promoters.

Paint Selection for Brick

Choosing the right paint product is crucial for long-term success.

Acrylic Latex: The Standard Choice

Premium 100 percent acrylic latex paint is the standard for brick exteriors. These paints are breathable, allowing water vapor to escape from the brick while blocking liquid water from entering.

This breathability is critical. Brick naturally absorbs and releases moisture. If you seal it with a non-breathable coating, moisture gets trapped inside, causing freeze-thaw damage (less relevant in the Bay Area) or paint failure from behind.

Products like Sherwin-Williams Duration, Benjamin Moore Aura, or Dunn-Edwards Evershield provide excellent performance on brick. They contain high-quality acrylic resins that remain flexible, resist UV fading, and maintain adhesion through temperature changes.

According to manufacturer specifications, these premium acrylics are specifically formulated for masonry and provide 10 to 15 year performance when properly applied.

Elastomeric Coatings: For Problem Brick

Elastomeric paint is much thicker than standard paint and provides waterproofing properties. Some contractors recommend it for all brick painting, but we use it selectively.

Elastomeric coatings work well for brick with minor cracking or very porous brick that needs extra waterproofing. The thick film bridges small cracks and creates a rubber-like waterproof membrane.

The downsides: elastomeric paint creates a very thick, plasticky appearance that doesn't look like traditional painted brick. It's also difficult to remove or paint over later because of its flexibility and thickness.

We typically reserve elastomeric for problem situations rather than standard brick painting. For most Bay Area brick homes in good condition, premium acrylic latex provides better appearance and easier long-term maintenance.

Sheen Selection

Flat or matte finishes are most common for painted brick because they create a traditional, non-reflective appearance that complements the brick texture.

Some homeowners prefer satin or low-luster finishes for easier cleaning and slightly better moisture resistance. This works fine and is partly a matter of personal preference.

We don't recommend semi-gloss or gloss on brick siding. The sheen emphasizes every texture variation and looks artificial. Save higher sheens for trim and doors.

Color Considerations

Light colors are most popular for painted brick and offer practical advantages. White, off-white, warm gray, and light greige are the most common choices we see in the Bay Area.

Light colors don't absorb as much heat, which reduces expansion and contraction stress on the brick and paint. They also hide minor imperfections better than dark colors.

Dark colors on brick can look stunning (charcoal and black painted brick are trendy) but require premium paint with excellent UV inhibitors. Dark colors will show fading more noticeably on brick than on smooth siding.

Some homeowners choose to paint the brick and leave mortar joints visible by painting them a contrasting color. This is called "German schmear" or "mortar wash" when done with white paint over natural brick. It requires extremely careful brushwork and isn't common in professional painting.

Application Process

Proper application technique ensures long-lasting results.

Spraying vs. Rolling

Most professional brick painting uses both spray and back-rolling. We spray the primer and paint for speed and to ensure coverage in all the brick's nooks and crevices. Then we immediately back-roll to work the product into the surface.

Brick's texture means paint can bridge over recessed mortar joints or surface irregularities when sprayed. Back-rolling forces paint into these areas and creates better coverage and adhesion.

Some contractors spray only, which looks fine initially but may have thin coverage in recessed areas. Others roll only, which works but is time-consuming and makes it difficult to achieve uniform coverage.

The combination approach provides the best results: spray efficiency with rolling thoroughness.

Coating Thickness and Coverage

Brick requires more paint than smooth surfaces. The texture and porosity mean you'll use 20 to 40 percent more paint per square foot than you would on smooth wood siding.

Always apply a primer coat plus two topcoats on brick. The first topcoat often looks splotchy because the brick's porosity isn't fully sealed yet. The second topcoat provides uniform appearance and proper film thickness.

Skimping on paint to save money is false economy. Inadequate film thickness leads to early failure.

Weather Considerations

Bay Area weather is generally favorable for painting, but timing matters. Brick retains moisture longer than other surfaces, so we're extra cautious about recent rain.

We don't paint brick if rain occurred within 3 to 4 days and more rain is forecast within 24 hours. The brick needs to be dry going in, and the paint needs adequate cure time before moisture exposure.

Morning fog in coastal areas extends dry time. We often start later in the day when painting brick in Richmond, El Cerrito, or other coastal communities to ensure surface dryness.

Ideal painting temperature for brick is 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Brick's mass means it stays cooler than ambient temperature in hot weather and warmer than ambient in cool weather. Check the surface temperature, not just air temperature.

