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Tips for Painting a Brick Wall Exterior That Will Update Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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Updating the exterior of your home is a surefire way to up your curb appeal and increase the value of your property, but at what cost? In the end, it can prove to be an expensive exercise that may not entirely pay for itself when it comes to the resale value. That’s where the power of paint comes into play. Paint is a DIY renovator‘s best friend. It’s easy to use, affordable, and can transform a tired-looking space, piece of furniture or, in this case, a brick home exterior, quickly and effectively. Painted brick is one of the hottest trends right now, favored for its cost-effective and totally transformative results.

Here, Australian paint brand Taubmans technical customer service officer Wayne Heaver and Fiona King, Taubmans’ color expert, share their top tips and color picks for painting over brick.

Tips for Painting Over Brick

“Painting exposed bricks is an effective way of refreshing any room or home exterior,” King says. “Walls offer a canvas for artistic vision and injecting much needed color. This inexpensive updating process can transform the style and feel of a home.”

Heaver’s Tips and Tricks:

  • A wall that has been properly prepared will not only make painting easier, but it will also help you achieve a vibrant, long-lasting finish. Prior to painting, remove any lingering dust and dirt by thoroughly washing the brick with a mild soap solution of household detergent and water. Once clean, rinse the wall, and ensure it is dry before proceeding.
  • For good adhesion and a smoother, more professional-looking top coat, prime your surface and let it dry thoroughly before painting. A second coat of primer is important when dramatically changing the color of the brick wall, as it aids in effectively blocking out dark brick color when painting with a lighter paint color.
  • To ensure the best finish from your paint job, use a minimum of two to three coats of paint.

Painted Brick Walls Getty Images

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Dos and Don’ts When Painting Brick

  • DO: Prepare. Preparation is key for success.
  • DO: Invest in a high-performance primer for a superior finish and easier paint application process.
  • DO: Allow the walls to thoroughly dry between paint coats to adequately assess the color adhesion, especially if painting over a dark brick wall with a lighter color.
  • DON’T: Underestimate how much paint you will require to paint a rough surface. Bricks are porous and they require more paint than usual to cover all nooks and crannies.
  • DON’T: Paint over glazed or glass bricks. This application procedure applies only to exposed conventional, masonry house bricks.

Exterior Paint Colors for Brick Houses

King’s Color Recommendations

  • White-washed brick walls are a rising trend in interior design. Keeping in mind to adequately prime dark bricks when painting with a lighter color, white brick restores a fresh and bright feeling to a space. Whites can make bulky brick elements appear less commanding, and are ideal for preserving the charming texture and pattern of brick while modernizing any room
  • For a bold statement, opt for darker hues such as navy or a sophisticated and rich black.

Tip

Paint colors that are darker than the brick will likely make for an easier and more efficient application process. Still, make sure the walls are primed with at least two coats to ensure that darker bricks are covered fully when painting with a lighter tone.

This article was written by Homes to Love editors. For more, check out our sister site, Homes to Love.

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