Don’t houses made of brick look absolutely stunning? Similar to an old-time castle or mansion. Bricks are expensive, sophisticated, and durable - they can last over 80 years! Bricks could be an excellent choice if you want to give your house a charming, rustic look.
Painting your brick house will brighten the exterior of your home, while also protecting it from the elements. It is suggested that you repaint your brick house immediately as you start noticing cracks and peeling. The longer you leave it at that, the bigger the job gets.
However, painting brick isn't as easy as splashing a new color onto the wall. If you don't choose the correct paint or primer or prep the surface properly, you could end up with an uneven look and a flaky finish. That’s why we advise you to leave it to the experts. By choosing the professional team of painters at Adam, you can rest assured all your requirements will be taken care of.

Can you Paint Bricks on a House?
You can easily paint your brick house with a colour of your choice. Choosing the right method will showcase the beautiful masonry of your brick house. Here are some of the most common brick painting techniques.
Whitewashing
Whitewashed brick walls give your house's exterior a rustic and vintage look. Whitewashing involves applying diluted paint that creates a semi-transparent white layer allowing the brick colour and texture to show through.
Limewashing
For this technique, you will need to apply a thin layer of chalky, bright white, or coloured paint mixed with water, salt, and hydrated mason lime on the brick facade to get the lime-washed look. This technique leaves some parts of the original brick exposed, giving it an antique look while preserving the breathability and texture of the brick.
German Smear
German smear resembles the appearance of heavy mortar joints and irregular stones, usually found on centuries-old homes and castles in northern Germany. This technique is similar to whitewashing bricks, with the only difference of applying a layer of wet mortar on the brick instead of diluted latex paint. The rough texture of the mortar adds to the rustic look. It partially covers the bricks, softening the sharp and straight lines of traditional brick cladding, creating an uneven pattern.
The classic German smear technique uses white mortar over red brick, but you don’t need to follow that strictly and can play around, as you wish, with different brick colours and mortar tints.
Painting Brick House: Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Prep the Brick Surface
Ensure the brick surface is completely clean of greasy stains or loose debris and dirt before priming. A light power wash will be enough for exterior brick; while interiors might need a thorough cleaning with water and dish soap. Any previous paint must be scraped off. For smoothing out rough surfaces or dislodging stray chunks of mortar, a wire scrub brush could be used. Provide ample time for the brick to dry—at least 1-2 full days.
Step 2: Check Thoroughly
Next, you need to check for any leaks or cracks in your walls. To fill cracks, nail head marks, and imperfections on the surfaces, use a suitable exterior filler - such as putty and caulk. Treat moulds with a Fungicidal Treatment. Put painter’s tape on areas you don’t want to paint and lay dust sheets to avoid any paint splatter that might stain the ground. When painting an exterior house wall, protect doors, windows, plants, and bushes similarly with painter’s tape and dust sheets.

Step 3: Primer
It doesn't matter whether your brick wall is old or new, exterior or interior, using a primer is a MUST. If you're painting larger areas, use a roller and a brush. Apply a coat of latex primer; then add another coating on those areas that have been affected by mildew. It is important for your primer to get into all the crevices. Let your primer dry entirely between coats and before topping it with paint.
Step 4: Choosing your Paint
The best option for brick is using elastodynamic paint. It works best for filling cracks and even stopping them from cracking. For the exterior, regular acrylic latex paint is also a good option as it’s designed to endure mildew growth and dissolves any absorbed moisture. Latex paint will dry quickly and is easier to clean up. On the other hand, oil-based paint will dry to a harder finish.
Step 5: Painting your Brick
Now you can go ahead and apply the color of your choice. Apply the paint using both a paintbrush and a roller, while alternating painting between vertical and horizontal strokes. Use a paintbrush to paint along smaller areas and narrow surfaces; use the roller for longer surfaces and larger areas. Keep a cloth dampened with thinner handy while working to wipe off splatters from door and window frames. Divide the wall into sections and move on to painting the next section only when you’re satisfied that the particular section is properly painted.
Step 6: Maintenance
Your job doesn’t end with painting your brick house. You should ensure to inspect your house regularly, washing off any stains like mould and mildew or bird dropping immediately. If required, fix and touch up any cracked paint or caulk that you spot peeling off. Maintaining your house is as important as renovating it if you want it to live long and strong!
Concluding Lines
Painting a brick house is an easy way to transform the look of any interior or exterior space. While the original red brick is undoubtedly beautiful, there are other reasons painting bricks is a good idea. It brightens up a room and makes it look charming. It protects your house from the elements and also boosts its curb appeal. So what are you waiting for? Get a free quote for your paint job with our instant calculator and we can get your job started as soon as tomorrow.