Is your home’s exterior looking tired and dated? Painting the brick and siding on your house can give it a whole new modern look with minimal effort. This relatively simple DIY project can completely transform your curb appeal and add value to your property. Here’s everything you need to know about prepping, painting, and caring for your home’s brick and siding.
Reasons to Paint Your Brick and Siding
Giving your home’s exterior a fresh coat of paint is one of the most budget-friendly ways to upgrade its style and appearance. Here are some of the top reasons to paint your brick and siding:
- Modernize the look of your dated, worn exterior
- Boost your home’s curb appeal and give it an updated facelift
- Change up the color scheme or try a trendy painted brick style
- Increase resale value by making your home more attractive to buyers
- Refresh faded brick and dingy or discolored siding
- Cover up any flaws, blemishes, or imperfections on the surfaces
- Coordinate brick and siding colors for a cohesive aesthetic
Preparing Brick and Siding for Painting
Properly prepping your brick and siding before painting is crucial for getting great results. Here are the key steps:
Power Washing
Thoroughly clean both brick and siding by power washing the surfaces. This removes built-up dirt, mildew, and chalky paint so the new paint adheres well.
Assess and Repair Surface Issues
Inspect for any moisture issues, damage, or needed repairs. Address areas of efflorescence or water damage on brick. Repair dents or damaged spots in siding. Allow new brick to cure for at least 30 days before painting.
Prep Existing Painted Surfaces
For previously painted brick or siding, scrape and sand areas as needed to smooth surfaces. Use a deglosser or paint stripper if existing paint is glossy. This promotes better adhesion.
Caulk and Prime
Caulk cracks and fill open mortar lines in brick. Then apply a high-quality masonry primer to both brick and siding. Priming ensures better paint coverage.
Choosing Paint Colors for Brick and Siding
Choosing the right paint colors is key to achieving your desired look. Consider the following when selecting exterior paint colors:
Home Style and Color Scheme
Match the paint colors to your home’s specific style and architecture. For example, traditional homes often look best in classic, subtle tones while more modern houses can pull off bold colors.
Coordinating Brick and Siding
While the brick and siding colors don’t have to perfectly match, they should complement each other. Consider different shades of the same hue.
Popular Painted Brick Color Ideas
White, off-white, gray, and light earth tones like tan and beige are popular paint colors for brick exteriors. Bold black is also trendy for painted brick.
Lightening a Dark Facade
Painting dark brick or siding with a lighter color is an easy way to brighten up a home’s facade. Lighter colors also give the illusion of a larger space.
Matching Trim and Accent Colors
For a cohesive look, consider matching your brick or siding color to existing trim or accents like shutters and front doors.
Painting the Brick
When it comes to actually applying paint to brick, use these techniques for best results:
Use Exterior Masonry Paint
Be sure to use high-quality exterior masonry paint designed specifically for use on concrete, stucco, and brick surfaces. Avoid regular wall paints.
Cut In With Brush, Then Roll
Use an angled sash brush to carefully “cut in” along edges and corners. Then use a roller or sprayer to apply paint to the surface. Maintain a wet edge.
Consider Spraying For a Smooth Finish
For brick with an uneven surface, spraying may result in a more seamless, smooth finish compared to rolling.
Work Methodically in Sections
Paint a small section at a time while maintaining a wet edge. Allow proper dry time before applying second coats.
Painting the Siding
Follow similar techniques when painting your home’s vinyl, wood, or other types of siding:
Use Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint
Choose a high-quality acrylic latex paint formulated for exterior use on wood, composite, and vinyl siding surfaces.
Apply Primer First
Priming before painting improves paint adhesion and provides better coverage, especially for vinyl siding.
Cut In With Brush, Then Roll
Cut in edges and corners with a brush, then use a roller to quickly cover larger areas.
Avoid Painting in Direct Sun
Watch weather forecasts and aim to paint siding on cloudy, cool days. Avoid painting siding in direct sunlight.
Caring for Painted Brick and Siding
Properly maintain your freshly painted exterior surfaces using these tips:
Allow Proper Cure Time
Let paint fully dry and cure before exposing surfaces to rain. Brick paint takes longer to cure than siding paint.
Clean Periodically
Use a mild detergent and water to periodically wash painted brick and siding to remove dirt and stains.
Touch Up Paint as Needed
Inspect surfaces annually and spot paint as needed. Address any chips, cracks, or problem areas in the paint.
Repaint Every 5-10 Years
Expect to prep and repaint your home’s exterior brick and siding every 5-10 years for continued protection.
Tips and Considerations
Keep these tips in mind for your brick and siding painting project:
- Hire a professional painting contractor for a large house or DIY on a smaller scale
- Take safety precautions when using tall ladders or scaffolding
- Calculate how much paint you need based on surface square footage
- Look for paint manufacturer rebates for additional cost savings
- Paint your front door, shutters, or trim for a coordinating pop of color
Painting the brick and siding on your home can give it an instant exterior facelift. Following proper preparation, application, and maintenance steps helps ensure your painted brick and siding will look fresh for years to come. With strategic color choices and coordinating accents, you can amp up your home’s curb appeal and give it an exciting new style.
1. When choosing exterior paint for brick and siding, consider energy-efficient options like reflective paints that can reduce heat absorption and lower energy costs.
2. Opt for durable, long-lasting exterior paints designed to withstand sun, rain, snow, and temperature swings through changing seasons.
3. Depending on your desired look, use textured paints to hide imperfections or create visual interest on brick or siding surfaces.
4. Research maintenance requirements for different paint options to find ones that offer longer-lasting protection and require less frequent touch-ups.
5. Look for low-VOC, environmentally-friendly exterior paints made with green ingredients if reducing environmental impact is important to you.
