Our real estate agents know buyers flip for the many brick homes in our area. A brick exterior offers a historic ambiance that many other homes simply can’t match. Still, there are those cases when a little bit of fresh paint is actually the best thing you can do for your brick home. How can you know when it’s time?
There are pros and cons to painting a brick home, and you need to take several factors into account before you can decide whether it’s the right thing to do for your property. If your bricks are discolored and dated, you may want to give the idea a close look. Let’s consider it from two different angles:
The Pros of Painting Your Home’s Exterior Brick
- Better Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is the key when you’re selling your home. That all-important first impression happens before the would-be buyer is even at your door. White and gray are some of the preferred colors to paint your brick, but that depends in part on the trends in your neighborhood—create continuity with neighboring houses. - Weather-Proofing
Here on Long Island, it’s especially crucial to ensure that your home’s exterior envelope can stand up to the weather. When you choose the right paint for your bricks, it adds an extra layer of defense that creates a protective coating. This is a sort of “seal” that limits moisture damage and safeguards the look of your bricks. - Easier Cleaning
All in all, paint is easier to clean than brick. When paint is applied appropriately, it means the wall will no longer have so many “nooks and crannies” where dirt can settle. In the future, this may cut down the cleaning time in half. You’ll be able to use a pressure washer, which isn’t always possible with undressed brick.
The Cons of Painting Your Home’s Exterior Brick
- Dirt May Be Easier to See
Cleaning will be easier, but you might find you end up doing it more often depending on the color you decide on. Lighter colors are more likely to make dirt obvious. That’s one more reason why it’s so essential to choose the right paint, which will help determine how much maintenance the walls need in the future. - Paint Is Permanent
While it is possible to remove paint from brick, it’s hard work that may take special chemicals or equipment, and you will probably need the help of an expert. For all intents and purposes, you can’t go back, so ensure you’re totally confident before you proceed.
What Finish Should You Use on Your Brick?
Traditional latex or oil-based paint can cause problems with moisture damage down the line. Luckily, there are alternative options that come into play often when you’re thinking about painting brick. Let’s check them out:
- Limewash
Limewash adds a historic flair to your home because it was at the height of its popularity back in the 1800s. It consists of just two ingredients, lime and water, which turn to a chalky texture. Once applied, white is the most common color. It’s low-maintenance and bacteria-resistant, ages beautifully, and is inexpensive. - Whitewash
Whitewash can actually be any color, considering it is a 50/50 mixture of water and paint. It is smoother than limewash, durable, low-maintenance, and provides full coverage, making it more consistent than limewash. However, it’s much more difficult to mix and apply DIY.
Before you decide what to do with your exterior brick, consider consulting with a real estate agent who understands local trends and can help you get the most from your property. Contact us to find out more about listing your home among Roslyn homes for sale.