What Is The Best Paint For Exterior Brick?

Your home’s exterior is everything. Not only is it what you see in your vision of “home,” but it’s also what gives people a first impression from the outside. In particular, brick homes look amazing, but after time goes on you may be wanting to touch up the brick and give it a facelift.

Brick has unique characteristics that you have to be aware of before diving in with a new paint job. With it’s porous nature and textured surface, brick tends to retain moisture which can really impact the lifecycle of the paint you use. 

A painting job that involves brick requires careful preparation and consideration if you want it to be successful and not have to go back over the surface to fix mistakes.

Porosity

The porosity of brick is one of the biggest challenges you will face when starting a painting project of this nature. Because of its microscopic pores, brick can absorb moisture from the surrounding environment. This can cause cracking, peeling and mold growth if the wrong type of paint is used. You need to select a paint that allows the brick to both breathe and give it a protective layer.

Texture

Bricks have an irregular and rough surface that makes it hard for paint to adhere to the surface properly. This can lead to an uneven finish that doesn’t look the way you wanted it to. It’s important to clean the brick surface thoroughly and to repair any cracks or other damage before starting the painting process.

Exposure To Elements

With any exterior painting job you have to worry about the exposure to the weather in your area. Your home has to deal with UV rays, temperature fluctuations, rain, snow and freeze-thaw cycles. You always want to acquire quality paint that can stand up to these environmental factors to stop premature deterioration and fading.

Types of Paint for Exterior Brick

Let’s dive into the different types of paint that should be suitable for brick surfaces:

Acrylic Paint

• This is a popular choice for painting exterior brick, because of its versatility and durability.
• Acrylic paint allows for good adhesion to brick surfaces and provides great color retention as the years ago
• Acrylic paint comes in a wide-variety of colors which gives you the opportunity to nail your vision for the exterior of your home or business.

Latex Paint

• Offers a durable finish
• Allows for good breathabilty so moisture can escape from the brick
• Easy application and a typically quick drying time
• Be sure to look for latex paints that list high-quality resin content to help boost longevity of the paint

Elastomeric Paint

• Elastomeric paint is a strong choice for exterior brick surfaces that will see significant movement or cracking
• This paint is used because of its elastic properties, that can expand and contract with the brick as it naturally shifts
• It forms a thick and flexible coating that can help bridge and seal cracks which protects from extra water infiltration
• Elastomeric paint comes at a thicker consistency than other paints, so it may require using a roller or sprayer to properly complete the job

Mineral-Based Paint

• This is a traditional method of paint that has been used for centuries on brick surfaces (also referred to as limewash)
• Offers great breathability
• Mineral-based paints will give a unique, matte finish that adds a lot of character to the brick
• This type of paint will require periodic maintenance and reapplication to help maintain appearance and protective qualities

Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint for Exterior Brick

Here are some key factors to consider when selecting paint:

• Surface Preparation: Be sure to thoroughly clean the brick to remove any dirt, grime or previous coatings and ensure that all cracks or damaged areas are repaired. Be sure to use a primer specifically designed for brick surfaces.
• Climate and Weather Resistance: The weather patterns and conditions in your area play a part in the longevity of your paint job. For example, if you live in an area with heavy sun exposure or your home doesn’t have much shade, be sure to use a paint that has strong UV resistance.
• Longevity & Maintenance: Use a paint that offers long-lasting protection and will need minimal maintenance. 

Consulting with a professional about which paint will best suit your home is always a good first step. Here at Cougar Painting, we use the highest-quality Sherwin Williams products to give your home’s exterior a gorgeous look that will last for years to come. This way you can have full confidence and trust that the final product will be just what you were looking for. 

Schedule A Consultation With Cougar Painting Today

If you’re looking to paint your home’s exterior brick, give the specialists at Cougar Painting a call! As we’ve discussed, painting exterior brick can be a challenging DIY project if you aren’t familiar with the process. By choosing our team you can rest assured that your home is in the right hands.

We hope this blog post provided some helpful insight into the delicate process that is painting exterior brick. If you have any more questions, Cougar Painting is here to help!