IIJournal

International Journal of Interior Architecture

Pros And Cons Of Painting Your Brick House

There’s a lot of reasons to paint your brick house a pretty color – not least because in 2020, you are probably sick of the sight it after being locked down for most of the year! But what are the pros and cons of painting your brick house?

Pros Of Painting Brick

·     It Looks Better – Put simply, brick looks better painted and that is especially true of any older building where there is fading and signs of decay.

·     It Improves Its Curb Appeal – Any improvement in the overall look of your property is bound to translate into cold, hard cash. And if you are looking to sell your home, you should seriously consider adding a facelift on the front of your house.

·     It Protects It – By painting your house’s brickwork, you are doing more than just making it look pretty – you are ensuring it is protected against excess moisture and molding.

 Put simply, a layer of paint acts as a shield that will bolster your brickwork against the excesses of the environment.

·     Maintenance Is Easy – By painting the front of your brick house, you make it easier to maintain.

Cleaning is a lot easier on a painted brick surface than a rough one. By painting it, you prevent dirt and muck getting into the pores and fissures of the brick.

The Cons

  • It Is Time Consuming – There’s no denying it – painting the exterior of your house is time-consuming and you need to think carefully before doing it!

First, you will need to thoroughly clean the exterior of the property, preferably with a pressure washer. You will then need to work through all the house’s flaws – filling in every crack and fixing every crumbling frame – are you sure you are ready for that?

If you do not think you have the time or ability to get through it, then we recommend hiring a professional to do it for you.

·     Damp And Moisture – Unfortunately, sealing the front of the house might mean sealing in problems.

In humid climes, a painted surface can actually trap the moisture within it. This in turn makes it hard for your bricks to breathe, especially if you live in a state with high humidity.

The end result can be rooms trapped with damp and no way of getting rid of it.

However, the damp coursing problems can be counteracted by choosing the correct paint to coat the front of the house with.

Ideally, you want to be looking for paint that will allow moisture to leave the brickwork but stop more getting in.

·     You Are Changing The Building Forever – Before you launch that color at the walls, it pays to take a small time to stop and pay attention to what you are doing.

It is worth asking if this is the right decision for you and if you will be happy with the results.

Although it is possible to repaint, it is actually very hard work, and we encourage you to think of your repaint as Year Zero. It is going to be hard to paint over it if you don’t like it, and there’s no going back to how it was before. 

Still want to repaint your house exterior? Check out our Facebook page for advice and tips.

The Ultimate Guide To Paint A House in 2021

1)   Prep Like A Pro

Life is uncertain, but your painting shouldn’t be! One of the biggest mistakes newbies make with house painting is not to be prepared.

To prepare for your paint, first wash down the walls. Do not put paint onto dirty walls, it will not stick properly.

To get it clean, most pros use a pressure washer. If you have one, we recommend putting it on the widest setting, and then starting from the top, working downwards horizontally.

If you don’t have a pressure washer then a hose might do – but whichever way you do it, take care to get it sparkling clean.

Secondly, if there’re any holes and cracks, fill them in – don’t make the mistake of thinking that the paint will cover it, it needs doing and doing properly.

Thirdly, look for any flaking paint that is already on the walls. We should remove this prior to being repainted, as painting over it will not end well.

Later, you will prime and prep the walls before the paint goes on.

Remember, you’ll be looking at these walls for a long time, so it’s worth doing right!

2)   Measure Up!

It pays to get it right the first time, and working out how much paint to buy can be quite a challenge. The last thing you want to do is to start and then run out halfway through!

Use a laser measuring tool to accurately estimate the surface area of your walls – it will be easier than gadding about on a ladder trying to hold a tape measure!

Be sure to subtract areas which will not be painted, such as the windows, ledges, and doors – although remember to include them again, separately, if you are painting them as well.

It is best to use a traditional tape measure for your doors, windows, and ledges, so try to measure them accurately, to know how much paint to order.

Whilst you are at it, what about your drains and pipes? They may need a lick of paint too. If so, remember to factor them into your measurements. And don’t forget little places like under the eaves and the fascia. We recommend you buy 10% extra paint whatever figure you calculate.

3)   Prep Yourself

Before you even lift a paintbrush, it is essential to prep yourself mentally for the task ahead. We’re not trying to put you off, but house painting is a big job and it requires respect. Keep in mind that if you figure it is an overwhelming task you can always hire a house painter to finish the job.

It would be best to get a couple of friends to assist, but if you’re flying solo, don’t panic. We advise you split the house into separate walls and only do one at a time. That way the job is manageable (and you won’t run out of time, energy, and daylight!)

4)   Color For 2021

At last, all the prep is done, and the moment approaches when you are ready to shake your brush at the virgin wall.

But what color should it be?

Here’s what’s hot for 2021.

·      Earthy Tones – Back to nature is a perennial winner for house paint, and 2021 is no exception. Earth tones, beiges, taupe, creams, and browns are in for 2021.

·    Charcoal Gray – 2020 has seen the rise of gray interiors, but in 2021 we predict it will spread into house exteriors. Charcoal is a good mix between gray, black and marine blue – giving your house a classy vibe that will be good for years to come.

·    Bright and Vibrant – With all the grays and taupe, it’s easy to get bogged down, which is why we recommend mixing it up a bit and adding a burst of color in the sills and frames.

A pop of pink against a neutral background can work wonders and help your house to stand out from the crowd.

Remember, if you are unsure of your skills it might be best to hire a professional – check out our directory for details.