Paint or Not?

Question

I am thinking about painting the brick front of my home...yea or nay?
I would like to 'perk' up the front of my home a bit more. I brightened up the entryway by painting the front door. Should I bring the soft grey around to thebrick. Soft grey is the base for the rest of the home's exterior.

Tami @ Curb Alert! · Answer

Maybe try some shutters around the windows first.

Swan Road Designs · Answer

I'd stay away from paint. Add some colorful landscaping and/or garden art.

Patti Cagle · Answer

a soft grey wash would be beautiful. A lot of people are painting their tired red brick houses now. You could buy some bricks the same color and practice with different shades and washes.

Lela · Answer

@Sue - I'm saying No to paint, at least for now. Shutters, big plants, colorful pots might be a great way to brighten up the dark red. Also, you could use some decorating software that will show you what your brick would look like in different colors. Have Fun !

Terry · Answer

Don't paint...you will have to keep it up forever. weathered brick has a beauty and a dignity...don't fall for fads and then have to paint all the time.

Katrina Warren · Answer

I've never understood why anyone would paint over brick unless it's just a really ugly color. To me it takes away from the beauty, & makes a house look cheap.

Linda T · Answer

No, no, no! That brick is way to beautiful to paint, and all of the above comments that say no.

Opal · Answer

I think your brick house is lovely as is and would not paint it. If you are wanting to balance the scale on the front plant area (in the photo there seems to be a vast area between the top of the house and the low plants) I would move the big bush by your car to the outside corner to the right of the window (or something else there that is larger). Moving the bush would also open up your bright front door and then you could put smaller stuff down the driveway. I can't really envision that area because the bush is blocking, but you may want to consider something on the door side of the window as well. In short, no don't paint. Please post what you do.

Debbie Kauk · Answer

i am here to say that i would only paint the brick if it's really dated or just a really unattractive color. i painted our brick and loved, loved, loved it. if the trim is a soft gray i would just go a couple of shades darker gray for the brick. as for upkeep. NONE. i have seen houses in my town that the brick has been painted for years and still looks great. the brick is very porouse so the paint really adheres to it well and soaks into all the crevies. i painted mine my self with just brushes and thick rollers. it was a little bit more time consuming but, the results were great and i got countless compliments.

Pam Mariner Good · Answer

I wouldn't paint the brick, either. Adding color with potted plants and plants is such an easy way to go, and versatile enough that you can change it up often.

Penny Craun · Answer

Never paint brick!!

Hester · Answer

Don't paint - The bricks are beautiful.  Rather jazz up your house with colorful hanging baskets/pots with plants & a new runner for your entry that is color coded with your turquoise door.

Heather McGee · Answer

I would not paint the brick.If it were me I would redesign the landscaping. First the shrub would go, it's blocking the entrance.Then I would expand the border in front of the window. Add some curves to it. Add some foundation plants with vertical height, to scale with the window. I would top the concrete floor of the entryway with a stone/slate veneer(depending on climate) & make a walkway to draw one to the entry. I would mulch the border.If the rocks were to stay, I would use the smaller ones as an edging & place much larger boulders amongst the plantings.

Marcia Calcaterra · Answer

No!!! It could devalue your home. Have you ever seen chipped brick paint? Not pretty.

Diane Foster · Answer

Ive seen several brick houses that have been painted. and they look great!  I say go for it.  Some have painted  a light grey and a beige.  Those houses had the same type brick as yours.  The houses look  terrific.  I'm trying to convince my mother to have her painted.

Dottie DuParce · Answer

Painting brick becomes a costly nightmare. First, it takes at least 3 times the amount of paint than if you were painting a flat surface and since you want to go from dark to light, it may take 6 times as much. Thenevery few years, you will need to Scrub it with a wire brush to remove the flaking paint and repaint it. Plain brick is almost maintenance - free. Painted brick becomes a maintenance problem. Spruce up the landscape and save yourself the nightmare.

Katy Bowss · Answer

I painted my brick home and do not regret it.  I have never had more compliments then when I did this.  Matter of fact, people thought we moved and someone else has moved in.    Painted it and made shutters.  I will post a pic for you.  Have to get off external drive.

Barb · Answer

No, painting has up keep, my friend did they and was sorry. First I would omit that brush it's hiding your front entrance. You need a focal point ( curb appeal) and add shutters in black then add a spinal brush on each side of the window. Add a new full glass screen door and your inside door is nice , just paint it red and add a gold kick plate below at the bottom , add a hanging light over head just after it clears the door opening and center it with the door. Add a long runner from door edge. A rod iron planter on the left just as you step on rug would look great. I haves pictures to tie it all together and you may be able to add very small trim around the door also. Just a thought💡If you don't like the hanging light have spot lights over head and omit that left lamp.

Patty Anderson · Answer

Save that brush! it's a lovely flowering sage!!!

Barb · Answer

here are some more pics

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