Comparing Painted Brick and Limewash: Pros, Cons, and Costs

Painted Brick Vs. Limewash

A pro of limewash is that it will not peel off like normal paint since it penetrates the brick. This means less maintenance than painted brick. It also lets the brick breathe. And speaking of less maintenance, since limewashed brick creates a worn and weathered look, natural wearing and aging will be less noticeable.

Limewash Vs Whitewash Brick

Limewash brick is a great choice for a vintage home look on new bricks. On the other hand, whitewashing bricks is recommended for those searching for a solution that is more permanent. Because whitewashing is mixed with paint, it can be used on previously painted brick.

Painted Brick Vs Limewash Exterior

Paint is more maintenance because it can chip, peel, or discolor over time. Limewash is absorbed into the brick so it does not chip. It also ages beautifully. On the other hand, paint gives you more coverage and color options.

Limewash Vs Paint Brick Fireplace

Limewash and whitewash both give a rustic look that is very easy to maintain. Paint will give a more finished look that is more difficult to maintain. You should consider what kind of look you want for your brick fireplace and how much work you are willing to put in.

What Paint to Use on Brick Fireplace?

Once the primer is dry, it’s time to paint your brick fireplace. Choose fireplace paint—indoor, latex, heat-resistant paint (either flat, semigloss, or gloss) that’s rated to withstand temperatures generated by the fireplace (generally about 200°F).

What Paint to Use on Brick?

Latex paint is the most popular choice among brick painters because of its durability and versatility. Latex paint provides a flat finish with subtle texture and color variation, giving walls a more natural look than other paints. It can also be applied in multiple layers for a richer effect.

What Is Painted Brick Exterior?

Painting brick is a tried and true way of updating your home’s exterior without replacing the masonry. While some brick styles have stood the test of time, others have become dated more quickly. Moreover, many homeowners prefer a solid field color for their home as compared to the natural variety of brick.

Is Painted Brick a Good Idea?

While brick can stand the test of time, painting over brick can in fact shorten its longevity. Recently, whether it’s to freshen up the look of their brick, or change up their home’s color palette, consumers believe a common misconception that it’s okay to paint over brick. That’s simply not the case and here’s why.

How Long Will Painted Brick Last?

The Brick Industry Association says to expect to repaint every three to five years. This would be especially true for lower-quality paints. A key to having longer durability with your paint is proper preparation of the brick surface. The brick should be dry before being painted.

Is Painted Brick Hard to Maintain?

In fact, painted brick requires regular maintenance–touch ups for chipped areas, cleaning on lighter colored brick, and fresh coats every so often.

Is It Expensive to Paint Brick?

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Brick House per Square Foot? You can expect to pay $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot to paint a brick home. This comes out to a range of between $3,500 and $10,500 for 2,500 square feet of brick exterior, or about $7,000 on average.

Is Painting Brick Out of Style?

“Although painting brick has been around for a long time, thanks in part to the popularity of the ‘modern farmhouse’ look, painted exterior brick is very popular now,” Bierman says.

Can You Reverse Painted Brick?

If the home or fireplace is already painted, but you want to restore the original brick design, you will need to remove the layer of paint without damaging the brick. For this reason, heavy-duty solutions, like pressure washing or sandblasting aren’t recommended.

What Is Limewash Used for?

As with all lime coatings, limewash is a breathable coating allowing evaporation of moisture and water vapour. Limewash is also a repairing material, being used to fill small shrinkage cracks on the lime coverings.

What Is Limewash Brick?

Limewash is limestone that has been crushed, burned, and mixed with water to form a lime putty that can be applied to interior and exterior surfaces. Limewash is absorbed into the surface (unlike paint) which means it works best on stucco, stone, and brick.

What Is Limewash Made of?

For starters, limewash paint is known for its chalky, nuanced texture that creates a romantic old-world feel. It’s made from crushed limestone that’s fired at very high temperatures, mixed with water, and colored with natural pigments.

