Break with the trend and make your house memorable.
Key Takeaways
Full disclosure, an oldbrick home painted whiteis an attractive look for a house.
A fresh coat of white paint can immediately impact a house lacking any real character.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
“White is a classic and safe color,” admits theCharleston-based designer Jill Howard.
“It makes perfect sense that people would gravitate toward this idea.
People have been paintingoutdated brick houseswhite for years.”
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Since this is a practical and transformative update, many homeowners opt to play it safe.
Here are some of the best ideas for more ways to brighten your brick without defaulting to white paint.
Pressure washing uses high pressure to remove dirt, grime, algae, mold, and more.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Once thoroughly cleaned, you might decide you like the look of the original brick.
After scrubbing your house down with a power washer, these marks might be more visible.
Fixing these cracks might be enough for you to put off a total refacing for a few years.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Shannon Gini
Be Brave.
Paint the Bricks
Color doesn’t have to be intimidating.
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“It’s unexpected but still classic,” she says.
Paint the Grout
Consider painting the grout a new color to give your house a new look.
Transforming existing grout to a darker or lighter color will alter the overall perception of the brick and home.
This delicate task can be more time-consuming, so smaller areas might benefit most from this update.
Plus, the upkeep is often brutal.
“That would mean something in the blue or even blue/green family.”
She suggests brightening your trim and painting it a pure white as another low-maintenance solution.
But be warned: Because you’re using mortar, it does not refinish as easily as paint.
Try a Limewash
Another refacing solution is classic limewash, which Howard prefers.
Crushed limestone burned and mixed with water creates a lime putty or “limewash.”
The technique penetrates brick rather than sitting on top of the surface.
Bonus points, the technique is also eco-friendly.
Whitewash is a 50/50mix of water and latex paint that provides a transparent effect.
It’s curb appeal 101.
In regions with more humid climates, painted brick may need updating more frequently than in colder areas.
Exterior painted brick requires maintenance when it starts to chip or peel.
Additionally, painted brick can bubble in regions with excessive heat or humidity.
Light-colored painted brick needs cleaning more regularly than darker paint.
