Both stained and painted brick walls add an aesthetically pleasing look to your home. But the two vary greatly in terms of longevity and maintenance. Let’s talk about what’s better for your needs here.
What is Brick Painting?
Brick painting is applying paint to the brick surface to form a protective layer of color. It’s a flexible way to update and recolor your home if you’re tired of brick’s natural, earthy tones.
Many say that painting brick walls is a bad idea because the material is porous and needs to breathe. Yes, painting brick is a permanent choice, but like any other type of material and surface in your home, it can work well with the proper preparation and the right paint.
It is best to use masonry paint for brick walls designed for brick, concrete, and stone surfaces. This type of paint provides weather resistance, and some paints are water-repellent. Masonry paint can also stick appropriately to these surfaces and last between 5 and 10 years.
What is Brick Staining?
Instead of forming a layer on top of the surface, brick staining involves physically changing the color of the brick itself. This is done by applying a tinting solution to the brick, usually made of a water-based pigment and a chemical binder. This process preserves the brick’s original texture and features.
This method usually helps achieve a natural-looking change in brick color. It is permanent, and it doesn’t need too much maintenance. It is also not heavily affected by extreme weather and UV rays, with the color lasting long despite exposure to these factors.
What’s Better: Staining or Painting Brick?
If you’re wondering which one to go for, consider the following factors:
Looks
Both exterior and interior painted brick walls give the home a sleeker, more modern look as they cover the brick’s original color and texture.
When used with lighter colors, painted brick interior walls add a more polished and contemporary style to a space, helping achieve a uniform finish. This method also helps brighten spaces and make them seem larger. On the other hand, opting to use darker tones adds a sense of elegance and sophistication.
Meanwhile, brick staining helps bring out the material’s natural texture and color. It helps highlight the brick’s natural features, which provides a rustic finish that blends well with the outdoors. It helps achieve a more subtle and earthy look to your home. Staining exterior brick homes is a popular choice to enhance curb appeal as it helps preserve the brick home’s original look.
Longevity
When it comes to longevity, it would be better to choose brick staining instead of using paint.
Given brick’s porous surface, using paint will be too thick to penetrate the material and will only sit on top. Because of this, air and moisture tend to get stuck between the paint layer and the brick. This causes the paint layer to blister and bubble a few years after the application.
Meanwhile, since brick staining penetrates through the surface, it becomes part of the substrate, making it last longer. Even after 30 years, the appearance of brick stains can remain saturated and uniform. Additionally, you will not have to deal with chipping and blistering with stains, and moisture damage will be less common since stains allow the brick to breathe.
Maintenance
If you opt for painting interior bricks in your home, you get a smooth, protective surface that is not prone to dirt accumulation. As such, painted brick walls are easier to clean, but like most home maintenance, this needs to be done periodically.
Keep in mind that painted brick surfaces need more frequent repaintings or touch-ups. The moisture and air trapped between the paint layer and brick pores make them prone to chipping away or blistering. To ensure a longer-lasting wall brick painting job, it’s best to seek the help of professional contractors. They have the proper techniques and equipment for a high-quality brick paint job.
On the other hand, stained brick is virtually maintenance-free. The color can last up to 30 years or more; you’ll only need to repoint lime mortar occasionally. The only maintenance you will need is cleaning it occasionally to keep its appealing look.
Cost
The initial cost to paint or stain a brick home is within the same range. Depending on the size of the house, a paint or stain job will range between $3,500 to $10,500.
However, the accumulated costs will vary between the two. Stained homes cost less to maintain in the long run since you don’t need to do much for upkeep. On the other hand, the painted brick walls will require more frequent maintenance, so you will have to shell out more money in a shorter period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Color to Stain Bricks?
The best brick stains enhance the material’s natural color. Usually, stains come in earthy hues that showcase the natural color of clay used in making brick. These hues include reds, browns, tans, or oranges.
Can You Restore Brick After It’s Painted?
While possible, it would be difficult, tedious, and costly. It involves stripping the paint off the brick. To further complicate things, professionals must remove and replace the mortar.
Do You Need Waterproof or Weatherproof Bricks?
Modern bricks don’t need waterproofing or weatherproofing. This material is highly durable and easily withstands any damage from weather events.
Go Rustic or Modern
Both painting and staining brick have pros and cons. Choosing which one to do depends on your preferences and numerous other considerations, such as maintenance and cost.
Need help deciding whether painting or staining brick is best for your home? Queen City Painting, a Charlotte painting company, can give your home a fresh coat of paint. Call us at 704-996-9266 or contact us online for a free quote today!