Is painting your exterior bricks a good or a bad idea? Given a choice to keep your bricks to their original color or paint them white, maroon, or any other color, most people will be in a dilemma. Below are some aspects that homeowners should consider before painting their bricks.
Pros of painting exterior bricks
1. It makes it easy to keep the exterior clean: A painted exterior brick has a smooth surface. The smoothness makes cleaning the bricks easy with occasional power washing because dirt is identified quickly. On the other hand, bricks that are not painted are porous; hence dirt gets trapped in them easily.
2. Painting exterior bricks boosts curb appeal: Curb appeal entails a mix of light and dark elements in a home. Painting exterior bricks transform a home entirely. It is all about using different mixtures of colors to create something dramatic in your home. A well-designed painting of bricks also helps identify flowers that complement the entire activity.
3. Painting hides damages: Painting exterior brick is a great way to hide damages. When the bricks are still in good condition, painting them hides the damage that could develop over time. Damages such as cracks may go unnoticed since they will be under thick paints.
4. Protection from elements: Painting exterior bricks will protect the bricks from wear and tear. Wear can be caused by moisture penetration into the brick’s growth of molds and algae. You would have protected the walls from such elements by painting the exterior bricks. Paint is, therefore, a perfect sealant of bricks.
5. Painting encourages personalization: Different individuals have different color preferences. For instance, you can change the exterior brick paint to a color of your choice or one that matches your personality. If you moved to a new location today, you would want to make that place feel like home. Satisfaction and happiness are also achieved when you stay in a home that meets your desires.
6. Ease of maintenance: Unlike the unpainted bricks, it is easier to maintain painted bricks because they do not hold in the dirt. Plus, their cleaning process is smooth with less or no damage exposure.
7. Painting makes a dismal home look fresh and lovely: A dismal home is a home that is in bad condition or one that looks old. Painting the exterior bricks of such a home could bring it back to life and give the house a fresh and new look. These minor adjustments alleviate the dark, dismal home into an admirable home.
8. Paint blocks natural pores: Painting exterior bricks helps clog the brick’s natural pores. Note that pores may cause the present damages to expand or be exaggerated.
9. Paint forms a seal: Painting exterior bricks forms a sealing or a coating on the surface of the exterior bricks that prevents moisture from being trapped in the bricks. The exterior brick is less likely to be damaged with a paint cell.
10. Paint protects the brick from changing weather conditions: Weather conditions like floods, snow, and sunshine can wear down bricks. On rainy days, paint stops water from getting into the brick.
Cons of painting exterior bricks
1. Needs regular painting: The exterior bricks must be repainted repeatedly for long-term maintenance. According to the Bricks Industry Association, bricks need repainting after a period of three to five years. Repainting is majorly done because paint fades, flakes, and wears down.
2. Painting your brick is a permanent decision: When you start painting your exterior bricks, there is no going back. Once a person makes this decision, he can’t take it off. Even if the painting may not turn out as you expect, the bricks are never going to look like they did initially.
3. More money is spent on a great pro-painter: For you to be sure that the painting of your exterior bricks will be correct, you have to find a pro-painter. If not, the painting may be below your expectations, and you may not like the results. Poorly done painting can also damage the bricks.
4. Peeling, fading, and discoloration: Of course, also paint chips and peels after some time. Peeling off occurs faster if one of the walls harbors moisture, thus causing the paint to bubble and peel off. Exposure to elements like snow also contributes to fading the brick’s original colors.
5. Painting is complex: Painting exterior bricks may require more energy and effort than smooth painting surfaces. Much effort is applied, especially when using a brush or roller to paint; the extra force makes the process difficult. The surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned before painting to remove dirt or residues from the environment.
6. Trapped moisture can damage the bricks: If the exterior bricks of the wall are not painted appropriately, they may trap moisture in between them. The moisture causes the paint to chip off, and the bricks may develop cracks or gaps, eventually damaging them.
7. Nasty stuff can be seen easily: A painted wall made of bricks can easily display dirt, mildew, and other stuff. Since they are easily noticeable, the wall may require regular cleaning, which can be tiresome. Moreover, you will need a good pressure wash for cleaning, which will still be costly.
8. May need good power washing: You will likely notice lots of dirt and mildew after painting your exterior brick. Once in a while, you may need to wash your home to get rid of this dirt and mold. Well, the advantage is that you will feel much better staying in a fresh and clean house. However, power washing can be too expensive.
9. The paint may be difficult to remove: Sometimes, you can get bored with the current colors on your exterior bricks and decide to change. The task will be more laborious since the bricks are not smooth. Although sandblasting and power washing can make the process easier, these methods often result in more damage.
10. Paint may not be suitable for deteriorating bricks: Most homeowners assume that painting their chipped brick afresh will make them more appealing. Even though the damages may not be visible, your bricks will be more susceptible to moisture. You will only be exaggerating the problem instead of preventing it.