Painted Brick Maintenance

Once painted, brick requires different maintenance than natural brick.

Long-Term Durability

Properly painted brick can last 10 to 15 years before needing repainting. This is similar to or better than painted wood siding.

The brick itself provides a stable substrate that doesn't rot or warp. As long as moisture is managed properly and the original prep was thorough, painted brick holds up very well.

The main maintenance requirement is periodic cleaning. Painted brick collects dirt and may develop mildew in shaded areas just like any painted surface.

Cleaning Painted Brick

Wash painted brick annually or as needed with a garden hose or pressure washer at low pressure (800 to 1200 PSI). This removes dirt, pollen, and organic material before staining sets in.

For mildew, use a solution of water and mildew cleaner designed for painted surfaces. Avoid bleach solutions that can damage paint.

Painted brick is more durable than painted wood and can handle more aggressive cleaning, but don't blast it with high pressure that could damage the paint film.

Touch-Ups and Future Repainting

Keeping leftover paint for touch-ups is smart. Small areas of damage can be touched up just like any painted surface.

When the time comes for repainting (typically 10 to 15 years), the process is much simpler than the original painting. The brick is already sealed and primed. You'll clean the surface, spot-repair any damaged areas, and apply one or two fresh topcoats.

This is one advantage of painted brick over natural brick: maintenance repainting is straightforward and relatively inexpensive compared to the original painting.

Should You Paint Your Brick? Decision Framework

Here's how to decide whether painting your brick makes sense.

Good Candidates for Painting

Your brick is a good candidate if:

• The brick is in solid condition with no spalling or major damage
• Mortar joints are sound or can be repaired
• You've addressed any moisture or drainage issues
• The brick color feels dated and you want to modernize
• You're committed to the permanent change
• You're planning to stay in the home long-term or painted brick appeals to local buyers

Poor Candidates for Painting

Avoid painting brick if:

• The brick is historic or pre-1900 soft brick
• You have active moisture problems or efflorescence
• The brick is less than a year old
• Mortar is severely deteriorated (repair first)
• You might want natural brick back someday
• You're painting to cover problems rather than for aesthetics

Alternative Approaches

Before committing to full brick painting, consider these alternatives:

Limewash: This traditional coating creates a whitewashed appearance while remaining breathable and partially reversible. It's thinner than paint and allows some brick texture to show through. Limewash wears and patinas over time, which some homeowners love and others don't.

German Schmear: This technique applies white mortar or diluted paint over brick in an irregular pattern, leaving some brick exposed. It creates a cottage or European look. It's permanent like painting but creates a different aesthetic.

Staining: Masonry stain penetrates rather than coating the surface. It can alter brick color while maintaining the brick texture and appearance. Staining is less dramatic than painting but also less maintenance-intensive.

Professional Cleaning: Sometimes what looks like tired, dirty brick just needs thorough professional cleaning. We've seen brick homes transformed by cleaning alone, saving the homeowner from unnecessary painting.

Bay Area Considerations for Painted Brick

Local climate and home styles affect the painted brick decision.

Climate and Painted Brick

The Bay Area's mild climate is favorable for painted brick. We don't have freeze-thaw cycles that cause painted brick problems in cold climates. Our wet winters and dry summers create some expansion and contraction but nothing extreme.

Coastal areas with morning fog should ensure excellent drainage around brick foundations. Painted brick can handle Bay Area moisture, but standing water or poor drainage will cause problems.

Inland areas with intense summer sun should choose light colors with good UV resistance to minimize fading.

Home Styles Common in the Bay Area

Brick is less common as a full-exterior material in the Bay Area than in other regions. When we see it, it's usually:

• Partial brick facades on ranch homes from the 1960s-70s
• Brick veneer on mid-century homes
• Full brick on some older homes in established neighborhoods
• Brick accents around entries, chimneys, or foundation walls

Painted brick works especially well for updating these mid-century brick facades. The style transformation can be dramatic and very effective.

Victorian or Craftsman-style homes rarely have brick siding in this region. When they do have brick elements (chimneys, foundations), leaving them natural often suits the historic character better than painting.

HOA and Historic District Considerations

Many Bay Area HOAs have strict exterior modification rules. Before painting brick, check your CC&Rs and architectural guidelines. Some HOAs require approval for color changes, and painting brick definitely qualifies.

