Painting Exterior Brick House: 5 Ideas: Practical, stylish ways to repaint brick exteriors with real tips from a pro

I once promised a client we could “just slap on some paint” and be done before their housewarming — rookie move. The brick drank the paint like a sponge, I misjudged the primer, and we ended up stripping most of it and starting over. It was messy, humbling, and educational.

Small mistakes taught me big lessons: surface prep matters, breathable products matter, and you should always test colors before committing. That’s why I encourage people to test your color choices in 3D when you can — it saves time and heartache.

Small exteriors can spark big ideas, and painting brick is one of those high-impact moves that changes a home's personality overnight. Below I share 5 design inspirations I use often, with candid notes about pros, snags, and budget-friendly tips.

1. Limewash for a soft, weathered look

Limewash gives brick a translucent, mineral finish that reads more like patina than plastic paint. I love it on cottages and older homes because it lets texture breathe and ages gracefully — I used it on a seaside bungalow and the result felt authentic, not fake.

Advantages: subtle, breathable, low-gloss. Challenges: needs reapplying more often than acrylics and requires clean, porous brick. Budget tip: if you’re on a tight budget, limewash often costs less in materials but more in labor due to multiple coats.

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2. Full opaque paint for bold transformation

Going full paint is dramatic and immediate — perfect if you want a modern, uniform look. I’ve transformed dark, tired red brick into sleek white and deep charcoal finishes; the curb appeal boost can be huge.

Advantages: complete color control and easier to match trim. Challenges: you must use breathable masonry paint and proper primer, or you risk trapping moisture. Prep and caulking eat time and budget, so plan for labor costs.

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3. Two-tone treatments: painted brick with natural accents

Painting the field of the brick and leaving window surrounds, headers or a band of natural brick can create refinement without losing character. For a client with a historic rowhouse I suggested painting the lower two-thirds and leaving a soldier course exposed — subtle but classy.

Why I like it: it balances boldness and texture, and it’s reversible if you later decide to strip or change only one area. One snag: mortar color matters — skim a sample area first and, if you need to check scale, visualize proportions with a floor plan to ensure the two-tone doesn’t make the facade read awkwardly.

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4. Accent trims and shutters for contrast

If repainting all the brick feels risky, try changing trim, shutters, and door colors first. I once recommended a saturated navy door and matte black shutters on painted-cream brick; the house went from polite to proud without the cost of full masonry work.

Perks: lower cost, reversible, big visual payoff. Small challenge: the new trim color must harmonize with any unpainted brick, so bring samples outside at different times of day to preview tones.

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5. Color-blocking architectural features

Use paint to highlight lintels, chimney caps, or a porch frieze — think of it like makeup for the facade. I advised a client to paint window bands a darker tone and give the entry a pop; it accentuated the architecture and made the front door read as the focal point. You can always preview the facade in 3D before committing to a single gallon.

Benefits: minimal paint coverage, high impact. Caveat: bad proportion choices are obvious, so keep samples at human scale and test one section first.

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Tips 1:

Prep is 70% of the job: clean, repair mortar joints, and use a masonry primer when recommended. Pick breathable paints for brick to avoid moisture problems, and always test a 2–3 ft sample in different light. If you’re unsure, start with trims and accents — you can scale up later.

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FAQ

Q1: Can you paint brick permanently?

I tell clients painted brick can be long-lasting if prep and materials are right, but 'permanent' is risky — paint can fail with trapped moisture or poor adhesion. Expect maintenance down the road.

Q2: What paint should I use for exterior brick?

Use a breathable acrylic masonry paint and a high-quality masonry primer. Avoid non-breathable coatings that can trap moisture behind the paint and cause peeling or spalling.

Q3: Is it hard to revert painted brick back to its original look?

Removing paint from brick is labor-intensive and can be costly; depending on the method it may also alter the brick surface. Consider that before painting historic masonry.

Q4: How long does painted brick last?

With good prep and quality products, expect 10–15 years before significant touch-ups, but coastal or harsh climates may shorten that lifespan.

Q5: Do I need a professional for brick painting?

For small accent jobs you can DIY, but full-wall painting, especially on older or high brickwork, benefits from pros — they handle lift access, mortar repair, and correct product selection.

Q6: Can painting brick cause moisture problems?

Yes — non-breathable paints or poor prep can trap moisture. Use breathable masonry paints and consult product data sheets for vapor-permeability ratings.

Q7: How do I choose the right color for brick?

Test samples in situ, check them at morning and evening light, and consider roof and landscape tones. When in doubt, photograph samples in natural light and live with them for a week before deciding.

Q8: Any authoritative guidance on painting brick?

Yes — industry resources such as the Brick Industry Association provide practical recommendations on masonry maintenance and finishing (see https://www.gobrick.com for technical guidance and best practices).

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