Should we paint our exterior brick or Limewash / Brick Stain?
Hi all,
Helping my mum with renovating her home currently, she’s had the interior painted through but is now in the process of wanting to paint the exterior of her 1960s style brick home as she doesn’t like the colour of them anymore. The bricks were made in that time with Lime Mortar or Gauge I think? (Please correct me if I’m wrong). I was all on board for her to get it painted but now after doing a little research I’m a little apprehensive.
Because the brick is very old there are quite a few holes where the existing lime mortar used to be and the painters who were going to start painting are not wanting to start until it’s fixed, so it now needs to be filed with cement and sprayed with an acid wash before we even start.
I’ve been researching and heard about Limewashing? Or brick staining? Do they do that here in Australia? And would that be a better suited idea than painting? The paint they would use is called ‘Bergers Dulux low sheen exterior’ paint, it says it protects against mould and fungus but does it?
I’m feeling for my mum as she’s so excited about being able to renovate a bit and I don’t want to put a dampener or upset her I also have to consider budget for her as I’m helping her out also.
Sorry for the long winded post but any advice would help a long way.
Thanks guys! 🙏🏼
Comments (13)
Lucy Hoskin
9 months agoRelated Discussions
Help Modernising our 1970's Brick Home Exterior
Comments (36)This is just like our Mediterranean house in Canberra. It was rendered white which never cracked or got mould on it, though I would prefer it to be done in a modern colour like our current home on the Gold Coast which is a rich sand colour with a heavy bagged appearance that has faded from a strong dark sand. With beautiful dark patterned orangey tiles all outside that reflect their colour on the walls during the day it is quite magical. Roof tiles also spray painted after being re pointed. I suggest you amplify the lovely quality of arches and don't go for what is trendy. But go with colour scheme for the house design. At our entrance there is a built up garden courtyard feature with wonderful iron gates and a large water feature in the courtyard that the lounge room looks out to and has the French doors that also opened onto the courtyard garden. Commence the courtyard wall to the left side of the steps and create a flat area at the gated entrance where we had a north single gate and a west double gate. The Pines were planted on the outside of this courtyard wall and gave extra privacy and blocked the westerly afternoon sun. The house always looked impressive, yet was just a simple presentation....See MoreHow do we update our 70s orange-brick Brady Bunch house?
Comments (25)There's some great ideas there . The first thing that stands out is that pipe handrail downstairs -- I hate them with a vengence . Remove it , extend the step to fill the space , with 1 or maybe 2 small full-width steps . Just me , I'd do in charcol or black non-glossy 400 x 400 tiles . Most of the windows are black framed , and look okay in my opinion . Paint the upstairs balistrade in black or charcoal -- will tie it in and even though the style is dated , I don't think it would matter -- it would then look like part of the overall concept . I like the English White of the front door , but here's where I'd get colourful -- do the door jamb and the diamonds in the brightest citrus orange you can , and then carry it to the garage door ! The garage door surround ( including the 3 window surrounds above it ) I would paint in charcoal or black . And here's probably the most controversial part -- leave the awnings , but also paint them in Citrus Orange , with the ridges on them in a beige , maybe veering towards an apricot ! This will really lift everything visually IMO , the orange brick will tie in and bland in without looking overdone , the Bright Orange and mainly charcoal or black is modern but not too modern , with the English White door breaking everything while still having Bright Ornage to tie it all in . There looks to be a Butterscotch Orange gate to the left of the house -- obviously , you would repaint that in the brighter orange too , to look cohesive , but you already see how it looks more exciting than the Burgundy Red existing colours . Which leaves 1 thing I don't like the colour of -- the top fascia board or gutter . I suspect Vitamin C Orange would be too much , so probably play it safe , and go either charcoal , or a lighter greeny/grey to match the roof tiles . Probably not what everyone would do -- but that's what I would do with that pallette !...See MoreHow should we modernise our quirky older house?
Comments (15)I'd be different , and wouldn't go too dark -- I'd almost consider a light grey or a sandstone or even a very light green/grey as the main colour , with the windows and shutters in the crisp white . Boring eh ? THEN though , I'd do the gutters and garage door in the brightest red or orange or yellow -- that balances out the crisp white features . And then , I'd do a largish sloping pergola about twice the width of the front veranda entrance( basically about as wide as the edge of the windows -- maybe 4-5metres , and coming out around 2 metres . The higher edge would be above that 'break' line , and therefore camoflauge that . Personally , I'd do it in a nice mid red type stain ( or use a rich timber and varnish it ) , but charcoal would work and contrast too . I'd levae the bricks , waterblast the drive , add a couple of big glossy terracotta pots ( maybe 1metre or more tall ) in the same colour as your gutterings , with cactus or similar -- these can even be added later as budget permits . Depending on your skills , it would be pretty budget ( maybe under $10K ? ) but it would really lift the look . Just an idea ....See MorePlease help us with ideas for our red brick farmhouse near Sydney
Comments (12)Hi oklouise, thank you also for your excellent ideas. We like the idea of the window seat, but in the first instance we will try removing the existing gable end and exposing the overhanging eaves as you suggested. We saw this sort of thing on some old houses in Orange (NSW) last weekend and really liked it, so it is uncanny that you suggested it. Do you think we could get away with a gable vent to make a bit of a statement, or do you think that might be a bit fussy? Regarding the roof, we are considering Shale Grey as it is light (and therefore will absorb less heat), and it it the Colorbond colour that supposedly most resembles old zincalume. However, we are still trying to work out if this works the best with our brick colour. Again, thank you for your advice !...See More
bigreader
9 months agoLucy Hoskin
9 months agoUser
9 months agoUser
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agoLucy Hoskin
9 months agobigreader
9 months ago
Julie Herbert
9 months agoAgree with bigreader’s ideas re bricks, the money you save could replace your front fence with a more modern look, you could either paint your porch railing or change to compliment the fence, it would give a whole new look to your Mum’s house.
Kate
9 months agoLucy Hoskin
9 months agowendyec
9 months agoJohn H
last month
bigreader