If you're in a historic district in Lafayette, Orinda, or Moraga, painting original brick on a historic home may require approval from local historic preservation boards. Natural brick is often considered a character-defining feature worth preserving.

Cost Considerations

Painted brick costs more than painting smooth siding due to preparation requirements and extra material.

Professional Painting Costs

Professional brick painting in the Bay Area typically costs 50 to 100 percent more per square foot than painting wood or stucco siding.

The additional cost covers extra labor for cleaning, mortar repair, and the time-consuming application process. Material costs are higher too because brick's porosity and texture require more paint.

A typical single-story brick facade (500 to 800 square feet) might cost $2,500 to $4,500 to paint professionally, including all prep work. Full brick homes are less common but would cost proportionally more.

This is a significant investment, which is another reason to be certain before committing to painted brick.

DIY Considerations

Painting brick is a challenging DIY project. The preparation is physically demanding and technically complex. Mortar repair requires skill and the right materials. Achieving professional-looking results with spraying equipment takes practice.

We've repainted several brick homes where DIY attempts failed within two to three years due to inadequate prep or wrong product selection. The cost to fix a failed DIY paint job often exceeds the cost of hiring a professional from the start.

If you're committed to DIY, invest in proper equipment (pressure washer, quality brushes and rollers or sprayer), premium masonry primer and paint, and allow plenty of time for thorough prep work.

Final Thoughts on Painting Brick

Painting brick can dramatically transform your home's appearance. It updates dated brick, covers damage, and creates a fresh, modern look. With proper preparation and quality materials, painted brick lasts 10 to 15 years and maintains its appearance through Bay Area's mild climate.

But painted brick is permanent. Once painted, returning to natural brick is prohibitively expensive and potentially damaging. Make sure you're ready for this commitment.

Before you paint, evaluate your brick's condition honestly. Address any moisture issues, repair mortar joints, and ensure the brick is a good candidate. Choose quality masonry primer and premium acrylic latex paint. Allow adequate time for thorough preparation.

If you're uncertain, consult with an experienced painting professional who can assess your specific brick and provide honest guidance about whether painting makes sense.

We're Lamorinda Painting, and we provide high-quality exterior painting services at affordable prices throughout Lafayette, Lamorinda, and the greater Bay Area. We're fully licensed and insured, and we always leave your home spotless when the job is done. Our attention to detail sets us apart, and your satisfaction is our top priority.

Contact us today for a free estimate on your brick painting project. We'll evaluate your brick, discuss your options honestly, and provide a detailed quote with no pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is painting brick a bad idea?

Painting brick isn't inherently bad, but it is permanent and only works if the brick is in good condition. Painted brick can last 10 to 15 years and look beautiful, but you cannot easily return to natural brick later. It's a bad idea if you have moisture problems, deteriorating mortar, or historic soft brick. It's a good idea if your brick is sound and you're committed to the aesthetic change.

Can painted brick be returned to natural brick?

No, not practically. Paint soaks into brick's porous surface and cannot be fully removed without expensive sandblasting or chemical stripping that often damages the brick. Even after professional stripping, the brick usually retains some paint staining. Consider painting brick a permanent decision.

What type of paint do you use on exterior brick?

Use premium 100 percent acrylic latex paint specifically formulated for masonry surfaces. Products like Sherwin-Williams Duration, Benjamin Moore Aura, or Dunn-Edwards Evershield provide the breathability, flexibility, and UV resistance needed for long-lasting results. Always prime first with masonry primer or acrylic block filler.

How long does painted brick last?

Properly painted brick lasts 10 to 15 years in the Bay Area before needing repainting. This longevity requires quality masonry primer, premium acrylic paint, thorough surface preparation, and proper application. Painted brick often lasts longer than painted wood siding because the brick substrate is more stable.

Do you need to seal brick before painting?

You don't need a separate sealer, but you absolutely need masonry primer. Masonry primer seals the porous brick surface, blocks alkalinity, and creates proper adhesion for topcoats. Skipping primer is the most common cause of painted brick failure. Apply one coat of masonry primer followed by two topcoats of quality exterior paint.

Does painted brick require more maintenance than natural brick?

Painted brick requires similar maintenance to other painted surfaces: periodic cleaning and eventual repainting every 10 to 15 years. Natural brick requires no painting but may need mortar repointing and periodic cleaning. Overall maintenance is comparable, just different. Painted brick offers easier cleaning (you can pressure wash more aggressively) but requires eventual repainting.