Exposed brickwork can be a favourable aesthetic for some. For others, though, it is more of an eyesore that needs covering up as soon as possible. What kind of paint is best to use on exterior brick?
Masonry paint is best for use on exterior bricks. This paint is formulated specifically to let brickwork breathe. Purchase some that are either silicate or mineral-based paint to coat the exterior bricks, while allowing them to breathe. This prevents moisture from being trapped inside the brick pores.
Read on to find out more.
What type of paint is best for exterior brick?
Masonry paint is the best choice to paint exterior brick with. This is because it’s designed specifically for use on brick and stone. This means that it has more heavy-duty elements to it, making it a great option to hold up against changing weather conditions. Masonry paint is made in a way that can coat external brick without the paint clogging the brick pores, which is what you want to avoid. The pores in bricks are what help insulate your house. Blocking them can trap moisture in the bricks which can then impact the internal walls of the house.
You should consider getting masonry paint that is either gloss or semi-gloss. Both of these types of paint are easier to clean and maintain on exterior bricks over time. They also complement the detail of the bricks.
When you use masonry paint on exterior bricks, you shouldn’t use a sealer. The sealer causes the paint to condense and block the pores. This can result in the exterior brick paint flaking. You want to give the paint as best a shot of staying smooth as possible.
When you’re looking at masonry paint to buy for exterior bricks, search for the terms ‘silicate’ and ‘mineral-based’. These are the elements of the paint that will make sure the exterior brick pores aren’t blocked once painted. This way your insulation through bricks can continue with a great paint job to the exterior bricks of your home!
Do you need to prime exterior brick before painting?
You should be priming exterior bricks before painting them. It doesn’t matter whether the brick is brand new or decades old, priming is important. There are primers specifically formulated for masonry, which are what you should be using to prime exterior brick. They are thinner than ordinary primers, helping them seep further into the porous surface.
Make sure you grab a good primer brush to put with quality masonry tools. This brush does a lot of the work to get the primer into each brick pore.
You need a primer that can bite into the brick, get into the pores, and allow the paint to adhere better. Primer helps paint attach to exterior bricks better, preventing it from flaking. While the primer does seep into the pores, it doesn’t block them, which is why it’s okay to use for exterior brick painting.
Primers also helps with alkali burn. Masonry primers have more alkaline resistance, protecting the top coat of paint on exterior bricks. Therefore, using a primer is just as important as using the correct paint.
What kind of primer do you use on brick?
For use on exterior brick, you should be choosing some kind of masonry primer.
There are specified exterior primers, but for the most part, you will be fine using a combination interior/exterior primer. Masonry primers have been tested and approved on a wide range of surfaces, and are very versatile. They are designed to be used on rougher materials such as brick and maintain paint protection against all weather conditions.
Primer is often used to cover stains on bricks and overall prep a surface before painting. You are going to need to cover up stains and imperfections before painting to stop them from compromising the paint job.
The other factor to consider is gloss vs flat primer. Gloss primer tends to be the better choice when it comes to the paint itself. But flat primer is still an option if you want to lessen the glossy look of the paint. It all depends on your goal for the end look of your painted exterior bricks.
You will also need to decide on the specific type of masonry primer to use on your exterior bricks. There is water based and acrylic primers, which are the most popular options. Water-based masonry primers tend to be the best option available for most exterior brick walls. They are the most versatile and work well on most exterior brick and other masonry walls.
Can you paint straight onto exterior brick?
There are quite a few steps to follow before painting your exterior bricks to do the job properly. The very first step is deciding on what paint and primer you’re going to use. Paint on exterior bricks can be very hard to remove, so you want to make sure you’re definitely happy with your choice of paint. Grab a masonry primer that will work well with your paint choice and on exterior bricks.
Once you have these decisions completed, you need to go and thoroughly clean the exterior brick. Any clumped-up dirt that isn’t cleaned away will get stuck under the paint and primer. This will cause bumps along the surface and can make the paint flake. You can give the wall a light power wash and a good scrub with a poly brush to clear away the dirt.
While you let the exterior brick dry, you need to grab good-quality brick painting supplies. Because of the rough nature of brick, you need hard brushes. A synthetic wire paintbrush is one of the best options for painting exterior brick. You can use a paint roller, but it will need a high nap of around half an inch. Paintbrushes make it easier to paint all the little corners and spaces between bricks for a cohesive finished paint job.
Once you have your tools, you can prime the exterior bricks and then get to painting!
While you’re considering alterations to your house exterior, have you thought about the benefits of rendering a house? Maybe you’re wondering if masonry is a good trade? We have these answers and more in our Paragon Tools resources! For quality bricklaying and masonry tools, visit our Paragon Tools shop!
