Can You Paint A Brick House?

The iconic Australian brick home has been a staple of our architectural landscape for generations. While natural brick has its charm, many Gold Coast and Northern NSW homeowners are now considering painting their brick houses to refresh their home’s appearance or protect against our unique coastal conditions. If you’ve been wondering for a while, “Can you paint a brick house?”, this article is here to answer the question! We’ll also cover some of the benefits of doing so and give tips for the best application.

Is It Possible to Paint a Brick House?

Yes, you absolutely can paint a brick house, and it’s becoming increasingly popular along the Australian east coast and beyond. Painting bricks offers an opportunity to modernise and personalise the appearance of your home, creating a stunning, fresh look that can be beautifully maintained with the right care.

Benefits of Painting a Brick House

There are multiple reasons why you should opt for a painted brick exterior. For example:

  • Weather Protection: The Gold Coast and northern NSW’s subtropical climate, with its mix of intense sun, heavy rains, and salt air, can be harsh on brick surfaces. Quality exterior paint helps to provide an additional protective barrier.
  • Temperature Control: Light-coloured painted brick can help reflect heat, potentially reducing cooling costs during our hot summers.
  • Modern Appearance: Painted brick can instantly update the look of older homes, which can be particularly common in established areas of the Gold Coast and around Byron Bay and other northern NSW suburbs.
Modern house with solar panels on tiled roof and white picket fence.

Essential Preparation Steps Before You Can Paint Bricks

1. Assess Your Brick’s Condition

Before painting, inspect your brick for potential issues such as:

  • Rising damp (usually common in older homes)
  • Efflorescence (white, powdery mineral deposits)
  • Damaged mortar joints
  • Mould or mildew (these are especially prevalent in our often humid climate)

2. Clean and Repair

  • Pressure wash the brick surface (this step is particularly important for homes near the beach to remove salt)
  • Allow at least 24 hours for the brick to thoroughly dry
  • Repair any damaged mortar or bricks
  • Remove any efflorescence with a wire brush
  • Treat any mould with appropriate solutions

If you’re new to preparing surfaces for paint, you might find our guide on getting your exterior ready before painting helpful.

Best Paint for Brick Exteriors

For our subtropical Gold Coast climate, it’s best to choose:

  1. Acrylic Latex Paint: the most popular choice for our region because it
    • Allows brick to breathe
    • Resists fading from intense UV exposure
    • Handles humidity well
    • Offers excellent durability against salt air
  2. Masonry Paint: specifically designed for brick surfaces, it offers
    • Superior adhesion
    • Weather resistance
    • Moisture protection

How to Paint a Brick House: Professional Application Process

If you want to attempt to paint your home’s brick exterior yourself, you need to ensure you follow a few key steps for better, longer-lasting results.

Check Local Regulations

Before you begin painting, it’s wise to check with your local council (Gold Coast City Council or relevant NSW council) regarding factors that might affect your allowed paint choices, such as those related to:

  • Heritage restrictions (particularly in historic areas)
  • Body corporate regulations (for townhouses or units)
  • Colour restrictions in certain developments

A Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Brick

  1. Prime the Surface
    • Use a quality masonry primer
    • Allow full drying time (crucial in our humidity)
    • Consider using mould-resistant primers for coastal properties
  2. Paint Application
    • Start with a roller designed for rough surfaces
    • Use brushes for detailed areas and mortar lines
    • Apply two thin coats rather than one thick coat
    • Allow proper drying time between coats (longer in humid conditions)
Professional spray painting a wall with specialist equipment

Maintenance Tips

  • Regularly inspect the brick for paint damage, especially after severe weather events
  • Clean painted surfaces annually to prevent mould growth
  • Touch up any damaged areas promptly to prevent moisture penetration

When to Call a Professional

The DIY approach might seem tempting, but professional painting services are usually worth the investment. After all, it’s not just about can you paint bricks but whether you want to! Here’s when you should definitely consider hiring a professional to paint the exterior of your property:

For Certain Property or Situational Characteristics

  • Multi-storey homes requiring extensive scaffolding
  • Properties with difficult access points or steep slopes
  • Heritage-listed properties requiring specialised treatment
  • Homes with extensive architectural details or decorative brickwork
  • Properties larger than 200 square metres
  • Projects needing careful colour-matching
  • Jobs requiring specific warranties or insurance

For Existing Condition Issues

  • Signs of rising damp or water damage
  • Crumbling or damaged mortar joints
  • Efflorescence covering large areas
  • Previous paint jobs that are peeling or bubbling
  • Brick surfaces showing considerable deterioration, and with extensive masonry repairs required
  • Mould or mildew infestations

For Location-Specific Considerations

  • Beachfront or canal-front properties exposed to salt spray
  • Homes in flood-prone areas needing specialised sealants
  • Homes in high-wind areas needing extra-durable applications

Time and Safety Factors

  • Projects with tight completion deadlines
  • Work requiring safe handling of lead-based paint removal
  • Homes needing specialised safety equipment for access

Benefits of Using Professional Painting Services

  • Proper preparation techniques for coastal conditions
  • Access to commercial-grade materials and equipment
  • Knowledge of local building codes and requirements
  • Insurance coverage for work-related incidents
  • Extended warranties on workmanship
  • Professional colour consulting services
  • Proper handling of hazardous materials
  • Efficient project completion timeframes

Call Us When It’s Time to Paint

Painting a brick house is definitely a great option for homeowners in the Gold Coast and Northern NSW region. Still, it requires careful preparation, appropriate materials, and consideration of our unique climate conditions. If you’d like to hire the professionals at Coverage By Design to complete the painting of bricks at your property, contact us today to learn more about our team and our range of services. You can also call now to see how long your job might take and to get a free quote.