Can You Paint Over Limewash?

James Alexander Limewash is a thin enough coating that when properly applied, will not create any significant built-up texture on the walls. That is a good thing if you may need to repaint with standard wall paint in the future! So yes, you can repaint over limewash or lime-paint.

Is Limewash Paint Expensive?

Limewash costs anywhere from $25 to $100 per gallon, which is similar to your standard paint. However, if you mix it yourself, you can save on costs. Lime itself only costs around $5 to $15 for a 50-pound bag. Since all you need to do is add water, you can really save money and spend even less on the paint.

How Many Coats of Limewash?

Generally limewash should be applied thinly and be allowed to dry out slowly. Our limewash is prepared from the finest quality lime putty slaked from quicklime. It will develop a fine finish over several coats; we recommend a minimum of 3-4 coats on new render and plaster.

Is Limewash Cheaper Than Paint?

Limewash is typically cheaper than paint because it is less labor intensive and requires fewer materials. However, the cost will vary depending on the size of your project and the type of brick you have. If you are considering painting your brick, be sure to get an estimate from a professional first.

Is It Cheaper to Limewash or Paint Brick?

Typically, the costs are about 20-30% higher. The Limewashing procedure can be 50% higher than normal painting depending on the size of the house. The materials are more expensive, and the process is unique. The painters that complete this type of work know a craft and demand more money than regular house painters.

How Much Does It Cost to Limewash Brick?

Painting a brick exterior costs $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot, depending on home size and stories, brick condition, paint type, and labor. Whitewashing or limewashing a brick house costs $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot.

How Long Does Limewash Last on Brick?

Unlike artificial paints, Limewash will not need to be removed and only retouched every five to seven years. Most Suitable for Masonry Surfaces: Old buildings with masonry surfaces like stone, concrete, and brick are perfect fits for lime wash coating.

Does Limewash Allow Brick to Breathe?

A pro of limewash is that it will not peel off like normal paint since it penetrates the brick. This means less maintenance than painted brick. It also lets the brick breathe. And speaking of less maintenance, since limewashed brick creates a worn and weathered look, natural wearing and aging will be less noticeable.

How Long Does Limewash Last on Brick Fireplace?

Slow-Drying Process: Limewashing coats take a considerable amount of time to dry. Erosion: Limewashing will erode over time, meaning it will need to be retouched every five to seven years.

How Long Does Limewash Last on Brick Exterior?

A limewashed exterior can easily last twenty to thirty years in a climate like this. But limewash also works perfectly in colder climates because it allows your brick to breathe. The freeze/thaw process will actually enhance your limewash and you can use Romabio Mineral Shield to extend the life of your look.

Can You Limewash Painted Brick?

Slow-Drying Process: Limewashing coats take a considerable amount of time to dry. Erosion: Limewashing will erode over time, meaning it will need to be retouched every five to seven years. Not Applicable for Painted Brick: Since Limewash penetrates the brick, it can’t do so if the surface has already been painted.

Why Add Salt to Lime Wash?

Salt was often added to exterior limewash to make it more durable and dry slower, producing a better finish. Salt probably came from local salt works. Limewash could also be colored if the opaque white lime color was not desirable.

How to Apply Limewash to Brick?

Limewash is best applied by using a flat brush or masonry paintbrush. Stir the limewash well before and during application, apply working the wash well into the surface. The limewash should be applied in several thin coats. Avoid runs or drips running down the face of the work.

Can You Apply Limewash with a Roller?

‘When applying limewash to brick or lime-rendered surfaces, we do not recommend using a roller or attempting to spray the finish,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.

Can You Apply Limewash with a Sprayer?

Fill the paint sprayer’s reserve with limewash, and then practice spraying evenly from side to side. You can get a feel for adjusting the spray nozzle and spray tip to get wider and narrower streams of paint.