Transforming the look of a brick home often begins with a fresh coat of paint. While brick is known for its durability and low maintenance, painting it can provide a modern aesthetic, seal out moisture, and offer a renewed vibrancy. However, not just any paint will do. Choosing the best exterior paint for brick requires careful consideration of the material’s unique properties and the specific demands of outdoor exposure. The right paint will adhere properly, resist weathering, and allow the brick to breathe, preventing potential issues down the line.
Why Paint Your Brick Exterior?
Many homeowners opt to paint their brick for a variety of compelling reasons beyond simple aesthetics. Understanding these benefits can help solidify your decision and guide your paint selection process.
Enhanced Curb Appeal
Painting brick allows for a complete transformation of your home’s exterior, offering a contemporary or refreshed look. It can update outdated brick colors, unify disparate architectural elements, and significantly boost your property’s visual appeal.
Added Protection
A high-quality exterior paint can provide an additional layer of defense against harsh weather conditions, including rain, wind, and UV radiation. This protective barrier helps to prevent moisture intrusion and can extend the life of your brick and mortar.
Easier Maintenance
While brick is low maintenance, painted brick can sometimes be easier to clean. A smooth, painted surface can be washed down more readily than porous, unpainted brick, which can accumulate dirt and grime deep within its texture.
Key Factors When Selecting the Best Exterior Paint For Brick
To ensure a successful and durable finish, several critical factors must be considered when choosing the best exterior paint for brick. These elements directly impact the paint’s performance and longevity on a masonry surface.
Breathability is Crucial
Brick is a porous material that needs to breathe. Moisture can become trapped behind non-breathable paints, leading to blistering, peeling, and even structural damage over time. Look for paints labeled as ‘breathable’ or ‘microporous,’ which allow vapor to escape while preventing liquid water from entering.
Durability and Longevity
The exterior of your home is constantly exposed to the elements. The best exterior paint for brick must be incredibly durable, resisting fading, chalking, and cracking. High-quality paints are formulated to withstand temperature fluctuations, harsh sunlight, and heavy precipitation for many years.
Adhesion and Primer
Proper adhesion is paramount for painted brick. Brick’s porous and sometimes powdery surface requires a paint that can penetrate and bond effectively. Often, this means using a specialized masonry primer designed to create a strong foundation for the topcoat, ensuring the paint adheres uniformly and lasts longer.
Mildew and UV Resistance
Exterior surfaces are prone to mildew growth, especially in damp or shady areas. The best exterior paint for brick will include mildewcides to inhibit growth. Additionally, strong UV resistance is essential to prevent the paint color from fading or chalking under prolonged sun exposure.
Color Retention
Nobody wants their freshly painted home to look dull after just a few years. Premium exterior paints for brick are formulated with advanced pigments and resins that offer superior color retention, keeping your home looking vibrant and new for an extended period.
Types of Paint Suitable for Brick
Not all paints are created equal, especially when it comes to masonry. Here are the types of paint generally considered the best exterior paint for brick.
100% Acrylic Latex Paint
This is often the go-to choice for painting brick. 100% acrylic latex paints are highly flexible, allowing them to expand and contract with the brick as temperatures change, which minimizes cracking. They are also breathable, durable, and offer excellent adhesion, especially when paired with a good masonry primer. Many brands offer formulations specifically designed for masonry.
Silicate Paint (Mineral Paint)
Silicate paints chemically bond with the mineral surface of the brick, creating an extremely durable and breathable finish that essentially becomes part of the brick itself. These paints are highly resistant to peeling, blistering, and fading. While more specialized and potentially more expensive, they offer exceptional longevity and breathability, making them a strong contender for the best exterior paint for brick in certain applications.
Elastomeric Paint
For brick with minor cracks or where superior waterproofing is needed, elastomeric paint can be an excellent option. These paints are much thicker and more flexible than standard acrylics, capable of stretching and bridging small cracks. They provide a highly waterproof barrier, but their breathability might be slightly less than traditional acrylics, so they should be used judiciously on very sound, dry brick.
Preparation is Key for a Lasting Finish
Even the best exterior paint for brick will fail if the surface isn’t properly prepared. This crucial step ensures optimal adhesion and a long-lasting finish.
Thorough Cleaning
The brick surface must be free of dirt, grime, efflorescence (white powdery residue), mildew, and loose paint. A power washer with a mild detergent is often effective, but ensure the brick dries completely for several days before painting.
Repairs and Sealing
Inspect the brick and mortar for any cracks, crumbling mortar, or damaged areas. Repair these imperfections using appropriate masonry patching compounds or mortar. Ensure all repairs are fully cured before proceeding.
Priming the Surface
A high-quality acrylic masonry primer is almost always recommended when painting brick. The primer seals the porous surface, promotes excellent adhesion for the topcoat, and helps to achieve a more uniform finish. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Application Tips for Painting Brick
Once your brick is prepped and primed, proper application of the best exterior paint for brick will ensure a professional-looking and durable result.
- Use high-quality brushes and rollers designed for rough surfaces. A thick nap roller (¾ inch to 1 inch) is usually best for getting paint into the brick’s texture and mortar joints.
- Apply paint in thin, even coats. Two coats are typically recommended for optimal coverage and durability.
- Pay attention to weather conditions. Avoid painting in direct sunlight, extreme heat, high humidity, or when rain is expected. Ideal temperatures are usually between 50-85°F (10-30°C).
- Allow adequate drying time between coats as per the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.
Finding the Best Exterior Paint For Brick Brands
Several reputable paint brands offer excellent products suitable for brick exteriors. When selecting, look for their premium lines of 100% acrylic latex exterior paints specifically formulated for masonry surfaces.
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams offers durable acrylic latex paints like their Duration Exterior Acrylic Latex or SuperPaint Exterior Acrylic Latex, which are known for their excellent adhesion, flexibility, and resistance to fading and blistering on masonry.
Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore’s Aura Exterior Paint and Regal Select Exterior High Build are premium options that provide exceptional coverage, color retention, and mildew resistance, making them suitable choices for brick homes.
PPG Paints
PPG’s Perma-Crete line is specifically designed for masonry, offering advanced formulations for superior adhesion and protection on brick surfaces, ensuring a long-lasting finish.
Conclusion
Choosing the best exterior paint for brick is an investment that can dramatically enhance your home’s appearance and provide lasting protection. By prioritizing breathable, durable, and highly adhesive acrylic latex or silicate paints, and committing to thorough surface preparation, you can achieve a stunning and resilient finish. Take the time to research products, prepare your brick meticulously, and apply the paint correctly to enjoy a beautifully transformed home exterior for years to come.