9 Great Methods to Updating Your Brick Without Having to Paint It
While an older brick home that has been painted white is an attractive look for a house, a fresh coat of paint can impact a house that lacks character. It is common for homeowners to paint over outdated brick, as it can be viewed as “playing it safe.” Painting is an effective way to refresh tired looking brick; it is not the only method to updating your brick home.
In this article, we will discuss nine great methods to refresh your brick home without having to paint over it.
1. Scrub It Down & Fix Broken Bricks
Before making permanent changes to your property, we recommend starting with a good pressure wash to shower your brick to see if it looks as good as new. Brick is a porous material, and with time exposure to the elements, you will see beautiful shades of brick turn into a dingy muted color that looks drab and dirty. Pressure washing your home using a high pressure to remove grime, dirt, algae, mold, and more. Once your home is clean, you can decide if you like the look of the original brick. For minor repairs, consider using concrete caulking to fill in chips and scraps your bricks experienced through the years. After your house has been scrubbed down, the marks can look more visible. Fixing cracks can be enough for you to put off refacing the surface for a few years.
2. Paint the Grout
Without painting the bricks, consider refreshing the grout with paint to give your house a new look. Transforming the existing grout to a darker or lighter color can alter the perception of the home and the brick. The task is delicate and can be time-consuming, so smaller areas can benefit from this update without having to alter the original brick color.
3. Tackle Trim, Shutters & Doors
Painting the entirety of your house might not be budget-friendly to you, and the upkeep is brutal at times. If your brick is in good shape, why not direct your attention to a minor job and boost the exterior brick by painting over your shutters and trim to enhance a pop of color to the front door? For doors and shutters, look for a color that is complementary to freshen up the home. Something blue, green, or even white is a great low-maintenance solution.
4. Modernize Everything Around the Brick
If you have the budget for it, a home’s exterior can be fully transformed with upgrades to gutters, fascia, garage, porch railings, front doors, windows, lighting, and more without having to paint the brick. Despite getting into a bigger project with the help of professionals, you can easily emphasize modern updates to different features that can compliment the original brick.
5. Incorporate a German Smear
On the right brick home, a German smear can add some old-world character. The technique involves using mortar wash instead of diluted paint for a whitewashing look. Imperfections can be easily disguised, but keep in mind that using mortar does not refinish as easily as paint does.
6. Use Limewash
Another potential resurfacing solution you can incorporate into your brick home is the classic lime wash. Crushed limestone that is burned and mixed with water will create a lime putty or lime wash. The technique penetrates the brick rather than sitting on top of the surface. It is particularly good for homes in the southern hemisphere as it protects against mildew while creating a finish with a beautiful, subtle variation in color rather than a paint color that appears flat. The technique is also eco-friendly to the environment, so you don’t have to feel too guilty about altering your home.
7. Try Brick Staining
You can retain your brick’s natural texture and choose subtle to more dramatic colors to stain your brick. Unlike paint that will peel and sit on top of brick, the stain will get absorbed by the porous brick, allowing it to breathe while protecting it from wind, moisture, and UV rays. Depending on the transparency and hue, you can enhance the existing color to change the look of your brick entirely with light or dark shades.
8. Whitewash Your Brick
To highlight features of the brick’s texture and color, you can try whitewashing the exterior. Whitewash is a 50/50 mix of water and latex paint that will provide a transparent effect to the home’s exterior. Whitewashing can last decades, but be careful that the desired shade looks good with the already existing color of your brick while matching closely with your mortar color.
9. Put Your Green Thumb to Work
Remember that there is nothing better than refreshing your well-planned landscaping to overhaul the vibe of your home. Hydrangeas, azaleas, and some cheerful pops of color or white crepe myrtle are a great start to curb appeal.
Conclusion
Brick has always been a timeless, classic look for the exterior of a house. However, after a couple of years, this look can feel dated and not as attractive as it once did. There are many methods than the overly expensive alternative of painting over brick to refresh your brick home, from power washing and repairing broken pieces, painting grout, German smears, lime and whitewashing, and more, you can stay within budget when restoring your stunning brick house, whether you are looking to sell it or keep it. Trust the real estate professionals at Burling Square Group to guide you in finding and settling down in the home of your dreams in the many beautiful suburban neighborhoods that make up Granbury, TX today.